Hilton Hotels Corp. Announces Development of the Hilton Garden Inn Green Bay.

GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 1998--Hilton Hotels Corp. has announced the development of the 125-room Hilton Garden Inn(R) Green Bay, in Green Bay, Wis.

A construction commencement ceremony was held Thursday, with construction being scheduled for an August 1999 completion.

The Hilton Garden Inn Green Bay, which will be located within two miles of downtown Green Bay, will be owned by Green Bay-based KNK Plaza Hotel of Green Bay, LLC, under a license agreement to be entered into with Hilton Inns Inc., the franchise subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corp. KNK's managing members are KNK Properties, LLC, and Plaza Financial Services, LLC.

Al Toon and Larry Mialik, who played football at the University of Wisconsin and professionally in the NFL, are principals of Plaza Financial Services.

The hotel will be managed by NEWTEL Management Group, which operates the Hilton Lisle/Naperville and the Hilton Northbrook, both in Illinois.

George M. Hougard & Sons (the entity that built Lambeau Field -- home of the Green Bay Packers and the Packer Hall of Fame) and Kaashagen & Sons of Cambridge, Wis., are the joint venture general contractors.

"A mid-price product designed to cater completely to the needs of the '90s traveler, Hilton Garden Inn(R) hotels attract value-conscious business travelers as well as leisure travelers seeking a weekend getaway or vacation," said Dieter Huckestein, president, hotel division, Hilton Hotels Corp..

"The Hilton Garden Inn Green Bay will be supported by Hilton's powerful marketing programs, including Hilton HHonors(R) Worldwide, and global sales and reservations offices, benefiting customers and contributing to the long-term success of the hotel."

"With its proximity to downtown Green Bay, the Hilton Garden Inn Green Bay will exemplify an ideal product to serve the market," said Thomas Arnot, managing member of KNK-Plaza Hotel of Green Bay, LLC. "Our services will be focused and suited to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers alike visiting the Green Bay area."

The five-story, mid-rise Hilton Garden Inn will feature a signature glass-walled pavilion housing the guest reception; a Pavilion Pantry(sm) with a selection of microwaveable packaged, refrigerated and frozen items; a restaurant offering breakfast; a comfortable lounge area with a television and a fireplace; a full-service business center; and three meeting rooms.

For additional dining options, guests will enjoy the newly opened Brett Favre Steakhouse, located adjacent to the hotel.

Guest room accommodations and features will include: A hospitality center with a microwave oven, coffeemaker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; in-room entertainment with cable television and pay-per-view movies via the On Command(R) Video system; a hairdryer and an iron and ironing board. An exercise room, indoor swimming pool and a laundry facility also will be available for guests' convenience.

Business-oriented features of the guest room will include: A spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a portable computer; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with two lines, voice mail and data ports.

Hilton Garden Inn developments represent the cornerstone of Hilton's domestic franchising growth strategy. More than 200 Hilton Garden Inn properties are expected to be open or under development in the United States by year-end 2000.

The Hilton Garden Inn Green Bay will be located two and one-half miles from Austin Straubel International Airport off State Highway 172 and Interstate 43, on Lombardi near Oneida Avenue. The address is: 1015 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, Wis., 54304. The hotel is convenient to Lambeau Field (home of the Green Bay Packers), the Packer Hall of Fame, the Oneida Casino, Bay Beach Museum Park, Door County Recreation Area and the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.

Hilton Hotels Corp. is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality and gaming company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties.

Reservations can be made at all Hilton, Flamingo, Bally's and Conrad International hotels worldwide, online at www.hilton.com, through a professional travel agent or by contacting Hilton Reservations Worldwide at 1-800-HILTONS.