CORT Acquires Lounge22 Rental Business

Introduces luxury event rental collection “Lounge22 Powered by CORT”

FAIRFAX, VA (September 1, 2010) CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has acquired the rental operations of Lounge22, including all product and exclusive rights to market the rental brand globally, making CORT’s Trade Show and Event Furnishings division the sole provider of Lounge22 designs to the trade show, event, exhibit and party rental industry.

This acquisition enables CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings, the nation’s largest trade show and event furnishings rental company, to expand its upscale product collection with progressive, original, American designed and manufactured furniture. CORT and Lounge22 will collaborate in the long-term development of new and innovative products for the trade show and events industry.

“Lounge22 Powered by CORT means that our customers have access to an expanded selection of unique, luxury furnishings that are now backed by CORT’s unparalleled customer service and reliability,” said Mike Davis, group vice president for CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings. “We are excited for the opportunity to extend our offerings to the high-end events market and to collaborate in the design and manufacturing of new product lines.”

“We have long turned to Lounge22 to help create eye-popping decor for upscale events and are thrilled the brand will now be available through CORT, one of our most trusted industry partners,” said King Dahl, Executive Director of Events, MGM Resorts Events. “We could not imagine a more appropriate combination of style and service to help us provide sophisticated furniture solutions that best serve our clients’ needs.”

The trend-setting collection is designed and manufactured in Los Angeles and will be initially available in Southern California and Las Vegas, launching in the New York metro and Boston areas on Oct.1, 2010. CORT’s future plans call for a nationwide expansion of the Lounge22 offerings. The original, modern furniture has been featured at high-profile events and meetings from the Academy Awards to the G-20 Summit. Lounge22 is recognized for its commitment to sustainable green design and manufacturing, a tradition CORT will continue.

"The combination of CORT and the Lounge22 rental brand brings event rental customers the most progressive design and unmatched service that the industry can offer,” said Armen Gharabegian, owner of Lounge22 retail division. “We are confident that this deal will enable CORT to deliver the most cutting-edge and comprehensive event rental collection available and we’re excited that Lounge22, powered by CORT, will continue to set the standard for innovation in furniture rentals.”

CORT has led the nation’s furniture rental business for more than four decades, providing rental furniture for most trade shows and conferences nationwide and every type of event imaginable including corporate meetings, sporting events, product launches and weddings. Recent popular additions to the CORT Events product catalogue include the proprietary Endless Collection, Luna Lighting and Gamer Collections.

For more information about Lounge 22 Powered by CORT visit www.cortevents.com

CORT Event Furnishings is a nationwide provider of furnishings for the exhibit and events industry, providing rental furniture to the majority of trade shows and conferences in the nation, including shows and events in Canada, in addition to supporting nearly every type of event imaginable. For more information, visit www.CORTevents.com.

For more than 35 years, CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has been a leading provider in rental furniture and has provided services to more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 companies. CORT has more than 2,500 employees with offices in every major U.S. market. For more information about CORT, visit www.cort.com.

Amanda Manna
919-459-6456
amanda@largemouthpr.com