Known for his optimism, honesty, an

Known for his optimism, honesty, and unfailing sense of fairness, Conrad Hilton eventually created the largest and most profitable international hotel empire of his era. He purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas, during the 1919 oil boom, upon learning that room occupancy turned over three times a day. Thirty years later his acquisition of the famed Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City made national headlines. When Hilton Hotels Corporation acquired control of Statler Hotels in 1954, the real estate transaction was the largest the world had known to date. His business acumen was built on a keen sense of property values, good timing, patience and skill in negotiating, an understanding of financial dealings, and a singular talent for “picking the right man for the right job.” He attributed his success to his philosophy that “man with God’s help and personal dedication is capable of anything he can dream.” Among industry firsts, Hilton Hotels developed the concept of franchising hotels, launched the first airport hotel, introduced the first multi-hotel reservation system, and became the first U.S. coast-to-coast hotel chain.