The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

McLean, VA – (October 11, 2011) – Today, Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands, in partnership with Elite Meetings International (EMI), announces the launch of Luxury Meetings magazine. This new group sales resource, which will be published annually, provides a comprehensive overview of Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands’ properties capabilities to host meetings and events at the more than 40 existing and forthcoming locations in their Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts portfolios.

Debuting at IMEX America, a new global trade show for the worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel industry, this publication features property specifications and contact information with links to each hotel’s website and elitemeetings.com. Event planners can request additional information by contacting the hotel directly or by using EMI’s SpeedRFP™ “Request for Proposal” technology, which allows buyers to submit and manage their RFPs online at elitemeetings.com. In launching the magazine at IMEX America, more than 2,000 meetings and event buyers will be the first to view the resource and learn of the hotel brands’ unique luxury event offerings.

“We know efficiency and trust are the main drivers in choosing an event location,” said John T.A. Vanderslice, global head of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton Worldwide. “By partnering with EMI to create Luxury Meetings, we’re offering meeting and event planners, and their guests the assurance and efficiency they need and the excellence for which Conrad and Waldorf Astoria brands are renowned.”

Kelly Foy, chief executive officer of Elite Meetings International, added, “Combining the power of print and game-changing RFP technology provides a complete sales and marketing solution for Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands, and an extremely informative and user-friendly resource for buyers.”

In addition, Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands will be conducting customer group presentations about the brands’ luxury destinations and meeting capabilities in booth #1655 at IMEX America. Sonya Toliver Irby, director of brand sales of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton Worldwide and Annette Dhein, vice president of hilton luxury sales will be on hand to meet with key customers and attendees throughout the three-day trade show. Twenty-one of the Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties from 10 different countries will have presence at the trade show. Attendees will be amongst the first to learn about offerings at select Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands upcoming property openings including the Conrad New York and Conrad Macao.

Copies of Luxury Meetings will be available to review at IMEX America located at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 11 – 13, 2011. To download a digital version or to request a hard copy, visit www.waldorfastoriaglobalmediacenter.com or www.conradglobalmediacenter.com.
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About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
WALDORF ASTORIA is Hilton Worldwide’s luxury brand of landmark hotels, with each one as singular and timeless as the brand’s namesake, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York. From classic elegance to modern grandeur, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts each represent worldly sophistication and unparalleled guest service. From sumptuous spas and culinary excellence to world-class golf, each hotel and resort offers the exquisite accommodations and signature accoutrements that define refinement and sophistication. Discover Waldorf Astoria by visiting www.waldorfastoria.com. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands.

About Conrad Hotels & Resorts
CONRAD® HOTELS & RESORTS is Hilton Worldwide’s global luxury brand and the choice for today’s modern, sophisticated traveler. By focusing on the individual, Conrad offers guests genuine and personalized experience and a world of style, service and connection. Each Conrad is a dynamic reflection of its city and culture, as well as a showcase for striking design and distinct surroundings. Across five continents, in the world’s gateway cities and most sought-after resort destinations, Conrad invites each guest to enjoy The Luxury Of Being Yourself®. For information on Conrad, please visit www.conradhotels.com.


About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and timeshare properties, with 615,000 rooms in 85 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, visit www.HiltonWorldwide.com or connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.HiltonWorldwideGlobalMediaCenter.com.

About Elite Meetings International
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Elite Meetings International (EMI) provides integrated solutions to enhance the performance of meeting and hospitality professionals. EMI supports this community through a combination of innovative technology, direct sales support, customized marketing programs and face-to-face business-building events. Additionally, www.EliteMeetings.com serves as a commission-free RFP-generating tool and a comprehensive vehicle for sourcing luxury, upper-upscale and upscale properties. EMI's innovations include FaceTime™ Appointment Scheduler (www.FaceTimeScheduler.com) a sought-after program for helping conference attendees identify synergies, manage appointments and make direct connections with one another; and SpeedRFP™ (www.SpeedRFP.com), a new time-saving product for creating, submitting, and managing RFPs online. For additional information, please visit www.EliteMeetings.com or call 805-730-1000.

CAREFREE, Ariz. (March 13, 2008) " Platinum just trumped gold as Golf Magazines March issue announces their selection of Best Golf Resorts in the U.S. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa has now received the highest accolade ever awarded to a golf resort"the Platinum Medal award.
This new elevated category was created in celebration of the magazines 20th anniversary. Outranking the highly touted Gold Medal winners, the Platinum Medal award is considered to be the most prestigious honor in the golf industry- an elite award given to the upper echelon of golf properties that excel in course design and playability while providing luxurious accommodations. The Platinum ranking is an honor bestowed only on golfs finest properties, says Joe Passov, Senior Travel Editor, GOLF MAGAZINE. By creating Platinum Medals for the elite resorts in North America we can provide answers for that critical question of Which is the best?These awards are chosen by over 8,000 golf readers. The voting was based on four criteria: golf, lodging, food and drink and service. Forty percent of the resort recognition is based on golf, where voters considered factors such as challenge, playability, scenery, history, facilities and service. The rest of the score was equally weighed among lodging, food and drink and overall service at the resorts.
The 2008 Platinum Medal Award winners include:
1. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa-Carefree, Arizona
2. American Club-Kohler, Wisconsin
3. Four Seasons Resort- Lanai at Manele Bay, Hawaii
4. Pinehurst Resort-Pinehurst, North Carolina
5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort-Bandon, Oregon
6. The Greenbrier-White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
7. The Broadmoor-Colorado Springs, Colorado
8. Pebble Beach Resort- Pebble Beach, California
9. Kiawah Island Golf Resort- Kiawah Island, South Carolina
10. Sea Island Resort-Sea Island, Georgia
-more-
Page 2-Boulders Named Platinum Award Winner by Golf Magazine

