"The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando And Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Take Grand Entertaining Outdoors": Meet The Executives At The Helm Of The Highly-Anticipated Waldorf Astoria® Orlando And Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

June 18, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla., – On October 1, 2009, Hilton Hotels' largest development in its history, The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, will open, invigorating the destination's resort offerings and Hilton Hotels' portfolio of new domestic resorts.

"The Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will be among the most high-profile hotel openings around the world in 2009," states Tom Parke, director of marketing for The Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

The senior team responsible for the success of this $550 million, 482-acre future landmark consists of eight hospitality professionals who are leaders in the industry and within Hilton. They include:

Ted Ratcliff is the senior vice president of Hilton/Doubletree Operations east. A 30-year Hilton veteran, Ratcliff has held several positions with the company and currently oversees all Eastern U.S. managed properties from Boston to Miami, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. He is responsible for the supervision of over 65 Hilton Hotels, Doubletree Hotels, and The Waldorf Astoria Collection properties, including The Waldorf Astoria, Hilton's Park Avenue landmark in New York.

Tim Bridwell is vice president of Hilton Hotels new projects for Florida, specializing in multi-property management. He oversees construction and operations of the Bonnet Creek project. A 28-year industry veteran, Bridwell previously served as area vice president for Central and Northern California. Bridwell joined Hilton in 1994 as a Doubletree Resort manager after starting his career in pre and post-opening development and operations in California.

Mike Schugt is regional vice president of sales and marketing for Hilton Hotels in the Southeast U.S. Region, Caribbean and South America. A 20+ year veteran of the hospitality industry, Schugt is passionate about leading sales and marketing organizations to their peak performance. He began his career with Marriott and Hyatt hotels before joining Hilton as the director of sales and marketing for the Hilton Atlanta. Mike was named "Hilton Hotels Director of Sales and Marketing of the Year" in 1998, before being named managing director of sales where he led the Hilton Hotels National Sales operation in New York.

Tom Petrillo is regional director of food and beverage for Hilton Hotels Corporation in the Eastern U.S, and Canada, overseeing restaurant concepts and space planning. With Hilton Hotels for over 10 years, Petrillo began his tenure with the brand at Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii before being promoted to corporate positions based in New Jersey and Orlando.

Kurt Weber is senior regional director of revenue management for Hilton Hotels, overseeing locations in Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America. In this capacity for the past six years, Weber has focused on worldwide sales and distribution. He has held several leadership roles worldwide with Hilton, Doubletree and Marriott throughout his career.

Praduman Singh Chauhan is regional vice president of finance for Hilton/Doubletree Operations for the Southeast, responsible for overseeing the financial operation of approximately 25 Hilton, Doubletree Hotels, Conrad and Waldorf Astoria Collection properties in the region. A 33-year Hilton veteran, Singh was responsible for the conversion and implementation of Hilton Systems in the Southeast U.S., Caribbean and Latin American regions when Hilton Hotels acquired Hilton International.

Travis Fondren is director of engineering Eastern U.S. for Hilton Hotels Corporation, providing engineering assistance for owned, managed and leased Hilton and Doubletree hotels east of the Mississippi. After holding engineering positions with Hyatt for 22 years, Fondren joined Hilton Hotels in 2005 as area director.

Cathy Williams is regional director of human resources and offers human resources support to 20 Hilton Hotels in the Southeast. Her responsibilities include all functions with opening new hotels. She joined the Doubletree Hotels as area director of human resources for the Fort Lauderdale region.

Bonnet Creek

Bonnet Creek, the largest development in Hilton Hotels' history, encompasses both The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek stretching over 482-acres and is surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando, the first Waldorf Astoria outside of New York City, will emulate the elegance and grandeur of the legendary landmark. Comprised of 497 deluxe rooms and suites, the resort will feature 28,000 square feet of exclusive flexible meeting space, pre-function areas, an Owner's Lounge, and Butler Service upon request. The resort's outdoor facilities boast a formal signature pool, encircled by chic private cabanas, complimented by lush tropical landscaping and poolside butlers. Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will transcend the resort experience with 1,000 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, 122,000 square feet of meeting space and a variety of pre-function areas. The resort's outdoor venues include Bonnet Creek Island, a partial-island surrounded by a lagoon on three sides, providing a backdrop for cocktails or storybook weddings under the stars.

Both properties will share 150,000 square feet of meeting space, a Rees Jones designed championship golf course, can indulge in a customized spa program at the Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain® and can experience private wine dinners at exclusive Waldorf signature restaurants including the infamous Bull & Bear Steakhouse®, Oscar's® and Peacock Alley®. Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek boasts six restaurants and bars, including La Luce® by famed Napa Valley restaurateur Donna Scala.

For more information on the Waldorf Astoria Orlando please call (407) 597-5500 or visit www.WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com. For more information on the 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