The Holiday Inn Express is a limited-service facility that doesn't have a restaurant, bar or banquet space.

[Jeff Rogers, manager of a Holiday Inn Express near busy I-55 in Jackson, said his hotel was booked up Saturday and Sunday.] Most of our calls came in late yesterday afternoon, ... Most of the people that we have are coming from Florida, the Alabama Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and southern Louisiana.

I think it is important to set boundaries. Remember that working on a holiday is a personal choice and doesn't have to be the only option.

If we had more office space, we could have provided better service. We need to be able to more conveniently handle a large-scale disaster.

It's our main holiday of the year. What a neat day to be able to give back to people in the community.

I'm very optimistic about the success of the holiday season. Retailers in early 2006 will realize they have to make the same brand commitment online as in stores.