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Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and its regional partner, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, an organization that grants the wishes of children from the region with life-threatening illnesses, announced today that its Team Stay Fit at Hyatt, a group of marathon runners that include individuals who work in Hyatt hotels and regional offices worldwide, friends and family of Hyatt, and Make-A-Wish supporters, raised more than $62,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois with their participation in the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Continuing Hyatt’s longstanding commitment to making a difference and supporting the community, each Team Stay Fit runner, including three Hyatt marathoners who traveled to Chicago from Hong Kong, raised enough money to cover the cost of 12 wishes for children while training for the 26.2-mile run that occurred Sunday, Oct. 12.

Hyatt hosted Team Stay Fit members, their friends and families at a pasta dinner at Hyatt Regency Chicago the evening before the race. Runners were joined by Global Hyatt Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hoplamazian, Senior Vice President Human Resources and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois Board of Directors member Doug Patrick, Vice President Human Resources - International Katie Carter, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Springs, and a Chicago area Make-A-Wish family.

“It is Hyatt’s spirit of community service that allows this partnership with Make-A-Wish to make a difference in the lives of so many children around the world including those here in the state of Illinois and the City of Chicago,” said Salvador Mendoza, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “This collaboration is a rewarding and life-changing partnership not only for the Hyatt employees, friends and family who raise money to run in this marathon but also for the children who live in our area and will have their wishes granted this year.”

To demonstrate the level of dedication by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to its global partnership with Make-A-Wish, each year, the company makes a cash donation to the headquarters offices of Make-A-Wish International and Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, supports the Foundation’s business travel by extending Hyatt’s employee room rates for hotels in both U.S. and overseas, provides Make-A-Wish with a 25% discount in food and beverage costs when booking catering for office meetings, conferences or special organization events at a Hyatt property, and coordinates marketing initiatives encouraging members of Hyatt’s frequent guest program, Hyatt Gold Passport, to donate their points to the organization.

Last year, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts introduced “Team Stay Fit at Hyatt”, a worldwide team of runners, walkers and riders participating in sporting events to further the company’s commitment to health and the community. For more information on Hyatt’s diversity and inclusion efforts, visit www.hyattdiversity.com.

The name Team Stay Fit is based on Hyatt’s StayFit@Hyatt program, a dynamic selection of in-hotel workout programs catering to fitness-conscious business and leisure travelers staying at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts throughout North America. Hyatt offers guests the convenience of 24/7 access to its on-site fitness centers, which are outfitted with the latest high-tech cardio and strength training equipment from Life Fitness.

Two certified personal trainers from the StayFit@Hyatt gym at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis were on hand Sunday to stretch Team Stay Fit marathoners after the race.

About Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Illinois

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since 1985 the Foundation has granted more than 8,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with special children across Illinois.  For more information or to find out how you can help contact us at 312.602.WISH or visit www.wishes.org.

About Global Hyatt Corporation

Global Hyatt Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world’s premier hotel companies. The hotels owned, operated, managed or franchised by its subsidiaries provide authentic hospitality to guests in 45 countries through a passionate commitment to personalized service, cultural relevance, and the environment. Global Hyatt subsidiaries own, operate, manage or franchise more than 365 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Resorts™, Grand Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt Summerfield Suites® and Andaz™ brands with additional properties under development on five continents. Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc., operator of Hyatt Vacation Club®. The success of Global Hyatt is driven by the commitment and energy of the thousands of men and women around the world who provide exceptional service to hotel guests. From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800-233-1234 or visiting www.hyatt.com.