Durham, NC - September 19, 2008: The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club takes great pleasure in announcing the promotion of Jill Sheets to sales manager, effective August 2008. Sheets works with science, computer and manufacturing companies and associations, booking their conference events at the Inn. Jill Sheets transferred into her new position from that of the hotel’s Executive Club manager and member of the hotel’s sales department.

Prior to joining the Inn’s staff in 2006, Jill earned a bachelor of business management and a bachelor of communication theory at Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas, where she attended on a full volleyball scholarship. Her hospitality career includes the position of corporate and association sales manager at Balcones Springs Executive Retreat and Conference Center, on Lake Travis in Marble Falls, Texas.

During Sheets’ tenure with the Executive Club, she doubled its regular membership from 500 to 1000. She also designed and implemented a corporate Executive Club membership program. Sheets believes her working with the Executive Club brings added-value to her new position. “From the Executive Club and as a member of the sales department, I've learned so much about the Inn and its clientele,” says Sheets. “I look forward to working more closely with the Inn’s sales director and the entire sales team!”

In Sheets’ spare time, she is captain of her USA Volleyball indoor team, which has qualified to go to nationals the past two years. She also plays women’s beach doubles at the competitive level with AVP Next in Virginia Beach, Virginia and a local club called Tidewater Volleyball. AVP Next hosts and runs volleyball programs for all ages and levels of competition throughout the United States and represents the nation's largest network of outdoor amateur volleyball associations.

Sheets brings the same passion and dedication required for volleyball to any task she undertakes. “Jill has already proven herself to be a tremendous asset to the hotel and its guests,” explains Randy Kolls, general manager of the Inn. “I look forward to her working as part of our dynamic sales department, providing clients with the same exemplary care and attention to detail she delivered to our Executive Club members.”

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, state-of-the-art Executive Conference Center, 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 800.443.3853, or visit www.washingtondukeinn.com.

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Press inquiries please 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

Wendy Shannon
Public Relations
Op5 Creative
100 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 990
Atlanta, GA 30339
770.226.0442
wshannon@opfivecreative.com