Inn's New Catering Manager Mixes Art and Acumen for the Perfect Event
Durham, NC - November, 2006: To respond to increasing demand for meeting and event services, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club has hired Beth Pendergrass as its new catering sales manager, effective October 30. Pendergrass joins Director of Catering, Diane Tighe in planning and executing special events for clients from Duke University, Durham and beyond. A 20-year veteran in the Triangle's catering industry, Pendergrass brings with her a superlative track record for business development and a keen sense of artistry in event planning and implementation. With Pendergrass on board, the Inn will be able to build upon its reputation for offering guests the perfect special event experience, be it an intimate family occasion or a grAnd gala celebration.

Prior to coming to the Inn, Pendergrass was social director and catering manager at Croasdaile Country Club in Durham. Before working at Croasdaile, she was owner of Edible Art Inc., the Raleigh-based special occasion bakery she founded in 1983. The business began as a small mother-daughter endeavor yet grew 20%-30% per year, and now employs 22 people. Pendergrass sold Edible Art in December 2003.

Pendergrass has finely honed skills in customer and vendor service, budgeting, marketing and quality control and describes herself as a high-energy self-starter with a strong work ethic. Those attributes coupled with her flair for creating one-of-a-kind events have enabled Pendergrass to establish excellent relationships with clients and vendors throughout the region. Her catering and business development acumen has netted recognition from the industry and the media as well. She has received a bronze medal for pastry display from the American Culinary Federation and has garnered Best Desserts in the Triangle and Best Bakery in the Triangle from Spectator Magazine. She is active in the Triangle Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives and serves as the organization's vice president.

The Inn is known as a premier site for special events and requests for our services continue to grow, stated Randy Kolls, the Inn's General Manager. Having a dedicated and established professional like Beth join our sales and catering team will keep that department moving on its steady upward course. This is going to be a win-win for everyone concerned, said Kolls.

The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is located on the campus of Duke University, only twenty minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and ten minutes from Research Triangle Park, and is the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in Durham. Nestled on 300 acres filled with tall pines and hardwoods, the Inn is known for its beautiful facility and grounds, 271 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, marvelous cuisine in the Four Diamond Award-winning Fairview Dining Room, the Bull Durham Bar, a Robert Trent Jones-designed 18-hole championship golf course, and convenience to local points of interest. It is set apart from other area hotels and conference centers by its unparalleled service, gracious staff, luxurious interiors and attention to detail. The Inn is owned by Duke University and is managed by The Continental Companies of Miami, Florida. For more information or reservations call 919.490.0999 or 1.800.443.3853.
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Contact:
Jim Bressler, Director of Sales and Marketing
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
3001 Cameron Blvd.
Durham, NC 27705
919.313.2159
JBressler@wdigc.com

Public Relations:
Wendy Shannon
Shannon & Company
100 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 990
Atlanta, GA 30339
770.226.0442
wendy@shannonandcompany.com

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