OU, Royal Park Hotel partnership will benefit region

Oakland University president Gary Russi, left, and Royal Park Hotel investor Roy Rewold shake hands after signing a partnership agreement on Monday.

By Dave Groves, news editor

Officials with Oakland University and the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester announced Monday that the hotel will now serve not only as the university's preferred destination for guest lodging, but also as its official conference center.

Through the agreement, OU will be able to avail itself of first-class accommodations and conference center space the Royal Park Hotel offers. Another benefit Oakland will gain is event and conference management training from Royal Park Hotel staff.

"This partnership will allow Oakland University to welcome its esteemed visitors and guests to the hospitality of one of Oakland County's premier hotels," said Oakland University President Gary Russi. "This will significantly enhance our ability to advance Oakland's educational, cultural and community partnership goals. Moreover, this is yet another indication of Oakland's commitment to partner with the City of Rochester, its hometown community."

The Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester.

"We feel that it's a very good thing for the hotel and for Oakland University," said Roy Rewold, one of three major investors in the Royal Park Hotel. "I think it will be a good marriage for both parties."

He added that the greater Rochester community is likely to benefit from the arrangement as well. "It's obviously going to bring a lot more traffic here into Rochester. I think a lot of people will be surprised at how much good it will do."

Russi agreed that the partnership will facilitate successful planning of business and special events Oakland hosts, which in turn will have a lucrative impact on businesses that provide goods and services to visitors during their stays.

"We believe the region as a whole can only benefit when public and private sector organizations pool resources and create partnerships such as this," Russi said. "Oakland University is proud to partner with the Royal Park Hotel and we look forward to the exciting opportunities it will create."