As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 16, 2016

File No. 001-37795

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 3

to

Form 10

 

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   36-2058176
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia

  22102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(703) 883-1000

 

 

With copies to:

 

Joshua Ford Bonnie

Edgar J. Lewandowski

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(212) 455-2000

 

Kristin A. Campbell

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive

Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 883-1000

 

Sean M. Dell’Orto

Senior Vice President and

Treasurer

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive,

Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 883-1000

 

J. Warren Gorrell, Jr.

Stuart A. Barr

Hogan Lovells US LLP

555 Thirteenth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 637-5600

 

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class to be so Registered

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which
Each Class is to be Registered

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

 


INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10

Item 1. Business

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business and Properties,” “Management,” “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” of the information statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10 (the “information statement”). Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Risk Factors” of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2. Financial Information

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Summary—Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Capitalization,” “Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3. Properties

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business and Properties” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Management” of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Management” and “Executive and Director Compensation” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Management,” “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 8. Legal Proceedings

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Business and Properties—Legal Proceedings” of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Risk Factors,” “The Spin-Off,” “Distribution Policy,” “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Description of Capital Stock” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Not applicable.

Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock,” “Distribution Policy” and “Description of Capital Stock” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Indemnification Agreements” and “Description of Capital Stock—Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Index to Financial Statements” and the statements referenced therein of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

  (a) Financial Statements

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Index to Financial Statements” beginning on page F-1 of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

  (b) Exhibits


The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  2.1    Form of Distribution Agreement among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
  3.1    Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation*
  3.2    Form of Amended and Restated By-laws*
10.1    Form of Employee Matters Agreement among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
10.2    Form of Tax Matters Agreement among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.*
10.3    Form of Transition Services Agreement between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.
10.4    Form of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.5    Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and each of its directors and executive officers*
10.6    Form of Registration Rights Agreement among Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and certain of its stockholders*
10.7    Loan Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, among the subsidiaries party thereto, collectively, as borrower and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, German American Capital Corporation, Bank of America, N.A., GS Commercial Real Estate LP and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, collectively, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
10.8    Guaranty Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, among the guarantors named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, German American Capital Corporation, Bank of America, N.A., GS Commercial Real Estate LP and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, collectively, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
10.9    Form of Credit Agreement*
10.10    Employment Agreement dated April 26, 2016, between Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Thomas J. Baltimore Jr.
10.11    Form of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors
10.12    Form of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
21.1    Subsidiaries of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.
99.1    Preliminary Information Statement, dated September 16, 2016
99.2    Section 13(r) Disclosure
99.3    Form of Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials*

 

* To be filed by amendment.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.
By:    

/s/ Sean M. Dell’Orto

 

  Sean M. Dell’Orto
 

Senior Vice President and Treasurer

Date: September 16, 2016

Exhibit 2.1

FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

by and among

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.,

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.,

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.,

and

HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC.

Dated as of             , 2016

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     2   

Section 1.1.

  General      2   

Section 1.2.

  References; Interpretation      27   

ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION

     27   

Section 2.1.

  General      27   

Section 2.2.

  Restructuring: Transfer of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities      27   

Section 2.3.

  Intercompany Accounts      28   

Section 2.4.

  Limitation of Liability      29   

Section 2.5.

  Transfers Not Effected at or Prior to the Effective Time; Transfers Deemed Effective as of the Effective Time      29   

Section 2.6.

  Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments      30   

Section 2.7.

  Further Assurances      31   

Section 2.8.

  Guarantees; Letters of Credit      31   

Section 2.9.

  Return of Assets and Payments      32   

Section 2.10.

  Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties      33   

ARTICLE III CERTAIN ACTIONS AT OR PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTIONS

     34   

Section 3.1.

  Certificates of Incorporation; By-laws      34   

Section 3.2.

  Directors      34   

Section 3.3.

  Officers      34   

Section 3.4.

  Resignations and Removals      35   

ARTICLE IV EFFECTING THE DISTRIBUTION; CONDITIONS TO THE DISTRIBUTION

     35   

Section 4.1.

  Stock Dividends to HLT Stockholders      35   

Section 4.2.

  Actions in Connection with the Distribution      36   

Section 4.3.

  Sole Discretion of HLT      37   

Section 4.4.

  Conditions to the Distribution      37   

ARTICLE V CERTAIN COVENANTS

     38   

Section 5.1.

  Intellectual Property      38   

Section 5.2.

  Administration of Specified Shared Expenses      38   

Section 5.3.

  Cooperation      39   

Section 5.4.

  Periodic Meetings      39   

Section 5.5.

  No Solicit; No Hire      39   

ARTICLE VI SHARED CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

     40   

Section 6.1.

  Shared Contingent Liabilities      40   

Section 6.2.

  Management of Shared Contingent Liabilities      41   

Section 6.3.

  Access to Information; Certain Services; Expenses      42   

Section 6.4.

  Notice Relating to Shared Contingent Liabilities; Disputes      43   

Section 6.5.

  Cooperation with Governmental Entity      43   

Section 6.6.

  Default      44   

 

i


ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION

     44   

Section 7.1.

  Release of Pre-Distribution Claims      44   

Section 7.2.

  Indemnification by HLT      45   

Section 7.3.

  Indemnification by PK      46   

Section 7.4.

  Indemnification by HGV      46   

Section 7.5.

  Procedures for Indemnification      46   

Section 7.6.

  Cooperation in Defense and Settlement      48   

Section 7.7.

  Indemnification Payments      49   

Section 7.8.

  Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts      49   

Section 7.9.

  Additional Matters; Survival of Indemnities      49   

ARTICLE VIII PRESERVATION OF RECORDS; ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE

     50   

Section 8.1.

  Preservation of Corporate Records      50   

Section 8.2.

  Financial Statements and Accounting      51   

Section 8.3.

  Provision of Corporate Records      52   

Section 8.4.

  Witness Services      53   

Section 8.5.

  Reimbursement      53   

Section 8.6.

  Confidentiality      54   

Section 8.7.

  Privilege Matters      55   

Section 8.8.

  Ownership of Information      56   

Section 8.9.

  Other Agreements      56   

ARTICLE IX DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     57   

Section 9.1.

  Negotiation      57   

Section 9.2.

  Mediation      57   

Section 9.3.

  Arbitration      57   

Section 9.4.

  Arbitration Period      58   

Section 9.5.

  Treatment of Negotiations, Mediation and Arbitration      58   

Section 9.6.

  Continuity of Service and Performance      58   

Section 9.7.

  Consolidation      58   

Section 9.8.

  Provisional Relief      58   

ARTICLE X INSURANCE

     59   

Section 10.1.

  Policies and Rights Included Within Assets      59   

Section 10.2.

  Post-Effective Time Claims      59   

(b)

  If, subsequent to the      60   

Section 10.3.

  Administration; Other Matters      60   

Section 10.4.

  Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Shared Defense      61   

Section 10.5.

  Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Insurance Litigation and/or Recovery Efforts      61   

Section 10.6.

  Directors and Officers Liability Insurance; Fiduciary Liability Insurance; Employment Practices Liability Insurance      61   

Section 10.7.

  No Coverage for Post-Effective Occurrences      61   

Section 10.8.

  Cooperation      61   

Section 10.9.

  Excluded Policies      61   

Section 10.10.

  HLT as General Agent and Attorney-In-Fact      61   

Section 10.11.

  Additional Premiums, Return Premiums and Pro Rata Cancellation Premium Credits      62   

 

ii


ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     62   

Section 11.1.

  Complete Agreement; Construction      62   

Section 11.2.

  Ancillary Agreements      62   

Section 11.3.

  Counterparts      62   

Section 11.4.

  Survival of Agreements      62   

Section 11.5.

  Expenses      62   

Section 11.6.

  Notices      63   

Section 11.7.

  Consents      64   

Section 11.8.

  Assignment      64   

Section 11.9.

  Successors and Assigns      64   

Section 11.10.

  Termination and Amendment      64   

Section 11.11.

  Payment Terms      64   

Section 11.12.

  No Circumvention      64   

Section 11.13.

  Subsidiaries      65   

Section 11.14.

  Third Party Beneficiaries      65   

Section 11.15.

  Title and Headings      65   

Section 11.16.

  Exhibits and Schedules      65   

Section 11.17.

  Governing Law      65   

Section 11.18.

  Consent to Jurisdiction      65   

Section 11.19.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      66   

Section 11.20.

  Severability      66   

Section 11.21.

  Force Majeure      66   

Section 11.22.

  Interpretation      66   

Section 11.23.

  No Duplication; No Double Recovery      66   

Section 11.24.

  Tax Treatment of Payments      66   

Section 11.25.

  No Waiver      67   

Section 11.26.

  No Admission of Liability      67   

 

iii


Index of Other Defined Terms

 

Defined Term

  

Section

Agreement Disputes    Section 9.1
Annual Reports    Section 8.2(c)
Audited Party    Section 8.2(b)
Board    Recitals
Code    Recitals
CPR    Section 9.2
Delaware Courts    Section 11.18
Dispute Notice    Section 9.1
Escrow Account    Section 7.9(c)
Expense Amount    Section 7.9(c)
Expense Amount Accountant’s Letter    Section 7.9(c)
Expense Amount Tax Opinion    Section 7.9(c)
Guaranty Release    Section 2.8(c)
HGV    Preamble
HLT    Preamble
PK    Preamble
Indemnifying Party    Section 7.5(a)
Indemnitee    Section 7.5(a)
Indemnity Payment    Section 7.8(a)
Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments    Section 8.2(a)
Managing Party    Section 6.2(a)
Mediation Period    Section 9.2
Other Parties’ Auditors    Section 8.2(b)
Party    Preamble
Privilege    Section 8.7(a)
Privileged Information    Section 8.7(a)
REIT Qualification Ruling    Section 7.9(c)
Release Document    Section 7.9(c)
Rules    Section 9.3
Separation Expenses    Section 11.5
Third Party Claim    Section 7.5(b)
Third Party Proceeds    Section 7.8(a)

 

vi


DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of                     , by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HLT ”), Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PK ”) and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HGV ”) and for purposes of Sections 7.2 and 7.3, Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. (“ OpCo ”), a subsidiary of HLT. Each of HLT, PK and HGV is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and, collectively, as the “ Parties ”. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 .

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, HLT, acting through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, currently conducts a number of businesses, including (i) the HLT Retained Business (as defined herein), (ii) the Ownership Business (as defined herein) and (iii) the Timeshare Business (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of HLT (the “ Board ”) has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of HLT and its stockholders to separate HLT into three separate, publicly traded companies, one for each of (i) the HLT Retained Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HLT, (ii) the Ownership Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by PK (which will elect to be a REIT), and (iii) the Timeshare Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HGV;

WHEREAS, in order to effect such separation, the Board has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of HLT and its stockholders (i) to enter into a series of transactions after giving effect to which (A) HLT and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries will, collectively, own all of the HLT Retained Assets (as defined herein) and assume (or retain) all of the HLT Retained Liabilities (as defined herein), (B) PK and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries will, collectively, own all of the Ownership Assets and assume (or retain) all of the Ownership Liabilities, and (C) HGV and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries will, collectively, own all of the Timeshare Assets and assume (or retain) all of the Timeshare Liabilities (such transactions as described in Annex I hereto and, as they may be amended or modified from time to time, collectively, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) and (ii) for HLT to distribute to the holders of the HLT Common Stock (as defined herein), on a pro rata basis (in each case without consideration being paid by such stockholders), (A) all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of PK (the “ PK Common Stock ”) and (B) all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of HGV (the “ HGV Common Stock ”);

WHEREAS, each of HLT, PK and HGV has determined that it is necessary and desirable, on or prior to the Effective Time (as defined herein), (i) to allocate and transfer to the applicable Party or its Subsidiaries those Assets (as defined herein), and to allocate and assign to the applicable Party or its Subsidiaries responsibility for those Liabilities (as defined herein), in respect of the activities of the applicable Businesses of such entities and (ii) to allocate, transfer and assign, as applicable, those Assets and Liabilities in respect of other current and former businesses and activities of HLT and its current and former Subsidiaries;

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that (i) each of the contributions by PK of Assets to, and the assumption of Liabilities by, OpCo (such contribution, the “ OpCo Contribution ”) and HGV together with the corresponding distribution by PK of all of the OpCo common stock and the HGV Common Stock, respectively, qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) (each such distribution, an “ Internal Distribution ” and together, the “ Internal Distributions ”) and (ii) each of the distributions by HLT of all of the PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock qualifies as a tax-free distribution within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code;

 

1


WHEREAS, each of HLT, PK and HGV has determined that it is necessary and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Plan of Reorganization and each Distribution and to set forth other agreements that will govern certain other matters following the Effective Time.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1. General . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) “ Action ” shall mean any demand, action, claim, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, case, litigation, proceeding or investigation (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by or before any court or grand jury, any Governmental Entity or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.

(2) “ Affiliate ” shall mean, when used with respect to any Person, another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by Contract or otherwise. It is expressly agreed that no Party or member of any Party’s Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of another Party or member of such other Party’s Group by reason of having one or more directors in common or by reason of having been under common control of HLT or HLT’s stockholders prior to or, in case of HLT’s stockholders, after, the Effective Time.

(3) “ Ancillary Agreements ” shall mean all of the written Contracts, instruments, assignments, licenses, guarantees, indemnities or other arrangements (other than this Agreement) entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Transition Services Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the License Agreement, the Telecommunications Agreement, the IP Assignments and the Managing and Franchise Agreements (the Transition Services Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the License Agreement, the Telecommunications Agreement, the IP Assignments and the Managing and Franchise Agreements, collectively, the “ Specified Ancillary Agreements ”).

(4) “ Applicable HGV Percentage ” shall mean      percent (    %).

(5) “ Applicable HLT Percentage ” shall mean      percent (    %).

(6) “ Applicable Percentage ” shall mean (i) as to HLT, the Applicable HLT Percentage, (ii) as to PK, the Applicable PK Percentage and (iii) as to HGV, the Applicable HGV Percentage.

 

2


(7) “ Applicable PK Percentage ” shall mean      percent (    %).

(8) “ Asset Transferors ” shall mean the entities transferring Assets to a Managing and Franchising Asset Transferee, an Ownership Asset Transferee or a Timeshare Asset Transferee in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Plan of Reorganization.

(9) “ Assets ” shall mean assets, properties, claims, Intellectual Property and other rights (including goodwill), wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third parties or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in the Employee Matters Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to Taxes shall be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement and, therefore, Taxes shall not be treated as Assets.

(10) “ Assume ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) ; and the terms “Assumed” and “Assumption” shall have their correlative meanings.

(11) “ Blackstone ” shall mean The Blackstone Group L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

(12) “ Business ” shall mean the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business or the Timeshare Business, as applicable.

(13) “ Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which banks are required or authorized by Law to be closed in New York City.

(14) “ Business Entity ” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity which may legally hold title to Assets.

(15) “ Claims Administration ” shall mean the processing of claims made under the Company Policies, including the reporting of losses or claims to insurance carriers (including as a result of reports provided to HLT by PK or HGV), management and defense of claims, the settlement of claims and providing for appropriate releases upon settlement of claims.

(16) “ Commission ” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

(17) “ Company Policies ” shall mean all Policies, current or past (to the extent any such past Policy still provides for benefits), which are or at any time were maintained by or on behalf of or for the benefit or protection of HLT or any of its predecessors which relate to the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business or the Timeshare Business, or current or past directors, officers, employees or agents of any of the foregoing Businesses.

(18) “ Confidential Information ” shall mean all non-public, confidential or proprietary Information of or concerning (a) a Party, its Group and/or its Subsidiaries or their past, current or future activities, businesses, finances, assets, liabilities or operations or (b) any third party who has provided Information to a Party, its Group and/or its Subsidiaries in confidence, except for any Information that is (i) in the public domain or available to the public through no fault of the receiving Party or its Subsidiaries or their authorized recipients of the Information, (ii) lawfully acquired after the Effective Time by such Party or its Subsidiaries from other sources not known to be subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such Information or (iii) independently developed by the receiving Party after the Effective Time without reference to any Confidential Information.

 

3


(19) “ Consents ” shall mean any consents, waivers or approvals from, or notification requirements to, any Person other than a Governmental Entity.

(20) “ Continuing Arrangements ” shall mean those arrangements set forth on Schedule 1.1(20) and such other commercial arrangements among the Parties that are intended to survive and continue following the Effective Time as expressly set forth in the Transition Services Agreement; provided , however , that for the avoidance of doubt, Continuing Arrangements shall not apply to Third Party Agreements.

(21) “ Continuing Directors ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, any member of the board of directors of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, who (i) was a member of such Party’s board of directors at the Effective Time; or (ii) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such Party’s board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Party’s board of directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval by such directors of the proxy statement of such Party in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director).

(22) “ Contract ” shall mean any agreement, contract, subcontract, obligation, binding understanding, note, indenture, guarantee, instrument, option, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, license, sublicense, insurance policy, benefit plan, purchase order or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature (whether written or oral and whether express or implied).

(23) “ Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments ” shall mean, collectively, the various Contracts, resolutions and other documents heretofore entered into and to be entered into to effect the Transfer of Assets and the Assumption of Liabilities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Plan of Reorganization, or otherwise relating to, arising out of or resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in such form or forms as the applicable Parties thereto agree.

(24) “ Customer Information ” shall mean all information and data in recorded form, whether written, electronic, computerized or digital or stored in any other media, relating to past, current or prospective customers or clients and their activities, experiences and transactions.

(25) “ Disclosure Documents ” shall mean any registration statement (including any registration statement on Form 10) or other document filed with the Commission by or on behalf of any Party or any of its controlled Affiliates, and also includes any information statement, prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular or similar disclosure document, whether or not filed with the Commission or any other Governmental Entity, which offers for sale or registers the Transfer or distribution of any security of such Party or any of its controlled Affiliates.

(26) “ Distribution ” shall mean, collectively, the PK Distribution and the HGV Distribution.

(27) “ Distribution Agent ” shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

4


(28) “ Distribution Date ” shall mean the date on which HLT distributes all of the issued and outstanding shares of PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock to the holders of HLT Common Stock.

(29) “ Distribution Record Date ” shall mean such date as may be determined by HLT’s Board as the record date for the Distribution.

(30) “ Effective Time ” shall mean 6:01 p.m., New York time, on the Distribution Date.

(31) “ Employee Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement by and among HLT, PK and HGV, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

(32) “ Environmental Laws ” shall mean all Laws relating to pollution, protection of the environment, or protection against harmful or deleterious substances.

(33) “ Excluded Policies ” shall mean the Policies listed on Schedule 10.9 .

(34) “ Final Determination ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(35) “ Financing Arrangements ” shall the financing arrangements described in the PK Information Statement (including the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements included therein), and the HGV Information Statement (including the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements included therein).

(36) “ Force Majeure ” shall mean, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which by its nature could not have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person), or, if it could have been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, storms, floods, riots, labor unrest, pandemics, nuclear incidents, fires, sabotage, civil commotion or civil unrest, interference by civil or military authorities, acts of war (declared or undeclared) or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity or one or more acts of terrorism or failure of energy sources or distribution facilities.

(37) “ Governmental Approvals ” shall mean any notices or reports to be submitted to, or other registrations or filings to be made with, or any consents, approvals, licenses, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, any Governmental Entity.

(38) “ Governmental Entity ” shall mean any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau or court, whether domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any executive official thereof.

(39) “ Group ” shall mean (i) with respect to HLT, the HLT Group, (ii) with respect to PK, the PK Group and (iii) with respect to HGV, the HGV Group.

(40) “ HGV Balance Sheet ” shall mean the pro forma balance sheet of the HGV Group, including the notes thereto, as of                     , as filed with the HGV Form 10.

(41) “ HGV Offering Memorandum ” shall mean any offering memorandum or offering circular distributed to potential investors in connection with any private offering of debt securities by HGV, or its subsidiaries, as the case may be, in connection with the Financing Arrangements.

 

5


(42) “ HGV Common Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(43) “ HGV Distribution ” shall mean the distribution on the Distribution Date to holders of record of shares of HLT Common Stock as of the Distribution Record Date of the HGV Common Stock owned by HLT on the basis of one (1) share of HGV Common Stock, or such other number of shares of HGV Common Stock as shall have been approved by the Board and set forth in the HGV Information Statement, for every      outstanding share[s] of HLT Common Stock.

(44) “ HGV Form 10 ” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 (Registration No. 001-37794) filed by HGV with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with the HGV Distribution, including any amendment or supplement thereto.

(45) “ HGV Group ” shall mean HGV and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of HGV immediately after the Effective Time, and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary of HGV after the Effective Time, and shall include the Timeshare Entities.

(46) “ HGV Information Statement ” shall mean the Information Statement attached as an exhibit to the HGV Form 10 to be sent to the holders of shares of HLT Common Stock in connection with the HGV Distribution, including any amendment or supplement thereto.

(47) “ HLT Common Stock ” shall mean the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of HLT, par value $0.01 per share.

(48) “ HLT Disclosure Sections ” shall mean all information set forth in, or omitted from, the sections of the PK Form 10, the HGV Form 10, the PK Offering Memorandum or the HGV Offering Memorandum, identified on Schedule 1.1(48) .

(49) “ HLT Group ” shall mean HLT and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of HLT immediately after the Effective Time, and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary of HLT after the Effective Time, and shall include the HLT Retained Entities.

(50) “ HLT Retained Assets ” shall mean any and all Assets that are owned, leased or licensed, at or prior to the Effective Time, by HLT and/or any of its Subsidiaries, that are not Ownership Assets or Timeshare Assets, including:

(i) any and all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets which have been or are to remain with HLT or any other member of the HLT Group;

(ii) the ownership interests in those Business Entities set forth on Schedule 1.1(50)(ii) (such entities, the “ HLT Retained Entities ”) and all Assets of the HLT Retained Entities;

(iii) all rights, title and interest in and to the owned real property set forth on Schedule 1.1(50)(iii) (the “ HLT Owned Real Property ”), including all land and land improvements, structures, buildings and building improvements, other improvements and appurtenances located thereon;

 

6


(iv) all right, title and interest in, to and under the leases or subleases of the real property set forth on Schedule 1.1(50)(iv) (the “ HLT Retained Leases ”), including, to the extent provided for in any HLT Retained Lease, any land and land improvements, structures, buildings and building improvements, other improvements and appurtenances located thereon;

(v) to the extent not provided in clauses (iii) and (iv) of this definition, all fixtures, machinery, equipment, apparatuses, computer hardware and other electronic data processing equipment, information technology and communications equipment, tools, instruments, furniture, office equipment, automobiles, trucks, aircraft and other transportation equipment, and other tangible personal property, in each case located at any of the HLT Owned Real Property or the locations subject to the HLT Retained Leases, except for laptop computers and related desktop equipment, cellular phones and other mobile computing devices in each case primarily used by PK Employees (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) or HGV Employees (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement), which shall be retained by such PK Employees and HGV Employees in accordance with the terms of the Transition Services Agreement;

(vi) all inventories, including products, goods, materials, parts, raw materials, work in process and supplies;

(vii) all HLT Retained Contracts and any rights or claims arising thereunder;

(viii) all Intellectual Property, including the registrations and applications set forth on Schedule 1.1(50)(viii) , except for Intellectual Property listed on Schedules 1.1(76)(ix) or 1.1(106)(ix) , subject, as applicable, to the applicable License Agreement;

(ix) all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental Entity;

(x) Information as follows, subject to any express exceptions in Article VIII :

(a) Sole ownership and all originals and copies of all (i) Information used exclusively in the HLT Retained Business and all Intellectual Property incorporated therein (provided that counsel for PK and HGV may retain a copy of any of same to the extent (A) it is already in possession of PK and HGV, as applicable and (B) such retention is required by applicable Law) and (ii) Loyalty Program Data;

(b) the original of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) that was used but not exclusively used in the HLT Retained Business and is in the possession or control of HLT as of the Distribution Date, and to the extent that (x) prior to the Distribution Date, PK has used such Information in the Ownership Business (or, following the Distribution Date, PK reasonably requires the use of such Information in the Ownership Business as conducted as of the Distribution Date) or (y) prior to the Distribution Date, HGV has used such Information in the Timeshare Business (or, following the Distribution Date, HGV reasonably requires the use of such Information in the Timeshare Business as

 

7


conducted as of the Distribution Date), PK and/or HGV, as applicable, shall (1) be deemed an equal co-owner with HLT of the Intellectual Property in such Information and each co-owning Party shall have the right to (and to allow others to) use and disclose such Information without an accounting to (or consent of) the other co-owning Party and (2) subject to Section 8.5 , have the right to retain or receive a copy of such Information in the media in which it was maintained in the ordinary course of business at the time of such request, provided that such copies of such Information shall remain subject to all applicable Laws, privacy policies and other agreements with third parties regarding such Information; and

(c) a copy of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) that was used but not exclusively used in the HLT Retained Business, and is in the possession or control of PK or HGV but not HLT as of the Distribution Date, and HLT shall (i) be deemed an equal co-owner with the possessing or controlling Party of the Intellectual Property in such Information and have the right to (and to allow others to) use and disclose such Information without an accounting to (or consent of) the other co-owning Party and (ii) subject to Section 8.5 , have the right to retain or receive a copy of such Information in the media in which it was maintained in the ordinary course of business at the time of such request, provided that such copies of such Information shall remain subject to all applicable Laws, privacy policies and other agreements with third parties regarding such Information;

(xi) all deposits, prepaid expenses, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds;

(xii) all bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities issued by any Person and held by any member of the HLT Group, all loans, advances or other extensions of credit or capital contributions to any Person on the books of any member of the HLT Group and all other investments in securities of any Person held by any member of the HLT Group;

(xiii) subject to Article X , any rights of any member of the HLT Group under any Policies, including any rights thereunder arising after the Effective Time in respect of any Policies that are occurrence policies and all rights in the nature of insurance, indemnification or contribution;

(xiv) the Assets set forth on Schedule 1.1(50)(xiv) ; and

(xv) any claims, counterclaims, setoffs, rights of recoupment, equity rights or defenses, whether known or unknown, that HLT and/or any of its Subsidiaries may have with respect to any HLT Retained Assets and HLT Retained Liabilities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the HLT Retained Assets shall not include any Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or by any Specified Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Assets to be retained by or Transferred to any member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as the case may be, including any Assets (A) specified in clauses (i) through (xv) of the definition of Ownership Assets or (B) specified in clauses (i) through (xv) of the definition of Timeshare Assets.

