Higher, bigger: the Signia by Hilton brand is the embodiment of American-style MICE, with hundreds and hundreds of rooms in its hotels, thousands of square metres for meetings and conferences, not to mention a host of bars and restaurants and relaxation areas to appeal to leisure guests too. Launched in 2019, its main feature is its involvement in convention centre expansion projects in the United States. In addition to welcoming large MICE resorts into its portfolio, such as La Cantera, near San Antonio in Texas. A recent and symbolic opening, as it was the 9000e Hilton Group hotel in the world, with over 500 rooms and villas, nine dining options, five swimming pools and a golf course, and above all 40 meeting rooms, including two vast ballrooms.
With the exception of Amman, where Signia has taken over the expanded former Kempinski, the brand has yet to make inroads outside its native land. But its MICE positioning and affordable luxury offering will be of interest to both business travellers across the Atlantic and convention centre operators around the world. For example, take a look at one of its current projects in Indianapolis, as part of a new extension to the Indiana Convention Center, the last of which took place in 2011, in collaboration with a JW Marriott at the time.
Expected to become the tallest hotel in Indianapolis next year, the future Signia by Hilton will be housed in a 38-storey tower, the construction of which has just been completed. With its Sky Lounge overlooking the city centre, rooftop bar and swimming pool, and state-of-the-art fitness centre, the hotel will offer top-of-the-range services and, above all, one of the ten largest ballrooms in the country (4,600 m²) for event organisers. All this in a MICE area totalling almost 10,000 m², with a direct link to the Indiana Convention Center via an air-conditioned walkway.
This huge ballroom, already reserved for 2030 by the American Society of Safety Professionals, will enable the city to host two major events simultaneously. What's more, the 800 hotel rooms will bolster the city centre's accommodation offer, which is one of the highest among US downtowns. " This hotel is going to change the skyline of the city and, because we'll be able to host more events, bigger and more culturally significant events, it's also going to change the economy of downtown Indianapolis. "said Andy Mallon, Executive Director of the Capital Improvement Board, which is responsible for the city's investments.
At the same time, Signia by Hilton has just announced another similar project in Georgia, developed in partnership with the manager of the Savannah Convention Center, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA). The GWCCA has undoubtedly been won over by the brand, having already selected it for the development of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, for a hotel connected to the convention centre and comprising 976 rooms and 10,000 m² dedicated to meetings and events.
The same brand, the same effect in Savannah where, by 2028, Signia by Hilton will be part of the expansion of the convention centre. " This hotel will enable our convention centre to operate at full capacity, strengthening our dynamic tourism industry and promoting social mobility and prosperity for all. "said Mark Smith, Chairman of the Board of the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority, which owns the venue.
Directly linked to the centre, this new hotel with its contemporary design will offer almost 500 rooms, five food and beverage outlets, an outdoor swimming pool and a VIP club, in addition to 3,150 m² of meeting space, including a 1,200 m² ballroom. " The addition of the new Signa by Hilton Savannah, along with the recently expanded Savannah Convention Center and three new hybrid ferries carrying attendees back and forth across the Savannah River, help make the city one of the most unique convention destinations in the country. "said Joseph Marinelli, CEO of Visit Savannah. This project is in addition to the conversion to the brand, by next year, of the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida, currently under the Curio Collection by Hilton banner. With more to come, no doubt.
