HOUSTON, TX May 17, 2013 -Hilton Americas-Houston is proud to announce that Director of Sales and Marketing Janice O’Neill-Cox has been recognized by Hilton Worldwide’s Circle of Excellence (COE) program as Director of Sales and Marketing of the Year for the Hilton Hotels brand. The COE program rewards sales, catering and events services professionals in the top ten percent of each of Hilton Worldwide’s brands.

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 complete required trainings and courses, earn a positive performance score, demonstrate leadership qualities and achieve general sales excellence. Joining Hilton Americas-Houston in July 2001, two years prior to the hotel’s opening in 2003, O’Neill-Cox has the distinction of being the first team member hired to open Houston’s largest hotel. A 25-year hotel industry veteran, she has won numerous awards for her innovative sales and marketing campaigns, including the 2012 Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston’s Hospitality on Parade Award for Director of Sales and Marketing of the Year.

“Consistently meeting and exceeding revenue goals, Janice is an asset to Hilton Americas-Houston and to Hilton Worldwide,” said Joe Palmieri, general manager, Hilton Americas- Houston. “Her positive attitude and enthusiasm make her a valuable team player, and we’re thrilled that she 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 in Hawaii. Media can access additional information about Hilton Americas-Houston at http://news.hilton.com/americashouston

Directly connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center, the 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, technologically advanced meeting space, restaurant, lobby bar, coffee emporium and full service spa and health club.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
One of the most recognized names in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 550 properties in 80 countries and the brand remains synonymous with "hotel." Access the latest Hilton news at http://news.hilton.com or begin your journey at www.hilton.com. Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.twitter.com/hiltonhotels, www.facebook.com/hilton and www.youtube.com/hilton. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten marketleading brands.