 

8


(51) “ HLT Retained Business ” shall mean the businesses conducted through the management of the day-to-day operations of Hilton-branded hotels, the ownership, development, franchising and promotion of the Hilton brands and the leasing or ownership of certain Hilton-branded hotels by HLT or any other member of the HLT Group prior to the Effective Time, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the businesses of (i) the management, franchising, leasing or ownership of the hotel and resort properties set forth on Schedule 1.1(51) hereto, (ii) any other division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment managed or operated by HLT or any other member of the HLT Group prior to the Effective Time, including the businesses conducted through the ownership and operation of the hotel management and franchising business of HLT prior to the Effective Time, unless such other division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment is included in the definitions of Ownership Business or Timeshare Business, and (iii) those business entities acquired or established by or for HLT or any other member of the HLT Group after the Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, the “HLT Retained Business” with respect to any of the properties set forth on Schedule 1.1(77) shall be deemed to be limited to the business activities prescribed to the applicable member of the HLT Group engaged as the manager or franchisor with respect to such property pursuant to the applicable Managing and Franchising Agreement entered into following the Distribution Date.

(52) “ HLT Retained Contracts ” shall mean any Contracts to which HLT or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as of the date hereof or becomes a party prior to the Effective Time or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Assets is bound as of the date hereof or becomes bound prior to the Effective Time, whether or not in writing, except for any such Contract or part thereof that is an Ownership Contract or a Timeshare Contract, including:

(i) any Contract entered into in the name of, or expressly on behalf of, any division, business unit or member of the HLT Group;

(ii) any Contract that relates primarily to the HLT Retained Business, including any contract providing for the acquisition or disposition of a HLT Retained Entity or any HLT Retained Assets;

(iii) any Contract that represents or underlies any HLT Retained Assets or HLT Retained Liabilities;

(iv) any Contract or part thereof that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.2(b) ) or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to or retained by any member of the HLT Group; and

(v) any guarantee, indemnity, representation or warranty of or in favor of any member of the HLT Group.

(53) “ HLT Retained Liabilities ” shall mean any and all Liabilities of the HLT Group that are not Ownership Liabilities or Timeshare Liabilities, including:

(i) any and all Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from: (a) the operation or conduct of the HLT Retained Business, as conducted at any time prior to, at or after (except as otherwise provided in Managing and Franchise Agreements) the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) of the HLT Group); (b) the operation or conduct of any business conducted by

 

9


any member of the HLT Group at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) of the HLT Group); or (c) any HLT Retained Assets, whether arising prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

(ii) any Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from, the HLT Retained Contracts;

(iii) the Applicable HLT Percentage of any Shared Contingent Liability;

(iv) the liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(53)(iv) (the “ Specified HLT Retained Liabilities ”);

(v) any Liabilities assumed or retained by the HLT Group pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

(vi) any Liabilities arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time for any infringement by the HLT Retained Business of the Intellectual Property of any other Person or breach by the HLT Retained Business of any Contract relating to Intellectual Property;

(vii) all Liabilities arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time to the extent resulting from any (A) violation prior to the Effective Time of any Environmental Laws by the HLT Group, any HLT Discontinued Operation or the conduct of the HLT Retained Business, (B) use, treatment, or disposal prior to the Effective Time of Materials of Environmental Concern by or on behalf of the HLT Group, any HLT Discontinued Operation or in the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or (C) presence of Materials of Environmental Concern at, or release of Materials of Environmental Concern from, any HLT Retained Assets or any HLT Discontinued Operation; provided that Liabilities of the type described in this subsection (vi) relating to real estate that is an Ownership Asset or a Timeshare Asset pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be HLT Retained Liabilities but shall instead be, respectively, Ownership Liabilities and Timeshare Liabilities;

(viii) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from, any division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment managed or operated by HLT or any of its Subsidiaries at any time prior to the Effective Time and sold, transferred or otherwise discontinued prior to the Effective Time, including the divisions, Subsidiaries, lines of business or investments set forth on Schedule 1.1(53)(viii) , unless such division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment is an Ownership Discontinued Operation or a Timeshare Discontinued Operation (each such division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment, an “ HLT Discontinued Operation ”);

(ix) for the avoidance of doubt, any Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from, the operation or conduct of the HLT Retained Business by any Business Entity that is an Ownership Entity or a Timeshare Entity under this Agreement but has conducted the HLT Retained Business at any time prior to the Effective Time;

(x) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission

 

10


to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the HLT Disclosure Sections;

(xi) Specified Shared Expenses to the extent provided in Section 5.2 ;

(xii) for the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting any other matters that may constitute HLT Retained Liabilities, any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the claims, proceedings, litigation and disputes listed on Schedule 1.1(53)(xii) ; and

(xiii) any Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from, a workers compensation claim brought by or on behalf of an employee employed at any time in the HLT Retained Business or any HLT Discontinued Operation, except in the case where such employee was employed in either the Ownership Business or any Ownership Discontinued Operation or the Timeshare Business or any Timeshare Discontinued Operation subsequent to such employee’s final employment in the HLT Retained Business or HLT Discontinued Operations in which case the Liability shall be retained by PK or HGV, respectively.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the HLT Retained Liabilities shall not include any Liabilities that are (A) expressly contemplated by this Agreement or by any Specified Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be Assumed by any member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as the case may be, including any Liabilities specified (1) in clauses (i) through (xiii) of the definition of Ownership Liabilities or (2) in clauses (i) through (xiii) of the definition of Timeshare Liabilities or (B) expressly discharged pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Liability shall be a HLT Retained Liability solely as a result of HLT being named as party to or in any Action relating to any Ownership Liability or Timeshare Liability due to HLT’s status as the remaining and legacy Business Entity, or as a result of its status as the former direct or indirect stockholder of any Business Entity.

(54) “ Income Taxes ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(55) “ Indebtedness ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) the principal value, prepayment and redemption premiums and penalties (if any), unpaid fees and other monetary obligations in respect of any indebtedness for borrowed money, whether short term or long term, including all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, other debt securities or similar instruments, (ii) any indebtedness arising under any capital leases (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any real estate leases), whether short term or long term, (iii) all liabilities secured by any lien on any assets of such Person, (iv) all liabilities under any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, hedging arrangement or other similar agreement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates, (v) all interest bearing indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (vi) all liabilities under any letters of credit, performance bonds, bankers acceptances or similar obligations, (vii) all interest, prepayment or breakage costs, fees and other expenses owed with respect to indebtedness described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi), and (viii) without duplication, all guarantees of indebtedness referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii).

 

11


(56) “ Indemnifiable Loss ” and “ Indemnifiable Losses ” shall mean any and all Liabilities, deficiencies, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, fines, administrative penalties, interest and Taxes (including the costs and expenses of any and all Actions and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and the reasonable costs and expenses of attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder), excluding special, consequential, reputational, indirect or punitive damages (other than special, consequential, indirect, reputational and/or punitive damages awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction in connection with a Third Party Claim (and, in such a case, only to the extent awarded in such Third Party Claim)).

(57) “ Information ” shall mean information and data in recorded form, whether written, electronic, computerized or digital or stored in any other media, including (i) books and records, whether accounting, legal or otherwise, ledgers, studies, reports, surveys, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, marketing plans, communications, correspondence, materials, product literature, artwork, files, documents, policies, procedures and manuals, research and analyses of any nature, including operational, technical or legal; (ii) financial and business information, including earnings reports and forecasts, macro-economic reports and forecasts, all cost information, sales and pricing data, business plans, market evaluations, surveys and credit-related information; and (iii) Customer Information.

(58) “ Insurance Proceeds ” shall mean those monies (i) received by an insured from an insurance carrier or (ii) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of an insured, in either case net of any applicable deductible or retention.

(59) “ Insured Claims ” shall mean those Liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, are covered within the terms and conditions of any of the Company Policies, whether or not subject to deductibles, co-insurance, uncollectability or retrospectively rated premium adjustments, but only to the extent that such Liabilities are within applicable Company Policy limits, including aggregates.

(60) “ Intellectual Property ” shall mean all worldwide intellectual property, proprietary and industrial property rights of any kind, including all (i) patents, patent applications, inventions and invention disclosures and utility models, (ii) trademarks, service marks, corporate names, trade names, domain names, social and mobile media identifiers, logos, slogans, designs, trade dress and other designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing (“ Trademarks ”), (iii) copyrights and copyrighted works, including software, code, compilations and documentation, website and mobile media content, photography, graphics and advertising materials, (iv) technology, trade secrets, know-how, processes, formulae, models, methodologies, discoveries, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, and (v) all registrations, applications, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re-examinations, substitutions, renewals, extensions and foreign counterparts thereof.

(61) “ IP Assignments ” shall mean the short-form assignment documents executed for the purpose of recording the transfer of Intellectual Property applications and registrations with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Officer or any other applicable office in any applicable foreign jurisdiction.

(62) “ IRS Ruling ” shall mean that certain IRS private letter ruling delivered to HLT and addressing, among other things, certain issues relevant to the tax-free treatment of the Distribution.

 

12


(63) “ Law ” shall mean any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or similar statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, income tax treaty, order, requirement or rule of law (including common law) or other binding directives of any Governmental Entity.

(64) “ Liabilities ” shall mean any and all Indebtedness, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses, interest and obligations, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim, demand, Action, whether asserted or unasserted, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Entity and those arising under any Contract or any fines, damages or equitable relief which may be imposed and including all costs and expenses related thereto. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in the Employee Matters Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties with respect to Taxes shall be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement and, therefore, Taxes shall not be treated as Liabilities.

(65) “ LIBOR ” shall mean an interest rate per annum equal to the applicable three-month London Interbank Offer Rate for deposits in United States dollars published in The Wall Street Journal .

(66) “ License Agreement ” shall mean the License Agreement by and among HLT and HGV, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .

(67) “ Loyalty Program Data ” shall have the meaning set forth in the License Agreement.

(68) “ Managing and Franchise Agreements ” shall mean the Management Agreements and Franchise Agreements by and among certain subsidiaries of PK, on the one hand, and certain subsidiaries of HLT, on the other hand.

(69) “ Managing and Franchising Asset Transferee ” shall mean the HLT Retained Entities to which HLT Retained Assets shall be or have been transferred by an Asset Transferor in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Plan of Reorganization.

(70) “ Managing and Franchising Indemnitees ” shall mean each member of the HLT Group and each of their respective Affiliates from and after the Effective Time and each member of the HLT Group’s and such Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.

(71) “ Materials of Environmental Concern ” shall mean any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea-formaldehyde insulation, asbestos, pollutants, contaminants, molds, and radioactivity; any substance classified or regulated as hazardous or toxic (or words of similar meaning); and any other substances regulated pursuant to or that could give rise to liability under any applicable Environmental Law.

(72) “ Nonqualifying Income ” shall mean any amount that is treated as gross income for purposes of Section 856 of the Code and which is not Qualifying Income.

 

13


(73) “ NYSE ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

(74) “ OpCo Contribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(75) “ Ownership Asset Transferees ” shall mean the Ownership Entities to which Ownership Assets shall be or have been Transferred by an Asset Transferor in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Plan of Reorganization.

(76) “ Ownership Assets ” shall mean those Assets that are owned, leased or licensed at or prior to the Effective Time, by HLT and/or any of its Subsidiaries, relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from, the Ownership Business, and shall include:

(i) any and all Assets reflected on the PK Balance Sheet or the accounting records supporting such balance sheet and any Assets acquired by or for PK or any member of the PK Group subsequent to the date of the PK Balance Sheet which, had they been so acquired on or before such date and owned as of such date, would have been reflected on the PK Balance Sheet if prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any dispositions of any of such Assets subsequent to the date of the PK Balance Sheet;

(ii) the Assets set forth on Schedule 1.1(76)(ii) and any and all other Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets which have been or are to be Transferred to PK or any other member of the PK Group;

(iii) the ownership interests in those Business Entities set forth on Schedule 1.1(76)(iii) (such entities, the “ Ownership Entities ”), other than PK, and all Assets of the Ownership Entities relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from the Ownership Business;

(iv) all rights, title and interest in and to the owned real property set forth on Schedule 1.1(76)(iv) (the “ PK Owned Real Property ”), including all land and land improvements, structures, buildings and building improvements, other improvements, fixtures and appurtenances located thereon;

(v) all right, title and interest in, to and under the leases or subleases of the real property set forth on Schedule 1.1(76)(v) (the “ Ownership Leases ”), including, to the extent provided for in the Ownership Leases, any land and land improvements, structures, buildings and building improvements, other improvements and appurtenances located thereon;

(vi) to the extent not provided in clauses (iv) and (v) of this definition, all fixtures, machinery, equipment, apparatuses, computer hardware and other electronic data processing equipment, information technology and communications equipment, tools, instruments, furniture, office equipment, automobiles, trucks, aircraft and other transportation equipment, special and general tools, test devices, molds, tooling, dies, prototypes and models and other tangible personal property in each case located at any of the PK Owned Real Property or the locations subject to the Ownership Leases;

(vii) all inventories, including products, goods, materials, parts, raw materials, work-in-process and supplies, relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from, the Ownership Business;

 

14


(viii) all Ownership Contracts and any rights or claims arising thereunder;

(ix) all Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 1.1(76)(ix) , subject, as applicable, to the Managing and Franchise Agreements;

(x) all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental Entity and which relate primarily to, are used primarily in, or arise primarily from, the Ownership Business;

(xi) Information as follows, subject to any express exceptions in Article VIII :

(a) sole ownership and all originals and copies of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) used exclusively in the Ownership Business and all Intellectual Property incorporated therein (provided that counsel for HLT and HGV may retain a copy of any of same to the extent (A) it is already in possession of HLT and HGV, as applicable and (B) such retention is required by applicable Law);

(b) the original of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) that was used but not exclusively used in the Ownership Business and is in the possession or control of PK as of the Distribution Date, and to the extent that (x) prior to the Distribution Date, HLT has used such Information in the HLT Retained Business (or, following the Distribution Date, HLT reasonably requires the use of such Information in the HLT Retained Business as conducted as of the Distribution Date) or (y) HGV has used such Information in the Timeshare Business (or, following the Distribution Date, HGV reasonably requires the use of such Information in the Timeshare Business as conducted as of the Distribution Date), HLT and/or HGV, as applicable, shall (1) be deemed an equal co-owner with PK of the Intellectual Property in such Information and each co-owning Party shall have the right to (and to allow others to) use and disclose such Information without an accounting to (or consent of) the other co-owning Party and (2) subject to Section 8.5 , have the right to retain or receive a copy of such Information in the media in which it was maintained at the time of the request, if such Party does not already have possession or control of such a copy as of the Distribution Date, provided that such copies of such Information shall remain subject to all applicable Laws, privacy policies and other agreements with third parties regarding such Information; and

(c) a copy of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) that was used but not exclusively used in the Ownership Business, and is in the possession or control of HLT or HGV but not PK as of the Distribution Date, and PK shall (i) be deemed an equal co-owner with the possessing or controlling Party of the Intellectual Property in such Information and have the right to (and to allow others to) use and disclose such Information without an accounting to (or consent of) the other co-owning Party and (ii) subject to Section 8.5 , have the right to retain or receive a copy of such Information in the media in which it was maintained at the time of the request, if PK does not already have possession or control of such a copy as of the Distribution Date, provided that such copies of such Information shall remain subject to all applicable Laws, privacy policies and other agreements with third parties regarding such Information;

 

15


(xii) all deposits, prepaid expenses, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from, the Ownership Business;

(xiii) all bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities issued by any Person and held by any member of the PK Group, all loans, advances or other extensions of credit or capital contributions to any Person on the books of any member of the PK Group and all other investments in securities of any Person held by any member of the PK Group;

(xiv) subject to Article X , any rights of any member of the PK Group under any Policies, including any rights thereunder arising after the Effective Time in respect of any Policies that are occurrence policies and all rights in the nature of insurance, indemnification or contribution; provided , that ownership of the Company Policies shall remain with the HLT Group; and

(xv) any claims, counterclaims, setoffs, rights of recoupment, equity rights or defenses, whether known or unknown, that HLT and/or any of its Subsidiaries may have with respect to any Ownership Assets or Ownership Liabilities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Ownership Assets shall not include any Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or by any Specified Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Assets to be retained by or Transferred to any member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group, as the case may be, including any Assets (A) specified in clauses (i) through (xv) of the definition of HLT Retained Assets, or (B) specified in clauses (i) through (xv) of the definition of Timeshare Assets.

(77) “ Ownership Business ” shall mean (A) the businesses conducted through the ownership, asset management (as opposed to hotel management), acquisition, development, refurbishment, redevelopment and sale of, and the provision of other services relating to hotel properties owned or leased by HLT or any other member of the HLT Group prior to the Effective Time, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the businesses of (i) the acquisition, development, refurbishment, redevelopment and sale of, and the provision of other services relating to the hotel properties set forth on Schedule 1.1(77) hereto, (ii) any other division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment of HLT or any other member of the HLT Group managed or operated prior to the Effective Time by any Ownership Entity, unless such other division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment is a HLT Retained Entity, a HLT Retained Asset, a Timeshare Entity or a Timeshare Asset, and (iii) those business entities acquired or established by or for PK or any other member of the PK Group after the Effective Time (B) the management of the day-to-day operations of the four hotels properties owned by PK and specified as such on Schedule 1.1(77) and (C) the laundry businesses at certain of the hotel properties described above.

(78) “ Ownership Contracts ” shall mean the following Contracts to which HLT or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as of the date hereof or becomes a party prior to the Effective Time or becomes a party after the Effective Time in respect of quotations, proposals and bids that were pending as of the date hereof or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Assets is bound as of the date hereof or becomes bound prior to the Effective Time, whether or not in writing, except for any such Contract or part thereof (a) that is expressly contemplated not to be Transferred by any member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group to the PK Group or (b) that is expressly contemplated to be Transferred to (or remain with) any member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group, in each case, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Specified Ancillary Agreement:

(i) any Contract entered into in the name of, or expressly on behalf of, any division, business unit or member of the PK Group; provided that if such Contract was entered into by Hilton Worldwide Inc. (now known as Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.), such fact shall not, by itself, result in the determination that such Contract is an Ownership Contract;

 

16


(ii) any Contract that relates primarily to the Ownership Business, including any contract providing for the acquisition or disposition of an Ownership Entity or Ownership Assets;

(iii) any Contract that relates primarily to the Ownership Business that was entered into after the Effective Time and for which a quotation, proposal, or bid was pending as of the date hereof;

(iv) any Contract that represents or underlies any Ownership Assets or Ownership Liabilities;

(v) any Contract or part thereof that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.2(b) ) or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to or retained by any member of the PK Group; and

(vi) any guarantee, indemnity, representation or warranty of or in favor of any member of the PK Group.

(79) “ Ownership Indemnitees ” shall mean each member of the PK Group and each of their respective Affiliates from and after the Effective Time and each member of the PK Group’s and such respective Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.

(80) “ Ownership Liabilities ” shall mean any and all Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from: (a) the operation or conduct of the Ownership Business, as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) of the PK Group); (b) the operation or conduct of any business conducted by any member of the PK Group at any time after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) of the PK Group); or (c) any Ownership Assets, whether arising prior to, on or after the Effective Time, including:

(i) any and all Liabilities reflected on the PK Balance Sheet or the accounting records supporting such balance sheet and any Liabilities incurred by or for PK or any member of the PK Group subsequent to the date of the PK Balance Sheet which, had they been so incurred on or before such date, would have been reflected on the PK Balance Sheet if prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any discharge of any of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the PK Balance Sheet;

 

17


(ii) any Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from, the Ownership Contracts;

(iii) the Applicable PK Percentage of any Shared Contingent Liability;

(iv) the liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(80)(iv) (the “ Specified Ownership Liabilities ”);

(v) any Liabilities assumed or retained by the PK Group pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

(vi) any Liabilities arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time for any infringement by the Ownership Business of the Intellectual Property of any other Person or breach by the Ownership Business of any Contract relating to Intellectual Property;

(vii) all Liabilities arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time to the extent resulting from any (A) violation prior to the Effective Time of any Environmental Laws by the PK Group, any Ownership Discontinued Operation or the conduct of the Ownership Business, (B) use, treatment, or disposal prior to the Effective Time of Materials of Environmental Concern by or on behalf of the PK Group, any Ownership Discontinued Operation or in the conduct of the Ownership Business or (C) presence of Materials of Environmental Concern at, or release of Materials of Environmental Concern from, any Ownership Assets or any Ownership Discontinued Operation; provided that Liabilities of the type described in this subsection (vii) relating to real estate that is a HLT Retained Asset or a Timeshare Asset pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be Ownership Liabilities but shall instead be, respectively, HLT Retained Liabilities and Timeshare Liabilities;

(viii) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from, any division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment of HLT or any of its Subsidiaries managed or operated at any time prior to the Effective Time by the Ownership Entities and sold, transferred or otherwise discontinued prior to the Effective Time, including the divisions, Subsidiaries, lines of business or investments set forth on Schedule 1.1(80)(viii) , unless such division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment is listed on Schedule 1.1(53)(viii) or Schedule 1.1(110)(viii) (each such division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment, an “ Ownership Discontinued Operation ”);

(ix) for the avoidance of doubt, any Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from, the operation or conduct of the Ownership Business by any Business Entity that is a HLT Retained Entity or a Timeshare Entity under this Agreement but has conducted the Ownership Business at any time prior to the Effective Time;

(x) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the PK Form 10 or in any PK Offering Memorandum, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the PK Form 10, any PK Offering Memorandum and any other Disclosure Documents filed by PK in connection with the Distribution or as contemplated by this Agreement, other than with respect to the HLT Disclosure Sections;

 

18


(xi) Specified Shared Expenses to the extent provided in Section 5.2 ;

(xii) for the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting any other matters that may constitute Ownership Liabilities, any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the claims, proceedings, litigation and disputes listed on Schedule 1.1(80)(xii) ; and

(xiii) any Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from, a workers compensation claim brought by or on behalf of an employee employed at any time in the Ownership Business or any Ownership Discontinued Operation, except in the case where such employee was employed in either the Timeshare Business or any Timeshare Discontinued Operation or the HLT Retained Business or any HLT Discontinued Operation subsequent to such employee’s final employment in the Ownership Business or Ownership Discontinued Operations, as applicable, in which case the Liability shall be retained by HGV or HLT, respectively.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Ownership Liabilities shall not include any Liabilities that are expressly (A) contemplated by this Agreement or by any Specified Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be Assumed by any member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group, as the case may be, including any Liabilities specified (1) in the definition of HLT Retained Liabilities, including clauses (i) through (xiii) thereof, or (2) in clauses (i) through (xiii) of the definition of Timeshare Liabilities, or (B) discharged pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Liability shall be an Ownership Liability solely as a result of PK being named as party to or in any Action relating to any HLT Retained Liability or Timeshare Liability, or as a result of PK’s status as the former direct or indirect stockholder or equityholder of any member of the HLT Group or HGV Group.

(81) “ Person ” shall mean any natural person, firm, individual, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership or other organization or entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, or any Governmental Entity.

(82) “ PK Balance Sheet ” shall mean the pro forma balance sheet of the PK Group, including the notes thereto, as of             , included in the PK Form 10.

(83) “ PK Common Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(84) “ PK Distribution ” shall mean the distribution on the Distribution Date to holders of record of shares of HLT Common Stock as of the Distribution Record Date of the PK Common Stock owned by HLT on the basis of one (1) share of PK Common Stock, or such other number of shares of PK Common Stock as shall have been approved by the Board and set forth in the PK Information Statement, for every      outstanding share[s] of HLT Common Stock.

(85) “ PK Form 10 ” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 (Registration No. 001-37795) filed by PK with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with the PK Distribution, including any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

19


(86) “ PK Group ” shall mean PK and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of PK immediately after the Effective Time, and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary of PK after the Effective Time, and shall include the Ownership Entities.

(87) “ PK Information Statement ” shall mean the Information Statement attached as an exhibit to the PK Form 10 to be sent to the holders of shares of HLT Common Stock in connection with the PK Distribution, including any amendment or supplement thereto.

(88) “ PK Offering Memorandum ” shall mean any offering memorandum or offering circular distributed to potential investors in connection with any private offering of debt securities by PK, or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in connection with the Financing Arrangements.

(89) “ Plan of Reorganization ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

(90) “ Policies ” shall mean all insurance policies and insurance contracts of any kind including bonds (other than policies or contracts related to employee benefit plans) currently in place for HLT programs, together with the rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.

(91) “ Protected REIT ” shall mean any entity that (i) has elected to be taxed as a REIT and (ii) either (A) is an Indemnitee or (B) owns a direct or indirect equity interest in any Indemnitee and is treated for purposes of Section 856 of the Code as owning all or a portion of the assets of such Indemnitee or as receiving all or a portion of the Indemnitee’s income.

(92) “ Qualifying Income ” shall mean gross income that is described in Section 856(c)(3) of the Code.

(93) “ Records ” shall mean any Contracts, documents, books, records or files.

(94) “ REIT ” shall mean a real estate investment trust, as defined under the Code.

(95) “ REIT Requirements ” shall mean the requirements imposed on REITs pursuant to Sections 856 through and including 860 of the Code.

(96) “ Security Interest ” shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-entry, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer, or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, excluding restrictions on transfer under securities Laws.

(97) “ Shared Contingent Liabilities ” shall mean any of the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(97) .

(98) “ Specified Shared Expenses ” shall mean any costs and expenses relating to the items or categories set forth on Schedule 1.1(98) and shall be shared in the manner specified in Section 5.2 .

