Hilton HHonors Announces 30 Finalists for Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition

Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide's 10 distinct hotel brands, has announced the 30 finalists of its Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition. Now through April 30, 2013, the public can vote for their favorite finalist at www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks to help determine the 15 winning entries.

The Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks program will fund 15 teachers to travel and to experience first-hand the subject they teach, enriching their curriculum and inspiring students to explore the world. Hilton HHonors developed the program in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE), a world leader in the international exchange and administrator of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. The program is part of Hilton Worldwide's Travel with Purpose commitment to celebrating cultures and the power of travel to build stronger communities.

A panel of judges, including K-12 teachers and other education experts selected by IIE, narrowed the competition down to 30 finalists from 20 different states. As organized as their lesson plans, the applicants mapped out their travel dreams by detailing creative and engaging itineraries, a few of which included:

• Discovering how Shakespearean theater resonates with different European cultures
• Attending the 4^th Annual Korea Wind Band Festival in Seoul to better understand the methodology and instrumentation of international wind bands
• Learning how Shanghai became the global leader of math by participating in a week-long Math Olympiad program in China

"I'd like to extend my congratulations to the 30 finalists of the Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition," said Jeff Diskin, executive vice president, Hilton Worldwide. "Teacher Treks will provide 15 lucky teachers with the opportunity to see the world and bring those experiences back to the classroom, inspiring future generations of travelers."

Awards

• Winners: 15 winners will receive a grant valued at $6,000 to travel to a destination of their choice; in addition to the trip, each winning teachers' school will also receive a $2,500 grant to use for cultural activities or enhancements
• Runners-up: 15 runners-up will each receive a $2,500 grant for their school to use for cultural activities or enhancements
• One winner from all submissions will receive a cultural excursion for their classroom valued at $1,500
• From those that voted in the Teacher Treks competition, 10 random winners will receive one Hilton HHonors Gift Card valued at $250

Individuals can cast one vote per day during the duration of the voting period. For more information on the 30 finalists, voting or for full Terms and Conditions, please visit www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks. Winners will be announced in May 2013.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a 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 offered 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 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories 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. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About Hilton HHonors

Hilton HHonors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide's 10 distinct hotel brands, offers its 34 million members more ways to earn and redeem points than any other guest-loyalty program, enabling them to create experiences worth sharing at more than 3,900 hotels in 90 countries and territories. HHonors members can now redeem points for any room, anywhere, anytime, including the most luxurious suites, using any of four room rewards: Premium Room Rewards, Room Upgrade Rewards, Points & Money Rewards and Standard Room Rewards. In addition, HHonors members can use points to purchase unique experience rewards, merchandise and vacation packages, make charitable contributions and more. HHonors is also the only guest-loyalty program to offer 'No Blackout Dates' and 'Points & Miles' for the same stay at its properties worldwide, including participating 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. Membership in HHonors is free, and travelers may enroll online by visiting www.HiltonHHonors.com or connect with Hilton HHonors at news.hiltonhhonors.com.

About the Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 18 offices worldwide and over 1,000 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad. Learn more about IIE at www.iie.org.