PARSIPPANY, NJ -- (Marketwire) -- 12/10/12 -- Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), one of the nation's largest hospitality companies, announced today that the Wyndham Championship's "Escape to the Wyndham" advertising campaign has been named the PGA TOUR's best of 2012. Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship is one of the oldest events on the PGA TOUR.

The PGA TOUR "Best Of" awards were presented last night in Palm Springs, Calif., during the final evening of the PGA TOUR's annual tournament meetings. The Wyndham Championship was a finalist in three of the 12 categories, including "Best Title Sponsor Integration" and "Most Fan-Friendly Event."

"As one of the world's largest hospitality companies, we have worked to create an outstanding experience at the Wyndham Championship, and are extremely honored to receive such recognition from the PGA TOUR," said Alyson Johnson, vice president, communications and marketing, Wyndham Worldwide. "Because of our shared commitment to excellence, we highly value our great relationship with the PGA TOUR, and each year, we are incredibly proud to continue the rich history and tradition of this championship, and be a part of the communities throughout North Carolina's Piedmont Triad."

The campaign, which positioned a trip to the tournament as an escape from everyday life or a mini-vacation for patrons, became the central message for all tournament promotions, appealing to fans and featuring the tournament's defending champion, Webb Simpson, in creative images that combined a tropical getaway and a PGA TOUR venue. This theme was visible throughout the tournament's overall look and feel to create a fun, fan and family-friendly environment. The advertising campaign was a collaboration between the Wyndham Worldwide marketing team and the Wyndham Championship staff, under the direction of Tournament Director, Mark Brazil.

"Escape to the Wyndham" appeared in such locations as billboards, airport and hotel graphics, posters at local businesses, street signage as well as both print and electronic advertising. Upon arrival at Sedgefield Country Club's palm tree-lined entrance, fans received leis and visited such vacation-themed locations as the Wyndham Beach, a professional sand sculpting display, the Wyndham Boardwalk and Tiki Huts serving as information kiosks staffed by Wyndham Worldwide concierge personnel in tropical attire.

In addition, the tournament hosted a "Tropical Wear Contest" at the Wyndham Boardwalk in conjunction with local radio stations Rock 92 and 107.5 WKZL, and golf carts driven by key tournament personnel were adorned with a tropical-theme wrap.

"Escape to the Wyndham" activation was led by the Wyndham Worldwide marketing team.
Philanthropy, which has always been a central focus of the Wyndham Championship, is part of the core values that drive Wyndham Worldwide. The Wyndham Championship gives the Company the platform to connect with its customers and guests while expanding the reach and presence of Wishes by Wyndham, the official charity of the Wyndham Championship, which focuses on improving the lives of children, and each year supports numerous national and Greensboro charities during the event.

"The opportunity to unwind from the stress of everyday life and enjoy time with your family and friends in a great location, it's easy to see why golf and Wyndham Worldwide are a natural fit," says Johnson.

In addition to title sponsor of the Wyndham Championship, Wyndham Worldwide is the title sponsor of the Wyndham Cup and official hotel partner of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), and a Trustee of The First Tee, with a $1 million commitment made during this year's Wyndham Championship.

About Wyndham Worldwide
One of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) provides a wide range of hospitality products and services through its global portfolio of world-renowned brands. The world's largest hotel company based on the number of properties, Wyndham Hotel Group is home to many of the world's best-known hotel brands, with approximately 7,260 franchised hotels and 618,100 hotel rooms worldwide. Wyndham Exchange & Rentals is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the world's largest professionally managed vacation rentals business, providing more than 5 million leisure-bound families annually with access to approximately 100,000 vacation properties in 100 countries through its prominent exchange and vacation rental brands. The industry and timeshare ownership market leader, Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 180 vacation ownership resorts serving more than 915,000 owners throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Based in Parsippany, NJ, Wyndham Worldwide employs approximately 27,800 associates globally.

For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

About the Wyndham Championship
Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the seventh oldest event on the PGA TOUR.

Additional tournament information is available at www.wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at (336)379-1570.

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