DoubleTree by Hilton Completes Nationwide Cookie CAREavan Tour with Final Free Cookie Parties in the Pacific Northwest

Nearly 15,000 Cookies and Summer Smiles Will Be Shared in Portland and Seattle During Last Two Days of a 50-City, 15,000-Mile Nationwide Tour

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DoubleTree by Hilton:

WHEN/WHERE:

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 –

12 noon to 1 p.m.: Courthouse Pioneer Square

SW 7^th Ave and SW Morrison, Portland, Ore.

5:00-8:00 p.m.: Holladay Park

NE 11^th Ave and NE Holladay, Portland, Ore.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 –

12 noon - 6 p.m.: Westlake Park

4^th Ave and Pine St, Seattle, Wash.

WHAT:
Cookie CARE Crews from DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are joining forces to celebrate the completion of a one-of-a-kind nationwide tour. Nearly 15,000 of the hotelier’s legendary chocolate chip cookies will be shared with the public during Free Cookie Parties Tuesday and Wednesday at three of the sweetest summer locations in the Pacific Northwest – Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series at Pioneer Courthouse Square and National Neighborhood Night Out in downtown Portland and a 10,000-cookie-salute to the completion of the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Summer Tour at Westlake Park in the heart of downtown Seattle.

DoubleTree by Hilton is celebrating the 25^th anniversary of its signature chocolate chip cookie this summer by doing something that many people have always dreamed of doing – taking the ultimate road trip across America. From Atlanta to Austin, Miami to Minneapolis and St. Louis to Seattle, the specially designed DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Tour is making its final stops on a 10-week, 15,000-mile, 50-city journey to deliver tens of thousands of smiles to people across the country through the sweet surprise of a chocolate chip cookie – the hotelier’s longstanding icon of warm and welcoming hospitality. Before the Free Cookie Parties begin in Portland and Seattle, the Cookie CAREavan will deliver sweet treats to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Portland and Tukwila Pantry, a food bank serving individuals in Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien and Boulevard Park.

Since the tour began in late May, more than 240,000 people have enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie in the summer sun, shared their stories about the beloved all-American treat, learned more about the caring connection between DoubleTree by Hilton and the chocolate chip cookie and entered the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Sweepstakes to win great prizes all summer long. Some of the weekly prizes include tins of DoubleTree by Hilton cookies, Hilton HHonors bonus points and DoubleTree by Hilton weekend getaways, as well as the grand prize of a five-day/four-night vacation and airfare for two to any DoubleTree by Hilton property in the U.S.

WHY:
Since 1986, the DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookie has represented a warm, friendly welcome for travelers. Every guest who checks into one of the more than 250 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts in 19 countries across five continents receives this same signature, sweet treat at check-in. The hotel brand will share more than 250,000 cookies beyond their hotel doors and out in 50 U.S. communities this summer season to celebrate the cookie’s silver anniversary. Some surprise stops to deserving community groups and charities are also planned along the route.

LEARN MORE:
Follow the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan on Facebook (Facebook.com/DoubleTree) to track the tour and check out photos, videos and live tweets already posted from the road.

**Hi-Res Photography and B-Roll Available**