HOUSTON, Texas – December 16, 2011 – Since his arrival as general manager of Hilton Americas-Houston almost four years ago, long-time hotelier Joe Palmieri has made a significant impact on the lives of all those with whom he has come in contact. At the recent Hospitality on Parade awards hosted by the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH,) his efforts were recognized as he received the association’s first-ever General Manager of the Year Award. Set to be an annual award, this recognition honors a hotelier who has demonstrated superior professionalism in operating a Houston area hotel, and who has taken a leadership role in the industry by participating in HLAGH and the local community.

Hospitality on Parade, created by HLAGH to recognize outstanding employees who have made a difference in the field of hospitality from the Houston area, is held annually as a night for hospitality professionals to celebrate their industry with fellow members of their profession. Nominees for awards in all categories are chosen based on acts of special achievement in the past twenty-four months, guest or management recognition for above and beyond the standard service, employee cooperation, and charitable acts either to the staff or the community. While testimonies from hotel guests are permitted, all entries are weighted by merit.

Palmieri, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, comes to Houston by way of Dallas, where he served since 1989 as General Manager of Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre. Bringing with him 33 years of managerial experience, he has served in many operational capacities in the hotel industry. “I am passionate about Hilton and our capability to be the very best hotel company to work for, and for our guests to experience,” said Palmieri. This passion shows in his tireless dedication to his work for Hilton and Hilton Worldwide. Holding positions as both general manager and as area and regional vice president of operations, Palmieri has also held positions which include president and chairman of the Dallas Hotel/Motel Association, member of the Board of Directors of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau and member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Hotel/Motel Association. Most recently, Palmieri has served in leadership positions on local and state boards including the Catch A Dream Foundation, Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston and Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, and is currently the 2011 Chair of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association.

A graduate of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Palmieri holds a degree in Hotel Management and also participated in the post graduate General Managers program at Cornell University.

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 newly renovated, luxuriously appointed guestrooms, 91,500 square feet of flexible, technologically advanced meeting space, two restaurants, lobby bar, coffee emporium, and full service spa and health club. For more information or to make reservations, contact 713-739-8000 or visit www.americashouston.hilton.com.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide,  www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide,www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.