Bedford Homewood Suites by Hilton in Fort Worth Recognized as 2000 Business of the Year.

Business/Travel Editors

BEDFORD, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2000

Homewood Suites(R) by Hilton, the national brand of upscale, extended-stay hotels, today announced that the Bedford Homewood Suites in Fort Worth, Texas, has received the 2000 Business of the Year award by the Hurst Euless Bedford (HEB) Chamber of Commerce.

The award recognizes the hotel for its commitment to quality service and its support of these Texas communities.

The Bedford Homewood Suites is noted for its numerous public contributions including support provided to the American Cancer Society, SHARE, HEB Hospital Auxiliary, The Carter Blood Council, and the Bedford Police Department.

Among the hotel's most notable community initiatives is its Good Neighbor Program. Under this program, the local fire department notifies the Homewood Suites when an area resident has lost their home due to fire damage. The property takes in the resident and will provide rooms at no cost for the first few nights, to help the resident or family work toward recovery.

"It's not just about quality, it's about taking care of people," said Cara Leising-Hensley, property general manager and the 1999 Chamber of Commerce recipient of its "Member of the Year" award.

"Our initiative is to bring our business to the community and the community to our business. This award is a testament to our commitment to take care of the people that make it possible for us to thrive in the Bedford community."

This distinction marks the Bedford Homewood Suites by Hilton as the first hotel to be recognized as a recipient of the award. The hotel was selected from a pool of more than 900 companies. The Business of the Year award is the single honor that combines the Chamber's top three awards for fastest growing enterprise, commitment to quality and corporate citizenship.

"The volunteer and financial investment by the Bedford Homewood Suites exceeds community service expectations," said Mary Frazior, president and CEO, HEB Chamber of Commerce. "We feel that this hotel goes above and beyond the call of duty and has positioned itself as a pillar of support for organizations and people in the Hurst Euless Bedford community."

Homewood Suites by Hilton is a part of Hilton Hotels Corp., recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises 1,800 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties.

Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Harrison Conference Centers(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Homewood Suites(R) by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns(R) and Conrad International(R).