Public Events Celebrating Unveiling of Mr. John Q. Hammons’ Official Portrait

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Q. Hammons Industries:

WHAT:	A public event celebrating the unveiling of the official posthumous portrait of Mr. John Q. Hammons, one of America’s most esteemed hotel developers and a long-time Springfield businessman, who died on May 26, 2013, at the age of 94, is slated for February 18, 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. at JQH’s University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Mo. An additional unveiling public event will be held in Branson, Mo., on February 19, 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. at JQH’s Chateau on the Lake Resort / Spa & Convention Center Official portrait to eventually reside in place of honor at Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, founded by Mr. Hammons Public events part of week-long festivities celebrating Mr. Hammons’ birthday
WHO:	Hosted by John Q. Hammons Industries (JQH) Representatives from arts, civic, education, hospitality and sport communities
WHEN & WHERE:	Tuesday, February 18, 2014 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. CST; 2:30 p.m. ceremony University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center 333 S. John Q Hammons Pkwy. Springfield, MO 65806 [phone] Note: When in Springfield, Mr. Hammons preferred to dine for lunch at University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center Wednesday, February 19, 2014 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. CST; 1:30 p.m. ceremony Chateau on the Lake Resort / Spa & Convention Center 415 North State Highway 265 Branson, MO 65616 [phone] Note: Mr. Hammons considered Chateau on the Lake Resort / Spa & Convention Center his luxurious hotel development “gem” within the JQH national portfolio
ABOUT MR. HAMMONS (1919-2013):	John Q. Hammons, one of America’s most esteemed hotel developers, died peacefully on May 26, 2013, at age 94 in Springfield, Mo. The Missouri native and long-time Springfield businessman, whose greatest passions were hotel development and sports, remained active in business until the age of 91. Over the course of his impressive 52-year career in the lodging industry, Mr. Hammons developed 210 hotel properties in 40 states and was honored with numerous lifetime achievement awards. Mr. Hammons formed John Q. Hammons Hotels in 1969 and built it into the largest private, independent owner and manager of upscale hotels in the United States. Today the company operates 78 hotels/nearly 19,000 guest rooms/suites and 5.4 million gross square feet of meeting and convention space in 24 states, and employs more than 8,500 exceptional associates. Mr. Hammons and his wife, Juanita, were active in the Springfield community, where he reinforced his deep passion for sports, love of the arts, and support of education and healthcare. He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the city of Springfield and other organizations over the last five decades, including for the building of the Hammons Field, an award-winning, 10,000-seat Double-A Minor League baseball stadium, which is home to the St. Louis Cardinals’ Double-A Minor League team, the Springfield Cardinals. Mr. Hammons donated $30 million to Missouri State University to build the JQH Arena, which opened in 2008. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Juanita K. Hammons, of Springfield.