MICHAEL COSTELLI APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER
OF THE CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER

Hartford, CT (October 28, 2005) --- Waterford Venue Services today announced the appointment of Michael Costelli as General Manager of the Connecticut Convention Center effective November 1st. Costelli joined the Connecticut Convention Center February 1, 2005 as Director of Operations and assisted during the construction and pre-opening of the facility. Since its June 2nd opening, the Center has hosted more than 118 events and welcomed more than 70,000 visitors.

Costelli replaces Ben Seidel who joined the Connecticut Convention Center in April 2001 and was responsible for the opening of the 540,000 sf facility. Seidel has been promoted to Vice President, Development for Waterford Hotel Group and Waterford Venue Services. In this capacity, Seidel will be responsible for securing additional contracts for both hotels and facilities management, and will identify sites for potential new development.

"CCEDA congratulates both Mike and Ben. They have worked very effectively with us to make the convention center a success in its first few months of operation. Ben's guidance during the pre-opening period was crucial to our early success. Mike has proven himself to be an excellent team leader," said CCEDA executive director Annette Sanderson.

Costelli has more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality and service industries. He has served in numerous capacities with Waterford Hotel Group, a national management firm and affiliate of Waterford Venue Services, establishing himself as a leader in the hospitality and assembly management industry. Prior to the Connecticut Convention Center, Costelli served as Regional Hotel Director of 13 Waterford properties located in Connecticut, Florida, Michigan and Oklahoma.

“We are enthusiastic about these transitions as we feel they will allow Waterford to provide added resources to the Center while at the same time providing career growth opportunities for both Ben and Mike,” said Terry Bickhardt, president, operations/marketing for Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. “Both individuals have been assets to our organization for a number of years and we are confident that they will succeed in their new positions.”

About Waterford Venue Services
The Connecticut Convention Center is professionally managed by Waterford Venue Services Hartford, LLC. Waterford Venue Services, an affiliate of Waterford Hotel Group, manages large-scale public assembly facilities, such as the brand new Connecticut Convention Center. The company provides facility management expertise in many areas, such as accounting, procurement, sales and marketing, food and beverage, and operations. Waterford Venue Services is designed to oversee everything from executive level, large-scale directional decisions to those pertaining to the day-to-day operations of any specific property. Waterford Venue Services focuses its marketing efforts to pursue new markets and expand existing ones, in order to develop business and generate revenues for its facilities. For more information, visit www.waterfordgroup.net.

About the Connecticut Convention Center
The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford is the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston. Overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River, it features 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as ample sheltered and outside parking. The facility is served by more than 6,500 local area hotel rooms, including the new, 22-story Marriott Hartford Downtown, adjacent to the Convention Center. For more information, visit www.ctconventions.com.

The Connecticut Convention Center is owned by the Capital City Economic Development Authority, a state agency established by the legislature to oversee a $1 billion investment in Hartford’s 21st century redevelopment that is currently being matched by more than $1 billion in private investment. For more information, visit www.cceda.state.ct.us.