MCKIBBON HOTEL GROUP BREAKS GROUND ON HAMPTON INN & SUITES BY HILTON IN WESTSHORE’S AVION PARK Tampa, FL (June 29, 2015) – McKibbon Hotel Group Inc., an award-winning leader in the hotel development and management industry, will break ground on their newest hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Avion Park in the Westshore Business District on Monday, June 29. The Hampton Inn & Suites is the fourth hotel in Avion Park and the eleventh hotel in Tampa developed by McKibbon Hotel Group. The hotel is set to open in late Summer 2016. With 178 rooms, the 110, 250 square feet hotel offers guests remarkable accommodations including complimentary daily hot breakfast, Hampton’s On The Run Breakfast Bags (Monday-Friday), a lap desk and WIFI in each guestroom, tea and coffee in the lobby, an outdoor pool, fitness center and 2,300 sq. ft. of meeting space for business travelers. McKibbon Hotel Group has selected Kellogg & Kimsey, Inc. as the general contractor on the hotel. “McKibbon has had a fourth hotel in our sights in Avion Park for several years. Once Laser Spine Institute agreed to relocate their corporate headquarters, we were confident that the park could support another hotel property,” said John McKibbon, Chairman of McKibbon Hotel Group. “The Hampton Inn & Suites will offer Laser Spine’s patients and their families a brand new hotel property as well as meeting space for the institute’s conferences and events. In addition, the hotel’s proximity to great shopping, some of Tampa’s best dining, and the airport help assure this hotel’s success.” The Hampton Inn & Suites will be joining four other McKibbon hotel properties in the Westshore business district, including Towneplace Suites, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Residence Inn. McKibbon Hotel Group is also working closely with World of Beer on a new location in Avion Park, enhancing Tampa Bay’s growing craft beer culture. “The Hampton Inn & Suites will be a valuable and much needed asset to the Westshore Business District,” said Ann Kulig, deputy director of Westshore Alliance. “In addition to the nearly 50 jobs the hotel will create, it will also provide over 170 new hotel rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art meeting space that will be supported by the growing number of businesses moving into the area.” Alongside John McKibbon, several other community leaders will speak at the formal groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, June 29 at 9:00 a.m. including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Rick Homans, President & CEO of Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, and Santiago Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. About McKibbon Hospitality Headquartered in Tampa, FL and Gainesville, Ga., McKibbon Hospitality creates memorable hospitality experiences that inspire brand and property loyalty. It’s how we’ve grown into one of the largest (and most awarded) hotel development and management companies in the country. We build, renovate and manage properties across the country for Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and other iconic hospitality brands. From hand-picking urban sites to imagining the just-for-you details of a guest experience, from overseeing operations to bringing a brand to life, and everything in between, McKibbon shapes inclusive hospitality development. Visit McKibbon.com to learn more. About Hampton by Hilton: An award-winning leader in the upper mid-priced hotel segment, Hampton by Hilton, including Hampton Inn by Hilton, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton, serves value-conscious and quality-driven travelers with more than 2,145 properties totaling more than 215,000 rooms in 20 countries and territories. High quality accommodations and amenities, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, Hampton’s On the House® hot breakfast, multi-unit Power Cubes and the brand’s signature Clean and fresh Hampton bed®, contribute to Hampton by Hilton ranking as a leader in its segment. Hampton by Hilton Team Members deliver friendly, authentic, caring and thoughtful service defined as Hamptonality which is backed by the 100% Hampton® Guarantee. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels receive instant benefits, including an exclusive member rate that can’t be found anywhere else, free standard Wi-Fi and digital amenities like digital check-in with room selection and Digital Key (selected locations) available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app.. For more information about Hampton by Hilton, visit www.hampton.com or news.hampton.com and connect online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. About Hilton: Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,700 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with over 775,000 rooms in 104 countries and territories. For 97 years, Hilton has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where Hilton HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram. .