Taylor; Possible Spokesman 4 B'Ham Entertainment Destrict

Performa wants Westin for BJCC entertainment district and Taylor Hicks as pitchman

by Birmingham News business staff
Friday March 28, 2008, 3:34 PM


A Memphis developer says he hopes to convince Starwood Hotels to build a Westin near an entertainment district planned adjacent to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

John Elkington, CEO of Performa Entertainment Real Estate, said Starwood, which manages the BJCC-owned Sheraton Birmingham, is awaiting results of a hotel study he commissioned to examine whether the area can support the higher rates of a Westin.

If the study finds otherwise, Starwood has expressed interest in building an Element brand, a lower-cost hotel, he said.

Performa is also talking with Hoover native and "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks about being a national commercial spokesman for the entertainment district, Elkington said. Hicks has signed a letter-of-intent to open a nightclub in the district.

"We haven't reached an agreement yet, but are hoping to soon," Elkington said.

Roy L. Williams

http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/200..._bjcc.html

That would be great. Dolly does them up here for Tennessee - why not?
~tyg

Another awesome move for our Taylor if this comes to be a reality. What better person to be the spokesman when all is done than one who actually will have a nightclub there. Oh I so look forward to going there and hopefully see our Taylor performing in his own nightclub. I just hope that this district will be the success they hope for.