(99) “ Subsidiary ” shall mean with respect to any Person (i) a corporation, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting or capital stock of which is, as of the time in question, directly or indirectly owned by such Person and (ii) any other Person in which such Person, directly or indirectly, owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity or economic interest thereof or has the power to elect or direct the election of fifty percent (50%) or more of the members of the governing body of such entity.

 

20


(100) “ Tax ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(101) “ Tax Contest ” shall have the meaning in the definition of “Audit” as set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(102) “ Tax Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement by and among HLT, PK and HGV, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

(103) “ Tax Return ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(104) “ Third Party Agreements ” shall mean any of the following Contracts, arrangements, course of dealings or understandings:

(i) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any Person other than the Parties and their respective Groups is a party hereto (it being understood that to the extent that the rights and obligations of the Parties and the members of their respective Groups under any such Contracts constitute Timeshare Assets or Timeshare Liabilities, Ownership Assets or Ownership Liabilities or HLT Retained Assets or HLT Retained Liabilities, such Contracts shall be assigned or retained pursuant to Article II ); and

(ii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of HLT, PK or HGV, as the case may be, is a Party.

(105) “ Timeshare Asset Transferee ” shall mean the Timeshare Entities to which Timeshare Assets shall be or have been transferred by an Asset Transferor in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Plan of Reorganization.

(106) “ Timeshare Assets ” shall mean those Assets that are owned, leased or licensed, at or prior to the Effective Time, by HLT and/or any of its Subsidiaries, relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from, the Timeshare Business, and shall include:

(i) any and all Assets reflected on the HGV Balance Sheet or the accounting records supporting such balance sheet and any Assets acquired by or for HGV or any member of the HGV Group subsequent to the date of the HGV Balance Sheet which, had they been so acquired on or before such date and owned as of such date, would have been reflected on the HGV Balance Sheet if prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any dispositions of any of such Assets subsequent to the date of the HGV Balance Sheet;

(ii) the Assets set forth on Schedule 1.1(106)(ii) and any and all other Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets which have been or are to be Transferred to HGV or any other member of the HGV Group;

(iii) the ownership interests in those Business Entities set forth on Schedule 1.1(106)(iii) (such entities, the “ Timeshare Entities ”), other than HGV, and all Assets of the Timeshare Entities relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from the Timeshare Business;

(iv) all rights, title and interest in and to the owned real property set forth on Schedule 1.1(106)(iv) (the “ Timeshare Owned Real Property ”), including all land and land improvements, structures, buildings and building improvements, other improvements and appurtenances located thereon;

 

21


(v) all rights, title and interest in, and to and under the leases or subleases of the real property set forth on Schedule 1.1(106)(v) (the “ Timeshare Leases ”) including, to the extent provided for in the Timeshare Leases, any land and land improvements, structures, buildings and building improvements, other improvements and appurtenances;

(vi) to the extent not provided in clauses (iv) and (v) of this definition, all fixtures, machinery, equipment, apparatuses, computer hardware and other electronic data processing equipment, information technology and communications equipment, tools, instruments, furniture, office equipment, automobiles, trucks, aircraft and other transportation equipment, special and general tools, test devices, molds, tooling, dies, prototypes and models and other tangible personal property, in each case located at any of the Timeshare Owned Real Property or the locations subject to the Timeshare Leases;

(vii) all inventories, including products, goods, materials, parts, raw materials, work-in-process and supplies, relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from, the Timeshare Business;

(viii) all Timeshare Contracts and any rights or claims arising thereunder;

(ix) all Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 1.1(106)(ix) , subject, as applicable, to the applicable License Agreement;

(x) all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental Entity and which relate primarily to, are used primarily in, or arise primarily from, the Timeshare Business;

(xi) Information as follows, subject to any express exceptions in Article VIII :

(a) sole ownership and all originals and copies of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) used exclusively in the Timeshare Business and all Intellectual Property incorporated therein (provided that counsel for PK and HLT may retain a copy of any of same to the extent (A) it is already in possession of PK and HLT, as applicable, and (B) such retention is required by applicable Law);

(b) the original of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) that was used but not exclusively used in the Timeshare Business and is in the possession or control of HGV as of the Distribution Date, and to the extent that (x) prior to the Distribution Date, HLT has used such Information in the HLT Retained Business (or following the Distribution Date HLT reasonably requires the use of such Information in the HLT Retained Business as conducted as of the Distribution Date) or (y) PK has used such Information in the Ownership Business (or following the Distribution Date PK reasonably requires the use of such Information in the Ownership Business as conducted as of the Distribution Date), HLT and/or PK, as applicable, shall (1) be deemed an equal co-owner with HGV of the Intellectual Property in such Information and each co-owning Party shall have the right to (and to allow others to) use and disclose such Information without an accounting to the other co-owning Party and (2) subject to Section

 

22


8.5, have the right to retain or receive a copy of such Information in the media in which it was maintained at the time of such request in the ordinary course of business prior to the Distribution Date, if such Party does not already have possession or control of such a copy as of the Distribution Date, provided that such copies of such Information shall remain subject to all applicable Laws, privacy policies and other agreements with third parties regarding such Information; and

(c) a copy of all Information (other than Loyalty Program Data) that was used but not exclusively used in the Timeshare Business, and is in the possession or control of HLT or PK but not HGV as of the Distribution Date, and HGV shall (i) be deemed an equal co-owner with the possessing or controlling Party of the Intellectual Property in such Information and have the right to (and to allow others to) use and disclose such Information without an accounting to the other co-owning Party and (ii) subject to Section 8.5 , have the right to retain or receive a copy of such Information in the media in which it was maintained at the time of such request, if HGV does not already have possession or control of such a copy as of the Distribution Date, provided that such copies of such Information shall remain subject to all applicable Laws, privacy policies and other agreements with third parties regarding such Information;

(xii) all deposits, prepaid expenses, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds relating primarily to, used primarily in, or arising primarily from, the Timeshare Business;

(xiii) all bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities issued by any Person and held by any member of the HGV Group, all loans, advances or other extensions of credit or capital contributions to any Person on the books of any member of the HGV Group and all other investments in securities of any Person held by any member of the HGV Group;

(xiv) subject to Article X , any rights of any member of the HGV Group under any Policies, including any rights thereunder arising after the Effective Time in respect of any Policies that are occurrence policies and all rights in the nature of insurance, indemnification or contribution; provided that ownership of the Company Policies shall remain with the HLT Group; and

(xv) any claims, counterclaims, setoffs, rights of recoupment, equity rights or defenses, whether known or unknown, that HLT and/or any of its Subsidiaries may have with respect to any Timeshare Assets and Timeshare Liabilities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Timeshare Assets shall not include any Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or by any Specified Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Assets to be retained by or Transferred to any member of the PK Group or the HLT Group, as the case may be, including any Assets (A) specified in clauses (i) through (xv) of the definition of Ownership Assets or (B) specified in clauses (i) through (xv) of the definition of HLT Retained Assets.

(107) “ Timeshare Business ” shall mean the businesses conducted through the ownership, development, redevelopment and management of, the sale and financing of interests in, and the servicing of receivables with respect to timeshare properties by HLT or any other

 

23


member of the HLT Group prior to the Effective Time, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the businesses of (i) the ownership, development, redevelopment and management of, the sale and financing of interests in, and the servicing of receivables with respect to the timeshare properties set forth on Schedule 1.1(107) hereto, (ii) any other division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment of HLT or any other member of the HLT Group managed or operated prior to the Effective Time by any Timeshare Entity, unless such other division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment is an Ownership Entity, an Ownership Asset, a HLT Retained Entity or a HLT Retained Asset and (iii) those business entities acquired or established by or for HGV or any other member of the HGV Group after the Effective Time.

(108) “ Timeshare Contracts ” shall mean the following Contracts to which HLT or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as of the date hereof or becomes a party prior to the Effective Time or becomes a party after the Effective Time in respect of quotations, proposals and bids that were pending as of the date hereof or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Assets is bound as of the date hereof or becomes bound prior to the Effective Time, whether or not in writing, except for any such Contract or part thereof (i) that is expressly contemplated not to be Transferred by any member of the HLT Group or the PK Group to the HGV Group or (ii) that is expressly contemplated to be Transferred to (or remain with) any member of the HLT Group or the PK Group, in each case, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Specified Ancillary Agreement:

(i) any Contract entered into in the name of, or expressly on behalf of, any division, business unit or member of the HGV Group;

(ii) any Contract that relates primarily to the Timeshare Business, including any contract providing for the acquisition or disposition of a Timeshare Entity or Timeshare Assets;

(iii) any Contract that relates primarily to the Timeshare Business that was awarded after the Effective Date and for which the quotation, proposal, or bid was pending as of the date hereof;

(iv) any Contract that represents or underlies any Timeshare Assets or Timeshare Liabilities;

(v) any Contract or part thereof that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.2(b) ) or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to any member of the HGV Group; and

(vi) any guarantee, indemnity, representation or warranty of or in favor of any member of the HGV Group.

(109) “ Timeshare Indemnitees ” shall mean each member of the HGV Group and each of their respective Affiliates from and after the Effective Time and each member of the HGV Group’s and such respective Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.

(110) “ Timeshare Liabilities ” shall mean any and all Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from: (a) the operation or conduct of the Timeshare Business, as conducted at any time prior to, at or after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer,

 

24


employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) of the HGV Group); (b) the operation or conduct of any business conducted by any member of the HGV Group at any time after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or failure to act is or was within such Person’s authority) of the HGV Group); or (c) any Timeshare Assets, whether arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time, including:

(i) any and all Liabilities reflected on the HGV Balance Sheet or the accounting records supporting such balance sheet and any Liabilities incurred by or for HGV or any member of the HGV Group subsequent to the date of the HGV Balance Sheet which, had they been so incurred on or before such date, would have been reflected on the HGV Balance Sheet if prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any discharge of any of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the HGV Balance Sheet;

(ii) any Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from, the Timeshare Contracts;

(iii) the Applicable HGV Percentage of any Shared Contingent Liability;

(iv) The liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(110)(iv) (the “ Specified Timeshare Liabilities ”);

(v) any Liabilities assumed or retained by the HGV Group pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

(vi) any Liabilities arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time for any infringement by the Timeshare Business of the Intellectual Property of any other Person or breach by the Timeshare Business of any Contract relating to Intellectual Property;

(vii) all Liabilities arising prior to, at or after the Effective Time to the extent resulting from any (A) violation prior to the Effective Time of any Environmental Laws by the HGV Group, any Timeshare Discontinued Operation or the conduct of the Timeshare Business, (B) use, treatment, or disposal prior to the Effective Time of Materials of Environmental Concern by or on behalf of the HGV Group, any Timeshare Discontinued Operation or in the conduct of the Timeshare Business or (C) presence of Materials of Environmental Concern at, or release of Materials of Environmental Concern from, any Timeshare Assets or any Timeshare Discontinued Operation; provided that Liabilities of the type described in this subsection (vii) relating to real estate that is an Ownership Asset or a HLT Retained Asset pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be Timeshare Liabilities but shall instead be, respectively, Ownership Liabilities and HLT Retained Liabilities;

(viii) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from, any division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment of HLT or any of its Subsidiaries managed or operated at any time prior to the Effective Time by the Timeshare Entities and sold, transferred or otherwise discontinued prior to the Effective Time, including the divisions, Subsidiaries, lines of business or investments set forth on Schedule 1.1(110)(viii) , unless such division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment is listed on Schedule 1.1(53)(ix) or Schedule 1.1(80)(viii) (each such division, Subsidiary, line of business or investment, a “ Timeshare Discontinued Operation ”);

 

25


(ix) for the avoidance of doubt, any Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from, the operation or conduct of the Timeshare Business by any Business Entity that is a HLT Retained Entity or an Ownership Entity under this Agreement but has conducted the Timeshare Business at any time prior to the Effective Time;

(x) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the HGV Form 10 or in any HGV Offering Memorandum, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the HGV Form 10, any HGV Offering Memorandum and any other Disclosure Documents filed by HGV in connection with the Distribution or as contemplated by this Agreement, other than with respect to the HLT Disclosure Sections;

(xi) Specified Shared Expenses to the extent provided in Section 5.2 ; and

(xii) for the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting any other matters that may constitute Timeshare Liabilities, any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the claims, proceedings, litigation and disputes listed on Schedule 1.1(110)(xii) ; and

(xiii) Any Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from, a workers compensation claim brought by or on behalf of an employee employed at any time in the Timeshare Business or any Timeshare Discontinued Operation, except in the case where such employee was employed in either the Ownership Business or any Ownership Discontinued Operation or the HLT Retained Business or any HLT Discontinued Operation subsequent to such employee’s final employment in the Timeshare Business or Timeshare Discontinued Operations, as applicable, in which case the Liability shall be retained by PK or HLT, respectively.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Timeshare Liabilities shall not include any Liabilities that are expressly (A) contemplated by this Agreement or by any Specified Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be Assumed by any member of the PK Group or the HLT Group, as the case may be, including any Liabilities specified (1) in clauses (i) through (xiii) of the definition of Ownership Liabilities or (2) in the definition of HLT Retained Liabilities, including clauses (i) through (xiii) thereof, or (B) discharged pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Liability shall be a Timeshare Liability solely as a result of HGV being named as party to or in any Action relating to any HLT Retained Liability or Ownership Liability, or as a result of HGV’s status as the former direct or indirect stockholder or equityholder of any member of the HLT Group or PK Group.

(111) “ Transfer ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) ; and the term “Transferred” shall have its correlative meaning.

(112) “ Transition Services Agreement ” shall mean the Master Transition Services Agreement by and among HLT, PK and HGV, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D .

(113) “ Waiver Letter ” shall mean that letter agreement from Blackstone to each of PK and Hogan Lovells US LLP in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

 

26


Section 1.2. References; Interpretation . References in this Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “include”, “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “hereof”, “hereby” and “herein” and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or provision of this Agreement. The words “written request” when used in this Agreement shall include email. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict which may arise in the application or interpretation of any of the definitions set forth in Section 1.1 , for the purpose of determining what is and is not included in such definitions, any item explicitly included on a Schedule referred to in any such definition shall take priority over any provision of the text thereof.

ARTICLE II

THE SEPARATION

Section 2.1. General . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Parties shall use, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to use, their respective commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including as set forth in the Plan of Reorganization, a portion of which may have already been implemented prior to the date hereof. It is the intent of the Parties that, after consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby HLT shall have been restructured, to the extent necessary, such that following the consummation of such restructuring, subject to Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 , (i) HLT shall, directly or indirectly, own the equity interests of all of the HLT Retained Entities (other than HLT), all of HLT’s and its controlled Affiliates’ rights, title and interest in and to the HLT Retained Assets shall be owned or held by the HLT Group, the HLT Retained Business shall be conducted by the HLT Group and all of the HLT Retained Liabilities shall be Assumed directly or indirectly by (or remain with) the HLT Group, (ii) PK shall, directly or indirectly, own the equity interests of all of the Ownership Entities (other than PK), all of HLT’s and its controlled Affiliates’ rights, title and interest in and to the Ownership Assets shall be owned or held by the PK Group, the Ownership Business shall be conducted by the PK Group and all of the Ownership Liabilities shall be Assumed directly or indirectly by (or remain with) the PK Group, and (iii) HGV shall, directly or indirectly, own the equity interests of all of the Timeshare Entities (other than HGV), all of HLT’s and its controlled Affiliates’ rights, title and interest in and to the Timeshare Assets shall be owned or held by the HGV Group, the Timeshare Business shall be conducted by the HGV Group and all of the Timeshare Liabilities shall be Assumed directly or indirectly by (or remain with) the HGV Group.

Section 2.2. Restructuring: Transfer of Assets; Assumption of Liabilities .

(a) Restructuring of Entities . Prior to the Effective Time, to the extent not already completed, HLT and its controlled Affiliates will use commercially reasonable efforts to take such steps (which may include the transfer of shares or other equity interests, the formation of new entities and/or the declaration of dividends) as may be necessary or desirable to effect the Plan of Reorganization (and any additional steps that may have been omitted from (or are otherwise required in order to effect) the Plan of Reorganization) in order to cause (i) HLT to, directly or indirectly, own the HLT Retained Entities (other than HLT), (ii) PK to, directly or indirectly, own the Ownership Entities (other than PK) and (iii) HGV to, directly or indirectly, own the Timeshare Entities (other than HGV). In the event such steps are not able

 

27


to be completed by the Effective Time, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect other actions following the Effective Time in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, Sections 2.5 and 2.6 to cause the result set forth above.

(b) Transfer of Other Assets and Assumption of Liabilities . Prior to the Effective Time, except as otherwise specifically set forth in any Specified Ancillary Agreement and without duplication of the obligations set forth in Section 2.2(a) , pursuant to the Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments: (x) HLT shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Asset Transferors to, transfer, contribute, distribute, assign and/or convey or cause to be transferred, contributed, distributed, assigned and/or conveyed (“ Transfer ”) to (A) the respective Managing and Franchising Asset Transferees, all of the applicable Asset Transferors’ right, title and interest in and to the HLT Retained Assets, (B) PK and/or the respective Ownership Asset Transferees, all of its and the applicable Asset Transferors’ right, title and interest in and to the Ownership Assets and (C) HGV and/or the respective Timeshare Asset Transferees, all of its and the applicable Asset Transferors’ right, title and interest in and to the Timeshare Assets and (y) (i) HLT shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause a member of the HLT Group to accept, assume (or, as applicable, retain) and perform, discharge and fulfill, in accordance with their respective terms (“ Assume ”), all of the HLT Retained Liabilities, (ii) PK shall, or shall cause a member of the PK Group to, Assume all of the Ownership Liabilities and (iii) HGV shall, or shall cause a member of the HGV Group to, Assume all of the Timeshare Liabilities, in each case, regardless of (I) when or where such Liabilities arose or arise, (II) whether the facts upon which they are based occurred prior to, on or subsequent to the Effective Time, (III) where or against whom such Liabilities are asserted or determined or (IV) whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as the case may be, or any of their past or present respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates. In the event and to the extent any such Transfers and Assumptions are not completed by the Effective Time, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Transfers and Assumptions following the Effective Time in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, Sections 2.5 and 2.6 ).

(c) Consents . The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the required Consents or Governmental Approvals to Transfer any Assets, Contracts, licenses, permits and/or authorizations issued by any Governmental Entity or parts thereof as contemplated by this Agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Transfer of any Assets or the Assumption of any Liabilities which by operation of Law cannot be Transferred or Assumed; provided , however , that the Parties shall cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain, in accordance with applicable Law, any required Consents or Governmental Approvals for the Transfer of all Assets and Assumption of all Liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law contemplated to be Transferred and Assumed pursuant to this Article II .

Section 2.3. Intercompany Accounts . Except as set forth in Section 7.1(b) and to the extent not otherwise settled, capitalized or otherwise eliminated pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement, all (i) intercompany receivables, payables and loans (other than receivables, payables and loans otherwise specifically provided for under this Agreement, under any Ancillary Agreement or under any Continuing Arrangements as set forth on Schedule 1.1(20) , and other than payables created or required hereby or by any Ancillary Agreement or any Continuing Arrangements), if any, and (ii) intercompany balances, including in respect of any cash balances, any cash balances representing deposited checks or drafts or any cash held in any centralized cash management system (A) between any member of the HLT Group, on the one hand, and any member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, on the other hand or (B) between any member of the PK Group, on the one hand, and any member of the HGV Group, on the other hand, in each case, which exist and are reflected in the accounting records of the relevant Parties immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be settled or capitalized, in each case as of the Effective Time, as may

 

28


be agreed prior to the Effective Time by HLT, PK and/or HGV, and their respective Subsidiaries, as applicable. Each of the Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, take all actions and do all things reasonably necessary on its part, or such Subsidiaries’ part, under applicable Law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by such agreement or agreements in respect of such settlements or capitalizations.

Section 2.4. Limitation of Liability . No Party shall have any Liability to any other Party in the event that any Information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement which is an estimate or forecast, or which is based on an estimate or forecast, is found to be inaccurate.

Section 2.5. Transfers Not Effected at or Prior to the Effective Time; Transfers Deemed Effective as of the Effective Time .

(a) To the extent that any Transfer of Assets (including any entity) or Assumption of Liabilities contemplated by this Article II shall not have been consummated at or prior to the Effective Time, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Transfers as promptly following the Effective Time as shall be practicable. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Transfer of any Assets or the Assumption of any Liabilities which by their terms or operation of Law cannot be Transferred; provided , however , that the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries shall cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain, in accordance with applicable Law, any necessary Consents or Governmental Approvals for the Transfer of all Assets and Assumption of all Liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law contemplated to be Transferred and Assumed pursuant to this Article II .

(b) In the event that any such Transfer of Assets (including any entity) or Assumption of Liabilities has not been consummated, from and after the Effective Time (i) the Party retaining such Asset shall thereafter hold such Asset in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and (ii) the Party intended to Assume such Liability shall, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to (A) pay or reimburse the Party retaining such Liability for all amounts paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Liability or (B) perform any non-monetary Liabilities in the place of the Party retaining such Liability to the extent such performance is practicable, permitted under applicable Law and does not result in a breach or default (or give rise to any termination rights, penalties or other remedies for the benefit of any counterparty) under any applicable Contract. To the extent the foregoing applies to any Contracts to be assigned for which any necessary Consents or Governmental Approvals are not received prior to the Effective Time, the treatment of such Contracts shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 2.7 , to the extent applicable. In addition, the Party retaining such Asset or Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Asset or Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Party to which such Asset is to be Transferred or by the Party Assuming such Liability in order to place such Party, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as if such Asset or Liability had been Transferred or Assumed as contemplated hereby and so that all of the benefits and burdens relating to such Asset or Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Asset or Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to the member or members of the HLT Group, the HGV Group or the PK Group entitled to the receipt of such Asset or required to Assume such Liability. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Effective Time, subject to Section 2.2(c) , to the extent permitted by applicable Law, each Party shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of the Assets, together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have Assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, which such Party is entitled to acquire or required to Assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

29


(c) If and when the Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or conditions, the absence or non-satisfaction of which caused the deferral of Transfer of any Asset or deferral of the Assumption of any Liability pursuant to Section 2.5(a) , are obtained or satisfied, the Transfer, assignment, Assumption or novation of the applicable Asset or Liability shall be effected in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Section 2.2 ) and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement, and shall, to the extent possible without the imposition of any substantial cost on any Party, be deemed to be effective as of the Effective Time.

(d) Costs and Expenses . Any costs and expenses incurred after the Effective Time and on or prior to the second anniversary of the Distribution Date to effect any Transfer of Assets (including any entity) or Assumption of Liabilities shall be shared equally between the Parties to which such Transfer of Assets or Assumption of Liabilities relates. Following the second anniversary of the Distribution Date, the Party retaining any Asset (including any entity) contemplated by this Agreement to be Transferred to another Party or retaining any Liability contemplated by this Agreement to be Assumed by another Party shall not be obligated to expend any money to Transfer such Asset to such other Party or have such other Party assume such Liability unless the necessary funds are advanced, assumed, or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Asset or the Party intended to be subject to such Liability. Other than costs and expenses incurred and reimbursed in accordance with the foregoing, nothing in this Section 2.5(d) shall require any member of any Group to incur any material obligation or grant any material concession for the benefit of any member of any other Group in order to effect any transaction contemplated by Section 2.2 or Section 2.5 .

(e) With respect to Assets and Liabilities described in Section 2.5(a) , each of HLT, PK and HGV shall, and shall cause the members of its respective Group to, (i) treat for all Income Tax purposes (A) the deferred Assets as assets having been Transferred to and owned by the Party entitled to such Assets not later than the Effective Time (or the time of the Internal Distribution of OpCo common stock in the case of Assets intended to be part of the OpCo Contribution) and (B) the deferred Liabilities as liabilities having been Assumed and owned by the Person intended to be subject to such Liabilities not later than the Effective Time (or the time of the Internal Distribution of OpCo common stock in the case of Assets intended to be part of the OpCo Contribution) and (ii) neither report nor take any Income Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by a change in applicable Tax Law, good faith resolution of a Tax Contest relating to Income Taxes or a Final Determination).

Section 2.6. Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments . In connection with, and in furtherance of, the Transfers of Assets and the Assumptions of Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement, the Parties shall execute or cause to be executed, on or after the date hereof by the appropriate entities to the extent not executed prior to the date hereof (but subject to Section 2.5), any Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments necessary to evidence the valid Transfer to the applicable Party or member of such Party’s Group of all right, title and interest in and to its accepted Assets and the valid and effective Assumption by the applicable Party of its Assumed Liabilities for Transfers and Assumptions to be effected pursuant to New York Law or the Laws of one of the other states of the United States or, if not appropriate for a given Transfer or Assumption, and for Transfers or Assumptions to be effected pursuant to non-U.S. Laws, in such form as the Parties shall reasonably agree, including the Transfer of real property by mutually acceptable conveyance deeds as may be appropriate and in form and substance as may be required by the jurisdiction in which the real property is located. The Transfer of capital stock shall be effected by means of executed stock powers and notation on the stock record books of the corporation or other legal entities involved, or by such other means as may be required in any non-U.S. jurisdiction to Transfer title to stock and, only to the extent required by applicable Law, by notation on public registries.

 

30


Section 2.7. Further Assurances .

(a) In addition to and without limiting the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, including Section 2.5 , each of the Parties shall cooperate with each other and use (and shall cause its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates to use) commercially reasonable efforts, at and after the Effective Time, to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary on its part under applicable Law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, at and after the Effective Time, each Party shall cooperate with the other Parties, and, subject to Section 2.5 , from and after the Effective Time, to execute and deliver, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of Transfer or title, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Consents and/or Governmental Approvals, any permit, license, Contract, indenture or other instrument (including any Consents or Governmental Approvals), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by any other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the Transfers of the applicable Assets and the assignment and Assumption of the applicable Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall, subject to Section 2.5, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party such title and such rights as possessed by the transferring Party to the Assets allocated to such other Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.

