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BLACKSBURG, Va. (April 3, 2006) - Gary Crizer, who has served as the director of sales and marketing at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center since it re-opened following an extensive renovation in 1995, has been named assistant general manager of its sister property, the Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center.
Crizer, the first employee to be hired by the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center when it re-opened, succeeds Larry York, who has moved out of the area. The Inn is fully owned by Virginia Tech and managed by Hilton Hotels in conjunction with the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, whose management and sales staff supports both properties.
"Gary has been an integral component of our success in leading our sales and marketing efforts," said Gary Walton, general manager of the Hotel Roanoke and Inn at Virginia Tech. "It's difficult to recap all the significant accomplishments Gary has achieved while serving us but he and his team consistently have been recognized by the company for sales excellence and several of our marketing campaigns have won prestigious awards. He is a leader who is well respected by all who have had the pleasure to work with him, and I know he will succeed in building upon the success Larry started."
Crizer looks forward to his new assignment at the New River Valley's premier hotel and conference center.
"The Inn at Virginia Tech will become an icon in the New River Valley, just as the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center has become a true destination in the Roanoke Valley," he said. "The Inn is making a tremendous statement for the university in its outreach initiative. It's wonderful to be part of a university and its progressive approach for doing business into the future."
Crizer brings nearly 35 years of experience and enthusiasm to his new role. Prior to joining the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in 1993 - as the first employee to establish a sales office and team even before the grand hotel re-opened - he served in regional sales and marketing capacities for Doubletree Hotels in Phoenix and Atlanta. Previously he worked for Hilton, the parent company of Doubletree.
"This is a great opportunity for me personally and very challenging professionally," Crizer said. "I am proud of the work we've done to develop the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. It positioned Roanoke as a true meeting destination, and created an environment conducive to learning and the exchange of information, a place where companies come to meet and be successful. It is this philosophy that will help ensure the success of the Inn at Virginia Tech."

ABOUT THE HOTEL ROANOKE AND CONFERENCE CENTER

The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has 332 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and a 63,000-square-foot, high-tech conference center. It is a joint project of Hotel Roanoke LLC, the City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech operated by Doubletree Hotels, a part of Hilton Hotels Corp.
To learn more about this historic hotel, visit www.hotelroanoke.com.