Hilton Worldwide President and CEO, Christopher J. Nassetta will serve on the Steering Committee of Partners for a New Beginning (PNB), a landmark initiative launched in 2010 to deepen connections between the US and local communities in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia through public-private partnerships that advance common relationships and interests.

PNB is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established as a partnership between the Aspen Institute and the US Department of State. Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State, serves as PNB’s chair along with vice chairs Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company, and Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute. By leveraging its position as the fastest growing major hotel company with a global footprint in 88 countries, Hilton Worldwide will bring a unique perspective to PNB.

Members of the steering committee, all prominent US business leaders, use their expertise, global networks and access to resources to foster locally driven public–private partnerships to advance opportunity in local communities in four key areas: economic opportunity, science and technology, education, and exchange.

Last year marked the largest global pipeline in Hilton Worldwide’s 93-year history with key growth in several countries including the Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. In addition, the company announced it would open its first hotel in Iraq by the end of 2013. Hilton Worldwide is expected to grow its presence throughout the Middle East and Africa by 80 percent over the next three to four years. Through a spectrum of engagement and partnerships with local governments, businesses, universities and civil society organizations, Hilton Worldwide supports its growth by recruiting local talent and providing educational and training opportunities for local communities to help meet recruitment needs.

“Our founder Conrad Hilton was a true visionary who saw travel as a powerful tool to improve the world through peace and commerce,” Nassetta said. “Collaborations such as Partners for a New Beginning are important vehicles to build upon his legacy and help bring increased economic opportunity and greater understanding among cultures and peoples in an important region for our business.”

“As a highly-respected leader in the hospitality industry and in emerging market investments, the addition of Chris Nassetta and Hilton Worldwide to our Steering Committee provides an invaluable opportunity to leverage a strong and growing network in an effort to build cross-border business opportunities and trust,” said Isaacson.

About the Aspen Institute

Partners for a New Beginning (PNB) is an alliance to foster public-private partnerships that are committed to broadening and deepening engagement between the United States and local communities abroad in support of President Obama’s vision for a New Beginning based on mutual interests and respect. The PNB Secretariat is based at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC.

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners.

For more information, please visit partnersforanewbeginning.org and connect with PNB on Facebook and Twitter.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the 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 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries 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 hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and LinkedIn.

Aspen Institute

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org or follow on Twitter @AspenInstitute.

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