(c) At or prior to the Effective Time, each of HLT, PK and HGV shall enter into, and/or (where applicable) shall cause a member or members of their respective Group to enter into, the Specified Ancillary Agreements and shall, subject to Section 2.5 , use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into any other Ancillary Agreements and any other Contracts in respect of the Distributions reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby ( provided , however , that for the avoidance of doubt the Managing and Franchising Agreements shall not become effective until after the Distributions).

Section 2.8. Guarantees; Letters of Credit .

(a) Except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.8(b) , any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable (an “ Existing Guarantor ”), shall remain as the guarantor or obligor under any guarantee and/or letter of credit by such Existing Guarantor in favor of any member of another Group (a “ Guaranteed Party ”) to which it is a party, and the applicable Guaranteed Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the Existing Guarantor for any Indemnifiable Loss arising from or relating thereto (in accordance with the provisions of Article VII ).

(b) With respect to those guarantees and/or letters of credit set forth on Schedule 2.8(b) , (i) HLT shall (with the reasonable cooperation of the applicable member of the HGV Group or PK Group) use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any member of the HGV Group and/or the PK Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any HLT Retained Liability to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, including in respect of those guarantees set forth on Schedule 2.8(b)(i) , to the extent that they relate to HLT Retained Liabilities, (ii) PK shall (with the reasonable cooperation of the applicable member of the HLT Group or HGV Group) use commercially reasonable efforts to have any member of the HLT Group and/or the HGV Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Ownership Liability to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, including in respect of those guarantees set forth on Schedule 2.8(b)(ii) , to the extent that they relate to Ownership Liabilities and (iii) HGV shall (with the

 

31


reasonable cooperation of the applicable member of the HLT Group or PK Group) use commercially reasonably efforts to have any member of the HLT Group and/or the PK Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Timeshare Liability, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, including in respect of those guarantees set forth on Schedule 2.8(b)(iii) , to the extent that they relate to Timeshare Liabilities.

(c) At or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent required to obtain a release from a guaranty (a “ Guaranty Release ”) in accordance with Section 2.8(b) :

(i) of any member of the HLT Group, PK and/or HGV shall, as applicable, execute a guaranty agreement substantially in the form of the existing guaranty or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guaranty agreement, except to the extent that such existing guaranty contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which PK or HGV, as the case may be, would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which would be reasonably expected to be breached;

(ii) of any member of the PK Group, HLT and/or HGV shall, as applicable, execute a guaranty agreement substantially in the form of the existing guaranty or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guaranty agreement, except to the extent that such existing guaranty contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which HLT or HGV, as the case may be, would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which would be reasonably expected to be breached; and

(iii) of any member of the HGV Group, HLT and/or PK, shall, as applicable, execute a guaranty agreement substantially in the form of the existing guaranty or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guaranty agreement, except to the extent that such existing guaranty contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which HLT or PK, as the case may be, would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which would be reasonably expected to be breached.

(d) If HLT, PK or HGV is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal as set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 2.8 , (i) the relevant member of the HLT Group, PK Group or HGV Group, as applicable, that has assumed the underlying Liability with respect to such guaranty shall indemnify and hold harmless the guarantor or obligor for any Indemnifiable Loss arising from or relating thereto (in accordance with the provisions of Article VII ) and shall or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor to pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor thereunder and (ii) each of HLT, PK and HGV, on behalf of themselves and the members of their respective Groups, agree not to renew or extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or Transfer to a third party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which another Party or member of such Party’s Group is or may be liable without the prior written consent of such other Party, unless all obligations of such other Party and the other members of such Party’s Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such Party; provided , however , with respect to leases, in the event a Guaranty Release is not obtained and the relevant beneficiary wishes to extend the term of such guaranteed lease, then such beneficiary shall have the option of extending the term if it provides such security as is reasonably satisfactory to the guarantor under such guaranteed lease.

Section 2.9. Return of Assets and Payments .

(a) In the event that, at any time from and after the Effective Time, any Party (or any member of its Group) discovers that it or one of the members of its Group is the owner of, receives or

 

32


otherwise comes to possess or benefit from any Asset (including the receipt of payments made pursuant to Contracts and proceeds from accounts receivable with respect to such Asset) or is liable for any Liability that is otherwise allocated to any Person that is a member of the other Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except in the case of any acquisition of Assets or assumption of Liabilities from the other Party for value subsequent to the Effective Time), such Party shall promptly Transfer, or cause to be Transferred, such Asset or Liability to the Person so entitled thereto (and the applicable Party shall cause such entitled Person to accept such Asset or Assume such Liability) for no further consideration. Prior to any such transfer, such Asset shall be held in accordance with the other provisions of Section 2.5 .

(b) After the Effective Time, each Party (or any member of its Group) may receive mail, packages and other communications properly belonging to another Party (or any member of its Group). Accordingly, at all times after the Effective Time, each Party is hereby authorized to receive and open all mail, packages and other communications received by such Party that belongs to such other Party, and to the extent that they do not relate to the business of the receiving Party, the receiving Party shall promptly deliver such mail, packages or other communications (or, in case the same also relates to the business of the receiving Party or another Party, copies thereof) to such other Party as provided for in Section 11.6 . The provisions of this Section 2.9(b) are not intended to, and shall not, be deemed to constitute an authorization by any Party to permit the other to accept service of process on its behalf and no Party is or shall be deemed to be the agent of any other Party for service of process purposes.

(c) As between any two Parties (and the members of their respective Group) all payments and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by any Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a Business, Asset or Liability of another Party (or member of its Group), shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and, promptly upon receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall pay or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to pay over to the Party entitled thereto the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.

Section 2.10. Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH OF HLT (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE HLT GROUP), PK (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE PK GROUP), AND HGV (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE HGV GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY CONTINUING ARRANGEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR OTHERWISE, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES CONTRIBUTED, TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, AS TO ANY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS, RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, ENCUMBRANCE OR LIEN, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY CONTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT, CERTIFICATE OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL SUCH ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL

 

33


PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (I) ANY CONVEYANCE SHALL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, ENCUMBRANCE OR LIEN AND (II) ANY NECESSARY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

ARTICLE III

CERTAIN ACTIONS AT OR PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 3.1. Certificates of Incorporation; By-laws .

(a) PK . On or prior to the Distribution Date, all necessary actions shall be taken to adopt the form of amended and restated certificate of incorporation and form of amended and restated by-laws filed by PK with the Commission as exhibits to the PK Form 10, to be effective as of the Effective Time.

(b) HGV . On or prior to the Distribution Date, all necessary actions shall be taken to adopt the form of amended and restated certificate of incorporation and form of amended and restated by-laws filed by HGV with the Commission as exhibits to the HGV Form 10, to be effective as of the Effective Time.

Section 3.2. Directors .

(a) HLT . On or prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall take all necessary actions, including procuring the resignations of the directors named on Schedule 3.2(a) , such that, at the Effective Time, its Board shall include the individuals named on Schedule 3.2(a) .

(b) PK . On or prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall take all necessary action to cause the Board of Directors of PK to include, at the Effective Time, the individuals identified in the PK Information Statement as director nominees of PK.

(c) HGV . On or prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall take all necessary action to cause the Board of Directors of HGV to include, at the Effective Time, the individuals identified in the HGV Information Statement as director nominees of HGV.

Section 3.3. Officers .

(a) HLT . On or prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall take all necessary actions, including procuring the resignations of its officers, such that at the Effective Time its officers shall be the individuals named on Schedule 3.3(a) .

(b) PK . On or prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall take all necessary action to cause the individuals identified as such in the PK Information Statement to be officers of PK as of the Effective Time.

(c) HGV . On or prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall take all necessary action to cause the individuals identified as such in the HGV Information Statement to be officers of HGV as of the Effective Time.

 

34


Section 3.4. Resignations and Removals .

(a) PK . On or prior to the Distribution Date or as soon thereafter as practicable, (i) HLT shall cause all of its employees and any employees of its Subsidiaries (excluding any employees of any member of the PK Group) to resign or be removed, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any member of the PK Group in which they serve, and (ii) PK shall cause all of its employees and any employees of its Subsidiaries to resign, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any members of the HLT Group or the HGV Group in which they serve.

(b) HGV . On or prior to the Distribution Date or as soon thereafter as practicable, (i) HLT shall cause all of its employees and any employees of its Subsidiaries (excluding any employees of any member of the HGV Group) to resign or be removed, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any member of the HGV Group in which they serve, and (ii) HGV shall cause all of its employees and any employees of its Subsidiaries to resign, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any members of the HLT Group or the PK Group in which they serve.

(c) No Person shall be required by any Party to resign from any position or office with another Party if such Person is disclosed in the applicable Information Statement as the Person who is to hold such position or office following the applicable Distribution.

ARTICLE IV

EFFECTING THE DISTRIBUTION; CONDITIONS TO THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 4.1. Stock Dividends to HLT Stockholders .

(a) PK . On the Distribution Date, HLT shall cause the Distribution Agent to distribute all of the outstanding shares of PK Common Stock then owned by HLT to holders of HLT Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date, and to credit the appropriate number of such shares of PK Common Stock to book entry accounts for each such holder or designated transferee or transferees of such holder of PK Common Stock. For stockholders of HLT who own HLT Common Stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of HLT Common Stock shall be credited to their respective accounts by such broker or nominee. Unless otherwise provided for in the Employee Matters Agreement, each holder of HLT Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date (or such holder’s designated transferee or transferees) shall be entitled to receive in the PK Distribution one (1) share of PK Common Stock, or such other number of shares of PK Common Stock as shall have been approved by the Board and set forth in the PK Information Statement, for every                 share[s] of HLT Common Stock held by such stockholder. No action by any such stockholder shall be necessary for such stockholder (or such stockholder’s designated transferee or transferees) to receive the applicable number of shares (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of any fractional shares) of PK Common Stock such stockholder is entitled to in the PK Distribution. HLT shall cause the Distribution Agent to aggregate fractional shares to which holders of HLT Common Stock would otherwise be entitled into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder of HLT Common Stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the PK Distribution.

(b) HGV . On the Distribution Date, HLT shall cause the Distribution Agent to distribute all of the outstanding shares of HGV Common Stock then owned by HLT to holders of HLT Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date, and to credit the appropriate number of such shares of HGV Common

 

35


Stock to book entry accounts for each such holder or designated transferee or transferees of such holder of HGV Common Stock. For stockholders of HLT who own HLT Common Stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of HGV Common Stock shall be credited to their respective accounts by such broker or nominee. Unless otherwise provided for in the Employee Matters Agreement, each holder of HLT Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date (or such holder’s designated transferee or transferees) shall be entitled to receive in the HGV Distribution one (1) share of HGV Common Stock, or such other number of shares of HGV Common Stock as shall have been approved by the Board and set forth in the HGV Information Statement, for every                 share[s] of HLT Common Stock held by such stockholder. No action by any such stockholder shall be necessary for such stockholder (or such stockholder’s designated transferee or transferees) to receive the applicable number of shares (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of any fractional shares) of HGV Common Stock such stockholder is entitled in the HGV Distribution. HLT shall cause the Distribution Agent to aggregate fractional shares to which holders of HLT Common Stock would otherwise be entitled into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder of HLT Common Stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the HGV Distribution.

Section 4.2. Actions in Connection with the Distribution .

(a) Prior to the Distribution Date, each of PK and HGV shall file such amendments and supplements to their respective Form 10s as HLT may reasonably request, and such amendments as may be necessary in order to cause the same to become and remain effective as required by Law, including filing such amendments and supplements to their respective Form 10s as may be required by the Commission or federal, state or foreign securities Laws. Each of PK and HGV shall mail to the holders of HLT Common Stock, at such time on or prior to the Distribution Date as HLT shall determine, a Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials, as well as any other information concerning PK or HGV, as applicable, their business, operations and management, the Plan of Reorganization, the PK Distribution or HGV Distribution, as applicable, and such other matters as HLT shall reasonably determine are necessary and as may be required by Law. Promptly after receiving a request from HLT, to the extent requested, each of PK and HGV shall prepare and, in accordance with applicable Law, file with the Commission any such documentation that HLT reasonably determines is necessary or desirable to effectuate the applicable Distribution, and HLT, PK and HGV shall each use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the Commission with respect thereto as soon as practicable.

(b) Each of PK and HGV shall use commercially reasonable efforts in preparing, filing with the Commission and causing to become effective, as soon as reasonably practicable (but in any case prior to the Effective Time), effective registration statements or amendments thereof which are required in connection with the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit plans of such Party.

(c) To the extent not already approved and effective, each of PK and HGV shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have approved and made effective, the respective application for the original listing of the PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock, as applicable, to be distributed in the applicable Distribution on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution.

(d) Each Party shall provide all cooperation reasonably requested by the other Parties that is necessary or desirable in connection with the Financing Arrangements.

(e) Nothing in this Section 4.2 shall be deemed to shift or otherwise impose Liability for any portion of such Form 10s or Information Statements to HLT.

 

36


Section 4.3. Sole Discretion of HLT . HLT shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the Distribution Date, the Effective Time and all other terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transactions and/or offerings to effect the Distribution and the timing of and conditions to the consummation thereof. In addition, HLT may, in accordance with Section 11.10, at any time and from time to time until the completion of the Distribution decide to abandon the PK Distribution and/or the HGV Distribution or modify or change the terms of the PK Distribution and/or the HGV Distribution, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution. Without limiting the foregoing, HLT shall have the right not to complete the Distribution if, at any time prior to the Effective Time, the Board shall have determined, in its sole discretion, that the Distribution is not in the best interests of HLT or its stockholders.

Section 4.4. Conditions to the Distribution . Subject to Section 4.3 , the following are conditions to the consummation of the Distribution. The conditions are for the sole benefit of HLT and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of HLT or the Board to waive or not waive any such condition.

(a) The applicable Form 10 shall have been declared effective by the Commission, no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission, and the applicable Information Statement (or applicable Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials) shall have been mailed to the holders of HLT Common Stock;

(b) With respect to the (i) PK Distribution, the PK Common Stock to be delivered in the PK Distribution shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution and (ii) HGV Distribution, the HGV Common Stock to be delivered in the HGV Distribution shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution;

(c) Prior to the Distribution Date, HLT shall have obtained an opinion from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, its tax counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to HLT (in its sole discretion), to the effect that the Distribution should qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code;

(d) On or prior to the Distribution Date, Blackstone shall have delivered the Waiver Letter to PK;

(e) Prior to the Distribution Date, with respect to the PK Distribution, PK shall have obtained an opinion from Hogan Lovells US LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to PK, to the effect that, commencing with PK’s taxable year ending December 31, 2016, PK should have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation should enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;

(f) The IRS Ruling shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect;

(g) Prior to the Distribution Date, the Board shall have obtained opinions from a nationally recognized valuation firm, in form and substance satisfactory to HLT, with respect to the capital adequacy and solvency of each of HLT, PK and HGV after giving effect to the Distribution;

(h) Any material Governmental Approvals and other Consents necessary to consummate the applicable Distribution or any portion thereof shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, it being understood that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Governmental Approvals and Consents contemplated by Section 2.5 shall not be deemed necessary to consummate any Distribution;

 

37


(i) No order, injunction or decree issued by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of all or any portion of the applicable Distribution shall be pending, threatened, issued or in effect, and no other event outside the control of HLT shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of all or any portion of the applicable Distribution;

(j) No other events or developments shall have occurred or failed to occur prior to the Distribution Date that, in the judgment of the Board, would result in the Distribution having a material adverse effect on HLT or its stockholders;

(k) The Financing Arrangements described in the applicable Information Statements as having occurred prior to the Distribution shall have been consummated on or prior to the Distribution;

(l) The Plan of Reorganization shall have been completed, except for such steps as HLT in its sole discretion shall have determined may be completed after the Effective Time;

(m) The actions and events set forth in Sections 3.1 , 3.2 and 3.3 shall have occurred;

(n) The Board shall have approved the Distribution, which approval may be given or withheld at its absolute and sole discretion;

(o) Each Specified Ancillary Agreement shall have been executed by each party thereto.

ARTICLE V

CERTAIN COVENANTS

Section 5.1. Intellectual Property . Each Party shall not use or exploit the Intellectual Property of the other Parties after the Effective Time, except (i) as permitted in the Ancillary Agreements, (ii) as required by applicable Law, (iii) as permitted by the “fair use” or similar doctrines or defenses, or (iv) for neutral, non-trademark use of the other Parties’ Trademarks to describe the history of each Party’s respective business. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, effective as of the Distribution Date, HLT grants to the Subsidiaries of PK a non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-assignable license to continue to maintain and renew any corporate or trade name registrations that (i) contain any Trademarks owned by HLT or its Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date, (ii) are owned by such Subsidiaries of PK as of the Distribution Date and (iii) are duly registered and are in good standing (and are used in connection with Subsidiaries of PK that exist and are in good standing) as of the Distribution Date. The above license does not give PK and its Subsidiaries the right to (a) file for new registrations containing any Trademarks owned by HLT or its Subsidiaries, (b) use any Trademarks owned by HLT or its Subsidiaries as the corporate, trade or other name of any entity not in existence and good standing as of the Distribution Date, (c) represent to any Person that PK or any of its Subsidiaries is affiliated with or doing business as HLT or an Affiliate thereof or (d) make trademark use of any Trademark owned by HLT or its Subsidiaries or apply to register or register any such Trademarks (as any type of Trademark) or use such Trademarks in any manner other than as set forth above.

Section 5.2. Administration of Specified Shared Expenses . HLT shall be responsible for administering each Specified Shared Expense. Each Party shall be responsible for payment of its Applicable Percentage of any Specified Shared Expense, except with respect to certain Specified Shared Expenses otherwise allocated among the Parties as set forth on Schedule 1.1(98) . HLT shall invoice each of PK and HGV on a quarterly basis, and PK and HGV shall each promptly following invoice reimburse HLT for its allocable share of such Specified Shared Expenses. In addition, HLT shall, in connection with each invoice, provide a quarterly estimated budget (for informational and planning purposes only) to PK and HGV of Specified Shared Expenses for the following quarter.

 

38


Section 5.3. Cooperation . From and after the Effective Time and subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Agreement (including Section 8.6 ) and the Ancillary Agreements, each Party shall, and shall cause each of its respective Affiliates and employees to, (i) provide reasonable cooperation and assistance to each other Party (and any member of their respective Groups) in connection with the completion of the Plan of Reorganization (including assisting in the preparation of the Distributions) and the Distributions, (ii) provide knowledge transfer regarding its applicable Business or HLT’s historical business at the reasonable request of another Party, (iii) reasonably assist each other Party in the orderly and efficient transition in becoming an independent company to the extent set forth in the Transition Services Agreement and (iv) reasonably assist each other Party to which such Party is providing or has provided services, as applicable, pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, in connection with requests for information from, audits or other examinations of, such other Party by a Governmental Entity; in each case, except as set forth in Section 2.5 , as may otherwise be agreed to by the Parties in writing or as contemplated by the immediately following sentence, at no additional cost to the Party requesting such assistance other than for the actual out-of-pocket costs (which shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees of such Party or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service with respect to the foregoing) incurred by any such Party, if applicable. If an employee of one Party is requested to dedicate a significant portion or his or her working time to a project requested by another Party, the Parties agree that such services shall only be provided if contemplated by the Transition Services Agreement, in which case such services shall be provided in accordance with the terms of the Transition Services Agreement. In furtherance of, and without limiting, the foregoing, each Party shall make reasonably available those employees with particular knowledge of any function or service of which another Party was not allocated the employees, agents or consultants involved in such function or service in connection with the Plan of Reorganization (including, employee benefits functions, risk management, etc.) and the Distributions.

Section 5.4. Periodic Meetings . Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, at least once during each fiscal quarter during the two (2) year period following the Distribution Date, the Parties shall hold a meeting for the purpose of sharing Information related to this Agreement, any Shared Contingent Liabilities or the preparation of any Party’s financial statements. Each Party shall designate between one (1) and three (3) persons as its standing representatives for such meetings. The Managing Party shall be responsible for scheduling such meeting at reasonably consistent and convenient times and on no less than thirty (30) days’ notice. The Parties’ standing representatives and others may participate in such meetings in person or other medium by which all participants may hear each other.

Section 5.5. No Solicit; No Hire .

(a) None of HLT, PK or HGV or any member of their respective Groups shall, from the Effective Time through and including the date set forth on Schedule 5.5 , without the prior written consent of the applicable Party, directly or indirectly, recruit, solicit, hire or retain any person who is an employee specified on Schedule 5.5 of any other Party or its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time or induce, or attempt to induce, any such employee to terminate his or her employment with, or otherwise cease his or her relationship with, any other Party or its Subsidiaries; provided , however , that (i) nothing in this Section 5.5 shall be deemed to prohibit any general solicitation for employment through advertisements and search firms not specifically directed at employees of such other applicable Party or, except with respect to employees defined as “CEOs” and “Directly Reporting Employees” on Schedule 5.5 , any hiring as a result thereof, and (ii) the prohibitions of this Section 5.5 shall not apply (A) with respect to employees who have been terminated by a Party and (B) following a Change in Control of HLT, PK or

 

39


HGV, as applicable, with respect to the employees of such Party. The Parties agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event that the provisions of this Section 5.5 were not performed in accordance with their specific terms. Accordingly, it is hereby agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In respect of countries whose local Laws declare as invalid or unenforceable or prohibit any agreement between employers not to hire Employees (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) of the other, the Parties shall not have an agreement not to hire Employees of the other but agree not to actively solicit the services of each other’s Employees for such period on and after the Effective Time as specified in this Section 5.5 .

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Change in Control ” shall mean, with respect to any of HLT, PK or HGV, the occurrence of any one of the following after the Effective Time: (i) the direct or indirect Transfer (other than by way of merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, and those of such Party’s Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to one or more Persons, other than to such Party or one of such Party’s Subsidiaries; (ii) the first day on which a majority of the members of the board of directors of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, is not composed of Continuing Directors; (iii) the consummation of any transaction including any merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation the result of which is that any Person becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable; (iv) any of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, consolidate with, or merge with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, any of HLT, PK or HGV, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding voting stock of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, or of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of such Party’s voting stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the voting stock of the surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction; or (v) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution (other than a liquidation into a newly formed holding company) of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction described in clause (iii) above will not be deemed to involve a Change in Control if (a) HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company (which shall include a parent company) and (b)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as, and hold in substantially the same proportions as, the holders of such Party’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no Person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly of more than 50% of the then outstanding voting stock, measured by voting power, of such holding company. Following any such transaction referred to in the foregoing sentence, references in this definition to HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, shall be deemed to refer to such holding company. For the purposes of this definition, “person” and “beneficial owner” have the meanings used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ARTICLE VI

SHARED CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Section 6.1. Shared Contingent Liabilities . From and after the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Article VI or the Tax Matters Agreement (with respect to Taxes) and without limiting the indemnification provisions of Article VII , HLT, PK and HGV shall each be responsible for (i) its Applicable Percentage of any Shared Contingent Liabilities pursuant to and in

 

40


accordance with the relevant provisions of Article VII and, without duplication, (ii) its Applicable Percentage of any Specified Shared Expenses related to or arising out of any Shared Contingent Liability. Any amounts owed in respect of any Shared Contingent Liabilities other than Specified Shared Expenses (which are addressed pursuant to Section 5.2 ) shall be remitted promptly after the Party entitled to such amount provides an invoice (including reasonable supporting Information with respect thereto and a calculation of the amounts owed by each Party based on such Party’s Applicable Percentage) to the Party or Parties owing such amount and such costs and expenses shall be included in the calculation of the amount of the applicable Shared Contingent Liability in determining the reimbursement obligations of the other Parties with respect thereto; provided , however , that if so directed by the Party providing the invoice, in lieu of remitting amounts directly to the Party providing the invoice, the owing Party shall remit the owed amount directly to the appropriate third party or parties or to an account established by the invoicing Party for the benefit of the Parties, in which case each Party shall contribute its Applicable Percentage of such amount to such account for the benefit of the Parties. It shall not be a defense to any obligation by any Party to pay any amounts, whether pursuant to this Article VI or in respect of Indemnifiable Losses pursuant to Article VII , in respect of any Shared Contingent Liability that (i) such Party was not consulted in the defense or management thereof, (ii) that such Party’s views or opinions as to the conduct of such defense were not accepted or adopted, (iii) that such Party does not approve of the quality or manner of the defense thereof or (iv) that such Shared Contingent Liability was incurred by reason of a settlement rather than by a judgment or other determination of Liability.

Section 6.2. Management of Shared Contingent Liabilities .

(a) “ Managing Party ” shall initially mean HLT or such other Party as may be identified on Schedule 1.1(97) ; provided , however , another Party may become the Managing Party with respect to any Shared Contingent Liabilities or other matters set forth in this Agreement upon the prior written agreement of each of the Parties.

(b) Except as provided in the Tax Matters Agreement (with respect to management of Tax Contests), the Managing Party shall, on behalf of the other Parties, have sole and exclusive authority to, and shall actively and diligently, commence, prosecute, manage, control, conduct or defend (or assume or conduct the defense of) or otherwise determine all matters whatsoever (including, as applicable, litigation strategy and choice of legal counsel or other professionals) with respect to, on behalf of the other Parties, any Action or Third Party Claim with respect to a Shared Contingent Liability (including with respect to those Shared Contingent Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(97) ). The Managing Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify the other Parties in the event that it receives notice of any Shared Contingent Liability including any claim or demand relating thereto; provided , that the failure to provide such notice shall not give rise to any rights on the part of the other Parties against the Managing Party or affect any other provision of this Section 6.2 , except to the extent any Party is actually and materially prejudiced thereby in a manner different from any other Party. No Party other than the Managing Party shall consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to any Shared Contingent Liability without the prior written consent of the Managing Party and the other Party. Any settlement by the Managing Party shall be subject to without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(c) The Managing Party shall on a quarterly basis, or if a material development occurs as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, inform the other Parties of the status of and developments relating to any matter involving a Shared Contingent Liability and provide copies of any material document, notices or other materials related to such matters; provided , that the failure to provide any such information shall not be a basis for liability of the Managing Party except and solely to the extent the receiving Party shall have been actually and materially prejudiced thereby in a manner different than any other Party. Each Party shall cooperate fully with the Managing Party in its management of any of such

 

41


Shared Contingent Liability and shall take such actions in connection therewith that the Managing Party reasonably requests (including providing access to such Party’s Records and other Information and employees as set forth in Section 6.3 ).

