Mark Lauer Named GM of Hilton New York

Hotel Manager of New York City's Historic Waldorf=Astoria Tapped to Head Day-to-Day Operations of Manhattan's Largest Hotel

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. April 21, 2010

NEW YORK, NY - April 20, 2010 - It was announced today that Mark Lauer has been appointed General Manager of the 1,980-room Hilton New York, effective immediately. He will succeed Conrad Wangeman, who was recently named Area Vice President, Operations - Northeast for Hilton Worldwide. Lauer has spent more than half of his distinguished 29-year career with Hilton Worldwide, most recently as Hotel Manager of the legendary Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. An accomplished hospitality professional, Lauer has continuously proven to be an effective team builder who is highly proficient across the areas of sales, marketing and operations.

In his new role, Lauer will direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Hilton New York, Hilton's New York City flagship property located in the heart of midtown Manhattan on Sixth Avenue between West 53rd and West 54th Streets.

This will include the supervision of over 1,400 hotel associates across all areas and divisions including food and beverage, sales and marketing, front desk operations and housekeeping. Lauer will also play a leading role in the ongoing $200M refurbishment of the hotel to enhance its positioning in the extremely competitive New York City marketplace.

“Mark is joining the Hilton New York at a very exciting time in its 47-year history,” said Barry Lewin, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Hilton Worldwide. “His vast knowledge and experience in hotel management, operations and the crucial area of guest services will be extremely beneficial in our ongoing efforts to promote the hotel as the market leader in its category.”

Lauer's appointment comes on the heels of a nine-year tenure at the renowned Waldorf=Astoria, where he served as Hotel Manager for six years and Director of Marketing for three years. During that time, Lauer successfully increased the hotel's service and occupancy levels.

“I'm excited about the prospect of leading this flagship property into a new era of success,” said Lauer. “As Hotel Manager of the Waldorf=Astoria, I enjoyed working with the team to enhance the overall guest experience, and I look forward to doing the same at the Hilton New York.”

Previously, Lauer held sales and managerial positions at large urban hotels throughout the Midwest and West Coast. He served as General Manager at the Doubletree Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, where he coordinated several successful brand conversions. Lauer launched his hospitality career with Marriott International, spending 14 years with the company in sales and marketing roles at the San Francisco Marriott, the Salt Lake City Marriott, the Chicago Marriott O'Hare and the Chicago Marriott Downtown.

Lauer also plays an active role in the academic community as an adjunct professor in the graduate program at New York University's Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management. He served on the board of directors of Historic Hotels of America, and was a recipient of Hilton Hotels Corporation's prestigious Marketing Director of the Year award in 2002.

Lauer graduated from Loyola University in Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He resides in Westchester County, New York with his wife and daughters.