Hilton Hotels revamps online group booking tool, making meeting planning easier

Hilton Hotels is alleviating the amount of time and energy spent on organizing small social and business functions with the introduction of its enhanced e-Events online group booking tool, available at www.hilton.com.

Representing a first in the hotel industry, e-Events allows organizers to book their entire group event or meeting from start to finish 24/7, and receive immediate confirmation of their reservation. The online portal caters to groups requiring 25 rooms or less - whether for a family reunion, wedding, sporting event or corporate retreat.

"With the number of internet bookings on the rise for everything from restaurant reservations to travel accommodations, it’s clear that consumers value services that offer convenience, choice and speed," said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president of brand management and marketing for Hilton Hotels.

"Our e-Events tool makes it easy for consumers to book an entire group event or meeting online within minutes. It’s one of the industry’s most efficient small group bookings solutions available today."

The company’s industry-leading technology, OnQ, consists of an infrastructure that enables online users to see room availability across participating Hilton hotels in North America. And, with hundreds of hotels to choose from, e-Events allows professional and amateur event planners, small business owners and families to find a hotel that fits their needs based on price, guest room types and features such as proximity to local attractions, kid-friendly amenities and high-speed internet capabilities. Organizers can reserve guest rooms, meeting spaces, food and beverage, audio/visual equipment and more up to one year in advance without a request for proposal or a waiting period.

Additionally, e-Events features an all-inclusive Guest List Manager tool that enables planners to manage their room block, including instant, online access 24/7 to their group reservation details and guest room information through their HHonors or Fast Reservations profile. Guest List Manager lets event guests access a group code provided by their event organizer so they can reserve their own rooms within the room block. Planners can instantly see who has booked guest rooms for their event or can reserve rooms on behalf of guests, thus keeping track of the total head count at all times. This online efficiency eliminates the need to call the hotel or wait for the hotel to upload rooming lists manually.

Hilton Hotels is also rewarding event planners that use e-Events. Organizers who use their American Express card to book a qualifying event or meeting with e-Events between now and October 31, 2007 and complete their event by February, 28, 2008 will receive an American Express branded reward card worth $250, valid at any participating U.S. Hilton hotel. Event planners can also earn Points & Miles for qualifying events with the Hilton HHonors Event Planner Program. For more details on e-Events or the Event Planner Program, please visit www.hilton.com.

About Hilton Hotels

With nearly 500 hotels on six continents, Hilton Hotels continues to be an innovative leader in the full-service hospitality segment and the most recognized name in the industry. Hilton celebrates the accomplishment, enlightenment, renewal and celebration that travel enables. This commitment to personal guest achievement infuses all decisions about products, programs and amenities, and is underscored by the belief that travel can and should be transformative. Each unique Hilton Hotel was designed to reflect the sense of place of its location; each team member chosen to reflect the local culture and community. For more information, please visit www.hilton.com.

CONTACT:

Denise Blaya
Hilton Hotels Communications
Hilton Hotels Corporation
9336 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 205-7857
denise_blaya@hilton.com
http://www.hilton.com/