HOUSTON, TX (May 2010) � Hilton Americas-Houston is proud to announce that Assistant Catering Director Matthew Finnan has been recognized by Hilton Worldwide�s Circle of Excellence program, which rewards sales, catering, and events services professionals in the top ten percent of  each brand. 

The Circle of Excellence represents the very best of Sales, Catering and Event Services team members within the Hilton Worldwide family. Winners of this prestigious award are considered to be among the best in the hospitality industry and are chosen for the award based on annual achievement of revenue goals. To be eligible to receive this prestigious award, the individual must also complete required trainings and courses, earn a positive performance score, demonstrate leadership qualities and achieve general sales excellence. 

Finnan has the distinct honor of leading all catering sales professionals in the Hilton Hotels brand in sales revenue. Joining the Hilton Americas-Houston team in February 2004 as Senior Catering Manager, Finnan was quickly promoted to Assistant Director of Catering later the same year, handling large local corporate and social groups and events. With over 20 years experience in the catering business, he was part of the opening team for Enron Field, now Minute Maid Park, as the Premium Services Division Manager for ARAMARK. Prior to his arrival in Houston, Finnan worked in New Orleans for the Louisiana Superdome and multiple hotel properties.

�Consistently meeting and exceeding his goals, Matthew is an asset to the Hilton Americas-Houston and to Hilton Worldwide,� said Joe Palmieri, Hilton Americas-Houston general manager.  �His positive attitude and enthusiasm make him a valuable team player, and we�re thrilled that he has gained entry into Hilton Worldwide�s elite Circle of Excellence.�

Winners will be inducted into the Circle of Excellence during an awards ceremony to be held later this year.

Directly connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hilton Americas-Houston contains the city�s largest number of guestrooms, ballrooms, hotel meeting space, and the most technologically advanced services available under one roof.  Conveniently situated between Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park, this AAA Four Diamond rated hotel boasts 1,200 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, 91,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, two restaurants, lobby bar, coffee emporium, and full service spa and health club. For more information, please visit www.americashouston.hilton.com