Brand — William Gullion

Brand Development Programs

Atlanta / Chicago / McLean

1996 - 2020

Exterior%2B1.jpg — Hilton Garden Inn - 1996

**History:** Hilton Garden Inn brand began in the late 1980s under the name CrestHill by Hilton. Due to a slow real estate phase, only four of 25 proposed hotels were built. Of these four original hotels, three are still part of the chain today. The brand was reintroduced in 1995 as Hilton Garden Inn and has grown from four hotels to more than 899 properties located in 50 countries & territories in just over 25 years. There are currently over 300 properties in the pipeline.

**Responsibilities:** William was part of the original team to develop the Hilton Garden Inn Brand and Prototypical Design Documentation in the mid-1990’s. He was responsible for coordination with the Architects, Interior Designers, Brand Operations, Brand Marketing, Engineering, F&B Consultants, Development and provided project management oversight for the first 50 hotels in the pipeline. William also helped establish many of the procedures, process and overall Brand Standards, utilized by Franchise Owners in their development efforts.

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HRS rendering.jpeg — Hilton Residential Suites - 1998

**History:** Hilton Residential Suites brand was developed internally as a solution to compete against Embassy Suites and Doubletree Suites. Following the playbook established for Hilton Garden Inn a complete prototype was developed. However, in 1999, Hilton acquired Promus Hotel Corporation, which included the DoubleTree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, and Homewood Suites brands. Thus eliminating any future development of this brand. All the projects that were in development were easily rebranded Homewood Suites.

**Responsibilities:** William was part of the original team to develop the Hilton Residential Suites Brand and Prototypical Design Documentation in 1998 He was responsible for coordination with the Architects, Interior Designers, Brand Operations, Brand Marketing, Engineering, F&B Consultants and Development. William also helped establish many of the procedures, process and overall Brand Standards.

original_baymont-exterior_5a5bf663-5056-a36a-068d1399b992d52d.jpg — Baymont Hotels - 2000

**History:** The Bugetel brand was founded in 1974 by The Marcus Corporation. In 1986, the company began to franchise the brand.

In February 1998, Marcus Corporation announced Budgetel’s name change to Baymont. In 2000, Marcus contracted with Project ARC, Inc from Marietta GA to help produce a renovation program for all the existing properties along with the new build prototype. At the time of the announcement, the company owned and franchised 153 properties in 30 states. Project ARC Inc. managed the renovation process of both the exteriors and interiors for most all of the existing properties and the development of the first new Baymont Inn & Suites in Ontario CA, now an Ayers Hotel.

In July 2004, the company announced it had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of its limited-service division to La Quinta Corporation. In this agreement, La Quinta purchased the Baymont Inns & Suites, Woodfield Suites and Budgetel Inns brands.

**Responsibilities:** William was part of the original team to develop the Baymont and Baymont Inn & Suites Brand and Prototypical Design Documentation in 2000 through 2004. He was responsible for coordination with the Architects, Interior Designers, Brand Operations, Brand Marketing, Engineering, F&B Consultants and Development. William also helped establish many of the procedures, process and overall Brand Standards.

HP Lexington KY.JPG — Hyatt Place - 2004

**History:** In late 2004 Hyatt acquired the AmeriSuites Brand which included, 143-hotels (18,000 all suite rooms) in 32 states that serves the upscale limited service segment. Hyatt planned to invest $150 million into a full renovation program and develop a prototype for new development. They secured Project ARC, Inc. to manage the process of converting all the existing properties and develop the new brand documentation. In late 2005, Project ARC, Inc dissolved to allow both William Gullion and his partner Al Williams to become the leaders of the Hyatt Place AD&C department. Within the first two years all of the existing properties, that chose to convert, were completed and the first 4 new build properties were in construction. William furthered his experience by working with the Hyatt leadership to create a modified version of the brand for international markets. There are now over 390 Hyatt Place Hotels open globally.

**Responsibilities:** William was part of the original team to develop the Hyatt Place Brand and Prototypical Design Documentation in 2004 through 2010. He was responsible for coordination with the Architects, Interior Designers, Brand Operations, Brand Marketing, Engineering, F&B Consultants and Development. William also helped establish many of the procedures, process and overall Brand Standards for both the Americas and International.

HH Sandy Utah.JPG — Hyatt House - Hyatt Summerfield Suites 2006

**History:** In late 2006 Hyatt acquired the Summerfield Suites Brand from Blackstone which included 21-hotels. The name of the brand was officially changed to Hyatt House in 2012. All 21 properties were reimaged and renovated within the first two years of ownership. During this time a the AD&C department developed a prototype for new build solutions along with all the new brand documentation. In late 2008, the first new build Hyatt House was opened in Sandy, Utah. William furthered his experience by working with the Hyatt leadership to create a modified version of the brand for international markets. There are now over 118 Hyatt House Hotels open globally.

**Responsibilities:** William was part of the original team to develop the Hyatt House Brand and Prototypical Design Documentation in 2006 through 2010. He was responsible for coordination with the Architects, Interior Designers, Brand Operations, Brand Marketing, Engineering, F&B Consultants and Development. William also helped establish many of the procedures, process and overall Brand Standards for both the Americas and International.

Hilton Corporate Brand Standards and Development Documentation

Vice President Global Shared Technical Services | Architecture, Design & Construction

William directed the global team responsible for development, integration, management, and publishing of all design and construction, documentation for all Hilton Brands. He developed all programs, processes, and web-based solutions that support Brand Standards; Resource Libraries; Prototype Designs; Design Submittals; Vendor Relations; Exterior Identification (Signage); Property Information; Development Tracking; Area Programs; Operations Support System and Global Fire Life Safety Administration.

The primary goal was to develop and create global AD&C programs, increasing efficiencies, improving communications, and assembling reliable information for owners, industry partners, and Hilton team members.

Brands that were published under William’s Leadership: