Each brand recognized a Developer of the Year, Best Conversion, Deal of the Year and Outstanding Achievement for the developers who had the greatest number of project approvals or who developed one or more unique hotels that helped enhance the brand�s image in 2008. 

Together, the brands also recognized a Multi-Brand Developer of the Year who made significant contributions to the Hilton Family of Hotels with the most number of project approvals in 2008, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award for longevity in the hospitality development arena and loyalty to the Hilton Family of Hotels. To be considered, all hotels in the candidates� Hilton Family portfolio had to be rated high-quality and in good status, and could represent a combination of new projects, renovations and conversions. 

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award: 

Dave Lenz 
The North Central Group 
Multiple projects in Phoenix, Ariz.; Omaha, Neb.; and Wisconsin 

Mitch Patel
Vision Hospitality Group, LLC 
Hampton Inn & Suites Melbourne, Fla. 
Hampton Inn & Suites Orange, Fla. 
Homewood Suites by Hilton Kennesaw, Ga. 

Champak Patel 
Champion Hotels 
Hampton Inn & Suites Elk City, Okla. 
Hampton Inn & Suites Pauls Valley, Okla. 

Steve Gupta 
Easton�s Group of Hotels 
Hilton Garden Inn Mississauga/Toronto, Ont. 
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Vaughan, Ont. 
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Downtown, Ont. 

Mehul Patel 
Newcrest Hotels 
Homewood Suites by Hilton Abilene, Texas 
Homewood Suites by Hilton Midland, Texas 
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tyler, Texas 

The recipients of the Deal of the Year award are: 
     
Hampton 

Bernie Wolfson 
Brickell Hotel Group, LLP 
Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell, Fla. 

Robert Rauch and Joe Simone 
Torrey Suites, LP 
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Del Mar, Calif. 

Jeffery Salinetti 
RP MRP Potomac Yard, LLC 
Homewood Suites by Hilton Alexandria/Potomac Yard, Va. 

Hampton 

Nayan Patel 
C.N. Hotels, Inc. 
Hampton Inn & Suites Atlantic Beach, N.C. 

Walt K. Myers 
K Partners Denver, LLC 
Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech, Colo. 

David Buffam 
New Castle Hotels & Resorts 
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cambridge/Arlington, Mass. 

The Outstanding Achievement award winners are: 

Hampton 

Pierre Varadi 
Groupe Canvar, Inc. 
Hampton Inn & Suites Montreal Downtown 

John D. & Allan Gantes 
Breckenridge Group, Inc. 
Hilton Garden Inn Palmdale, Calif. 

Tom Torgerson 
Torgerson Properties 
Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Louis Park, Minn. 
Homewood Suites by Hilton New Brighton, Minn. 

Lifetime Achievement Award 
Representing one of the first Hampton franchisees among a brand celebrating 25 years, Dave Lenz of The North Central Group has developed multiple Hilton Family hotels across the U.S. These hotels are among the top-ranking in quality and performance within the system. The North Central Group has six deals underway in Phoenix and several others in Omaha, Neb. and Wisconsin. 

Multi-Brand Developer of the Year 
Mitch Patel at Vision Hospitality Group, LLC is an outstanding developer and operator of multiple Hilton Family brands, including 12 open or under development. In 2008 alone, he achieved four openings (two Hampton Inn & Suites, one Doubletree and one Homewood Suites by Hilton) and one development of an Embassy Suites Hotel. In downtown Chattanooga, four Hilton Family hotels are being represented by Vision Hospitality-owned properties. 

Hampton Developer of the Year 
Within the past year, Champak Patel has been loyal to the Hampton brand for all new hotel products. In a tight market like Oklahoma where vision is required to commit to an investment, Champ has been willing to pioneer with Hampton. 

Hilton Garden Inn Developer of the Year 
Within the past two years, Steve Gupta of Easton�s Group of Hotels has been approved for Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Mississauga/ Toronto Airport, located in one of the strongest corporate markets in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA); Downtown Toronto, a newly built hotel recently opened, located in the heart of the entertainment district; and a conversion property on the east side of downtown Toronto. Easton�s locations provide the Hilton Garden Inn brand with a strong presence in the high profile Toronto market. They also have operated an existing HGI in Vaughan, Ont., for several years. 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Developer of the Year 
Mehul Patel has done an excellent job at identifying appropriate markets and sites for Homewood Suites within Texas. All three locations � in Abilene, Midland and Tyler -- approved in 2008 are not only strong locations but true extended stay markets, further indicating the commitment to success in making the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand work ideally for the given market with the Hilton Family as Patel�s first choice. 

Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team. 

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton�s philosophy that, �It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.� The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity. 

Hilton Family of Hotels Brand Communications
Brad Carmony, 901-374-6518
[email protected]
http://www.hiltonworldwide.com