HILTON INC.
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA

Conrad Hilton buys The Mobley, a hotel in Cisco, Texas. Over the next few years, he buys other Texas hotels. While business is strong, Mr. Hilton has greater ambitions. Conrad Hilton opens the high-rise Dallas Hilton, the first hotel to carry the Hilton name. Since air conditioning hadn’t yet been invented, the elevators, laundry chutes, airshafts, and other non-customer facilities were placed on the building’s west side, so that no guest rooms faced the western sun. Hilton expands to Waco, Texas, and opens its first hotel with cold running water and air-conditioning in public areas. With the purchase of the Roosevelt and Plaza hotels in New York City, Hilton becomes the first coast-to-coast hotel group in the United States. The Hilton Hotels Corporation is formed, and files to list on the New York Stock Exchange. New York City’s Roosevelt Hilton becomes the first hotel in the world to install televisions in guest rooms. Hilton International is born, with the opening of the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico. Legendary barman Ramon “Monchito” Marrero creates the Pina Colada. Conrad Hilton purchases “The Greatest of Them All,” the original Waldorf Astoria in New York, NY. Conrad Hilton appears on the cover of Time magazine, the first hotelier to achieve such recognition. (He appears again on the cover in 1963.) Conrad Hilton buys Statler Hotel for $111 million dollars, which at the time was the largest real estate deal ever. Hilton creates its first central reservation office, called HILCRON. Reservations can be made at any Hilton by telephone, telegram, or Teletype. Hilton launches a program to bring air-conditioning to every hotel in the Hilton portfolio. Opening of the Hilton Istanbul, the first modern hotel built from the ground up in post- World War II Europe. The landmark property earns its own postal code and stamp. Barron Hilton introduces the new Hilton Carte Blanche credit card, the premier travel and entertainment card owned by Hilton Hotels. Hilton pioneers the airport-hotel concept by opening the 380-room San Francisco Airport Hilton. Hilton International forms as a separate company, with Conrad Hilton as president. Two years later, Conrad Hilton’s son Barron succeeds him as president of the domestic Hilton Hotels Corporation. Launch of Lady Hilton, the first hotel concept designed exclusively for women travelers. Select hotels feature women-only floors and rooms, and provide special amenities tailored to women. Trans World Airlines acquires Hilton International. Conrad Hilton resigns his presidency to become chairman. Hilton becomes the first NYSE-listed company to enter the domestic gaming business, by purchasing the Flamingo Hotel and the Las Vegas International. It’s later named the Las Vegas Hilton. Conrad Hilton passes away at age 91. Conrad Hotels founded, with the goal of operating a network of luxury hotels and resorts in the world’s major business and tourism capitals. Hilton introduces Hilton HHonors™, its guest loyalty program. Hampton Hotels is the first hotel company to promise 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. It states: Friendly service, clean rooms, comfortable surroundings, every time. If you’re not satisfied, we don’t expect you to pay. The Hilton Garden Inn brand makes its debut, with four locations. It later expands to more than 500 properties. Hilton HHonors™ surpasses competing hotel loyalty programs by offering members both points and air miles. The first Hilton website launches: www.Hilton.com. Hilton Worldwide Resorts launches as a vacation-ownership subsidiary, providing its members with premium resorts and exotic vacation experiences. Hilton Hotels Corporation reacquires Hilton International, reuniting the companies for the first time in 40 years and expanding Hilton’s portfolio of brands worldwide. Hilton Hotels Corporation completes merger with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group’s real estate and corporate private equity funds. Christopher J. Nassetta joins Hilton Worldwide as President and Chief Executive Officer. Hilton Hotels expands to 76 countries, making it the largest full-service hotel brand in the world. Hilton Hotels Corporation changes its name and logo to Hilton Worldwide and moves its headquarters from Beverly Hills, California, to McLean, Virginia. Hilton returns to the New York Stock Exchange, to trade under the same ticker symbol HLT. “ We are a business serving people, and our Team Members extend their passion for hospitality beyond our hotel walls every day. ”