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HOTEL HAPPENINGS Anticipated, Luxurious 168-RoomWashington, D.C.-Area Resort.Announcement Takes Place at Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting For New Multi-Million Dollar Water Treatment Facilities Built by Salamander for the Town of Middleburg – A Significant Milestone in the Resort's Construction. SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA SET TO OPEN IN AUGUST 2013 Sheila C. Johnson's Hotel Company, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Finalizes New Schedule For Eagerly Salamander Resort & Spa, themuch-anticipated luxury resort being built in the storied village of Middleburg, VA, will open inAugust 2013. Set on 340 acres amid Virginia's famed horse country and lush vine- yards, yet only a 30- minute drive from Wash- ington, D.C.'s Dulles InternationalAirport and an hour from the nation's capital, the 168-room resort is already 65 per- cent complete. With a stated goal of achieving the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond rat- ings, Salamander Resort & Spa is the only luxury resort in the United States scheduled to open in 2013. "I am delighted to finalize this opening timeline," said resort owner Sheila C. Johnson, who is also CEOand founder of SalamanderHotels&Resorts, the hotel company overseeing the design, development and management of the resort. "This property has been my passion ever since I set foot on it nearly a decade ago. It is unmatched in ease of access and equestrian heritage, and it promises to be the finest new destination to open on the East Coast in many years." Johnson announced the schedule alongside Middelburg Mayor Betsy Allen Davis as they for- mally dedicated the town's new water and wastewater treatment plants. Using state-of-the-art technology and costing $11million, the facilitieswere built by Salamander and recently began serv- ing the town's residents and businesses. "Today's ceremony is a significant milestone in the resort's development, and represents Salamander's dedication to serving the community as well as its future guests." saidMayor Davis. "As a town,we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to our beautiful area." Designed to blend into its natural environment and replicate the architectural traditions of Virginia's countryside, SHEILA C. JOHNSON Salamander Resort&Spa features luxurious rooms and suites inspired by renowned designer Thomas Pheasant, a 23,000- sq. ft. lavish spa and unique "treehouse" treatment rooms, a full-service equestrian center with a 22-stall stable and practice ring,Virginia Piedmont-inspired dining overseen by James Beard-nominated Chef ToddGray, a dedicated cooking studio, wine bar and culinary garden. Salamander guests will enjoy a Jack Nicklaus golf experience at nearby Creighton Farms Estates,while the resort is positioned at the center ofVirginia's emergingwine country –with over 20wineries locatedwith- in a 30-minute drive. The resort features 12,000 sq. ft. of conference and event facilities, including a 5,000-sq. ft. grand ballroomand a restored 100-year-old Stallion Barn.Already registered for Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign (LEED) certification, the Salamander Resort & Spa sales team is now accepting group bookings. Johnson founded Salamander Hotels & Resorts in 2005, and brought on respected hospitality executive Prem Devadas as the company's president. She also has ownership in three professional sports teams: the NBA'sWashington 8 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com HERMAN "SKIP" M