Hilton Bella Harbor teams with Boys & Girls Club to create Hilton Leadership Program

(Rockwall) May 17, 2012 – Sara Whittle, owner, Hilton Bella Harbor Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront, announced today that Hilton Senior Managers from the hotel will instruct 25 teenagers from the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall in hospitality programs this summer.

This newly formed Hilton Leadership Program will further the reach and scope of the Boys & Girls Club in Rockwall and is designed to promote interest and experience in hospitality to the youth of Rockwall.

The 10-week course will begin in June and include instruction in all areas of hotel management.  The lessons will be presented in a classroom setting at the Boys & Girls Club facility by the  management team.  Students will then be given a mid-term hands-on experience with a field trip to the hotel.

“Through hands-on training and hotel staff integration, the teens of Rockwall will learn the finer points of hospitality.  We are also introducing a point system within the program which will allow high point ranking students the opportunity to intern at our hotel this year,” stated Karen Coughlin, Hotel Manager of Hilton Bella Harbor and HLP hotel contact.  “We are honored to work with the Boys & Girls Club and look forward to a long-standing relationship.”

She continued that the hotel has made student interns a part of daily operations since opening as a goal at Hilton Bella Harbor and has always had a strong commitment to the youth of Rockwall.

“This program is an integral piece to establishing teen programs and benefits that will entice Rockwall County high school students to attend the Club and take part in other activities such as the Keystone Leadership program, ClubService, which helps youth earn college scholarship money and more. We are ecstatic to have this opportunity and to be able to offer the Hilton Leadership Program to our teens. Karen Coughlin and Sarah Whittle are wonderful women who reached out to the Club with this incredible idea and it has such potential that we hope this model is scalable and that other Rockwall companies will consider sharing their professional expertise with our members in the future as well,” stated Misti Potter, Chief Professional Officer, Boys & Girls Club.

This has been a dream of Sara Whittle’s for quite some time.  She is extremely proud that she is able to use her hotel as a prototype for something that can make a positive influence on these children,” said Karen Coughlin, Hotel Manager.

ABOUT THE HILTON BELLA HARBOR

Hilton Bella Harbor on Lake Ray Hubbard Lakefront Dallas/Rockwall offers 231 rooms including 16 suites, and 4 themed suites.  The hotel boasts over 28,000 square feet of meeting and event space encompassing 11 separate meeting rooms, including the spacious 11,870-square-foot Bella Harbor Ballroom and  a 52 seat Amphitheater equipped with state of the art teleconferencing and videoconferencing capabilities. The beautiful rotunda Compass Rose offers spectacular outdoor views to enjoy the ideal year-round beauty of Lake Ray Hubbard for meetings, meal functions, and receptions.

Guestroom amenities include the Hilton Serenity Bed, a modified Mirra chair by Herman Miller, a 26″ Philips flat panel, high-definition television and an innovative bedside clock allowing travelers to play their MP3 player. Additional features include coffeemaker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hairdryer; and an iron and ironing board.  In-room entertainment and information services will include video-on-demand movies and interactive Hilton guest services.

Business-oriented features include:  Complimentary high-speed Internet access and secure remote printing to the hotel’s 24-hour business center; a spacious work desk and adjustable lighting; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with voice mail and data ports.  A work out facility, outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, and a guest laundry facility or valet laundry services are also offered for guests’ convenience.

Situated in the heart of the Harbor Area, Hilton Bella Harbor is near fine retail, splendid dining options, Movie Theater, and golf course. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is forty-five minutes away; Dallas Love Field is 25 minutes away.

For more information, visit dallasrockwall.hilton.com or call 214-771-3700.

ABOUT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ROCKWALL COUNTY

Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County is an after-school and summer youth development organization. The Club provides daily programs to youth ages 6 to 18 Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. during the school year and 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. during the summer.

Youth take part in a mired of programs in the areas of Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts, Character & Leadership Development and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors, the vision of the Club is to provide a world class experience to all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens of our community.

The Club maintains an affordable dues structure with a monthly fee of $30 during the school year and only $50 during the summer per child. Located in the Dobbs Elementary Annex building more than 100 youth participate in programs daily. The Club is focused on integrating education throughout each program area and will take part in a National Youth Outcomes Initiative beginning in August of 2012 in an effort to measure the academic and social impact the Club has on our community and the children served.

For more information, call 972-722-2462, or email .

Thanks to Karyn Kreps-Frisina, Gateway Hospitality Group, for sharing this news.

To submit your news and events, email .