Golf Magazine published by Time Warner, Inc. focuses on instruction, tournament coverage and travel & lifestyle for the true golf enthusiasts. Golf Resorts rankings include Green, Silver, Gold and Platinum categories. The Silver & Gold Medal properties offer some of the best value vacations, but the Platinum Medal winners truly set the standard for golf resorts

The Boulders is one of the finest golf resorts in the world. The resorts two, 18-hole, par 72, championship golf courses were designed by Jay Morrish and have won some of the industrys highest accolades. They are considered some of the most demanding courses in the Southwest, and are known for their rugged beauty and breathtaking desert panoramas.

About The Boulders
An exclusive desert hideaway, The Boulders features 160 guest casitas and 59 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas and haciendas, seven restaurants and a lounge, two championship Jay Morrish-designed golf courses, eight tennis courts including three classic clay surfaces, five premier cushion courts and a full-service Golden Door Spa. For more information/reservation about The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, contact 866-397-6520 or call 480-488-9009 or visit www.TheBoulders.com.

The Boulders & Golden Door Spa is part of the LXR Luxury Resorts collection, a portfolio of independent properties distinguished by a style and spirit that captures the unique qualities of their setting. LXR properties are located throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The collection also includes the renowned Golden Door Spa brand.


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MEDIA CONTACT:
Debora Bridges/Bridges Media Group
(602)381-7771/email:Db@bridgesmediagroup.com

Company activities, team building and group learning have traditionally been the focus for meeting groups. But new programs at The Boulders Resort also helps enrich their meetings with a wellness activity that embarks on a personal journey to help improve self-awareness---the ideal meeting activity that invests in their own team.

“It’s all about the Numbers”
Numerology Readings are held outdoors in the Boulder’s Organic Garden or at the Resort Duck Pond for groups. The customized program begins pre-meeting with the planner choosing a list of options—from first name analysis to birth date—to determine what their group would like to “discover.” The readings provide a customized approach that helps both the individual and the group grow in personal discovery and awareness.
Numerology is the study of the symbolism of numbers. For centuries, numerology has been used to determine an individual’s personality, strengths, talents, weaknesses, needs and way of dealing with others.

A night of magic and celestial wonders for meeting guests
Groups may also choose to culminate their meeting program with a fascinating dinner--“Dining with the Stars” is an Astrology-themed wine dinner held al fresco in the resort’s 5,600 sq. ft. Organic Garden. While meeting guests enjoy a gourmet dinner under the cool desert night sky, whether noted Astrologer, Tom McMullan, explains the symbolic language of Astrology and how the movement of the constellations and planets influence everyday living.

About The Boulders Meetings
Meetings at The Boulders are anything but routine and include a variety of meeting spaces:
-Tohono Conference Center features 12,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space. The center’s distinctive architecture evokes the ancient boulder formations for which the resort was named. The centerpiece of its diverse selection of function rooms is a 5,400-square-foot ballroom with asymmetrical walls that appear to be carved out of stone and expansive windows overlooking the desert. The conference center foyer has retractable glass walls opening onto the Sunset Terrace to create a memorable venue for evening receptions. Also featured is a boardroom seating 16, with a soaring viga ceiling, Southwestern-style wood beams and a built-in audiovisual center with big-screen television. -Boulders Club offer an exclusive variety of boardrooms located in casitas; Cocopeli is a tree-shaded barbecue area for groups to enjoy an Old West steak fry; -el Pedregal, The Boulders’ marketplace is an open air setting amidst shopping, dining and a courtyard amphitheater which is ideal for keynote functions and social gatherings.-Sonoran Ballroom offers a 2,000-square-foot Sonoran Ballroom, meeting rooms and terraces for special functions.

About The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
An extraordinary desert hideaway, The Boulders features 160 guest casitas and 61 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, seven restaurants and a lounge, eight tennis courts including three classic clay surfaces, five premier cushion courts and a full-service Golden Door Spa. Heralded as one of the finest golf courses worldwide, The Boulders features two 18-hole, par 72 championship golf courses that are considered to be among the most demanding in the Southwest and are known for their rugged beauty and breathtaking desert panoramas. The golf courses were designed by Jay Morrish and have won some of the industry’s highest accolades including Golf magazine’s prestigious “Platinum Medal” award.

Media Contact:
Debora Bridges - Bridges Media Group
480.306.4242 or Db@bridgesmediagroup.com