Hilton Worldwide announced that a new senior vice president of global brands and commercial services, former Walt Disney Co. executive Kenneth Svendsen, who now heads Hilton's worldwide group, corporate and leisure sales as well as third-party distribution, voice reservations and customer care. Both Svendsen and Vanderslice report to Hilton president of global brands and commercial services Paul Brown. Svendsen, comes to Hilton following several travel-related roles at Disney, most recently as senior vice president of worldwide travel operations and consumer direct sales for Disney Destinations. He previously worked with vacation program development and sales for Disney's tour companies and served as vice president of worldwide travel operations and in-market sales for the Disneyland Resort.

Hilton Worldwide has announced five new appointments to its senior management team in Middle East & Africa, in line with the company's expansion plans and focus in the region. With development plans for 19 properties, and over 5,000 rooms spanning the GCC, Egypt, Levant and Africa, three of the new recruits are to Hilton Worldwide's design and construction team: Ishaq Al Najjar-director of development and design, Hilton Worldwide, MEA, Cristian Vidaurre-director of development and design, Hilton Worldwide, MEA, Ludwig Scherdel-director of engineering, Hilton Worldwide, MEA overseeing the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) requirements for properties during the development, design and construction process. All three report to Victor Rodrigues, vice president, Technical Services, Hilton Worldwide, MEA. Furthermore, Marc Descrozaille joins as senior director of brand performance support for the Hilton brand in MEA, optimising performance in quality, concept definition, distribution channels and marketing tools for all Hilton hotels across the region. The company has also appointed Knud Bundgaard to the position of area executive chef for 42 Hilton Worldwide properties in the area. Bundgaard is responsible for driving quality and innovation in Hilton's F&B outlets, reporting to Simon Lazarus, area director of F&B, Hilton Worldwide, MEA.

Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with VENEZIA CAPITOL Srl to open a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Venice, Italy. Scheduled to open by summer 2010, the Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano will be a welcome addition to Venice Mestre providing quality branded hotel accommodation and a second hotel for Hilton Worldwide, in this European city. When it opens, the Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano will offer 136 bedrooms, all featuring the brand's key signature offerings, including the Garden Sleep System(R) bed, ergonomic Mirra(R) chair by Herman Miller, a 24-hour business centre and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi Internet access. A stylish lobby and reception area will feature a lounge area and bar, as well as the Hilton Garden Inn 24-hour Pavilion Pantry(R) which provides a selection of food and beverage options. A contemporary restaurant will also offer made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as evening room service. The Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano will have two flexible meetings rooms and 24 hour business centre facilities, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness facilities--appealing to both business and leisure guests. The signing of the Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano marks Hilton's continued growth in Italy, with 16 hotels already open, ranging from the ultra luxurious Waldorf Astoria Collection brand, to the full service Doubletree by Hilton brand and the mid-market Hilton Garden Inn. The new Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano is well located for easy access to the famous Venice lagoon, and for the commercial and business districts of the city. The hotel will provide a quality mid-market hotel option for leisure visitors looking for good value during their trip to Venice and for business visitors demanding close proximity to the commercial areas of the Venetian mainland. The Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano will be conveniently located in the Mestre area of Venice, near the Park of San Giuliano and overlooking the main SS14 road which connects the airport with the city centre. The hotel will be located 4 miles from the recently renovated Marco Polo International Airport, which is fast becoming a major gateway to South East Europe, and 6 miles from Piazzle Roma--where the water taxis depart for Venice lagoon.