Despite living in a digital age, business professionals still prefer face-to-face meetings. According to a recent global study by Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT), more than two-thirds of professionals, ranging from millennials to age 65+, overwhelmingly prefer meeting in-person over any other collaboration method. The study, which polled business professionals across the U.S., UK and China, uncovered the value of face-to-face interactions and specifically the role of coffee and tea in productive meetings.

Other survey findings included:

  • Wired up world: While Americans are well known for their coffee enthusiasm, surprisingly, the UK and China value their kick-start beverages more in the business world. More professionals in the UK (61 percent) and China (58 percent) agree that the most successful meetings happen over coffee and tea - compared to their counterparts in the U.S. (44 percent).
  • Sipping on success: Sixty-eight percent of professionals in the UK and more than half of Chinese respondents (59 percent) say that coffee and tea are important to contributing to a successful in-person meeting.
  • Brewed to perfection: Chinese professionals and U.S. millennials value the quality of coffee and tea. Fifty-four percent of Chinese and 51 percent of millennials say that if it is going to be served in a meeting, then it must be high quality.
  • Coffee dates: More than half of Chinese respondents (53 percent) say that the best way to connect with a colleague or professional contact is over coffee and tea.
  • City sips: Seventy-one percent of city dwellers in the U.S. say coffee is important to successful meetings.

To encourage connections and ignite powerful ideas over coffee, Hilton launched a global coffee promotion, providing complimentary coffee or tea for the first meeting break at participating Hilton properties. Meetings booked now through November 15, which take place before March 31, 2016, are eligible for the offer.

"The most impactful events involve face-to-face interactions that allow individuals to connect on a personal level," said Andrew Flack, vice president, global marketing, Hilton Worldwide. "It's interesting to see that, throughout the world, while we differ subtly in how we conduct meetings, we agree on the value of collaboration - which is often fueled by coffee or tea. We're excited to provide our meeting professional partners an opportunity to deliver the necessary elements to drive impactful meetings and great experiences for attendees."

Supporting thousands of meetings daily at hotels worldwide, Hilton helps foster an atmosphere where big ideas are born and connections are developed. For more information on the offer, visit ideasbythecup.com.

*The Global Group Offer Survey was based on sample of 1,000 U.S., 1,013 UK and 1,008 Chinese white collar workers ages 18+. It was an online survey conducted from September 9-22, 2015 by Edelman Berland. The margin of error, at the 95% confidence level, is +/- 3.09%.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,800 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2021 World's Best Workplaces list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. In 2021, in addition to opening more than one hotel a day, Hilton introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 128 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.