FORT LAUDERDALE, FL-The price of common shares in locally based Extended Stay America and Royal Palm Beach-based Innkeepers USA drops sharply on news that New York investment bank UBS Warburg senses weakness in the US lodging industry.

SPRINGFIELD, MO-The Southwest Missouri association is unanimous choice about 10 years after an initial effort to join the federation failed. The association will cover more than 10 counties.

ORLANDO-GlobeSt.com has learned from area hospitality brokers the Chicago investment family tentatively plans to break ground by yearend on what could become the largest Hyatt Hotel in its chain, a 1,500-room inn directly adjacent to the four million-sf Orange County Convention Center.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA-Tighter lending standards pushed the number of newly built lodging facilities in California last year down nearly 40%, a research firm says. More of the same is expected in 2001.