Hilton Focused Service Brands Holding First Three-Brand Conference

NEW ORLEANS— Thousands of owners and managers of Hilton Hotels Corp.’s focused service brands descended on the Crescent City Jan. 21, kicking into gear the first combination conference of Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites since the merger of Hilton and Promus. According to a Hilton spokeswoman, at least 2,000 attendees are on hand, a number she expects could reach 2,200 or higher. Tom Keltner, president of Hilton’s brand performance and franchise development group, will lead the general session tomorrow morning at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Updates on the three focused service brands also will be presented by senior vice presidents Phil Cordell (Hampton Inn), Jim Holthouser (Homewood Suites) and Adrian Kurre (Hilton Garden Inn). A highlight of today’s activities will be a topping-off ceremony for the new Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans at 901 Poydras St. Owner/developer Sam Friedman, president of Dimension Development will host the festivities this afternoon along with Homewood Suites’ Bill Duncan, vp-brand sales and hotel support services, and Calvin Stovall, senior director-brand marketing.—Stefani C. O’Connor