Hilton New Orleans Riverside Offers Extra Perks to Meeting Planners, Attendees and the Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lisa Cole
Lisa.Cole@hilton.com 
305-796-8383

Eric Janecke
Eric.Janecke@hilton.com 
504-556-3712

                HILTON NEW ORLEANS RIVERSIDE OFFERS EXTRA PERKS TO MEETING PLANNERS,
                                                        ATTENDEES AND THE COMMUNITY
Hotel and industry partners give meetings planners a canvas of artistic ideas and perks to add color,
                                                    memories and value to meetings

NEW ORLEANS, LA – December 17, 2008 – The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is making a splash with meeting planners and attendees by providing them with a blank canvas to illustrate and paint the perfect meeting for their attendees. The 1622-room hotel, adjacent to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, has collaborated with industry partners, USA Hosts, PSAV, and GES Exposition Services to provide a little extra incentive and value to host a meeting in New Orleans.

“We want to continue to help our community rebuild, while at the same time provide the incentive and extra value that meeting planners, attendees and their companies are looking for as part of the “corporate social responsibility” plan said Eric Janecke, the hotels’ Marketing Director. “By providing them with a canvas of ideas, they can create their own masterpiece, give back to the community and provide value to their constituents”, he remarked. In addition, the hotel has commissioned local artist Reggie Ford, an incredible individual with passion and extraordinary talent, to provide each attendee with a piece of art to take a piece of New Orleans home.

Meeting planners booking and actualizing a meeting consisting of a minimum of 1500 room nights before December 31, 2010 and utilizing the hotel vendor partners may choose from a number of discounts on catering prices, signage, audio-visual services and internet services. In addition, those groups participating in community initiatives will not only deliver on corporate social responsibilities; 200,000 Hilton honors points will be donated to the organizations favorite charity and Host USA will donate $1,000 for every $25,000 spent.

Today companies not only hold meetings but look for ways to give back to communities and provide memories for their attendees. Where better than in New Orleans, where the landscape of opportunities to rebuild a home or school yard or park while at the same time build team spirit is truly rewarding and memorable.

Our Community Service Project at Coghill Elementary School was a highlight of our meeting in New Orleans. Coghill's motto of ‘we can and we must make a difference’ was a great theme for the day and we were honored to be able to make a positive difference in so many lives. Not only were we able to make an impact on Coghill but the students and staff made a huge impact on us."

                                                                                   - Nicole Savage, Corporate Relations Manager

Artist Reggie Ford grew up hopping the street trolleys, running the streets and finding the hidden worlds of New Orleans. The 9^th ward native could have pursued a promising career in semi-pro football. Instead, Ford decided to pursue his passion for art and gave up his athletic passion for his true heart and soul; New Orleans. As part of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside’s canvas of incentives, the hotel will send each attendee home with a commemorative art piece from the home grown artist.

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is located at 2 Poydras Street, 504-561-0500 or 1-800-HILTONS. Meeting planners interested in painting a masterpiece for their groups can contact the hotel at www.riversideperks.com; www.riversidemeetings.com

About the Hilton New Orleans Riverside
The Hilton New Orleans Riverside, a full service luxury complex, is actually a "city within itself" with a redesigned front desk and guest service area to increase efficiency and enhance service; featuring an electronic express check-in area adjacent to our full service business center. Our lobby also includes River Blends Café, proudly serving Starbucks®, featuring coffee and pastries or start your day off at Le Croissant Express which features the "Hilton Breakfast". SPIRITS Bar is located on the main floor of the hotel and features the smooth libation; “Delta Breeze" that can compliment many of the menu offerings.
As a host to a majority of New Orleans' major meetings, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside has 130,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space in classically opulent design featuring a French influence. The flow of the meeting space is enhanced with all three levels of function rooms linked by escalator and elevator.

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