(d) In the event of any dispute as to whether any Liability is a Shared Contingent Liability as set forth in Section 6.4(b) , the Managing Party may, but shall not be obligated to, commence prosecution or other assertion of such claim or right pending resolution of such dispute. In the event that the Managing Party commences any such prosecution or assertion and, upon resolution of the dispute (pursuant to Article IX or otherwise), it is determined that such Liability is not a Shared Contingent Liability and that such Liability belongs to another Party, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Managing Party shall cease the prosecution or assertion of such right or claim and the applicable Parties shall cooperate to transfer the control thereof to the applicable other Party. In such event, the applicable other Party shall promptly reimburse the Managing Party (or any other Party who has fronted costs and expenses) for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred to such date in connection with the prosecution or assertion of such claim or right (which shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees of the Managing Party or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service with respect to the foregoing).

Section 6.3. Access to Information; Certain Services; Expenses .

(a) Access to Information and Employees by the Managing Party . Unless otherwise prohibited by Law, in connection with the management and disposition of any Shared Contingent Liability, each of the Parties shall make readily available to and afford to the Managing Party and its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access, subject to appropriate restrictions for classified Information, Confidential Information or Privileged Information, to the employees, properties, Records and other Information of such Party and the members of such Party’s Group insofar as such access relates to the relevant Shared Contingent Liability; it being understood by the Parties that such access as well as any services provided pursuant to Section 6.3(b) below may require a significant time commitment on the part of such Party’s employees and that any such commitment shall not otherwise limit any of the rights or obligations set forth in this Article VI ; it also being understood that such access and such services provided shall not unreasonably interfere with any of such Party’s employees’ normal functions. Nothing in this Section 6.3(a) shall require any Party to violate any agreement with any third party regarding the confidentiality of confidential and proprietary information relating to that third party or its business; provided , however , that in the event that a Party is required to disclose any such Information, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain such third party’s written consent to the disclosure of such Information.

(b) Certain Services . Each of HLT, PK and HGV shall make available to the others, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, counsel and agents to assist in the management (including, if applicable, as witnesses in any Action) of any Shared Contingent Liabilities to the extent that such Persons may reasonably be required in connection with the prosecution, defense or day-to-day management of any Shared Contingent Liability. In respect of the foregoing, Schedule 1.1(97) sets forth certain identified Shared Contingent Liabilities, respectively, and identify (but do not limit) those employees and agents who shall assist the Managing Party in its management of such Shared Contingent Liabilities.

(c) Costs and Expenses Relating to Access by the Managing Party . Except as otherwise provided in any Ancillary Agreement, the provision of access and other services pursuant to this Section 6.3 (including by the Managing Party) shall be borne by the Party providing such access and services (other than for actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses, which shall constitute Specified Shared Expenses) and shall be shared by the other Parties accordingly.

 

42


(d) Other Specified Shared Expenses . The Managing Party (and the Party or Parties providing assistance to the Managing Party pursuant to Section 6.3(b) ) shall be entitled, upon presentation of reasonable supporting documentation thereof, to reimbursement by the other Parties (in accordance with their Applicable Percentages) of any out-of-pocket costs and expenses (which shall include, in the case of the Managing Party, the pro rata portion of the costs of salaries and benefits of such employees with respect to whom at least             % of their professional time over a period of one month or greater is dedicated to the management or defense of such Shared Contingent Liability) related to or arising out of defending or managing any such Shared Contingent Liability from PK and HGV, as applicable, from time to time when invoiced, but no more frequently than quarterly, in advance of a final determination or resolution of any Action related to a Shared Contingent Liability. Specified Shared Expenses in respect of Shared Contingent Liabilities shall also include the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of defending, managing or providing assistance to the Managing Party pursuant to Section 6.3(b) with respect to any Third Party Claim that is a Shared Contingent Liability, which shall include any amounts with respect to a bond, prepayment or similar security or obligation required (or determined to be advisable by the Managing Party) to be posted by the Managing Party in respect of any claim and shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service with respect to the foregoing).

Section 6.4. Notice Relating to Shared Contingent Liabilities; Disputes .

(a) In the event that any Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Affiliates, becomes aware of (i) any Liability that may be a Shared Contingent Liability, (ii) any matter or occurrence that has given or could give rise to a Shared Contingent Liability or (iii) any matter that is material and is reasonably relevant to the Managing Party’s ongoing or future management, prosecution, defense and/or administration of any Shared Contingent Liability, such Party shall promptly (but in any event within thirty (30) days of becoming aware, unless, by its nature the subject matter of such notice would reasonably require earlier notice) notify each of the Managing Party and the other Party of any such matter (setting forth in reasonable detail the subject matter thereof); provided , however , that no Party shall be liable for the failure to provide such notice except and solely to the extent the Managing Party and the other Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure in a manner different than any other Party.

(b) In the event that any Party disagrees whether a claim, obligation or Liability is a Shared Contingent Liability or whether such claim, obligation or Liability is a Liability allocated to one of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then such matter shall be resolved pursuant to and in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions set forth in Article IX .

Section 6.5. Cooperation with Governmental Entity . If, in connection with any Shared Contingent Liability, a Party is required by Law to respond to and/or cooperate with a Governmental Entity, such Party shall be entitled to cooperate and respond to such Governmental Entity after, to the extent practicable under the specific circumstances, consultation with the Managing Party with respect to such Shared Contingent Liability; provided , that to the extent such consultation was not practicable such Party shall promptly inform the Managing Party of such cooperation and/or response to the Governmental Entity and the subject matter thereof. In the event that any Party is requested or required by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Shared Contingent Liability pursuant to written or oral question or request for Information or documents in any legal or administrative proceeding, review, interrogatory, subpoena, investigation, demand, or similar process, such Party shall notify the Managing Party promptly of the request or requirement and such Party’s response thereto, and shall use

 

43


commercially reasonable efforts to consult with the Managing Party with respect to the nature of such Party’s response to the extent practicable and not in violation of any attorney-client Privilege or legal process.

Section 6.6. Default . In the event that one or more of the Parties defaults in any full or partial payment in respect of any Shared Contingent Liability (as provided in this Article VI and in Article VII ), including the payment of the costs and expenses of the Managing Party, then each non-defaulting Party (including HLT) shall be required to pay its relative Applicable Percentage of the amount in default; provided , however , that any such payment by a non-defaulting Party shall in no way release the defaulting Party from its obligations to pay its obligations in respect of such Shared Contingent Liability (both for past and future obligations) and any non-defaulting Party may exercise any available legal remedies available against such defaulting Party.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1. Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .

(a) Except (i) as provided in Section 7.1(b) , (ii) as may be otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement and (iii) for any matter for which any Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VII , each Party (A) for itself and each member of its respective Group, their respective Affiliates as of the Effective Time and all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time were directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of their Group (in their respective capacities as such), in each case, together with their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, does hereby remise, release and forever discharge the other Parties and the other members of such other Parties’ Group, their respective Affiliates and all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time were stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of such other Parties (in their respective capacities as such), in each case, together with their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever, whether at Law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Plan of Reorganization and all other activities to implement the Plan of Reorganization and the Distributions and any of the other transactions contemplated hereunder and under the Ancillary Agreements and (B) in any event will not, and will cause its respective Subsidiaries not to, bring any Action or claim against any member of the other Groups in respect of any such Liabilities.

(b) Nothing contained in Section 7.1(a) shall impair or otherwise affect any right of any Party and, as applicable, a member of such Party’s Group, to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings contemplated in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to continue in effect after the Effective Time. In addition, nothing contained in Section 7.1(a) shall release any Person from:

(i) any Liability Assumed, Transferred or allocated to a Party or a member of such Party’s Group pursuant to or contemplated by, or any other Liability of any member of such Group under, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement including (A) with respect to any Shared Contingent Liability, (B) with respect to HLT, any HLT Retained Liability, (C) with respect to PK, any Ownership Liability and (D) with respect to HGV, any Timeshare Liability;

 

44


(ii) any Liability for unpaid amounts for products or services or refunds owing on products or services due on a value-received basis for work done by a member of one Group or its Affiliates at the request or on behalf of a member of another Group;

(iii) any Liability provided in or resulting from any other Contract or understanding that is entered into after the Effective Time between any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group), on the one hand, and any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group), on the other hand;

(iv) any Liability with respect to any Continuing Arrangements set forth on Schedule 1.1(20) ; and

(v) any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise for claims brought against the Parties by other Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Agreement and, in particular, this Article VII and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements.

In addition, nothing contained in Section 7.1(a) shall release HLT from indemnifying any director, officer or employee of PK and HGV who was a director, officer or employee of HLT or any of its Affiliates prior to the Effective Time or the Distribution Date, as the case may be, to the extent such director, officer or employee is or becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which he or she was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to then existing obligations.

(c) Each Party shall not, and shall not permit any member of its Group to, make any claim, demand or offset, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against any other Party or any member of any other Party’s Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 7.1(a) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 7.1(a) .

(d) It is the intent of each Party, by virtue of the provisions of this Section 7.1 , to provide, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, for a full and complete release and discharge of all Liabilities existing or arising from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur and all conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, whether known or unknown, between or among any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, and any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group), on the other hand (including any contractual agreements or arrangements existing or alleged to exist between or among any such members at or before the Effective Time), except as specifically set forth in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) . At any time, at the reasonable request of any other Party, each Party shall cause each member of its respective Group and, to the extent practicable, each other Person on whose behalf it released Liabilities pursuant to this Section 7.1 to execute and deliver releases, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, reflecting the provisions hereof.

Section 7.2. Indemnification by HLT . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement or of any Ancillary Agreement, following the Effective Time, HLT shall and shall cause the other members of the HLT Group to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Ownership Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Ownership Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees, respectively, arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (a) the HLT Retained Liabilities or alleged HLT Retained Liabilities or (b) any breach by HLT of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides for separate indemnification therein, in which case any such indemnification claims shall be made thereunder. In furtherance of the foregoing, HLT and OpCo shall be jointly and severally liable to any of the Ownership Indemnitees for any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Ownership Indemnitees arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the foregoing.

 

45


Section 7.3. Indemnification by PK . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement or of any Ancillary Agreement, following the Effective Time, PK shall and shall cause the other members of the PK Group to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees, respectively, arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (a) the Ownership Liabilities or alleged Ownership Liabilities or (b) any breach by PK of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides for separate indemnification therein, in which case any such indemnification claims shall be made thereunder. In furtherance of the foregoing, any and all payments by PK or any other members of the PK Group in respect of Indemnifiable Losses of the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the foregoing shall be made directly to OpCo or one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Section 7.4. Indemnification by HGV . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement or of any Ancillary Agreement, following the Effective Time, HGV shall and shall cause the other members of the HGV Group to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Ownership Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Ownership Indemnitees, respectively, arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (a) the Timeshare Liabilities or alleged Timeshare Liabilities or (b) any breach by HGV of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides for separate indemnification therein, in which case any such indemnification claims shall be made thereunder.

Section 7.5. Procedures for Indemnification .

(a) Other than with respect to Third Party Claims, which shall be governed by Section 7.5(b) , and Shared Contingent Liabilities, which shall be governed by Section 6.4 , each Managing and Franchising Indemnitee, Ownership Indemnitee and Timeshare Indemnitee (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) shall notify in writing, with respect to any matter that such Indemnitee has determined has given or could give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party which is or may be required pursuant to this Article VII or pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement to make such indemnification (the “ Indemnifying Party ”), within thirty (30) days of such determination, stating the amount of the Indemnifiable Loss claimed, if known, and method of computation thereof, and referring to the provisions of this Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed by such Indemnitee or arises; provided , however , that the failure to provide such written notice shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure. Each such Indemnitee shall provide the applicable Indemnifying Party with reasonable access, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere in any material respect with the normal business operations of such Indemnitee, to its books and records, properties and personnel relating to the claim the Indemnitee has determined has given or could give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

(b) Third Party Claims . If a claim or demand is made against an Indemnitee by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement (a “ Third Party Claim ”) as to which such Indemnitee is or may be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third Party Claim promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third Party

 

46


Claim; provided , however , that the failure to provide notice of any such Third Party Claim pursuant to this or the preceding sentence shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure. If any Party shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion of a Third Party Claim which may reasonably be determined to be a Shared Contingent Liability, such Party, as appropriate, shall give the Managing Party written notice thereof within thirty (30) days after such Person becomes aware of such Third Party Claim subject to and in compliance with Section 6.4 ; provided, however, that if the first notice is a lawsuit or other notice documentation requiring a timely response, such notice documentation shall be delivered immediately (and in any event within five (5) Business Days). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party (and, if applicable, to the Managing Party), promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after the Indemnitee’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim.

(c) Other than in the case of (i) a Shared Contingent Liability (the defense of which shall be assumed and controlled by the Managing Party) or (ii) Taxes addressed in the Tax Matters Agreement, an Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Third Party Claim and, if it so chooses, to assume the defense thereof, at such Indemnifying Party’s own cost and expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, that is reasonably acceptable (provided that insurer-appointed counsel shall be automatically deemed acceptable) to the applicable Indemnitees, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice from such Indemnitees; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim to the extent such Third Party Claim (x) is an allegation of a criminal violation or (ii) seeks injunctive relief against the Indemnitee but shall have the right to employ separate counsel to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof at its own expense. In connection with the Indemnifying Party’s defense of a Third Party Claim, such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, at its own expense and, in any event, shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Information, materials and information in such Indemnitee’s possession or under such Indemnitee’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party; provided , however , that in the event of a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the applicable Indemnitee(s), such Indemnitee(s) shall be entitled to retain, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, separate counsel as required by the applicable rules of professional conduct with respect to such matter; provided , further , that if (i) the Third Party Claim is not a Shared Contingent Liability and (ii) the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of the Third Party Claim but has specified, and continues to assert, any reservations or exceptions to such defense or to its liability therefor, then, in any such case, the reasonable fees and expenses of one separate counsel for all Indemnitees shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party.

(d) Notwithstanding any assumption of defense of a Third Party Claim by an Indemnifying Party in accordance with Section 7.5(c) , in the event that in the course of defending such Third Party Claim the Indemnifying Party or another Party shall become aware that the subject matter of such Third Party Claim relates to a Liability of another Party and not to a Liability of such Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall, subject to the prior written consent of the other Party to which such Liability belongs, use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer the defense of such claim to such other Party, and shall thereafter cooperate fully with such other Party in such defense and make available to such other Party, at such Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Information, materials and information in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating to such Third Party Claim as are reasonably required by such other Party.

 

47


(e) Other than in the case of a Shared Contingent Liability, if an Indemnifying Party fails for any reason to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim within the time specified, such Indemnitee may defend such Third Party Claim at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party. However, the Indemnifying Party shall, subject to the prior written consent of the other Party to which such Liability belongs, use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer the defense of such claim to such other Party, and shall thereafter cooperate fully with such other Party in such defense and make available to such other Party, at such Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Information, materials and information in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating to such Third Party Claim as are reasonably required by such other Party. If the Indemnitee is conducting the defense against any such Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall cooperate with the Indemnitee in such defense and make available to the Indemnitee, at the Indemnitee’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Information, and material in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnitee.

(f) Unless the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no Indemnitee may settle or compromise any Third Party Claim (with any Shared Contingent Liability governed by Article VI ) without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(g) In the case of a Third Party Claim (including in respect of a Shared Contingent Liability), no Indemnifying Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if the effect thereof is to permit any injunction, declaratory judgment, other order or other non-monetary relief, to be entered, directly or indirectly, against any Indemnitee; it being understood that in the case of a Third Party Claim that is a Shared Contingent Liability, the Managing Party shall be subject to the same requirement to seek the consent of the other Parties in connection with any such judgment or settlement.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article VII , subject to Article VI, the Managing Party shall, on behalf of the other Parties, have sole and exclusive authority to, and shall actively and diligently, commence, prosecute, manage, control, conduct or defend (or assume or conduct the defense of) or otherwise determine all matters whatsoever (including, as applicable, litigation strategy and choice of legal counsel or other professionals) with respect to any Action or Third Party Claim with respect to a Shared Contingent Liability.

(i) Except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.5 , Article VI and Section 8.6 , or as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, absent fraud or willful misconduct by an Indemnifying Party, the indemnification provisions of this Article VII shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of an Indemnitee for any monetary or compensatory damages or losses resulting from any breach of this Agreement and each Indemnitee expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights, claims or remedies such Person may have with respect to the foregoing other than under this Article VII against any Indemnifying Party. For the avoidance of doubt, all disputes in respect of this Article VII shall be resolved in accordance with Article IX .

Section 7.6. Cooperation in Defense and Settlement .

(a) With respect to any Third Party Claim that is not a Shared Contingent Liability and that implicates two or more Parties in any material respect due to the allocation of Liabilities, responsibilities for management of defense and related indemnities pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, the applicable Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate fully and maintain a joint defense (in a manner that will preserve for all Parties any Privilege with respect thereto). The Party that is not responsible for managing the defense of any such Third Party Claim shall, upon reasonable request, be consulted with respect to significant matters relating thereto and may, if necessary or helpful, retain counsel to assist in the defense of such claims.

 

48


(b) Each of HLT, PK and HGV agrees that at all times from and after the Effective Time, if an Action is commenced by a third party naming two (2) or more Parties (or any member of such Parties’ respective Groups) as defendants and with respect to which one or more named Parties (or any member of such Party’s respective Group) is a nominal defendant and/or such Action is otherwise not a Liability allocated to such named Party under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then the other Party or Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such nominal defendant to be removed from such Action, as soon as reasonably practicable.

Section 7.7. Indemnification Payments . Indemnification required by this Article VII shall be made by periodic payments of the amount of Indemnifiable Losses in a timely fashion during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or an Indemnifiable Loss incurred.

Section 7.8. Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts .

(a) Any Indemnifiable Loss subject to indemnification pursuant to this Article VII including, for the avoidance of doubt, in respect of any Shared Contingent Liability, shall be calculated (i) net of insurance proceeds that actually reduce the amount of the Indemnifiable Loss, (ii) net of any proceeds received by the Indemnitee from any third party for indemnification for such Liability that actually reduce the amount of the Indemnifiable Loss (“ Third Party Proceeds ”) and (iii) net of any Tax benefits actually realized in accordance with, and subject to, the principles set forth or referred to in Section 7.3 of the Tax Matters Agreement, and increased in accordance with, and subject to, the principles set forth in Section 7.3 of the Tax Matters Agreement. Accordingly, the amount which any Indemnifying Party is required to pay pursuant to this Article VII to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VII shall be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or Third Party Proceeds theretofore actually recovered by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of the related Indemnifiable Loss. If an Indemnitee receives a payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss (an “ Indemnity Payment ”) and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds or Third Party Proceeds, then the Indemnitee shall pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payment received over the amount of the Indemnity Payment that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds or Third Party Proceeds had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payment was made.

(b) The Parties acknowledge that the indemnification provisions hereof do not relieve any insurer who would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim to pay such claim. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Indemnitee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to collect or recover any Insurance Proceeds and any Third Party Proceeds (other than Insurance Proceeds under an arrangement where future premiums are adjusted to reflect prior claims in excess of prior premiums or Insurance Proceeds under the Excluded Policies) to which the Indemnitee is entitled in connection with any Indemnifiable Loss for which the Indemnitee seeks indemnification pursuant to this Article VII ; provided , that the Indemnitee’s inability to collect or recover any such Insurance Proceeds or Third Party Proceeds (despite having used commercially reasonable efforts) shall not limit the Indemnifying Party’s obligations hereunder.

Section 7.9. Additional Matters; Survival of Indemnities .

(a) The indemnity agreements contained in this Article VII shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee; (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnitee of Indemnifiable Losses for which it might be entitled to indemnification hereunder; and (iii) any termination of this Agreement following the Effective Time.

 

49


(b) The rights and obligations of each Party and their respective Indemnitees under this Article VII shall survive the sale or other Transfer by any Party or its respective Subsidiaries of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities, with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss of any Indemnitee related to such Assets, businesses or Liabilities.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that counsel or independent accountants for a Protected REIT determine that there exists a material risk that any indemnification payments due under this Agreement would be treated as Nonqualifying Income upon the payment of such amounts to the relevant Indemnitee, the amount paid to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement in any tax year shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be paid to the Indemnitee in such year without causing the Protected REIT to fail to meet the REIT Requirements for any tax year, determined as if the payment of such amount were Nonqualifying Income as determined by such counsel or independent accountants to the Protected REIT. If the amount payable for any tax year pursuant to the preceding sentence is less than the amount which the relevant Indemnifying Party would otherwise be obligated to pay to the relevant Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Expense Amount ”), then: (1) the Indemnifying Party shall place the Expense Amount into an escrow account (the “ Escrow Account ”) using an escrow agent and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee (which shall include that (y) the amount in the Escrow Account shall be treated as the property of the Indemnifying Party, unless it is released from such Escrow Account to the Indemnitee, and (z) all income earned upon the amount in the Escrow Account shall be treated as the property of the Indemnifying Party and reported, as and to the extent required by applicable Law, by the escrow agent to the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”), or any other taxing authority, on IRS Form 1099 or 1042S (or other appropriate form) as income earned by the Indemnifying Party whether or not said income has been distributed during such taxable year) and shall not release any portion thereof to the Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to any such amount, unless and until the Indemnitee delivers to the Indemnifying Party, at the sole option of the relevant Protected REIT, (i) an opinion (an “ Expense Amount Tax Opinion ”) of the Protected REIT’s tax counsel to the effect that such amount, if and to the extent paid, would not constitute Nonqualifying Income, (ii) a letter (an “ Expense Amount Accountant s Letter ”) from the Protected REIT’s independent accountants indicating the maximum portion of the Expense Amount that can be paid at that time to the Indemnitee without causing the Protected REIT to fail to meet the REIT Requirements for any relevant taxable year, or (iii) a private letter ruling issued by the IRS to the Protected REIT indicating that the receipt of any Expense Amount hereunder will not cause the Protected REIT to fail to satisfy the REIT Requirements (a “ REIT Qualification Ruling ” and, collectively with an Expense Amount Tax Opinion and an Expense Amount Accountant’s Letter, a “ Release Document ”); (2) pending the delivery of a Release Document by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnitee shall have the right, but not the obligation, to borrow the Expense Amount from the Escrow Account pursuant to a loan agreement reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee that (i) requires the Indemnifying Party to lend the Indemnitee immediately available cash proceeds in an amount equal to the Expense Amount, and (ii) provides for (A) a commercially reasonable interest rate and commercially reasonable covenants, taking into account the credit standing and profile of the Indemnitee or any guarantor of the Indemnitee, including the Protected REIT, at the time of such loan, and (B) a fifteen (15) year maturity with no periodic amortization; and (3) the Indemnitee shall bear all costs and expenses with respect to the escrow as contemplated by clauses (1) and (2) in this Section 7.9(c) .

ARTICLE VIII

PRESERVATION OF RECORDS; ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE

Section 8.1. Preservation of Corporate Record s

(a) The Parties shall comply with those document retention policies as shall be set forth on Schedule 8.1(a) hereto or otherwise established and agreed to in writing by their respective authorized officers at or prior to the Effective Time in respect of Records and related matters.

 

50


(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein and other than with respect to Tax Records (in which event the provisions of the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern), if on or before the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Distribution Date HLT (or any Affiliate of HLT) wishes to destroy any Records that were in existence as of the Effective Date, then HLT shall (or shall cause such Affiliate to) give sixty (60) days’ prior written notice, including a reasonable description of the Records it wishes to destroy, to the other Parties and (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) each other Party shall have the right at its option and expense, upon prior written notice given within such sixty (60) day period to the other two Parties, to take possession or make copies of such Records within thirty (30) days after the date such notice is given by such Party to the other Parties, it being understood that in the event both other Parties wish to take possession of such Records, such Parties shall (i) agree on which Party shall be entitled to retain such Records and (ii) share equally the reasonable costs incurred by the other non-destroying Party in making copy of such Records within such thirty (30) day period.

Section 8.2. Financial Statements and Accounting . Each Party agrees to provide the following assistance and reasonable access to its properties, Records, other Information and personnel set forth in this Section 8.2 , (i) at any time, with the consent of the other applicable Party (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) for reasonable business purposes relating to financial reporting and other regulatory obligations (including disclosure obligations) or other obligations to Governmental Entities; (ii) from the Effective Time until the later of (a) March 31, 2019 and (b) completion of each Party’s audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, in connection with the preparation and audit of each Party’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 (including financial statements for any interim periods), the printing, filing and public dissemination of such financial statements and the audit of each Party’s internal controls over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof and management’s assessment of each Party’s disclosure controls and procedures, if required; (iii) in the event that any Party changes its independent auditors within three (3) years following the Distribution Date, then such Party may request reasonable access on the terms set forth in this Section 8.2 for a period of up to one hundred and eighty (180) days from such change; and (iv) to the extent reasonably necessary to respond (and for the limited purpose of responding) to any written request or official comment from a Governmental Entity, such as in connection with responding to a comment letter from the Commission. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party agrees as follows:

(a) Financial Statements . Each Party shall provide reasonable access to the other Party in accordance with the timing set forth on Schedule 8.2(a) to all Information reasonably required to meet its schedule for the preparation, printing, filing, and public dissemination of its quarterly and annual financial statements and for management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and its internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Items 307 and 308, respectively, of Regulation S-K and, to the extent applicable to such Party, its auditor’s audit of its internal controls over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Commission’s and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules and auditing standards thereunder, if required (such assessments and audit being referred to as the “ Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party shall provide all required financial and other Information with respect to itself and its Subsidiaries to its auditors in a sufficient and reasonable time and in sufficient detail to permit its auditors to take all steps and perform all reviews necessary to provide sufficient assistance, if requested, to each other Party’s auditors with respect to Information to be included or contained in such other Party’s annual financial statements and to permit such other Party’s auditors and management to complete the Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments, for 2016 and 2017.

