Wanted: “World’s Largest” Landmarks for saving by Hampton Hotels

After years of investing millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to preserve roadside landmarks, Hampton Hotels and its “Explore the Highway with Hampton, Save-A-Landmark” program are helping to restore some of North America’s oversized landmarks – dubbing 2007 the year of “World’s Largest” landmarks.

Fortunately for consumers, not all of this year’s landmarks have been chosen, so there’s still time for the public to submit their favorite “World’s Largest” landmark for volunteer assistance and restoration donations.

“We are ready to paint, landscape, polish and do whatever is needed to help the ‘World’s Largest’ landmarks in need of a little tender loving care,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of brand marketing for Hampton. “Save-A-Landmark wants to make 2007 a monumental year by refurbishing six landmarks – more than Hampton has dared to refurbish in a single year thus far – and we need the public’s nominations to help reach our goal.”

The public can visit the program’s Web site, www.hamptonlandmarks.com, and click on “submit a landmark,” to enter their “World’s Largest” nominations – or even just to bring some much-deserved attention to any big landmark. Also, those looking to stand in the shadow of a larger-than-life landmark can access the web site for a host of ideas. Following are just a sampling of “World’s Largest” attractions already housed in the database:

- The Big Duck, Flanders, N.Y.: This 20-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide gift shop was built in 1931 to lure travelers to purchase Peking ducks. Known as the “world’s largest duck,” the Big Duck is not only a treasured Long Island landmark, but is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was restored by Hampton’s Save-A-Landmark program in August 2000.

- World’s Largest Santa Claus, North Pole, Alaska: More than 48 feet tall and 33 feet wide, this gigantic statue stands next to the world famous Santa Claus House and was restored by Hampton’s Save-A-Landmark program in December 2000.

- World’s Tallest Fountain, Phoenix, Ariz..: Ironically, the tallest fountain in the world is found in the desert. Shooting eight tons of water as high as 625 feet in the air at a rate of 7,000 gallons a minute, this fountain is the signature element of a master-planned residential community called Fountain Hills.

From helping the 80-foot Blue Whale in Catoosa, Okla. to the historical National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Mass., the Hampton Save-A-Landmark program is beginning its eighth year preserving historical, fun and cultural landmarks across the U.S. During this time, the program has helped research landmarks in need, promoted landmark sites and their importance, facilitated thousands of volunteer hours, donated several tons of supplies and worked with matching grants — all at an investment of more than $2 million. Banding its hotels together in communities across the U.S., Hampton employee-volunteers work hand-in-hand on the landmarks while Hampton provides the dollars to refurbish selected sites.

About Hampton Hotels:
Hampton, which includes Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, is a mid-priced leader in the lodging segment. Hampton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, a leading global hospitality company with more than 2,800 hotels and 500,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 105,000 team members worldwide.

Press Contacts:
Monica Gaston
Hampton Brand Communications
755 Crossover Lane
Memphis
TN 38117
(901) 374-5534
http://hamptoninn1.hilton.com/