Homewood Suites by Hilton Launches "Idea" Contest

-- Hotels, 3/26/2008 2:42:00 PM

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - March 26, 2008 - Homewood Suites believes in doing things differently, approaching a problem from a different angle, and finding a solution that isn’t in a book or in a box.  The company is taking this unique mindset to the streets with “The Next Great Idea” contest - a search for an inspiring innovation - to launch April 1. 

The spirit behind the contest is to find an entrepreneur who has the next great product or small business idea that was created with the vision to innovate, to change, to improve, to invent, and to do something differently.

In partnering with Fast Company and Inc. magazines and their respective websites, Homewood Suites will issue a call for entries, which will then be narrowed down to a short list of contestants whose ideas will be published on FastCompany.com and Inc.com where the general public can vote for their favorite.  The winner will receive $5,000, a special profile on the Fast Company and Inc. online sites and will be the focus of a full-page profile in the October issues of both publications.

“We are extremely excited to be participating in this contest which truly exemplifies the innovative spirit that Homewood Suites values,” said Bill Duncan, Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

The Homewood Suites “Next Great Idea” contest will kick off within the pages of the April issues of Fast Company and Inc. and on their respective web sites starting on April 1.  Online audience voting will be enabled in June and July and the winner will be revealed in the October issues of Fast Company and Inc.  Additional information and contest rules can be found at www.fastcompany.com/greatidea or www.inc.com/greatidea.

Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has more than 220 hotels open with another 130 in development the pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, Homewood Suites guests can find at each hotel an on-site Suite Shopâ convenience store, exercise facility and guest laundry at most locations. Guests can also enjoy a daily complimentary Suite StartÒ hot breakfast and a Welcome HomeÒ reception featuring a complimentary light meal and beverages Monday-Thursday evenings. Additional guest services at Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels include a complimentary grocery shopping service* and a complete business center at most locations. 

To make reservations at a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel, travelers can visit the Homewood Suites Web site at homewoodsuites.com or call 1-800-CALL-HOMEâ. Homewood Suites by Hilton participates in Hilton HHonorsÒ, the only hotel rewards program that offers Points & MilesÒ and No Blackout Dates.  HHonors members can earn both hotel points and airline miles for the same stay at more than 3,000 Hilton Family hotels worldwide.  And with No Blackout Dates, as long as a standard room is available, members can confirm that room using their HHonors points.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 76 countries and territories, including 100,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hiltonâ, Conradâ Hotels & Resorts, Doubletreeâ, Embassy Suites Hotelsâ, Hampton Innâ, Hampton Inn & Suitesâ, Hilton Garden Innâ, Hilton Grand Vacationsâ, Homewood Suites by Hiltonâ and The Waldorf=Astoria Collectionâ.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton’s philosophy that, “It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.”  The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company:  be hospitableâ.    The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com, and to learn more about its be hospitable philosophy, please visit www.behospitable.com.

About Fast Company magazine:
Founded in 1995 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, LLC, award-winning Fast Company magazine www.FastCompany.com covers the ideas, trends and visionaries that are sparking change and creating the future of business. With a total paid circulation of 746,161, Fast Company explores the profound innovation, creative breakthroughs, best and “next” practices that are driving the business world.

About Inc. magazine:
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, LLC., Inc. magazine www.inc.com is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders.  With a total paid circulation of 681,421, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology.