Hispanic Hotel Owners Association to Host “Battle of the Brands”

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2008—The Hispanic Hotel Owners Association (HHOA), a rapidly growing non-profit organization that seeks to increase Latino ownership of hotels, today announced that the opening event at the group’s first Hispanic Hotel, Development and Investment Conference is designed to permanently alter the concept of hotel conferences.

On Wednesday, October 8, four hotel mega-brands—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation and ACCOR—will square off against each other in a winner-take-all “Battle of the Brands” event.

“Just like China raised the bar with the opening event at the Olympics this year, we wanted to set a new standard for hotel conferences with our opening event,” said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, (top left photo) founder and president of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association. “To our knowledge, nothing like this has ever happened at a gathering of hoteliers.

The participation of IHG, Wyndham, Hilton and ACCOR in such a fun event sets the stage for a strong educational and deal-making event.”

Each of the four brand groups will set up an exclusive, highly themed cocktail reception area to entertain members of Latino hotel ownership, development and management groups headquartered in South America, the United States, Central America and Mexico.

Given the extremely competitive natures of the companies involved, each competing brand is guarding their theme with the utmost secrecy. Formatted after the popular “Battle of the Bands” competition, attendees will vote for the best reception area.

“HHOA's Battle of the Brands challenge has our creative juices flowing," said Floyd Pitts, (middle left photo) Senior Director of Diversity Programs for the Hilton Hotels Corporation.

"Our team has worked feverishly to bring to life a theme that is sure to WOW attendees. It was inspired by our flagship brand - Hilton Hotels, consistent with what that Brand strives to deliver to every one of their guests: inspiration, relaxation, fun and excellence -- as with the guest experience delivered by that Brand, our theme will touch the mind, body and soul."

In keeping with the competitive theme, a boxing ring, complete with “card girl,” and announcer will be set in the center of the room. The announcer will periodically highlight the various aspects of each reception area offering and the four hotel companies and seek participant response.

“With over 7000 ports of call, we're cruising right by the competition,” said Nancy Poor, (top right photo) Senior Vice President for Wyndham Worldwide. “Come visit the Wyndham Hotel Group lounge!”

Additional information about HHOA is available at the association’s Web site, http://www.hhoa.org/.

To learn more about the first Hispanic Hotel, Development and Investment Conference, contact Angela Gonzalez-Rowe at 202-587-5707, or http://www.hhoa.org/.

Contact: Jerry Daly, Chris Daly, Daly Gray Public Relations, (703) 435-6293,
jerry@dalygray.com