 

51


(b) Access to Personnel and Records . Except to the extent otherwise contemplated by the Ancillary Agreements, each Party shall authorize its respective auditors to make reasonably available to each other Party’s auditors (each such other Party’s auditors, collectively, the “ Other Parties Auditors ”) both the personnel who performed or are performing the annual audits of such audited Party (each such Party with respect to its own audit, the “ Audited Party ”) and work papers related to the annual audits of such Audited Party (subject to the execution of any reasonable and customary access letters that such Audited Party’s auditors may require in connection with the review of such work papers by such Other Parties’ Auditors), in all cases within a reasonable time prior to such Audited Party’s auditors’ opinion date, so that the Other Parties’ Auditors are able to perform the procedures they reasonably consider necessary to take responsibility for the work of the Audited Party’s auditors as it relates to their auditors’ report on such other Party’s financial statements, all within sufficient time to enable such other Party to meet its timetable for the printing, filing and public dissemination of its annual financial statements. Each Party shall make reasonably available to the other Parties and to such Other Parties’ Auditors and management its personnel and Records and other Information in a reasonable time prior to the Other Parties’ Auditors’ opinion date and other Parties’ management’s assessment date so that the Other Parties’ Auditors and other Parties’ management are able to perform the procedures they reasonably consider necessary to conduct the Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments for 2016 and 2017.

(c) Annual Reports . Each Party shall deliver to the other Parties a reasonably complete draft of the first report on Form 10-K to be filed with the Commission (or otherwise) that includes its respective financial statements (in the form expected to be covered by the audit report of such Party’s independent auditors) for the year ended December 31, 2016 (such reports, collectively, the “ Annual Reports ”), on or prior to the time set forth on Schedule 8.2(c) ; provided , however , that each Party may continue to revise its respective Annual Report prior to the filing thereof, which changes shall be delivered to the other Parties as soon as reasonably practicable. Each Party shall notify the other Parties, as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware thereof, of any material accounting differences between the financial statements to be included in such Party’s Annual Report and the pro-forma financial statements included, as applicable, in the PK Form 10 or the HGV Form 10 or the Form 8-K to be filed by HLT with the Commission on or about the time of the Distribution. If any such differences are notified by any Party, the Parties shall confer and/or meet as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, and in any event prior to the filing of any Annual Report, to consult with each other in respect of such differences and the effects thereof on the Parties’ Annual Reports.

(d) Nothing in this Article VIII shall require any Party to violate any agreement with any third party regarding the confidentiality of confidential and proprietary Information relating to that third party or its business; provided , however , that in the event that a Party is required under this Section 8.2 to disclose any such Information, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain such third party’s written consent to the disclosure of such Information.

Section 8.3. Provision of Corporate Records . Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant to Article VII (in which event the provisions of such Article shall govern) or for matters related to provision of Tax Records (in which event the provisions of the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern) and without limiting the applicable provisions of Article VI , and subject to appropriate restrictions for classified Information, Privileged Information or Confidential Information:

(a) after the Effective Time, upon the prior written request by PK or HGV for specific and identified Information which relates to (x) PK or HGV or the conduct of the Ownership Business or the Timeshare Business, as the case may be, prior to the Effective Time or (y) any Ancillary Agreement to which HLT and one or more of PK and/or HGV are parties, as applicable, HLT shall provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if the Party making the request is the owner of such originals or has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of HLT or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries;

 

52


(b) after the Effective Time, upon the prior written request by HLT or HGV for specific and identified Information which relates to (x) HLT or HGV or the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or Timeshare Business, as the case may be, prior to the Effective Time or (y) any Ancillary Agreement to which PK and one or more of HLT and/or HGV are parties, as applicable, PK shall provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if the Party making the request is the owner of such originals or has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of PK or any of its Subsidiaries; and

(c) after the Effective Time, upon the prior written request by HLT or PK for specific and identified Information which relates to (x) HLT or PK or the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or Ownership Business, as the case may be, prior to the Effective Time or (y) any Ancillary Agreement to which HGV and one or more of HLT and/or PK are parties, as applicable, HGV shall provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if the Party making the request is the owner of such originals or has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of HGV or any of its Subsidiaries;

provided that, to the extent any originals (other than originals that are owned by the requesting Party) are delivered to any requesting Party pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, such Party shall, at its own expense, return them to the Party having provided such originals within a reasonable time after the need to retain such originals has ceased.

Section 8.4. Witness Services . Except in the event any Parties are opposing one another in an Action, in which case normal discovery rules shall apply, at all times from and after the Effective Time, each of HLT, PK and HGV shall use its commercially reasonable efforts (including as described on Schedule 8.4 ) to make available to the others, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries’ former (to the extent practicable), current (to the extent practicable) and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of such Party as witnesses and any Records or other Information within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available (other than materials covered by any Privilege) to the extent that such Persons (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or Records or other Information may reasonably be required to testify, in the case of Persons, or be provided, in the case of Records or Information, in connection with the prosecution or defense of any Action in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved (except for claims, demands or Actions between members of each Group). A Party providing a witness to the other Party under this Section 8.4 shall be entitled to receive from the recipient of such witness services, upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for such amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses (which shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees who are witnesses or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service as witnesses), as may be reasonably incurred and properly paid under applicable Law.

Section 8.5. Reimbursement . Except to the extent otherwise contemplated by this Agreement (including Section 6.3 ) or any Ancillary Agreement, a Party providing Information or access to Information to the other Party under this Article VIII shall be entitled to receive from the recipient, upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for such amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses (which shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees of such Party or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service with respect to the foregoing), as may be reasonably incurred in providing such Information or access to such Information.

 

53


Section 8.6. Confidentiality

(a) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, except with the prior written consent of the Party to whom the Confidential Information relates (which consent may be withheld in such Party’s sole and absolute discretion, except where disclosure is required by applicable Law), each Party shall, and shall cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to, and shall cause its and their respective officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to, (i) hold in strict confidence and (ii) not disclose or release or, unless otherwise permitted by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, use any and all Confidential Information (as defined herein) concerning or belonging to the other Parties; provided , that each Party may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, Confidential Information (A) to its respective auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other appropriate consultants and advisors who have a need to know such Information and are informed of the obligation to hold such Information confidential and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable Party will be responsible, (B) if any Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries is required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule or is advised by outside counsel in connection with a governmental proceeding that it is advisable to do so, (C) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one Party against any other Party, (D) as necessary to permit a Party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, Tax Returns or other required disclosures, (E) as necessary for a Party to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement (including as necessary to obtain consents from third parties to any of the transactions contemplated hereby), (F) to Governmental Entities in accordance with applicable procurement regulations and contract requirements or (G) to other Persons in connection with their evaluation of, and negotiating and consummating, a potential strategic transaction, to the extent reasonably necessary in connection therewith, provided an appropriate and customary confidentiality agreement has been entered into with the Person receiving such Confidential Information. If any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D), (E) or (F) above, each Party, as applicable, shall promptly notify (to the extent permissible by Law) the Party to whom the Confidential Information relates of the existence of such request, demand or disclosure requirement and shall provide such affected Party a reasonable opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which such Party will cooperate in obtaining to the extent reasonably practicable. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party which faces the disclosure requirement shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed and shall take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Confidential Information of or concerning one or more other Parties, its or their Groups and/or Subsidiaries, to the extent such information is comingled and inseparable from Confidential Information concerning one or more other Parties, its or their Groups and/or Subsidiaries, shall not be the “Confidential Information” of any such Party, and all concerned Parties may use or disclose it without the consent of any other Party.

(b) The Parties agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event that the provisions of this Section 8.6 were not performed in accordance with their specific terms. Accordingly, it is hereby agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without posting bond or other security, in any court of competent jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

(c) For the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure and sharing of Privileged Information shall be governed by Section 8.7 and not by this Section 8.6 .

 

54


Section 8.7. Privilege Matters .

(a) Pre-Separation Services . The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group, and that each of the members of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such pre-separation services for the purposes of asserting all privileges, immunities, or other protections from disclosure which may be asserted under applicable Law, including attorney-client privilege, business strategy privilege, joint defense privilege, common interest privilege, and protection under the work-product doctrine (“ Privilege ”). The Parties shall have a shared Privilege with respect to all Information subject to Privilege (“ Privileged Information ”) which relates to such pre-separation services. For the avoidance of doubt, Privileged Information within the scope of this Section 8.7 includes, but is not limited to, services rendered by legal counsel retained or employed by any Party (or any member of such Party’s respective Group), including outside counsel and in-house counsel.

(b) Post-Separation Services . The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time to each of HLT, PK and HGV. The Parties further recognize that certain of such post-separation services will be rendered solely for the benefit of HLT, PK or HGV, as the case may be, while other such post-separation services may be rendered with respect to claims, proceedings, litigation, disputes or other matters which involve two or more of HLT, PK or HGV. With respect to such post-separation services and related Privileged Information, the Parties agree as follows:

(i) All Privileged Information relating to any claims, proceedings, litigation, disputes or other matters which involve two or more of HLT, PK or HGV shall be subject to a shared Privilege among the Parties involved in the claims, proceedings, litigation, disputes or other matters at issue;

(ii) Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7(b)(i) , Privileged Information relating to post-separation services provided solely to one of HLT, PK or HGV shall not be deemed shared between the Parties, provided , that the foregoing shall not be construed or interpreted to restrict the right or authority of two or more Parties (x) to enter into any further agreement, not otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, concerning the sharing of Privileged Information or (y) otherwise to share Privileged Information without waiving any Privilege which could be asserted under applicable Law; and

(iii) Each of HLT, PK or HGV shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with Privileged Information which relates solely to the HLT Retained Business, Ownership Business or Timeshare Business, as applicable, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession of or under the control of HLT, PK or HGV, as applicable, or the other Parties (or their respective Affiliates).

(c) The Parties agree as follows regarding all Privileged Information with respect to which the Parties shall have a shared Privilege under Section 8.7(a) or (b) :

(i) Subject to Section 8.7(c)(iii) and (iv) , no Party may waive any Privilege which could be asserted under any applicable Law, and in which any other Party has a shared Privilege, without the consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Consent shall be in writing, or shall be deemed to be granted unless written objection is made within ten (10) Business Days after written notice by the requesting Party to the Party whose consent is sought;

 

55


(ii) If a dispute arises between or among the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries regarding whether a Privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of any Party, each Party agrees that it shall negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Parties, and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by another Party. Each Party specifically agrees that it shall not withhold consent to waive for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests;

(iii) If, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt by the requesting Party of written objection, the Parties have not succeeded in negotiating a resolution to any dispute regarding whether a Privilege should be waived, and the requesting Party determines that a Privilege should nonetheless be waived to protect or advance its interest, the requesting Party shall provide the objecting Party ten (10) Business Days written notice prior to effecting such waiver. Each Party specifically agrees that failure within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of such notice to commence proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin such disclosure under applicable Law shall be deemed full and effective consent to such disclosure; and

(iv) In the event of any litigation or dispute between or among any of the Parties, or any members of their respective Groups, either such Party may waive a Privilege in which the other Party or member of such Group has a shared Privilege, without obtaining the consent of the other Party; provided , that such waiver of a shared Privilege shall be effective only as to the use of Privileged Information with respect to the litigation or dispute between the relevant Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared Privilege with respect to third parties.

(d) The transfer of all Information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of HLT, PK or HGV as set forth in Sections 8.6 and this Section 8.7 , to maintain the confidentiality of Privileged Information and to assert and maintain any applicable Privilege. The access to Information being granted pursuant to Sections 6.3 , 7.6 , 8.2 and 8.3 hereof, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Sections 6.3 , 7.6 and 8.4 hereof, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts contemplated by Sections 6.5 and 7.6 hereof, and the transfer of Privileged Information between and among the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any Privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Section 8.7 , the Party responsible under the Tax Matters Agreement for controlling a Tax Contest shall have the authority to disclose or not disclose, in its sole discretion, any and all Privileged Information to (i) any Taxing Authority (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement) conducting a Tax Contest or (ii) to third parties in connection with connection with the defense of a Tax Contest, including expert witnesses, accountants and other advisors, potential witnesses and other parties whose assistance is deemed, in the sole discretion of such Party, to be necessary or beneficial to representing the interests of the Parties hereunder.

Section 8.8. Ownership of Information . Any Information owned by one Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to this Article VIII shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Party (except to the extent set forth in the definitions of HLT Retained Assets, Ownership Assets and Timeshare Assets). Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such Information.

Section 8.9. Other Agreements . The rights and obligations granted under this Article VIII are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of Information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

 

56


ARTICLE IX

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 9.1. Negotiation . In the event of a controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity or breach of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby, including any claim for indemnification pursuant to Article VII or any claim based on contract, tort, statute or constitution (collectively, “ Agreement Disputes ”), the general counsels of the relevant Parties (or such other individuals designated by the respective general counsels) and/or the executive officers designated by the relevant Parties, shall negotiate for a reasonable period of time to settle such Agreement Dispute; provided , that such reasonable period shall not, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant Parties in writing, exceed twenty-one (21) days from the time of receipt by a Party of written notice of such Agreement Dispute (“ Dispute Notice ”); provided , further , that in the event of any arbitration in accordance with Section 9.3 hereof, the relevant Parties shall not assert the defenses of statute of limitations and laches arising during the period beginning after the date of receipt of the Dispute Notice, and any contractual time period or deadline under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which such Agreement Dispute relates occurring after the Dispute Notice is received shall not be deemed to have passed until such Agreement Dispute has been resolved.

Section 9.2. Mediation . If, within twenty-one (21) days after receipt by a Party of a Dispute Notice, the Parties have not succeeded in negotiating a resolution of the Agreement Dispute, the Parties agree to submit the Agreement Dispute at the earliest possible date to mediation conducted in accordance with the Mediation Procedure of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“ CPR ”), and to bear equally the costs of the mediation; provided , however , that each Party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees and expenses and other costs in connection with such mediation. The parties agree to participate in good faith in the mediation and negotiations related thereto for a period of fourteen (14) days or such longer period as they may mutually agree following the initial mediation session (the “ Mediation Period ”).

Section 9.3. Arbitration . If the Agreement Dispute has not been resolved for any reason after the Mediation Period, such Agreement Dispute shall be determined, at the request of any relevant Party, by arbitration conducted in Virginia, before and in accordance with the then-existing Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of the CPR, except as modified herein (the “ Rules ”). There shall be three arbitrators, one of which shall be designated by each Party and the third of which shall be selected by the two so designated, which two shall be appointed by the Parties within ten (10) days of receipt by respondent of a copy of the demand for arbitration and which third arbitrator shall be selected within ten (10) days thereafter. If the arbitrators are not timely appointed by the Parties (or by the selected arbitrators) under this Section 9.3 , such arbitrators shall be appointed by the CPR in accordance with the Rules, and in any such procedure, each Party shall be given two strikes, excluding strikes for cause. Any controversy concerning whether an Agreement Dispute is an arbitrable Agreement Dispute, whether arbitration has been waived, whether an assignee of this Agreement is bound to arbitrate, or as to the interpretation, validity or enforceability of this Article IX shall be determined by the arbitrator. In resolving any Agreement Dispute, the Parties intend that the arbitrator shall apply the substantive Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The Parties intend that the provisions to arbitrate set forth herein be valid, enforceable and irrevocable, and any award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the Parties. The Parties agree to comply and cause the members of their applicable Group to comply with any award made in any such arbitration proceedings and agree to enforcement of or entry of judgment upon such award, in any court of competent jurisdiction, including the Delaware Courts. The

 

57


arbitrator shall be entitled, if appropriate, to award any remedy in such proceedings, including monetary damages, specific performance and all other forms of legal and equitable relief; provided , however , the arbitrator shall not be entitled to award special, consequential, reputational, indirect or punitive damages unless in connection with indemnification for a Third Party Claim (and in such a case, only to the extent awarded in such Third Party Claim).

Section 9.4. Arbitration Period . Any arbitration proceeding shall be concluded in a maximum of three (3) months from the commencement of the arbitration or such other period as the arbitrator together with the Parties involved in such proceeding shall deem reasonable.

Section 9.5. Treatment of Negotiations, Mediation and Arbitration .

(a) Without limiting the provisions of the Rules, unless otherwise agreed in writing by or among the relevant Parties or permitted by this Agreement, the relevant Parties shall keep, and shall cause the members of their applicable Group to keep, confidential all matters relating to and any negotiation, mediation, conference or discussion or otherwise pursuant to this Article IX , all of which shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence and comparable state rules; provided , that such matters may be disclosed (i) to the extent reasonably necessary in any proceeding ancillary to an arbitration hereunder, including to enforce the award or for entry of a judgment upon the award and (ii) to the extent otherwise required by Law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the relevant Party’s securities may be listed. Nothing said or disclosed, nor any document produced, in the course of any negotiations, conferences and discussions that is not otherwise independently discoverable shall be offered or received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose in any current or future arbitration.

Section 9.6. Continuity of Service and Performance . Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties shall continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute resolution.

Section 9.7. Consolidation . The arbitrator may consolidate an arbitration under this Agreement with any arbitration arising under or relating to the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement between the Parties entered into pursuant hereto, as the case may be, if the subject of the Agreement Disputes thereunder arises out of or relates essentially to the same set of facts or transactions. Such consolidated arbitration shall be determined by the arbitrator appointed for the arbitration proceeding that was commenced first in time.

Section 9.8. Provisional Relief . Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall be construed to prevent any Party from applying to any court of competent jurisdiction for interim measures or other provisional relief (including an injunction or other equitable remedies) in connection with the subject matter of any Agreement Disputes. Without prejudice to such provisional remedies as may be available under the jurisdiction of a court, the arbitral tribunal shall have full authority to grant provisional remedies and to direct the Parties to request that any court modify or vacate any temporary or preliminary relief issued by such court, and to award damages for the failure of any Party to respect the arbitral tribunal’s orders to that effect.

 

58


ARTICLE X

INSURANCE

Section 10.1. Policies and Rights Included Within Assets . (a) The HLT Retained Assets shall include any and all rights of a first named insured under Policies where HLT is a first named insured, subject to the terms of such Policies and any limitations or obligations of HLT contemplated by this Article X , specifically including rights of indemnity and the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer, with respect to all claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses incurred or claimed to have been incurred prior to the Effective Time by any party in or in connection with the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or, to the extent any claim is made against HLT or any of its Subsidiaries, the conduct of the Ownership Business or the Timeshare Business, and which claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses may arise out of an insured or insurable occurrence under one or more of such Company Policies; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 10.1 shall be deemed to constitute (or to reflect) an assignment of such Policies by HLT.

(b) The Ownership Assets shall include any and all rights of an insured party under each of the Company Policies, subject to Sections 10.9 and 10.10 and to the terms of such Company Policies and any limitations or obligations of PK contemplated by this Article X or Schedule 10.1 , specifically including rights of indemnity and the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer, with respect to all claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses incurred or claimed to have been incurred prior to the Effective Time by any party in or in connection with the conduct of the Ownership Business or, to the extent any claim is made against PK or any of its Subsidiaries, the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or the Timeshare Business, and which claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses may arise out of an insured or insurable occurrence under one or more of such Company Policies; provided , however , that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to constitute (or to reflect) an assignment of such Company Policies, or any of them, to PK.

(c) The Timeshare Assets shall include any and all rights of an insured party under each of the Company Policies, subject to Sections 10.9 and 10.10 and to the terms of such Company Policies and any limitations or obligations of HGV contemplated by this Article X or Schedule 10.1 , specifically including rights of indemnity and the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer, with respect to all claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses incurred or claimed to have been incurred prior to the Effective Time by any party in or in connection with the conduct of the Timeshare Business or, to the extent any claim is made against HGV or any of its Subsidiaries, the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or the Ownership Business, and which claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses may arise out of an insured or insurable occurrence under one or more of such Company Policies; provided , however , that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to constitute (or to reflect) an assignment of such Company Policies, or any of them, to HGV.

Section 10.2. Post-Effective Time Claims .

(a) If, subsequent to the Effective Time, any Person shall assert a claim against PK or any of its Subsidiaries (including where PK or its Subsidiaries are joint defendants with other Persons) with respect to any claim, suit, action, proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage or expense incurred or claimed to have been incurred prior to the Effective Time in or in connection with the conduct of the Ownership Business or, to the extent any claim is made against PK or any of its Subsidiaries (including where PK or its Subsidiaries are joint defendants with other persons), the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or the Timeshare Business, and which claim, suit, action, proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage or expense may arise out of an insured or insurable occurrence under one or more of the Company Policies, HLT shall act on behalf of all insured parties to assert and manage all claims and to collect any related Insurance Proceeds on behalf of all insured parties under such Company Policy. PK, as an additionally insured party, shall have any and all rights of an additionally insured party under such

 

59


Company Policy including asserting claims and with respect to such asserted claim, be entitled to rights of indemnity and the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer and the right to any applicable Insurance Proceeds thereunder; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 10.2(a) shall be deemed to constitute (or to reflect) an assignment of the Company Policies, or any of them, to PK nor be deemed to override existing policy terms and conditions.

(b) If, subsequent to the Effective Time, any person shall assert a claim against HGV or any of its Subsidiaries (including where HGV or its Subsidiaries are joint defendants with other persons) with respect to any claim, suit, action, proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage or expense incurred or claimed to have been incurred prior to the Effective Time in or in connection with the conduct of the Timeshare Business or, to the extent any claim is made against HGV or any of its Subsidiaries (including where HGV or its Subsidiaries are joint defendants with other persons), the conduct of the HLT Retained Business or the Ownership Business, and which claim, suit, action, proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage or expense may arise out of an insured or insurable occurrence under one or more of the Company Policies, HLT shall act on behalf of all insured parties to assert and manage all claims and to collect any related Insurance Proceeds on behalf of all insured parties under such Company Policy. HGV, as an additionally insured party shall have any and all rights of an additionally insured party under such Company Policy including asserting claims and with respect to such asserted claim, be entitled to rights of indemnity and the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer and the right to any applicable Insurance Proceeds thereunder; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 10.2(b) shall be deemed to constitute (or to reflect) an assignment of the Company Policies, or any of them, to HGV nor deemed to override existing policy terms and conditions.

Section 10.3. Administration; Other Matters .

(a) Administration . Subject to Section 10.10 , from and after the Effective Time, HLT shall be responsible for Claims Administration under Company Policies with respect to all Insured Claims. Each of PK and HGV shall provide prompt notice to HLT of any claims submitted by them or by their respective Subsidiaries under the Company Policies. Each Party shall be responsible for any amounts of its respective Insured Claims under Company Policies that fall below applicable deductibles or self-insured retentions, and shall be responsible for obtaining or reviewing the appropriateness of releases upon settlement of its respective Insured Claims under Company Policies. HLT shall have the sole right to change any Company Policies; provided that such change may not adversely and disproportionately affect PK or HGV as compared to HLT, without the consent of the adversely and disproportionately affected Party (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). HLT may, with the consent of the other Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), commute or otherwise terminate any Company Policies.

(b) Liability Limitation . HLT, PK and HGV shall not be liable to one another for claims not reimbursed by insurers for any reason not within the control of HLT, PK or HGV, as the case may be, including coinsurance provisions, deductibles, quota share deductibles, exhaustion of aggregates, self-insured retentions, bankruptcy or insolvency of an insurance carrier, Company Policy limitations or restrictions, any coverage disputes, any failure to timely claim by HLT, PK or HGV or any defect in such claim or its processing.

(c) Maximization of Insurance Proceeds . Each Party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize available coverage under those Company Policies applicable to it, and to take all commercially reasonable steps to recover from all other responsible parties in respect of an Insured Claim, including, as may be applicable, pursuing recoveries under other insurance policies available to such Party.

 

60


Section 10.4. Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Shared Defense . In the event that Insured Claims of more than one Party exist relating to the same occurrence, the relevant Parties shall jointly defend and waive any conflict of interest to the extent necessary to the conduct of the joint defense. Nothing in this Section 10.4 shall be construed to limit or otherwise alter in any way the obligations of the Parties, including those created by this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

Section 10.5. Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Insurance Litigation and/or Recovery Efforts . In the event of any Action by any Party (or all of the Parties) to recover or obtain insurance proceeds, or to defend against any Action by an insurance carrier to deny any Policy benefits, all Parties may join in any such Action and be represented by joint counsel and all Parties shall waive any conflict of interest to the extent necessary to conduct any such Action. Nothing in this Section 10.5 shall be construed to limit or otherwise alter in any way the obligations of the Parties, including those created by this Agreement, by operation of Law, or otherwise.

Section 10.6. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance ; Fiduciary Liability Insurance; Employment Practices Liability Insurance . HLT agrees that, from and after the Distribution Date to the sixth (6 th ) anniversary of the Effective Time, it will maintain in full force and effect the Company Policies identified as Directors & Officers Liability Insurance, Excess Directors & Officers Liability Insurance, Fiduciary Liability Insurance and Employment Practices Liability Insurance on Schedule 10.1 (or, through the purchase of extended discovery, the full benefits and coverage of such Company Policies) and shall not amend the terms of such Policies in a manner materially adverse to any persons covered by such insurance unless it is commercially impossible or unreasonable to maintain such Company Policies as they currently exist due to insurance market conditions. The provisions of this Section 10.6 are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the persons covered by those Company Policies referenced in the preceding sentence.

Section 10.7. No Coverage for Post-Effective Occurrences . Each of PK and HGV, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, acknowledges and agrees that it will have no coverage under the Company Policies for acts or events that occur after the Effective Time, except as provided for in any Ancillary Agreements including under the Managing and Franchise Agreements pursuant to which HLT (or another member of the HLT Group) makes available to PK (or another member of the PK Group) coverage under certain Company Policies to the extent provided for in the applicable Managing and Franchise Agreement.

Section 10.8. Cooperation . The Parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with respect to the various insurance matters contemplated by this Agreement (including in connection with Policies where HLT is an additional or first named insured).

