JQH John Q. Hammons Hotels

Mr. John Q. Hammons today announced he has entered into negotiations to develop a major hotel in Lawrence, Kan. The property will be equipped with more than 200 rooms and approximately 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Construction of the hotel is slated to begin in 2006, and the property will be owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, LLC (AMEX:JQH), the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites. The new hotel will be strategically located at the intersection of 6th and 7th streets and New Hampshire and Rhode Island streets, which is one mile from Interstate 70, and also serving the Lawrence area is U.S. Highway 59 and K-10. Adjacent to the University of Kansas, the property will provide easy access to the campus and prominent local sports complexes such as the University of Kansas' Allen Field House and Memorial Stadium. "We've been interested in the Lawrence area for many years, and are focused on bringing a quality, upscale hotel to this region," said Mr. John Q. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels, LLC. "We are particularly impressed with the strength of Lawrence's downtown area, and we know that this development will compliment the economic growth of the city nicely, while providing a destination for visitors and residents for years to come."