OMAHA, Neb.--June 16, 2010 - Hilton Worldwide and the City of Omaha announced today plans for a 15-month expansion and renovation project designed to lure more meetings and events to the area. The announcement was made at the Hilton Omaha at a press conference held by Mayor Jim Suttle with Hilton Worldwide officials in attendance. Financing for the project is through revenue bonds.

The 450-room convention center hotel, the State�s largest, opened in April of 2004 and includes a 10,000 square foot ballroom and 15 break out rooms. Also located within the hotel are the coffee and gift shop, a Precor-equipped Health Club and Spa and the Liberty Tavern restaurant and lounge.

Work is scheduled to begin in late 2010 and will be done in phases with completion slated for early 2012, in time for a full calendar of sporting events and business meetings. The hotel currently is host to more than 40,000 guests each month.

Details of the expansion include:

• 150 new guest rooms to be located over the existing parking structure on six floors
• A second ballroom totaling approximately 7,000 square feet including a pre-function area
• The addition of 100 new parking spaces to the existing parking garage

Concurrent with the hotel�s expansion will be an extensive renovation of both existing guest rooms and public spaces including new furnishings, fixtures, wall coverings, flooring and bedding.

�The Hilton Omaha has been the cornerstone of the City�s commitment to providing both present and future economic development opportunities,� said Mayor Jim Suttle. �The expansion of the hotel is another milestone as we continue our quest as a national convention and special events destination.�

�Today�s announcement of the Hilton Omaha�s expansion is a reflection of Omaha�s arrival as a world-class meetings and leisure destination,� said Timothy Benolken, senior vice president of Western North American Operations for Hilton Worldwide.

�Since the outset of our partnership with the City which began in 2002, we anticipated that the day would come that a larger meetings and conventions hotel would be essential to keep pace with the growth that was to take place during the decade,� said Robert Watson, general manager, Hilton Omaha. �We are delighted to be a partner in a hotel that is poised to serve the City of Omaha as it continues to flourish.�

About Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader of hospitality that welcomes guests in more countries than any other full-service hotel brand. The Hilton brand currently includes more than 530 hotels and resorts in 76 countries, and plans to serve travelers in 80 countries by the end of 2011. By offering innovative products, services and amenities, Hilton enables travelers to be at their best 24/7, whether traveling for business or leisure. Start your journey at www.hilton.com.