Now imagine this 1,200-room hotel is a fresh, newly constructed property that will fast become a flagship property in the heart of Houston -- one of America's most progressive cities -- and you'll understand the excitement behind what has quickly become one of most interesting new venues for corporate and association meeting planners looking for the latest in hospitality and technology, all in one great location.

The 1,200-room Hilton Americas - Houston, the city's new downtown convention center hotel being developed adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center, is on track for a Fall 2003 opening, and it is sure to be a hit.

"When our development team started designing the Hilton Americas-Houston, we knew our goal was to create the ultimate full-service hotel to meet the needs of the 21st century traveler," said David Villarrubia, newly named general manager of the hotel. "The Hilton Americas-Houston has brought in a variety of specialists to ensure we provide the latest technology to our guests at what will truly be an international gateway hotel."

Unique technology that will be incorporated into the hotel's convention and meeting facilities includes:

• Dedicated sound systems, motorized screens, and microphone plug-ins in each meeting room.
• A glass-blown fiber optic network that will allow for additional telecommunications lines to be added to the existing hotel infrastructure as needed.
• 12 floor pockets in each ballroom section featuring both fiber optic and Ethernet connections.
• Rigging points every 20 feet in the ceiling and cable troughs built into the floor of the 40,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom.

The Hilton Americas-Houston's 91,500 square feet of flexible meeting space will make it the premier spot for meeting planners. A 40,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, an additional 26,000-square-foot Ballroom of the Americas and 30 various-sized meeting rooms provide groups with flexible options. Both ballrooms will feature "Smart Walls" with built-in presentation screens in each section and professional show power lighting and audio connections controlled by LCD panels. All meeting rooms will feature in-room Ethernet connections for high-speed Internet access and motorized presentation screens.

Additional technology that will enhance any business traveler's or convention delegates' experience includes:

• Wireless capabilities for the front desk, giving staff the freedom to move and welcome guests personally.
• A combination of wired and wireless high-speed Internet access in all public areas within the hotel for computers with Ethernet cards.
• In-room technology will include dual line phones, fax/modem data port access, Ethernet ports for high-speed Internet access, and an on-screen interactive collection of guest services, high-speed Internet access and entertainment services are available.

"Our guestrooms will feature everything from high-speed connections to automated mini-bars and individual, direct-dial phone numbers," said Villarrubia. "We look forward to opening this hotel next Fall to the world's travelers and showcasing the finest technology the hospitality business has to offer."

Hilton Hotels Corporation owns, manages and franchises some of the most-renowned convention hotels to be found anywhere, such as New York's Waldorf-Astoria®, the Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa, the Hilton San Francisco and Chicago's Palmer House Hilton.

For more information or to book a future meeting, Janice O'Neill-Cox and the Hilton Americas-Houston pre-opening sales team may be reached at 713/739-8000 or via fax: 713/739-8007.