Press Release

Sunday, April 6, 2006

BRIDGEPORT - Although the Bridgeport Conference Center at Charles Pointe won't open until April 10, many area residents and businesses are already eager to hold events there.

"Most Saturdays this summer have been sold out for wedding receptions, and we're getting calls from people who want to have business meetings and social gatherings at the center. The response to the opening of the facility has been just tremendous," said Mike Hager, director of resort and leisure services for Genesis Partners.

The center will be managed by CP Hospitality, a division of Genesis Partners, in cooperation with the City of Bridgeport.

Genesis Partners is developing the master-planned community of Charles Pointe here.

The $4-million building, which adjoins the Wingate Inn and is adjacent to the Microtel Inn and Suites at Charles Pointe, is located on Conference Center Way near the intersection of Route 279 and Interstate 79.

Now under construction, the Microtel Inn and Suites will open this summer. Bridgeport Mayor James Christie said the center will be an anchor for both the city and Charles Pointe.

"This is a first-class facility that will bring in a tremendous amount of business from throughout the region," Mayor Christie said.

The 15,000-square-foot building has a 4,500-square-foot ballroom and two 800-square-foot suites.

The ballroom can accommodate several hundred persons or be divided into two, three, or four rooms for smaller events. The two suites can each be separated into two rooms equipped with state-of-the-art LCD screens, projectors, and a public address system. Each suite can seat from 40 to 80 people.

A 1,500-square-foot reception area can also be rented.

Outdoor events can be scheduled in the courtyard and patio.

There is a business center with a copier, a fax machine, computers, and connections to Charles Pointe's highly advanced fiber optic and wireless information network.

"The Microtel Inn and the Wingate Inn are definitely assets to the Bridgeport Conference Center and to Charles Pointe," said James Corton, managing partner of Genesis Partners.

One of West Virginia's foremost chefs, Scott Duarte, designed the center's spacious kitchen. He is the executive chef at CP Hospitality.

"We have everything we need to satisfy our clients. We will provide an unusually wide variety of superb food for weddings, receptions, business lunches, and social events of all sizes," Duarte said.

"Chef Duarte has earned many cooking awards during his distinguished 18-year career. His commitment to excellence and innovation reflects Charles Pointe's high standards.

CP Hospitality will also cater events off the premises.

The city and state split the cost of the structure, which was built on land that Genesis Partners developed and donated to the city. Genesis Partners also contributed money for equipment that will be used at the center.

"This project has been a real partnership between business, the city, and state government. We're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish by working together," Corton said.

Persons interested in booking the Bridgeport Conference Center should call 304-808-3000.

"We will help you make menu selections, familiarize you with the center, and assist you in any way we can," Hager said.