HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS^® EXPANDS PORTFOLIO IN SOUTHEAST U.S.

 Leading Limited-Service Brand brings 123 rooms to Tampa, Florida

Tampa 10/2/2008 – The Liberty Group of Companies announced today that the new 123-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites-USF/Busch Gardens, opened yesterday,  representing another addition to the company’s portfolio of limited-service hotels. The new Holiday Inn in Tampa is among the first in the featuring the “refreshed” décor and design package, and is designed specifically for its location adjacent to Busch Gardens.

Guests of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites will be able to take advantage of smart amenities unique to Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotels.  The Holiday Inn Express & Suites offers both the Express Start breakfast bar, which has re-defined the meaning of limited-service "free" breakfast bars and the SimplySmart shower, which is raising the bar on guest expectations of a hotel shower experience.

Additionally, the Developer has carefully integrated GREEN elements into the project to ensure environmental sustainability. As an applicant for the Florida Green Lodging Program, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites is among only a handful of hotels in the Tampa Bay area eligible for this designation.

"Holiday Inn Express & Suites is designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travelers. As a leader in the segment, the Liberty Group of Companies is continuing to stay focused on brand innovation and guest satisfaction,” said Punit R. Shah, President of St. Petersburg-based developer Liberty Group of Companies. “Holiday Inn Express is pleased to offer our proprietary Express Start breakfast bar, enhanced SimplySmart shower amenities and free high-speed Internet access--all which have shown to be top priorities to our guests.”

Situated on the intersection of Bruce B. Downs and Busch Boulevard, the new 69,000 sq.-ft. property boasts safari-themed modern décor throughout the lobby and guestrooms and offers a variety of amenities such as flat-panel televisions, king and queen-sized pillow-top mattresses, fitness and business centers, meeting facilities, outdoor pool, and free transportation to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, USF, and University Community Health Hospital.

Business travelers will find large desks with ergonomic chairs, two phones with private voicemail and complimentary USA Today newspapers.  The Holiday Inn Express & Suites offers competitive rates for business and leisure travelers, toll free and free local phone calls.

“Despite the economic conditions, the Developer has invested more than $14 million to develop this property and we are thrilled with the end result,” said Jim Hymiak, general manager. “The Holiday Inn Express & Suites is modern, fresh, clean and uncomplicated and a perfect fit for location.”

The property is within walking distance to Busch Gardens and just minutes from USF. University Community Health and Adventure Island are also a short drive from the hotel.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites USF/Busch Gardens is owned and managed by the Liberty Group of Companies, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group and is located at 2807 East Busch Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612. Telephone: 813-936-8200; website: www.TampaHolidayInn.com.