Hilton Worldwide and Global Soap Project “Best Partnership” Finalist
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center Names Finalists, Initiates Public Vote for Winner
(3BL Media) McLean, VA – September 19, 2012 – Hilton Worldwide and nonprofit partner, the Global Soap Project, are finalists for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center’s Best Partnership Award, a category in the Center’s prestigious annual Corporate Citizenship Awards program. The Best Partnership category focuses on excellence in public-private partnerships and honors companies and charitable organizations working together to address important social issues.
The Partnership Award winner is selected through an online public voting campaign on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center website. Voting begins today and will continue until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 28th. The winners of the 2012 Citizens Awards will be announced on December 6 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Hilton Worldwide and the Global Soap Project are being recognized for a collaboration created in 2011 to reduce waste and address disease prevention by repurposing and redistributing hotel soap. Hand-washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheal disease and pneumonia, which are responsible for more than 3.5 million child deaths annually. As part of the partnership, Hilton Worldwide is providing channels for its more than 3,900 global properties to donate partially-used soap, while also investing $1.3 million over the next three years and providing its operational expertise and understanding of global supply chains to help expand the Global Soap Project’s processing and distribution capabilities. As a member of the Global Soap Project’s Board of Directors, Hilton Worldwide also actively participates in the development of the nonprofit’s organizational strategy and growth.
“Successful partnerships marry each organization’s core competencies and drive toward a united vision,” said Jennifer Silberman, vice president, corporate responsibility, Hilton Worldwide. “Our relationship with the Global Soap Project is a great example and we are honored to be recognized as a finalist by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”
Strategic partnerships are part of Hilton Worldwide’s efforts to Travel with Purpose, the company’s global commitment to provide shared value to its business and communities around the world. Together with its global partners, Hilton Worldwide focuses on: creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential; strengthening communities where it operates; celebrating cultures and the power of travel; and living sustainably through the measurement, analysis and improvement of its use of natural resources.
Since its inception in 2009, the Global Soap Project has distributed more than 300 tons of soap to vulnerable communities in 23 countries on four continents. Together, Hilton Worldwide and the Global Soap Project expect to improve the lives of thousands of people in need.
About the U.S. Chamber BCLC
BCLC is the U.S. Chamber’s resource and voice for business’ social and philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
About the Corporate Citizenship Awards
The Corporate Citizenship Awards, known as the “Citizens” Awards, honor strategic and sustained positive impact on people, communities, the environment, and society. The Citizens have been presented every year since 2000 and are one of the nation’s premier recognition programs for companies that actively work to improve societal challenges.
About Global Soap Project
The Global Soap Project is an Atlanta-based non-profit that is recovering and recycling discarded soap from hotels using a process by which the soap is ground up, filtered, remixed, and remolded into new bars, then distributed to vulnerable people in developing countries. To date, recycled soap has been sent to 23 countries on four continents, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, South Sudan, and Swaziland, among others.
GSP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated in Georgia. For more information about Global Soap Project, visit www.globalsoap.org.
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 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 640,000 rooms in 91 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 www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
