World Trade Center Seattle Announces Arrival of New Director of Sponsorship Melissa Martin

SEATTLE – July 26, 2007 – World Trade Center Seattle today announced the appointment of Melissa Martin as its new director of sponsorship.

One of more than 300 World Trade Centers around the world, World Trade Center Seattle is a state-of-the-art, membership-based venue that houses several nonprofit organizations and offers access to unrivaled waterfront meeting space and dining facilities. World Trade Center Seattle members enjoy access to four full-service meeting rooms as well as the newly remodeled Holland America Line Dining Room. The dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Seattle’s thriving waterfront and exquisite cuisine prepared by executive chef Allan Wambaa.

As the director of sponsorship, Martin will be responsible for planning and producing networking and educational programs for current members as well as new member outreach.

“We are fortunate to have such a dynamic and motivated professional as Melissa to be our new director of sponsorship for World Trade Center Seattle,” said Lenny Zilz, vice president of operations for Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality, which manages World Trade Center Seattle. “Melissa’s extensive background in professional outreach and event planning will ensure unforgettable experiences for our members and guests.”

Martin’s professional experience includes extensive work within the health care industry, where she spent more than 14 years helping senior citizens and their families in Pierce County. During that time, she also served as president of the Health Care Providers Council – an organization made up of health care professionals dedicated to a higher quality of life for senior citizens – where she organized and promoted events including the Alzheimer’s Conference, the Educational Conference and Hospital Vendor Fairs. She also presided over monthly membership meetings.

“I am extremely excited to take on the role of director of sponsorship for World Trade Center Seattle,” said Martin. “I am honored to be working with our nonprofit tenants, and I look forward to creating new and exciting networking opportunities for our members and guests.”

Martin also served as a board member for the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce and was the sole recipient of the President’s Choice award in 2001 for her work with the Chamber and the community.

Martin holds an associate’s degree in communications and journalism from Washington State University. In her spare time she enjoys boating, gardening and spending time with her family.

For more information about World Trade Center Seattle, please visit www.wtcseattle.com.

EDITORS NOTE: High resolution headshot is available upon request.

# # #

About World Trade Center Seattle World Trade Center Seattle (WTCSE) is one of more than 300 World Trade Centers around the world. WTCSE, a trade information hub that offers a full range of business services, brings together business and government leaders involved in foreign trade. WTCSE features elegantly appointed boardrooms that are intimate and private.

WTCSE’s Holland America Line Dining Room has extraordinary views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains and is available for weddings and other social events. The architecture of the four-story WTCSE complements its surrounding natural environment and the adjacent Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle’s premier waterfront conference center. WTCSE is owned by the Port of Seattle and is managed and operated by Columbia Hospitality, Inc. More information is available at www.wtcseattle.com.

About Columbia Hospitality, Inc. Columbia Hospitality, Inc., a leading hospitality management and consulting firm, was founded in 1995 by John Oppenheimer. Columbia Hospitality creates exceptional experiences for guests and employees while achieving phenomenal results for its property owners. Specializing in luxury hotel and resort management, Columbia Hospitality expertly transforms each vision for a unique property into an enduring and profitable business. Columbia Hospitality’s premier properties include boutique hotels and secluded resorts such as the following:

• Kenwood Inn and Spa in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon in Kenwood, Calif.
• The Inn at Langley on Whidbey Island, Wash.
• Friday Harbor House on San Juan Island, Wash.
• Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, also on San Juan Island
• Darnell’s Lake Resort on Lake Chelan, Wash.
• The Resort at Deer Harbor, on Orcas Island, Wash.
• Holmes Harbor Golf & Beach Club on Whidbey Island, Wash.

The company also manages a portfolio of conference centers and event venues in Washington state, including the following:
• Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle
• Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside
• Talaris Conference Center in Seattle
• Washington Mutual Leadership Center at Cedarbrook in SeaTac, Wash.

Columbia represents unique venues as well, including the following:
• World Trade Center Seattle
• Club Cielo in Seattle
• Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center in Seattle
• Pier 30 Event Center in Seattle

The company additionally supports an active consulting division that has worked on more than 80 hospitality development projects in five Western U.S. states and Canada.