Hotel Technology Next Generation

DALLAS | ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, the world leader in hotel security technology with premier brands including VingCard, Elsafe and TimeLox, announced today it has been selected as an associate member of the Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners North America (ASFONA).

"We are honored that Starwood has invited our company to be part of ASFONA's small, select group of supply-side members,” said Marc Freundlich, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality North America. "Through this new membership, we look forward to strengthening our existing relationship with Starwood's prestigious hotel brands.

"In joining ASFONA, we now have the unique opportunity to learn firsthand how our brands – VingCard, Elsafe and TimeLox – can best serve each Starwood property's individual security needs,” added Josh Lane, vice president of national accounts for ASSA ABLOY Hospitality North America, who was also named as an honorary board member by ASFONA.

The invitation-only association, created to promote owner and franchisee interaction, represents all brand names under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. ®, in North America, including Sheraton®, Four Point®, St Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Le Meridien®, W®, Westin®, aloftSM and elementSM. Consisting of hotel owners and owners' representatives, ASFONA members work together with Starwood to develop brand policies, standards and procedures. As a member of the association, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality will meet with the association's board of directors throughout the year at strategic meetings designed to build and maintain Starwood's leadership position in the industry, according to ASFONA president John Shingler.

"This is an exciting time for ASFONA, and we are particularly pleased that ASSA ABLOY Hospitality will be joining us as we move into the next phase of the association's role in representing Starwood franchisees and owners,” Shingler said. "With the company's highly regarded background in hotel security, it will provide valuable experience and insight to our organization.”

About ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Inc. North America | The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 35,000 properties worldwide, securing more than 6 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. The North American division of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality brings three security brands to hotels throughout the United States and Canada, including VingCard () electronic locking system solutions, Elsafe (www.elsafe.com) UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series, and TimeLox () security solutions for gaming properties and other large resorts.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries, and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit .

Contact
Karin Melrose
Morgan Field
Phone: +1 (713) 831-6813
Email: mfield@mbapr.com

Organization
Vingcard, an ASSA ABLOY brand
www.vingcard.com/
631 International Parkway, Suite 100
USA - Richardson, TX 75081
Tollfree: +1 800 225 8464
Phone: 1 972 907 2273