HOTELS Interview: Nassetta reflects on Hilton's IPO | hotelsmag.com
Fresh off Hilton Worldwide’s history-making 117.6 million-share, US$2.5 billion IPO, Chris Nassetta was in very good spirits in late January while attending the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles. The CEO who re-organized and re- energized a global hotel powerhouse overcame multiple hurdles en route to the December IPO, and at the end of the day proved his business plan worked. Nassetta and his hand-picked Hilton team showed prospective investors that Hilton had successfully refinanced its balance sheet and developed the biggest pipeline in virtually all markets around the globe. Now the goal is to maintain the momentum, introduce new brands, sell assets where it makes sense and continue to deliver a fresh product to fickle consumers.