Rockville, Md. – Foulger-Pratt Companies and Choice Hotels International celebrated the completion of the Rockville Metro Plaza II building, now known as One Choice Hotels Circle, with a ribbon cutting celebration attended by over 200 guests. The event was supported by local, state and federal politicians whose offices each played an integral role in Choice Hotels selecting the Rockville location. Guest speakers included Rockville Councilmember Bridget Donnell Newton, Montgomery County Economic Development Director Steve Silverman, Maryland State Senator Jennie Forehand, and U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen, plus hosts Clayton Foulger, Principal of Foulger-Pratt, and Steve Joyce, President and CEO of Choice Hotels International.
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| Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Pictured from left to right: Bridget Donnell Newton, City of Rockville Councilmember Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Congressman for Maryland’s 8th District Stewart Bainum, Chairman of the Board of Choice Hotels International Steve Joyce, President and CEO of Choice Hotels International Clayton Foulger, Foulger-Pratt Companies Principal Jennie Forehand, Maryland State Senator for District 17 Steve Silverman, Montgomery County Economic Development Director |
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, travelling at the time of the event, sent the following congratulatory message: “Choice Hotels International is an ideal story of local business success. Here’s a company that has grown and prospered in the County for more than forty years, today employing more than 400 employees. Thanks to a strategic public-private partnership involving developer Foulger-Pratt, Choice Hotels, Montgomery County government and the City of Rockville, they continue their incredible growth and success from impressive new offices in the heart of Rockville Town Center, remaining one of our most valued, leading employers.”
Clayton Foulger, Principal of Foulger-Pratt stated “Foulger-Pratt is thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Choice Hotels and complete their beautiful new headquarters two months ahead of schedule to support their need for an early move-in date. We join the City of Rockville, Montgomery County, and the State of Maryland in welcoming them to their new international headquarters.”
During the program, Foulger-Pratt made a $15,000 donation to Rebuilding Together, a favored charity of Choice Hotels which supports keeping low-income families living safely and independently in their homes. Christina Betancourt Johnson, Rebuilding Together Executive Director, accepted the donation. The charity plans to use the donation to apply for matching grant funds from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation which will result in an even greater positive impact to the Montgomery County area.
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| Donation to Rebuilding Together Pictured from left to right: Clayton Foulger, Foulger-Pratt Companies Principal Steve Joyce, President and CEO of Choice Hotels International Christina Betancourt Johnson, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together |
Once the initial ribbon cutting event took place outside, guests were invited to tour the 321,000 square foot building and the Choice Hotels offices which feature beautifully appointed interiors for office, conference, and training space equipped with the latest in audio-visual conferencing, projection, lighting and computer tablet controls; a dining area with food service options and expresso bar; and an outdoor lounge featuring a state-of-the-art sound system, fire pit and Wi-Fi. The building was designed and constructed to achieve LEED Platinum certification, and the common areas are powered by Wind Energy via Renewable Energy Credits.
The event continued with Choice Hotels hosting a party for their entire staff of over 400 employees, and included live music, entertainment, catering, and multiple travel-themed activities.
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