Hilton Expands Small Meetings Program

Hilton Hotels today expanded a program of personalized services for small-sized meetings of under 50 attendees called Hilton Meetings to properties throughout North America. The program, introduced in 2000 at Hilton properties in Ireland and the United Kingdom, is to be expanded to the majority of Hilton properties in North America by the fourth quarter of 2008.

"Hilton's global experience in hosting events of all sizes keeps us aware of what business travelers need and expect from meeting and event space," says Jeff Diskin, senior vice president of brand management for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "Our goal with Hilton Meetings is to provide personalized meeting services for groups ranging from two to 50 people."

At properties that offer the program, guests will be able to choose between a formal boardroom setting and flexible multi-purpose room for small meetings. These rooms will also feature enhanced Hilton Meetings service and amenities that aim to minimize environmental impact while offering time-saving technology and consistent personalized service. Hilton's smart room designs include high-quality furnishings, local artwork to help stimulate creativity and advanced technology to keep guests plugged in. All rooms will include a 3M(tm) Digital Easel that instantly records flipchart content electronically into a variety of formats for Mac and PC computers and enables collaboration with participants in multiple locations through a shared meeting application. Radio-controlled clocks keeping accurate local time, will be installed to help keep guests on time and high-speed internet connectivity will keep guests connected.

Tables are designed with built-in table-top power and data points for easy connections and chairs will offer extra comfort with padded arms and lumbar support. Rooms will also include credenzas that contain a refrigerator and safe that can hold at least four laptops. Room doors will also lock for added security and will contain outside-in spy hole viewers to minimize meeting disruption.

Dedicated meetings specialists are assigned to each Hilton Meetings room to assist with individual service needs. Each meeting planner will receive a welcome kit containing specific details about their event, the hotel and the meeting space and a welcome wallet holding lunch and break menus. Hilton is also elevating its food and beverage products by serving meeting participants items specifically selected to help boost energy and keep minds sharp, such as peach smoothies or mini shish kabobs with lemon yogurt sauce, along with complimentary tea and coffee served all day.

Hilton's e-Events online group booking tool, Guest List Manager and Personalized Group Web Page feature allow event planners to book their group event or meeting and promote their event to attendees.