SPRINGFIELD, Mo., and BOWLING GREEN, Ky. � April 25, 2002 � Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. (AMEX: JQH) recently celebrated the re-grand opening of the 218-room Holiday Inn® University Plaza in Bowling Green, Ky., with an event that attracted a crowd of honored guests and friends, including business, civic and arts organizations leaders.  

Formerly the University Plaza Hotel, the Holiday Inn University Plaza�s much-anticipated re-grand opening event kicked-off with a special ribbon cutting ceremony that included remarks from Mr. John Q. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels; Mr. Kurt Schatzl, general manager of the Holiday Inn University Plaza; and Mr. Ron Sowell, chairman elect to the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr. Jim Clark, executive director of the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation at Western Kentucky University, presented Mr. Hammons with an autographed basketball from the University�s men�s varsity basketball team as a thank you gift for Mr. Hammons� strong support of the University and its academic and athletic programs.  Mr. Sowell also thanked Mr. Hammons and commented on how the renovated hotel will help to fill a major need in the area.  

�With a surrounding business community that is thriving, the hotel provides a much-needed venue for meeting space, outstanding catering services and comfortable guest rooms,� said Mr. Sowell.  �On behalf of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, we thank you, Mr. Hammons, for your commitment and investment in Bowling Green.�  

�I couldn�t be happier with the success of the Holiday Inn University Plaza property and re-grand opening event,� said Mr. Hammons.  �As we worked in renovating and opening this hotel as a Holiday Inn, I have been impressed by the excitement and anticipation of staff and the Bowling Green community surrounding the re-grand opening.  John Q. Hammons Hotels always strives to build and maintain the finest hotels in untapped markets and Bowling Green and the Holiday Inn University Plaza make a fine match with our goals.�

The Holiday Inn University Plaza, formerly the University Plaza Hotel, is Bowling Green�s newest full-service, upscale hotel.  Designed with John Q. Hammons Hotels� signature multi-storied garden atrium and water feature, the property has undergone more than $1.2 million in capital improvements.  Each of the 218 guest rooms features new window treatments and bedding, 27-inch televisions, ergonomic desk chairs and two-line speakerphones.  

The more than 30,000 square feet of functional meeting space makes the Holiday Inn University Plaza ideal for a variety of events from lavish weddings and celebrations to corporate meetings and conferences.  The hotel�s staff caters to a group�s specialized needs and provides a full-range of event planning assistance and catering.  The hotel also features a variety of amenities for both business and leisure travelers.  In addition, the hotel has a full-service exhibition-style restaurant, a complete health and fitness center, whirlpool, sauna and game room.  For those interested in playing golf, the Hartland Golf Course is situated next to the hotel.

Publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX: JQH), Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. is a leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and suites.