Hilton Acquires Promus Hotel Corp. In a $4 billion transaction, Hilton Hotels Corp. of Beverly Hills, Calif., completed the acquisition of Memphis, Tenn.-based Promus Hotel Corp. in December.
Joining the Hilton family are former Promus brands DoubleTree Hotels, Suites and Clubs; Embassy Suite Hotels; Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites; Homewood Suites; Red Lion Hotels and Inns; and Harrison Conference Centers.
Although under the Hilton umbrella, they will retain their individual identities, according to Robert Dirks, senior vice president of marketing for Hilton. A combined total of 85,000 employees now operate more than 1,700 hotels in 50 countries.
Meeting planners and conference organizers can call 800/321-3232 to reach Hilton Direct USA, Hilton's sales and support center for meetings and group events. The Dallas-based service provides hotel facilities, availability and pricing information for any type of event, according to Dirks. The center will be expanded to support all brands within the Hilton family of hotels, he adds.
Hilton president and CEO Stephen Bollenbach will continue to lead the corporation, which will remain headquartered in Beverly Hills, although a significant operational presence will be maintained in Memphis, according to Dirks.
Hilton Hotels Corp. World Headquarters 9336 Civic Center Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310/278-4321; fax: 310/859-2513 Web site: www.hilton.com
Carlisle FoodService Products, based in Oklahoma City, has signed a letter of intent to acquire table-cover supplier Marko Inter-national, Chicago. P.O. Box 53006, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3006; 800/654-8210; Web site: www.carlislefsp.com
Auburn Hills, Mich.-based George P. Johnson Co., an exhibit and event marketing company, has established a global alliance with International Communications Specialists, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japan Travel Bureau in Tokyo. The Japanese firm is also an event exhibition and marketing company. George P. Johnson Co., 3600 Giddings Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326; 800/521-1365; Web site: www.gpjco.com
Event producer Patti Coons & Associates International has opened PCA Events Caribe, Cancun in Cancun, Mexico. The company also has offices in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, British West Indies. PCA headquarters: 7447 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32835; 407/290-9499.
PGI has consolidated its exhibition functions into one operation headquartered in Arlington, Va., to which the San Diego office will relocate. 2200 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 2220l; 703/528-8484; Web site: www.pgi.com
Aggreko Inc., a supplier of temporary utility rental services, has announced the acquisition of L&S Industries, an Aggreko rental dealer and service support site in Baltimore. L&S co-owners John Litsinger and Nelson Laur have retired. 4607 W. Admiral Doyle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560; 318/367-7884, ext. 264; Web site: www.aggreko.com
Dallas-based Renaissance Meetings & Incentives has opened a new division, Renaissance Destination Management, to plan events in the Dallas area. Shannon Montgomery will head the division. 2544 Elm St., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75226; 214/742-3700.
Tent supplier Anchor Industries recently added 60,000 square feet to its production space to increase production capacity and improve working areas. 1100 Burch Drive, P.O. Box 3477, Evansville, IN 47733; 812/867-4628; Web site: www.anchorinc.com
Through its franchise program, San Diego-based PRA Destination Management has added an office in Phoenix, the company's ninth location. Katherine Christensen, CMP, is owner/operator of PRA Phoenix. 4036 E. Woodland Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85048; 480/704-2088; Web site: www.pra-online.com
