"The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando And Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Impact Destination By Ushering In New Level Of Experiences For Meetings And Convention Market": Booked Meetings & Convention Business Exceeds $20 Million

May 7, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla., – According to the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB), the destination welcomes nearly four million overnight meetings and convention attendees annually, impacting its economy by an estimated $3.4+ billion. The city hosted more than 1,500 meetings and conventions in 2007 alone. The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando and adjacent Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, offering a combined 150,000+ square feet of pre-function and flexible meeting space, is quickly becoming a preferred venue of choice. While both properties are scheduled to open October 1, 2009, more than $20 million in meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) business has already been contracted.

"We are delighted to achieve this sales milestone and continue to work with our meeting and incentive partners and inform them of our diverse event space, culinary experiences, recreational offerings, amenities and services that will be presented at The Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek," states Tom Parke, director of marketing. "We are utilizing many facets of this city, including a well established arts and cultural scene, which is particularly popular with sophisticated travelers seeking enriching experiences, plus sports and family venues sought by affluent clientele. Orlando has so much to offer its visitors. I look forward to giving our guests a complete and inspiring look at the destination."

"The Waldorf Astoria is one of the world's most venerable hotel brands and for this brand to choose Orlando for its first expansion project speaks volumes about Orlando's growing affluent business potential," said Orlando CVB President and CEO Gary C. Sain. "This development is a great addition to our destination's luxury hotel inventory and all of Central Florida looks forward to its 2009 opening."

A New Meetings Destination Destined for Greatness

Surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort, The Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek development is 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport and five miles from private jet preferred Kissimmee Gateway Airport. Convenient area attractions include Cirque du Soleil, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Museum of Arts and Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.

Guests at both properties can tee off at the Rees Jones designed championship golf course, measuring 7,205 yards, can experience private wine dinners at exclusive Waldorf signature restaurants including the Bull & Bear Steakhouse®, and indulge in a customized spa program at The Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain® .

Each signature amenity is complimented by the dedicated services of a multi-lingual staff as well as a talented sales, catering and culinary team who have superior knowledge of the destination and are experts in creating unparalleled off-property events.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando

The original Waldorf Astoria has a rich history of hosting gatherings of world leaders, United Nations Ambassadors, World Economic Forum participants and a "who's who" of Fortune 500 companies to its Park Avenue board rooms, ballrooms and meeting spaces. The Waldorf Astoria Orlando Bonnet Creek, the first to be built outside of New York City, will offer that same level of service that heads-of-state and business tycoons expect.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers 28,000 square feet of exclusive meeting space and pre-function areas including the 8,100-square-foot Ballroom, which will be flawlessly decorated for the most opulent galas and functions. Two Executive Boardrooms and 15 classically designed meeting rooms are also available. Outdoor locales, including Bonnet Creek Island, a partial-island surrounded by a lagoon on three sides, take advantage of the warm Florida temperatures while serving as a scenic backdrop. For more information on the Waldorf Astoria Orlando please call 407-597-5500 or visit www.WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers 122,000 square feet of meeting space and pre-function area and features the 36,000 square-foot Bonnet Creek Ballroom, 27,300 square-foot Junior Ballroom and a total of 42 meeting rooms. One Executive Boardroom and two designated boardrooms accommodate 12 to 24 attendees. All groups benefit from the property's innovative audio visual technology capabilities overseen by an expertly-trained support team. For more information on Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek please call 407-597-3600 or visit www.HiltonBonnetCreek.com.

CONTACTS:

Mike Hicks / Gina Stouffer
Lou Hammond & Associates
michaelh@lhammond.com
ginag@lhammond.com
561-655-3836