MCLEAN, Va. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an industry first, Hilton (NYSE:HLT) and Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) Sports Illustrated PlayTM (SI PlayTM) are teaming up to make travel easier and more enjoyable for kids, parents, coaches and tournament directors across the country with the introduction of Tourney StayTM. The new service utilizes SI Play’s Tourney MachineTM platform and Hilton’s network of properties to streamline the process of youth sports tournament travel for millions of families.
Teams in matching uniforms waiting in the lobby. An eager line at the breakfast waffle station. Synchronized cannonballs in the pool. Parents carrying coolers through the hallways. These experiences are familiar to anyone who has traveled for a youth sports tournament, and with the addition of the new Tourney Stay technology to SI Play’s Tourney Machine platform, parents and organizers can spend less time planning and more time focusing on moments like these.
More than 5 million parents and players will use SI Play’s Tourney Machine in 2017 alone, which in turn will generate more than one million hotel nights. Traveling and spending a night in a hotel with teammates is an exciting part of the youth sports experience, though anyone who has arranged a tournament knows the work that goes on behind the scenes. Tourney Stay, available now to all Tourney Machine users, makes the hotel booking process easy for tournament directors and parents who can view and book hotels around the country straight from the dashboard they are already using to manage event logistics.
“With Tourney Machine, we are already scheduling thousands of events for a multitude of different sports in almost every state in the country,” said George Linardos, chief business officer, SI Play. “Joining forces with Hilton to add this seamless new integration is the perfect fit, as it will simplify the lives of tournament organizers, coaches and parents alike. The team at Hilton is well-equipped to meet the travel needs of our growing community, and with the addition of our new Tourney Stay feature, our users can focus on what’s really important, like spending valuable time with their teams and families.”
Hilton’s specially designed system is simple: after registering the event on SI Play’s Tourney Machine, the tournament director receives a list of properties near the tournament’s location. After the director narrows down the list, Hilton collates and administers hotel responses, saving directors the hassle of reading through confusing contracts or making individual calls. From viewing and booking hotel rooms to tracking scores and schedules, every facet of organizing youth sports tournaments can be managed without leaving the Tourney Machine platform.
“This collaboration creates a seamless experience for parents and tournament directors when they’re in the planning stages as well as when they arrive at a Hilton property,” said Frank Passanante, senior vice president, Group Sales & Industry Relations at Hilton. “We offer many benefits and services that are uniquely suited to sporting groups such as free continental breakfast at every Hampton, Home2, Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites. Additionally, guests can use the Hilton Honors app to send messages directly to the front desk – like requesting extra towels after a muddy game – or take advantage of the on-site amenities such as pools to keep teams entertained when not on the field.”
To start booking your next tournament, visit SIPlay.com/leagues/tourneymachine. To enroll in Hilton Honors and receive Points that can be redeemed for exceptional experiences, free nights and more, visit HiltonHonors.com.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising nearly 5,000 properties with more than 812,000 rooms in 103 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences – every hotel, every guest, every time. The company's portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose exactly how many Points to combine with money, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors is the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 14 world-class brands comprising nearly 5,000 properties with more than 812,000 rooms in 103 countries and territories. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. With more than 60 million members, Hilton Honors offers hundreds of ways to earn and redeem Points. Members can redeem their Points for free nights, premium merchandise, items on Amazon Shop with Points; make charitable contributions or gain access to unique events through the Hilton Honors auction platform (hiltonhonors.com/auctions), such as exclusive artist experiences and hotel concert events with Live Nation®, or race experiences with the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. The program is free to join, and travelers may enroll online by visiting www.HiltonHonors.com or connect with Hilton Honors at news.hiltonhonors.com.
About SI Play
SI Play brings together industry leaders in sports software around a simple yet ambitious goal: to connect the world of youth sports. Since its launch in July 2015 as part of Time Inc., SI Play now supports more than 17 million users across a wide range of sports, regions and age ranges through its digital products and services and is the official technology provider for a growing number of youth sports’ national governing bodies. The company provides the platform and tools to fuel the passion for sports and ensure a rewarding experience for all participants. For more information, please visit www.siplay.com.
