Hilton Names GM for Branson

Mark Hartman Named General Manager of New Hilton Branson Landing Project

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2005--Hilton announced today that Mark Hartman has been named general manager of the new Hilton Branson Landing project that, when complete, will feature a 243-room boutique hotel, a 290-room convention hotel and a 225,000 square foot convention center to be operated by Hilton. Branson Landing is a 95-acre shopping, living and entertainment development on the waterfront in Branson, Missouri. The boutique hotel is set to open in June 2006, followed by the convention hotel and convention center in 2007.

A Hilton veteran for 22 years with extensive experience in opening new properties, Hartman joins the Branson Landing project from the Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center on Chicago's North Shore, where he has served as general manager since December 2003. In his new capacity, Mark will report to Tim Benolken, area vice president for Hilton's North Central Region.

Hartman began his hospitality career in 1983 at the Guest Quarters Suite Hotel in Atlanta as director of sales. In 1986, he joined the Compri Hotel as director of operations and director of accommodations. In 1988, he joined Doubletree Hotels, where he served in a variety of director-level roles at properties throughout the United States. He became rooms division manager of the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center St. Louis in 1991, and then got his first general manager position in 1992 at the Doubletree Club Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also served as general manager for Doubletree properties in Cincinnati, Dayton, St. Louis, Chicago, and, most recently, served as general manager for the Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center on Chicago's North Shore.

Hartman received his Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from the University of Georgia at Athens.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises approximately 2,300 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) and Homewood Suites by Hilton(R).