Section 10.9. Excluded Policies . Each of PK and HGV, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, disclaims any rights that it otherwise may have under the Excluded Policies and agrees not to submit any claim or to pursue any recovery under any Excluded Policy, it being understood that the Excluded Policies are for the sole benefit of HLT and/or other parties.

Section 10.10. HLT as General Agent and Attorney-In-Fact . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, HLT remains the owner and holder of all rights and claims in and to the Company Policies. Should the provisions of Sections 10.1 and 10.2 as they pertain to PK and/or HGV be challenged and/or fail of their purpose, HLT shall act as agent and attorney-in-fact for PK and HGV and thereby effectuate, on behalf of PK and HGV, the provisions of Sections 10.2(a) and 10.2(b) of this Agreement, provided that, PK or HGV, as the case may be, shall pay HLT’s reasonable out-of-pocket costs relating thereto.

 

61


Section 10.11. Additional Premiums, Return Premiums and Pro Rata Cancellation Premium Credits . If additional premiums are payable, or return premiums are receivable, on any Company Policies after the Effective Time as a result of an insurance carrier’s retrospective audit of insured exposure, each of HLT, PK and HGV shall be responsible for its respective share of any such additional premiums, and shall be entitled to receive its respective share of any such return premiums, that are attributable to a change in its or its Subsidiaries’ insured exposure. If cancellation premium credits are received after the Effective Time in connection with the cancellation of any Company Policies, each of HLT, PK and HGV shall be entitled to receive its Applicable Percentage of such cancellation premium credits.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1. Complete Agreement; Construction . This Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules, and the Ancillary Agreements shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments, course of dealings and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule hereto, the Schedule shall prevail. In the event and to the extent that there shall be a conflict between the provisions of (a) this Agreement and the provisions of any Specified Ancillary Agreement or Continuing Arrangement, such Specified Ancillary Agreement or Continuing Arrangement shall control and (b) this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement which is not a Specified Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement shall control unless specifically stated otherwise in such Ancillary Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement: (i) all matters relating to Taxes and Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries shall be governed exclusively by the Tax Matters Agreement; and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, on the one hand, and the Tax Matters Agreement, on the other hand, with respect to such matters, the terms and conditions of the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern.

Section 11.2. Ancillary Agreements . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements.

Section 11.3. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties.

Section 11.4. Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

Section 11.5. Expenses . Except as otherwise provided (a) in this Agreement (including (i) with respect to costs and expenses incurred after the Effective Time, responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to Section 2.5 , (ii) with respect to Specified Shared Expenses, responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to Section 5.2 , (iii) with respect to Shared Contingent Liabilities, responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to Article VI , (iv) with respect to fees and expenses incurred in the preservation of records and access to information, responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to Section 8.1 , Section 8.4 or Section 8.5 , or (v) with respect to fees and expenses incurred in connection with dispute resolution, responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to Article IX ) or (b) in any Ancillary Agreement, the Parties agree that all out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred, or to be incurred and

 

62


directly related to the Plan of Reorganization, the Distributions and the transactions contemplated hereby (including third party professional fees, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and such other third party fees and expenses incurred on a non-recurring basis directly as a result of the Plan of Reorganization and the Distributions, including expenses set forth on Schedule 11.5 , and excluding the costs of salaries and benefits of employees or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service with respect to the foregoing) (collectively, “ Separation Expenses ”) shall (A) to the extent set forth on Schedule 11.5 , be paid by HLT and (B) otherwise, be paid by the Party incurring such expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements, each Party shall be responsible for its own internal fees (and reimburse any other Party to the extent such Party has paid such costs and expenses on behalf of the responsible Party), costs and expenses (e.g., salaries of personnel working in its respective Business) incurred following the Distribution Date in connection with the Plan of Reorganization and the Distributions, including any costs and expenses relating to such Party’s (or any member of its Group’s) Disclosure Documents filed following the Distribution Date in connection with the Plan of Reorganization and the Distributions (including, printing, mailing and filing fees) or any costs and expenses incurred following the Distribution Date with the continued listing of such Party’s common stock on the NYSE following the Distribution.

Section 11.6. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements shall be in English, shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11.6 ):

To HLT or Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc.:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (703) 883-6188

To PK:

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile:

To HGV:

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

6355 MetroWest Boulevard, Suite 180

Orlando, Florida 32835

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile:

 

63


Section 11.7. Consents . Any consent required or permitted to be given by any Party to the other Parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such consent and shall be effective only against such Party (and its Group).

Section 11.8. Assignment . This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be assignable in whole in connection with a merger or consolidation or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of a party hereto so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Business Entity assumes all the obligations of the relevant party hereto by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other parties to this Agreement. No assignment permitted by this Section 11.8 shall release the assigning Party from liability for the full performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

Section 11.9. Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement and the obligations and rights hereunder shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by (and against) the Parties and their respective successors and permitted transferees and assigns.

Section 11.10. Termination and Amendment . This Agreement (including Article VII hereof) may be terminated, modified or amended and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of HLT upon written notice to PK and HGV but without the approval of PK, HGV or the stockholders of HLT. In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any liability of any kind to any other Party or any other Person. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated, modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by HLT, PK and HGV.

Section 11.11. Payment Terms .

(a) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount to be paid or reimbursed by any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, to any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group), on the other hand, under this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed hereunder within forty-five (45) days after presentation of an invoice or a written demand therefor and setting forth, or accompanied by, reasonable documentation or other reasonable explanation supporting such amount.

(b) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement (and any amount billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that is not paid within forty-five (45) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR, from time to time in effect, calculated for the actual number of days elapsed, accrued from the date on which such payment was due up to the date of the actual receipt of payment.

(c) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, a Party (or any member of a Party’s Group) may direct that any payment owed such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) hereunder or under any Ancillary Agreement be paid directly to another member of the same Group.

Section 11.12. No Circumvention . The Parties agree not to directly or indirectly take any actions, act in concert with any Person who takes an action, or cause or allow any member of any such Party’s Group to take any actions (including the failure to take a reasonable action) such that the resulting

 

64


effect is to materially undermine the effectiveness of any of the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including adversely affecting the rights or ability of any Party to successfully pursue indemnification or payment pursuant to Articles VI and VII ).

Section 11.13. Subsidiaries . Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be Assumed or otherwise performed by any Subsidiary of such Party or by any entity that becomes a Subsidiary of such Party at and after the Effective Time, to the extent such Subsidiary remains a Subsidiary of the applicable Party.

Section 11.14. Third Party Beneficiaries . Except (i) as provided in Article VII relating to Indemnitees and for the release under Section 7.1 of any Person provided therein, (ii) as provided in Section 10.6 relating to the directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries or agents provided therein and (iii) as specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 11.15. Title and Headings . Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 11.16. Exhibits and Schedules .

(a) The Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein. Nothing in the Exhibits or Schedules constitutes an admission of any liability or obligation of any member of the HLT Group, PK Group or HGV Group or any of their respective Affiliates to any third party, nor, with respect to any third party, an admission against the interests of any member of the HLT Group, PK Group or HGV Group or any of their respective Affiliates. The inclusion of any item or liability or category of item or liability on any Exhibit or Schedule is made solely for purposes of allocating potential liabilities among the Parties and shall not be deemed as or construed to be an admission that any such liability exists.

(b) Subject to the prior written consent of the other Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Party shall be entitled to update the Schedules from and after the date hereof until the Effective Time.

Section 11.17. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without reference to any choice-of-law or conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction.

Section 11.18. Consent to Jurisdiction . Subject to the provisions of Article IX hereof, each of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any appeals court thereof or (b) if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, any other state or federal court located within the County of New Castle in the State of Delaware and any appeals court thereof (the courts referred to in clauses (a) and (b), the “ Delaware Courts ”), for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding to compel arbitration or for provisional relief in aid of arbitration in accordance with Article IX or to prevent irreparable harm, and to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Courts for the enforcement of any award issued thereunder. Each of the Parties further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or

 

65


proceeding in the Delaware Courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 11.18 . Each of the Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the Delaware Courts, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 11.19. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.19 .

Section 11.20. Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The Parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

Section 11.21. Force Majeure . No Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any liability or responsibility for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement, so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event: (a) notify the other applicable Parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (b) use due diligence to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible.

Section 11.22. Interpretation . The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

Section 11.23. No Duplication; No Double Recovery . Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer to or impose upon any Party a duplicative right, entitlement, obligation or recovery with respect to any matter arising out of the same facts and circumstances (including with respect to the rights, entitlements, obligations and recoveries that may arise out of one or more of the following Sections: Article VI ; Section 7.2 ; Section 7.3 ; Section 7.4 ; and Section 7.5 ).

Section 11.24. Tax Treatment of Payments . Unless otherwise required by a Final Determination, this Agreement or the Tax Matters Agreement or otherwise agreed to among the Parties, for U.S. federal Tax purposes, any payment made pursuant to this Agreement (other than any payment of interest pursuant to Section 11.11 ) by: (i) PK to OpCo shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a tax-free contribution by PK to OpCo with respect to its stock occurring immediately before the Internal

 

66


Distribution of OpCo common stock; (ii) HGV to HLT shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a distribution by HGV to HLT with respect to its stock occurring after HGV is directly owned by HLT and immediately before the HGV Distribution; (iii) OpCo to PK shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a distribution by OpCo to PK with respect to stock of OpCo occurring immediately before the Internal Distribution of OpCo common stock; (iv) HLT to PK shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a tax-free contribution by HLT to PK with respect to its stock occurring immediately before the PK Distribution; (v) HLT to HGV shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a tax-free contribution by HLT to HGV with respect to its stock occurring after HGV is directly owned by HLT and immediately before the HGV Distribution; (vi) PK to HGV shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a tax-free contribution by PK to HGV with respect to its stock occurring immediately before the Internal Distribution of HGV Common Stock; (vii) HGV to PK shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a distribution by HGV to PK with respect to its stock occurring immediately before the Internal Distribution of HGV Common Stock; and in each case, none of the Parties shall take any position inconsistent with such treatment. In the event that a Taxing Authority (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement) asserts that a Party’s treatment of a payment pursuant to this Agreement should be other than as required pursuant to this Agreement (ignoring any potential inconsistent or adverse Final Determination), such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to contest such challenge.

Section 11.25. No Waiver . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of any Party, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Ancillary Agreements shall operate as a waiver hereof or thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

Section 11.26. No Admission of Liability . The allocation of Assets and Liabilities herein (including on the Schedules hereto) is solely for the purpose of allocating such Assets and Liabilities among HLT, PK and HGV and is not intended as an admission of liability or responsibility for any alleged Liabilities vis-a-vis any third party, including with respect to the Liabilities of any non-wholly owned subsidiary of HLT, PK or HGV.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

67


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[Distribution Agreement]

Exhibit 10.1

FORM OF EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

by and among

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.,

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.,

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC., and

HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC.

Dated as of              , 2016


Table of Contents

 

          Page  

1.

   DEFINITIONS      2   

2.

   EMPLOYEES      4   

3.

   BENEFIT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION      5   

4.

   DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS      7   

5.

   DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION PLANS      10   

6.

   NON-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT/DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS      15   

7.

   EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS      17   

8.

   SEVERANCE PLANS      23   

9.

   PAID TIME OFF      24   

10.

   PERQUISITES      25   

11.

   CASH BONUS PLANS      26   

12.

   EQUITY-BASED AWARDS      27   

13.

   COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS      29   

14.

   TRANSITION SERVICES      30   

15.

   ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND DATA EXCHANGE      30   

16.

   NOTICES; COOPERATION      32   

17.

   FURTHER ASSURANCES      32   

18.

   INDEMNIFICATION      32   

19.

   DISPUTE RESOLUTION      33   

20.

   PAYROLL REPORTING AND TAX WITHHOLDING      34   

21.

   MISCELLANEOUS      34   

 

 

i


This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of                 , 2016, is by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HLT ”), Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PK ”), Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HGV ”) and, solely for purposes of Section 18, Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of HLT (“ OpCo ”). Each of HLT, PK, HGV and, solely for purposes of Section 18, OpCo, is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and collectively, as the “ Parties ”. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement (as defined below) or in Section 1 below.

WHEREAS, HLT, acting through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, currently conducts a number of businesses, including (i) the HLT Retained Business, (ii) the Ownership Business and (iii) the Timeshare Business;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of HLT (the “ Board ”) has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of HLT and its stockholders to separate HLT into three separate, publicly traded companies, one for each of (i) the HLT Retained Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HLT, (ii) the Ownership Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by PK (which shall elect to be a REIT), and (iii) the Timeshare Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HGV;

WHEREAS, in order to effect such separation, the Board has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of HLT and its stockholders (i) to enter into a series of transactions after giving effect to which (A) HLT and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall, collectively, own all of the HLT Retained Assets and Assume all of the HLT Retained Liabilities, (B) PK and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall, collectively, own all of the Ownership Assets and Assume all of the Ownership Liabilities, and (C) HGV and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall, collectively, own all of the Timeshare Assets and Assume all of the Timeshare Liabilities (such transactions as described in Annex I to the Distribution Agreement and, as they may be amended or modified from time to time, collectively, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) and (ii) for HLT to distribute to the holders of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ HLT Common Stock ”), on a pro rata basis (in each case without consideration being paid by such stockholders), (A) all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of PK (the “ PK Common Stock ”) and (B) all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of HGV (the “ HGV Common Stock ”);

WHEREAS, each of the Parties has executed the distribution agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended or modified from time to time, the “ Distribution Agreement ”) to effectuate such Plan of Reorganization; and

WHEREAS, each of the Parties has determined that it is necessary and desirable to allocate and assign responsibility for certain employee, compensation and benefits-related Assets and Liabilities in respect of the activities of the business of such entities on the Distribution Date.


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Cut-Off Date ” shall mean the day immediately preceding the Distribution Date.

(b) “ Employee ” shall mean, with respect to any entity, an individual who is considered, according to the payroll and other records of such entity, to be employed by such entity and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include a “leased employee” (as defined in Section 414(n) of the Code), an independent contractor, or other individual performing services with respect to any entity who is not on the payroll of such entity.

(c) “ ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Reference to a specific provision of ERISA also includes any proposed, temporary or final regulation or other published IRS guidance in force under that provision.

(d) “ Former Employees ” shall mean, collectively, any Former HGV Employees, any Former Hilton Employees and any Former PK Employees.

(e) “ Former HGV Employee ” shall mean each Employee of Hilton who provided services primarily related to the Timeshare Business and whose employment terminated for any reason prior to the Distribution Date.

(f) “ Former Hilton Employee ” shall mean each Employee of Hilton who provided services primarily related to the HLT Retained Business whose employment terminated for any reason prior to the Distribution Date.

(g) “ Former PK Employee ” shall mean each Employee of Hilton who provided services primarily related to the Ownership Business and whose employment terminated for any reason prior to the Distribution Date.

(h) “ HGV Board ” shall mean the board of directors of HGV.

(i) “ HGV Plan ” shall mean each Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the HGV Group immediately on and after the Plan Effective Time.

(j) “ HGV Compensation Committee ” shall mean the compensation committee of the HGV Board.

(k) “ Hilton ” shall mean HLT or one of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Plan Effective Time.

(l) “ Hilton Controlled Group ” shall mean, as of any date of determination prior to the Distribution Date, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is considered a member of a controlled group of organizations within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code that includes HLT or is considered a single employer under “common control” with HLT under Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA.

 

2


(m) “ Hilton Plan ” shall mean each Plan sponsored or maintained by HLT or one of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Plan Effective Time.

(n) “ HLT Compensation Committee ” shall mean the compensation committee of the Board.

(o) “ HLT Plan ” shall mean each Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the HLT Group immediately on and after the Plan Effective Time.

(p) “ Liabilities ” shall have the same meaning as ascribed to such term in the Distribution Agreement, provided, however that for purposes of this Agreement, Taxes shall be treated as Liabilities.

(q) “ PK Board ” shall mean the board of directors of PK.

(r) “ PK Compensation Committee ” shall mean the compensation committee of the PK Board.

(s) “ PK Plan ” shall mean each Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the PK Group immediately on and after the Plan Effective Time.

(t) “ Plan ” shall mean each plan, policy, program, practice, agreement, or arrangement providing compensation or benefits for any group of Employees or individual Employee, or the dependents or beneficiaries of any such Employee(s), including without limitation, each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether formal or informal or written or unwritten, and including, any means, whether or not legally required, pursuant to which any benefit is provided by an employer to any Employee or the beneficiaries of any such Employee. The term “Plan” as used in this Agreement does not include any contract, agreement or understanding relating to the settlement of actual or potential employment Action.

(u) “ Plan Effective Time ” shall mean 12:01 a.m., New York time, on the Distribution Date.

(v) “ Pre-Existing Hilton Employee ” shall mean each Employee employed by Hilton prior to the Distribution Date (other than a Former Employee) including each Employee who is absent from work with the HLT Group on the Cut-Off Date by reason of layoff, leave of absence or disability.

(w) “ Terminated Hilton DB Plans ” shall mean, collectively, the Terminated Hilton UK DB Plans and the Terminated Hilton US DB Plans.

(x) “ Terminated Hilton UK DB Plan ” shall mean each defined benefit pension Plan which was sponsored or maintained by HLT or one of its Subsidiaries prior to the Plan Effective Time and that was made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees and Former Employees in the United Kingdom, but which, as of the Plan Effective Time, is not a Hilton Plan due to such Plan’s termination prior to such date.

 

3


(y) “ Terminated Hilton US DB Plan ” shall mean each tax-qualified defined benefit pension Plan which was sponsored or maintained by HLT or one of its Subsidiaries prior to the Plan Effective Time and that was made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees and Former Employees in the United States, but which, as of the Plan Effective Time, is not a Hilton Plan due to such Plan’s termination prior to such date.

(z) “ Terminated Japanese DB Plans ” shall mean each defined benefit pension Plan which was sponsored or maintained by Vacations prior to the Plan Effective Time and that was made available to certain HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees in Japan, but which, as of the Plan Effective Time, is not a Japanese DB Plan due to such Plan’s termination prior to such date.

(aa) “ Vacations ” shall mean HGV or one of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Plan Effective Time.

2. EMPLOYEES . (a)  Allocation of Employees . The Parties shall take all steps necessary or appropriate so that all of the Employees of HLT and its Subsidiaries as of the Cut-Off Date are allocated among the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business and the Timeshare Business as of the Distribution Date in accordance with the principles set forth in this Section 2(a). In making such allocation of Employees of HLT and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 2(a)(i) and (ii), the Parties shall share such information regarding the allocation of Employees as is reasonably requested. An Employee, other than a PK Employee (as defined below) or an HGV Employee (as defined below), who is (1) allocated to the HLT Retained Business and (2) employed by a member of the HLT Group as of the Distribution Date is a “ HLT Employee ”. An Employee who is (1) allocated to the Ownership Business and (2) employed by a member of the PK Group as of the Distribution Date is a “ PK Employee ”. An Employee who is (1) allocated to the Timeshare Business and (2) employed by a member of the HGV Group as of the Distribution Date is an “ HGV Employee ”. All Employees of HLT and its Subsidiaries as of the Cut-Off Date shall be allocated as an HLT Employee, a PK Employee or an HGV Employee on the Distribution Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the Distribution Agreement, a member of the HLT Group shall be liable for all Liabilities involving HLT Employees and Former Hilton Employees, a member of the PK Group shall be liable for all Liabilities involving PK Employees and Former PK Employees and a member of the HGV Group shall be liable for all Liabilities involving HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees.

(i) In making the allocation provided for in this Section 2(a), and subject to clause (ii) below, the Parties shall allocate each Employee whose employment duties prior to the Distribution Date relate exclusively to the Ownership Business to a member of the PK Group and the Timeshare Business to a member of the HGV Group. The Parties shall allocate all other Employees in a mutually agreeable manner that, to the extent possible, takes into account the Employees’ expertise, experience and existing positions and duties and does not unreasonably disrupt the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business or the Timeshare Business and maximizes the ability of each of the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business and the Timeshare Business to manage and operate their respective businesses on and after the Distribution Date, taking into account the respective needs of such businesses as established by past practice, to the extent applicable.

(ii) The Parties each agree that, between the date hereof and the Distribution Date, Employees shall not be transferred among the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business and the Timeshare Business except (A) as necessary to effectuate the second sentence of clause (i) of this Section 2(a), (B) in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, or (C) in accordance with the procedures described in the next sentence. The Parties agree that, between the date hereof and the Distribution Date, the senior human resources executives of each Party shall consult with one another in connection with the transfer of any Employee whose duties relate primarily to the HLT Retained Business, the Ownership Business or the Timeshare Business, as the case may be, and whose supervisor objects to the transfer. Consent by the transferee Party to any such transfer shall not be required.

 

4


(b) Leaves of Absence . Employees who are on an approved leave of absence as of the Distribution Date shall be treated as HLT Employees, PK Employees or HGV Employees, as the case may be, notwithstanding such leave of absence and each Party shall continue to apply the same leave of absence policy applicable to such inactive Employees as of such date until such inactive Employee returns to active employment with the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as the case may be.

(c) Subsequent Transfers of Employment . To the extent that the employment of any individual transfers among the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group following the Distribution Date but on or prior to December 31, 2017, the Parties shall use their reasonable efforts to effect the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the compensation and benefits of any such individual on and after the date of such transfer, it being understood that (i) it may not be possible to replicate the effect of such provisions under such circumstances and (ii) none of the Parties shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 2(c) to Assume any Liabilities or Transfer any Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for compensation subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such subsequent transfer, regardless of whether prior to, on or after December 31, 2017, shall be a separation from service from the applicable employer for purposes of such compensation, and the consequences of such separation from service shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable Plan.

(d) No Creation/Acceleration of Benefits . Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, no provision of, or event arising under, this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any Pre-Existing Hilton Employee, Former Employee or other future, present or former Employee of any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group.

(e) At-Will Status . Nothing in this Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group to continue the employment of any Employee or permit the return from a leave of absence of any Employee following the date of this Agreement or the Distribution Date (except as required by applicable Law) or change the employment status of any Employee from “at-will,” to the extent such Employee was an “at-will” employee under applicable Law.

3. BENEFIT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION . (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein with respect to a particular Plan or otherwise provided for under

 

5


applicable Law, all Employees who will become PK Employees and HGV Employees as of the Distribution Date shall cease active participation in all Hilton Plans no later than 11:59 p.m. on the Cut-Off Date (or such other time as may be required pursuant to applicable local Law).

(b) Recognition of Prior Service; No Duplication of Benefits . Except as otherwise expressly provided for under the terms of an HLT Plan, a PK Plan or an HGV Plan, each of HLT, PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of their respective Groups to, recognize each HLT Employee’s, PK Employee’s and HGV Employee’s, as the case may be, service with Hilton for purposes of determining such Employee’s eligibility, vested status, benefit levels and benefit accruals under each applicable HLT Plan, PK Plan and HGV Plan, as the case may be, and, in each case, to the extent required under applicable local Law or, in the event there is no applicable local Law, to the same extent such service would be credited under the corresponding Hilton Plan, as applicable, or if none, as required by the applicable Plan terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any Plans subject to any federal, state or local Laws of the United States, hours of service performed outside of the United States are not required to be credited for purposes of eligibility under any such HLT Plan, PK Plan or HGV Plan that is a “welfare plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA), to the extent permitted by applicable Law. In addition, to the extent it would result in a duplication of benefits or duplication of service credit under one or more Plans sponsored or maintained by any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, service credit shall not be awarded for purposes of retirement, severance, paid time off or any other Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, if the HLT Employee, PK Employee or HGV Employee, as the case may be, is compensated or otherwise eligible for a benefit, as applicable, on account of such service under a Hilton Plan as in effect on the Cut-Off Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, service credit shall be awarded for purposes of eligibility for any HLT Plan that is subject to any federal, state or local Laws of the United States (as adopted by any member of the PK Group or the HGV Group through no later than December 31, 2017), even if such award results in duplication of service credit.

(c) Amendment and Termination . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to restrict the right or authority of any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, to amend or terminate any HLT Plan, PK Plan or HGV Plan, or any Plan that is newly adopted or implemented in accordance with the terms hereof after the Distribution Date, as applicable, effective as of a date on and after the Distribution Date, to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

(d) Non-Termination of Employment . Any Pre-Existing Hilton Employee who, on the Distribution Date, is employed by a member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group shall not be deemed either to have terminated employment, incurred a separation from service or severance from employment, or to be in retirement status under any HLT Plan, PK Plan or HGV Plan solely as a result of the Distribution or related transactions except to the extent required by applicable Law or the applicable Plan terms. Except to the extent required by applicable Law or the applicable Plan terms, any Pre-Existing Hilton Employee who, on the Distribution Date, is employed by a member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group shall not, solely as a result of the Distribution or related transactions, be eligible to receive payment of, or exercise any portability rights in respect of, such Employee’s vested benefit or

 

6


retirement allowance under any HLT Plan, PK Plan or HGV Plan; provided that each HLT Employee, PK Employee and HGV Employee shall receive credit for their service with Hilton prior to the Distribution Date from a member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, as provided for in this Section 3.

(e) No Change in Control . The Parties acknowledge and agree that neither the consummation of the Distribution nor any transaction in connection with the Distribution shall be deemed a “change of control,” a “change in control” or term of similar import for purposes of any Hilton Plan, HLT Plan, PK Plan or HGV Plan.

(f) Fiduciary Matters . The Parties acknowledge that actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under ERISA or other applicable Law, and no Party shall be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon its good faith determination (as supported by advice from counsel experienced in such matters) that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty or standard. Each Party shall be responsible for taking such actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to comply with its own fiduciary responsibilities and shall fully release the other Parties for any Liabilities caused by the failure to satisfy any such responsibility.

(g) Consent of Third Parties . If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party and such consent is withheld, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the applicable provision of this Agreement to the full extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner.

4. DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS . (a)  US Tax-Qualified DB Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (i) each tax-qualified defined benefit pension Plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in the United States (or on temporary assignment outside the United States, if applicable) as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 4(a)(i) (such Plans, the “ US DB Plans ”), (ii) all Liabilities associated with the US DB Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees while such Employees were employed by a member of the Hilton Controlled Group, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, (iii) all Assets and Liabilities related to any Terminated Hilton US DB Plans, and (iv) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the US DB Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees while such Employees were employed by a member of the Hilton Controlled Group, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to any US DB Plans or any Terminated Hilton US DB Plans. For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the HLT Group is Assuming any Assets or Liabilities related to non-Hilton participating employers under the US DB Plans.

 

7


(b) Non-US DB Plans .

(i) HLT Group . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (w) each defined benefit pension plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States as of the Cut-Off Date, including without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 4(b)(i), and any legally enforceable agreements or guarantees given by Hilton to support such plans (collectively, the “ Non-US DB Plans ”), (x) all Liabilities associated with the Non-US DB Plans related to HLT Employees and Former Hilton Employees, and, solely with respect to the Hilton UK Pension Plan (the “ UK DB Plan ”), Liabilities relating to benefits built up by any HLT Employees, Former Employees, PK Employees, and HGV Employees, in each case, while employed by Hilton, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, (y) all Assets and Liabilities related to any Terminated Hilton UK DB Plans, and (z) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the Non-US DB Plans related to HLT Employees and Former Hilton Employees and, solely with respect to the UK DB Plans, Assets related to and accrued benefits built up by any HLT Employees, Former Employees, PK Employees, and HGV Employees while employed by Hilton, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees or Former Employees under the Non-US DB Plans, HLT Employees or Former Employees under any Terminated Hilton UK DB Plan or, solely with respect to the UK DB Plan, HLT Employees, Former Employees, PK Employees, or HGV Employees.

(ii) PK Group .

(A) Establishment of New Non-US DB Plans/Transfer of Assets and Liabilities . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume (x) a portion of each Non-US DB Plan that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States who become PK Employees at PK properties based outside of the United States, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 4(b)(ii)(B), but excluding the UK DB Plan (such Plans, the “ Non-US PK DB Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with the Non-US PK DB Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all Assets and accrued benefits related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees associated with the Non-US PK DB Plans, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to the Non-US PK DB Plans.

(B) UK   Life   Assurance Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to (x) establish, adopt and implement a new life assurance Plan to provide life assurance benefits to PK Employees employed in the United Kingdom on substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the terms on which the PK Employees employed in the United Kingdom were provided with life assurance benefits as of the Cut-Off Date, and, if any member of the PK Group provides life assurance benefits to any new Employees employed by a member of the PK Group in the United Kingdom after the Distribution Date, it shall be through the same Plan and

 

8


on the same terms as for PK Employees, and (y) Assume all Liabilities associated with such Plan related to PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date who are provided with life assurance benefits).

(C) UK DB Plan Mitigation Arrangements . As a result of ceasing to participate in the UK DB Plan, following the Distribution Date, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to pay, on a monthly basis, in arrears, to or in respect of each PK Employee who was an Active Deferred Member (as defined in the UK DB Plan) participating in the UK DB Plan immediately before the Distribution Date, in respect of each calendar month in which such PK Employee is employed by a member of the PK Group, either (x) a contribution to the defined contribution pension scheme that such PK Employee is a member of and provided under Section 5(b)(ii)(A), based on a fixed percentage (the “ Mitigation Percentage ”) of such PK Employee’s basic salary as communicated to such PK Employee before the Distribution Date, or (y) a cash salary supplement in an amount equal to the product of (I) the Mitigation Percentage and (II) such PK Employee’s basic salary. These payments shall be paid on such terms, including as to duration, as are communicated to such PK Employees before the Distribution Date, and subject to any ability of PK or any other member or members of the PK Group to change the affected PK Employees’ contractual terms where permitted by applicable Law following the Distribution Date. These payments are to be provided as mitigation to such PK Employee for the loss of the salary linkage feature provided under the UK DB Plan prior to the Distribution Date.

(iii) HGV Group .

(A) Establishment of New Non-US DB Plans/Transfer of Assets and Liabilities . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume (x) each defined benefit pension plan sponsored or maintained by Vacations as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in Japan who become HGV Employees at HGV properties based in Japan (such Plans, the “ Japanese DB Plans ”), all Liabilities associated with the Japanese DB Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the Japanese DB Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (y) (I) a portion of each other Non-US DB Plan that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States who become HGV Employees based outside the United States, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 4(b)(iii)(A), but excluding the UK DB Plan (such Plans, the “ Non-US HGV DB Plans ”), (II) all Liabilities associated with the Non-US HGV DB Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (III) all Assets and accrued benefits related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees associated with the Non-US HGV DB Plans, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related to the Japanese DB Plans and the Non-US HGV DB Plans.

(B) UK   Life   Assurance Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to (x)

 

9


establish, adopt and implement a new life assurance Plan to provide life assurance benefits to HGV Employees employed in the United Kingdom on substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the terms on which the HGV Employees employed in the United Kingdom were provided with life assurance benefits as of the Cut-Off Date, and, if any member of the HGV Group provides life assurance benefits to any new Employees employed by a member of the HGV Group in the United Kingdom after the Distribution Date, it shall be through the same Plan and on the same terms as for HGV Employees, and (y) Assume all Liabilities associated with such Plan related to HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date who are provided with life assurance benefits).

(C) UK DB Plan Mitigation Arrangements . As a result of ceasing to participate in the UK DB Plan, following the Distribution Date, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to pay, on a monthly basis, in arrears, to or in respect of each HGV Employee who was an Active Deferred Member participating in the UK DB Plan immediately before the Distribution Date, in respect of each calendar month in which such HGV Employee is employed by a member of the HGV Group, either (x) a contribution to the defined contribution pension scheme that such HGV Employee is a member of and provided under Section 5(b)(ii)(A), based on the Mitigation Percentage of such HGV Employee’s basic salary as communicated to such HGV Employee before the Distribution Date, or (y) a cash salary supplement in an amount equal to the product of (I) the Mitigation Percentage and (II) such HGV Employee’s basic salary. These payments shall be paid on such terms, including as to duration, as are communicated to such HGV Employees before the Distribution Date, and subject to any ability of HGV or any other member or members of the HGV Group to change the affected HGV Employees’ contractual terms where permitted by applicable Law following the Distribution Date. These payments are to be provided as mitigation to such HGV Employee for the loss of the salary linkage feature provided under the UK DB Plan prior to the Distribution Date.

5. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION PLANS . (a)  US Tax-Qualified DC Plans .

(i) General . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (x) each tax-qualified defined contribution pension plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in the United States (or on temporary assignment outside the United States, if applicable) as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 5(a)(i) (such Plans, the “ US DC Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with the US DC Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees while such Employees were employed by a member of the Hilton Controlled Group, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the US DC Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees while such Employees were employed by a member of the Hilton Controlled Group, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees or Former Employees under the US DC Plans. For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the HLT Group is Assuming any Assets or Liabilities related to non-Hilton participating employers under the US DC Plans.

 

10


(ii) Continued Participation in HW 401(k) Plan . Prior to the Plan Effective Time, each of (x) the Subsidiaries of HLT and (y) PK, HGV and their respective Subsidiaries with Employees who participate in the Hilton Worldwide 401(k) Plan as of the Cut-Off Date (the “ HW 401(k) Plan ”) shall have adopted the HW 401(k) Plan each as a participating employer. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of the applicable members of the PK Group and the HGV Group shall remain as participating employers in the HW 401(k) Plan until no later than December 31, 2017 and, in connection therewith, each of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group shall (x) pay their proportional share of the administrative and contribution costs associated with the HW 401(k) Plan during such period and (y) Assume all Liabilities associated with the HW 401(k) Plan related to HLT Employees, Former HLT Employees, PK Employees, Former PK Employees, HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively.

(iii) Establishment of New US Tax-Qualified DC Plans/Transfer of Assets and Liabilities . Effective no later than January 1, 2018, each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to establish, adopt and administer one or more new defined contribution pension plans that are intended to meet the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code and a related trust that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 501(a) of the Code for the benefit of eligible PK Employees and HGV Employees, as applicable, in the United States (or on temporary assignment outside of the United States, if applicable) (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group or HGV Group after the Distribution Date) (collectively, the “ New 401(k) Plans ”), the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the PK Compensation Committee or the HGV Compensation Committee (or their respective designees), as applicable, taking into account the terms and conditions of the HW 401(k) Plan.

(iv) As soon as practicable following the adoption of each New 401(k) Plan, HLT shall, or shall cause the applicable member of the HLT Group to, cause the trustee of the HW 401(k) Plan to Transfer to the trustee or other funding agent of each New 401(k) Plan the amounts (in cash, securities, other property or a combination thereof, including any promissory notes reflecting outstanding participant loan balances) representing the account balances of all PK Employees, Former PK Employees, HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date) who were participating in the HW 401(k) Plan with said amounts to be established as account balances of such Employees under the applicable New 401(k) Plan. Each such Transfer shall comply with Section 414(l) of the Code and the requirements of ERISA. Each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause the applicable member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, to (x) cause the trustees or other funding agent of the applicable New 401(k) Plan to accept the plan-to-plan Transfer from the HW 401(k) Plan, and to credit the accounts of such PK Employees, Former PK Employees, HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, as applicable (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group and the HGV Group after the Distribution Date, as applicable) under the applicable New 401(k) Plan with the amounts Transferred on their behalf and (y) Assume and be

 

11


solely responsible for all Liabilities under the applicable New 401(k) Plan relating to the accounts that are so Transferred as of the time of such Transfer. In connection with the plan-to-plan Transfer described above, the Parties agree to cooperate in making any and all appropriate filings required under applicable Law and to take all such action(s) as may be necessary or appropriate to cause such plan-to-plan Transfer to take place as soon as practicable following the adoption of each New 401(k) Plan.

(b) Non-US DC Plans .

(i) HLT Group . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (x) each defined contribution pension plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 5(b)(i) (such Plans, the “ Non-US DC Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with (I) the Non-US DC Plans and (II) the HOGARENTE (the Hotel and Restaurant Association) and the Pensioenfond Horeca & Catering Retirement Plan (such Plans, the “ Mandatory DC Plans ”), in each case, related to HLT Employees and Former Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the Non-US DC Plans, in each case, related to HLT Employees and Former Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees or Former Employees under the Non-US DC Plans or the Mandatory DC Plans.

(ii) PK Group .

(A) Continued Participation in HLT Plans/Establishment of New Plans in the UK . (1) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, for the purposes of providing defined contribution pension benefits for PK Employees employed in the United Kingdom, either:

(x) adopt and implement one or more new defined contribution pension plans that have the same terms as to contribution rates and eligibility as the Legal and General Group Pension Plan - Hilton Worldwide Personal UK Retirement Plan (the “ UK GPP ”) and The People’s Pension Scheme – Hilton Hotels Worldwide Section (the “ UK Auto-Enrolment Plan ”) (the UK GPP and the UK Auto-Enrolment Plan, collectively, the “ UK DC Plans ”); or

(y) with the consent of HLT and the trustees or providers of the UK DC Plans, continue participation in the UK DC Plans until no later than December 31, 2017 (the “ Transitional Period ”). During such time, the contribution and eligibility terms of the UK DC Plans shall be the same for PK Employees employed in the United Kingdom as they were for such PK Employees when they were employed by Hilton immediately prior to the Plan Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, in connection therewith, each of the HLT Group and the PK Group shall (I) pay their proportional share

 

12


of the administrative and contribution costs associated with the UK DC Plans during such period and (II) Assume all Liabilities associated with the UK DC Plans related to HLT Employees and PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group or the PK Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively. Effective from immediately after the end of the Transitional Period and no later than January 1, 2018, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, take the action(s) set out in clause (x) above.

(2) Following the establishment, adoption and implementation by PK or another member or members of the PK Group of one or more new defined contribution pension plans as required by clause (1)(x) above, if it would not otherwise automatically happen, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, request the trustee of the UK Auto-Enrolment Plan to Transfer all Assets and Liabilities of the UK Auto-Enrolment Plan attributable to PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date) to the applicable new defined contribution pension plan, subject to the agreement of the new defined contribution pension plan trustee or provider. Following such Transfer, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities relating thereto. In addition, if it would not otherwise automatically be permitted, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to request that the trustee or provider of the new defined contribution pension plan accept a Transfer of the Assets and Liabilities in the UK GPP attributable to any PK Employee (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date) who wishes to Transfer such Assets and Liabilities to the new defined contribution pension plan, provided such PK Employee (and any such new Employee employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date) is still an active member of the new defined contribution pension plan at the date of the Transfer.

(B) Assumption/Establishment of New Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to (x) commence participation in the Mandatory DC Plans and (y) Assume (I) each Non-US DC Plan that is made available as the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees as of the Cut-Off Date in South Africa who become PK Employees at PK properties based in South Africa (such Plans, the “ SA DC Plans ”), all Liabilities associated with the SA DC Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the SA DC Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (II) (1) a portion of each other Non-US DC Plan that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States who become PK Employees at PK properties based outside of the United States, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 5(b)(ii)(B), but excluding the UK DC Plans (such Plans, “ PK Required Plans ”), (2) all Liabilities associated with the PK Required Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (3) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the PK Required Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to PK Employees or Former PK Employees under

 

13


the SA DC Plans or the PK Required Plans. The PK Compensation Committee (or its designee) shall establish, adopt and implement one or more new defined contribution pension plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the PK Required Plans. Following the adoption of such plans, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Transfer all Assets and Liabilities attributable to PK Employees and Former PK Employees under the respective PK Required Plans to each such newly adopted plan. On and after such Transfer, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto. Following commencement of participation in the Mandatory DC Plans, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with such the Mandatory DC Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time.

(iii) HGV Group .

(A) Continued Participation in HLT Plans/Establishment of New Plans in the UK . (1) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, for the purposes of providing defined contribution pension benefits for HGV Employees employed in the United Kingdom, either:

(x) adopt and implement one or more new defined contribution pension plans that have the same terms as to contribution rates and eligibility as each applicable UK DC Plan; or

(y) with the consent of HLT and the trustees or providers of the UK DC Plans, continue participation in the UK DC Plans until no later than the last day of the Transitional Period. During such time, the contribution and eligibility terms of the UK DC Plans shall be the same for HGV Employees employed in the United Kingdom as they were for such HGV Employees when they were employed by Hilton immediately prior to the Plan Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, in connection therewith, each of the HLT Group and the HGV Group shall (I) pay their proportional share of the administrative and contribution costs associated with the UK DC Plans during such period and (II) Assume all Liabilities associated with the UK DC Plans related to HLT Employees and HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively. Effective from immediately after the end of the Transitional Period and no later than January 1, 2018, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, take the action(s) set out in clause (x) above.

(2) Following the establishment, adoption and implementation by HGV or another member or members of the HGV Group of one or more new defined contribution pension plans as required by clause (1)(x) above, if it would not otherwise automatically happen, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, request the trustee of the UK Auto-Enrolment Plan to Transfer all Assets and Liabilities of the UK Auto-Enrolment Plan attributable to HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) to the applicable new defined contribution pension plan, subject to the agreement of the new defined contribution pension plan trustee or provider. Following such Transfer, no

 

14


member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities relating thereto. In addition, if it would not otherwise automatically be permitted, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to request that the trustee or provider of the new defined contribution pension plan accept a Transfer of the Assets and Liabilities in the UK GPP attributable to any HGV Employee (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) who wishes to Transfer such Assets and Liabilities to the new defined contribution pension plan, provided such HGV Employee (and any such new Employee employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) is still an active member of the new defined contribution pension plan at the date of the Transfer.

(B) Assumption/Establishment of New Plans Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume (x) each Non-US DC Plan that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in Japan who become HGV Employees at HGV properties based in Japan (the “ Japanese DC Plans ”), all Liabilities associated with the Japanese DC Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the Japanese DC Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (y) (I) a portion of each other Non-US DC Plan that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States who become HGV Employees at HGV properties based outside of the United States, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 5(b)(iii)(B) (such Plans, excluding the UK DC Plans, the Hilton International Plan (Hilton Retirement Capital Plan section) and the Hilton Worldwide International Retirement Plan, the “ HGV Required Plans ”), (II) all Liabilities associated with the HGV Required Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (III) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the HGV Required Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related to HGV Employees or Former HGV Employees under the Japanese DC Plans or the HGV Required Plans. The HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee) shall establish, adopt and implement one or more new defined contribution pension plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the HGV Required Plans, effective as of the Plan Effective Time. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Transfer all Assets and Liabilities attributable to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees under each applicable HGV Required Plan to each such newly adopted plan. On and after such Transfer, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto.

6. NON-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT/DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS . (a)  General . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (x) each non-qualified retirement and deferred compensation plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in the United States (or on temporary assignment outside the United States, if applicable) as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule

 

15


6(a), (such Plans, the “ Hilton Deferred Compensation Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Deferred Compensation Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all Assets (including any associated rabbi trust) and accrued benefits associated with the Hilton Deferred Compensation Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, on and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees or HGV Employees under the Hilton Deferred Compensation Plans.

(b) New PK and HGV Deferred Compensation Plans/Transfer of Liabilities .

(i) PK Group . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, establish, adopt and administer one or more new deferred compensation and/or non-qualified retirement plans for eligible PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date) in the United States. The terms and conditions of one such plan for PK Employees who participated in the Hilton Hotels 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “ 2005 EDCP ”) as of the Cut-Off Date shall be substantially similar, in all material respects, to the 2005 EDCP. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume all Liabilities related to the 2005 EDCP attributable to PK Employees who participated in the 2005 EDCP as of the Cut-Off Date. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to PK Employees under the 2005 EDCP and no member of the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related to the HLT Employees and Former Employees under the 2005 EDCP. Any such other plans that are adopted by any member of the PK Group shall be on such terms and conditions as determined by the PK Compensation Committee (or its designee).

(ii) HGV Group . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, establish, adopt and administer one or more new deferred compensation and/or non-qualified retirement plans for eligible HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) in the United States. The terms and conditions of one such plan for HGV Employees who participated in the 2005 EDCP as of the Cut-Off Date shall be substantially similar, in all material respects, to the 2005 EDCP. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume all Liabilities related to the 2005 EDCP attributable to HGV Employees who participated in the 2005 EDCP as of the Cut-Off Date. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related to HGV Employees under the 2005 EDCP and no member of the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to the HLT Employees under the 2005 EDCP. Any such other plans that are adopted by any member of the HGV Group shall be on such terms and conditions as determined by the HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee).

 

16


(iii) No Separation from Service .

(A) The Parties agree that transfers of employment in connection with the Distribution shall not be treated as separations from service under any Hilton Deferred Compensation Plan, and such employment shall only be considered to terminate for purposes of the applicable Hilton Deferred Compensation Plans or a PK or HGV non-qualified retirement/deferred compensation plan that receives the Liabilities, as applicable, as a result of (x) a transfer of employment among the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group, or (y) a termination of employment with the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, following the Plan Effective Time. All non-qualified retirement/deferred compensation benefits payable on and after the Plan Effective Time related to HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees shall be paid under the applicable Hilton Deferred Compensation Plans or a PK or HGV non-qualified retirement/deferred compensation plan that receives the Liabilities, as applicable.

7. EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS . (a)  US H&W Plans .

(i) General . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (x) each health and welfare benefit Plan (other than severance Plans) sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in the United States and Puerto Rico as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 7(a)(i) (the “ Hilton H&W Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with the Hilton H&W Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the Hilton H&W Plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, except as otherwise provided for in Section 7(a)(iii), no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees or Former Hilton Employees under the Hilton H&W Plans, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to PK Employees or Former PK Employees under the Hilton H&W Plans and no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related to HGV Employees or Former HGV Employees under the Hilton H&W Plans.

(ii) COBRA . HLT or another member or members of the HLT Group shall be responsible for providing continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) (“ COBRA Coverage ”) under the applicable HLT Plan with respect to qualified beneficiaries whose qualifying event occurred prior to or in conjunction with the Distribution. For qualifying events occurring on and after the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, be responsible for providing COBRA Coverage to qualified beneficiaries whose qualifying event relates to a HLT Employee (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group after the Distribution Date), PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, be responsible for providing COBRA Coverage to qualified beneficiaries whose

 

17


qualifying event relates to a PK Employee (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date), and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, be responsible for providing COBRA Coverage to qualified beneficiaries whose qualifying event relates to a HGV Employee (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date).

(iii) Continued Participation In Hilton H&W Plans . Subject to the consent of the applicable insurers or any other applicable third-parties, as needed, effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of the applicable members of the PK Group and the HGV Group shall remain participating employers in the Hilton H&W Plans until no later than December 31, 2017, but shall cease participating in any cafeteria Plans, salary continuation Plans, health savings accounts, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefit Plans, commuter benefit Plans and tuition reimbursement Plans, in each case, sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that are made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in the United States as of the Cut-Off Date (such Plans, the “ Specified H&W Plans ”) as of the Plan Effective Time. In connection with such continued participation, each of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group shall (x) pay their proportional share of the administrative and contribution costs associated with such Plans during such period and (y) Assume all Liabilities associated with such Plans related to HLT Employees, Former HLT Employees, PK Employees, Former PK Employees, HGV Employees or Former HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively. Insurance premiums under the Hilton H&W Plans, including premiums related to COBRA Coverage, shall be paid either (x) directly to the applicable insurer by a member of each of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group on behalf of the participating Former Employees, Employees and dependents of each, or (y) directly to the applicable insurer by a member of the HLT Group on behalf of Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees and their respective dependents with reimbursement of such amounts being made by a member of the PK Group and the HGV Group within the time period required under ERISA. During the period commencing on the Distribution Date and ending no later than December 31, 2017, the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group shall share proportionally in any credits returned ( e.g., MLR credits, subrogation recoveries, etc.) to any health and welfare benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the HLT Group in which a member of the PK Group and HGV Group continue to participate on and after the Plan Effective Time.

(iv) New PK and HGV Health and Welfare Benefit Plans .

(A) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans in which eligible PK Employees and HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group and the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) in the United States shall participate, with terms and conditions that are substantially similar, in all material respects, to the terms and conditions of the Specified H&W Plans in which such Employees were participating as of the Cut-Off Date.

 

18


(B) Effective no later than January 1, 2018, each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans (excluding a Retiree Health Plan and retiree life insurance arrangements) under which PK Employees and HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group and the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) in the United States shall participate, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the PK Compensation Committee (or its designee) or the HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee), as applicable, taking into account the terms and conditions of the corresponding Hilton H&W Plan.

(C) Each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to use commercially reasonable efforts to waive all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements for each health and welfare benefit Plan in which PK Employees and HGV Employees in the United States were participating as of the Cut-Off Date or the effective date of the new Plan, as applicable.

(D) Each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to provide credit for expenses incurred by PK Employees and HGV Employees in the United States and their eligible dependents during the portion of the plan year that includes the Distribution Date for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to each such Employee.

(E) For the plan year in which the Distribution Date occurs, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts of PK Employees and HGV Employees shall be transferred to the corresponding PK or HGV health and welfare benefit Plan, including contribution and payment history.

(b) Non-US H&W Plans .

(i) HLT Group.  

(A) General . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, except as expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (x) each health and welfare benefit Plan (including each related insurance policy, trust instrument and other related contract or agreement) sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States as of the Cut-Off Date, including without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 7(b)(i)(A) (such Plans, the “ Hilton Non-US H&W Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Non-US H&W Plans related to HLT Employees, Former Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all Assets and accrued benefits associated with the Non-US H&W Plans related to HLT Employees, Former Hilton Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees. On and after the Plan Effective Time, except as expressly provided for herein or in the Transition Services Agreement, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related HLT Employees and Former Employees under the Non-US H&W Plans.

 

19


(B) Continued Participation in Brazilian H&W Plans/New Brazilian H&W Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, for the purposes of providing health and welfare and/or life insurance benefits for HLT Employees employed in Brazil (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group in Brazil after the Distribution Date), either (x) to establish, adopt or implement one or more new health and welfare and/or life insurance benefit plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the Seguro Saude Empresarial, the Seguro Coletivo Empresarial de Assistencia a Saude Na Segmentacao Odontologico and/or the Seguro de Vida Em Groupo, as applicable (each such Plan, a “ Brazilian H&W Plan ”) or (y) subject to consent of the applicable insurer(s) or any other applicable third-parties, as needed, effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of the applicable members of the HLT Group shall remain as participating employers in one or more Brazilian H&W Plans until no later than December 31, 2017 and, in connection therewith, each of the HLT Group and the PK Group shall (I) pay their proportional share of the administrative and contribution costs associated with the applicable Brazilian H&W Plan(s) during such period and (II) Assume all Liabilities associated with the applicable Brazilian H&W Plan(s) related to HLT Employees, Former HLT Employees, PK Employees and Former PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group or the PK Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively. Effective no later than January 1, 2018, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the applicable Brazilian H&W Plan(s).

(ii) PK Group .

(A) Continued Participation in HLT Plans . Subject to consent of the applicable insurers or any other applicable third-parties, as needed, effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of the applicable members of the PK Group shall remain as participating employers in the Plans listed on Schedule 7(b)(ii)(A) (each such Plan, a “ Continued PK H&W Plan ”) until no later than December 31, 2017 and, in connection therewith, each of the HLT Group and the PK Group shall (x) pay their proportional share of the administrative and contribution costs associated with each such Continued PK H&W Plan during such period and (y) Assume all Liabilities associated with each such Continued PK H&W Plan related to HLT Employees, Former HLT Employees, PK Employees and Former PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group or the PK Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively. Effective no later than January 1, 2018, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to each applicable Continued PK H&W Plan.

(B) Assumption/Establishment of New Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume (I) each health and welfare benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by a member of the PK Group as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain

 

20


Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in Brazil and South Africa who become PK Employees at PK properties based in Brazil and South Africa (such Plans, collectively, the “ Brazilian and SA H&W Plans ”), all Liabilities associated with the Brazilian and SA H&W Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and all Assets (including each related insurance policy, trust instrument and other related contract or agreement) and accrued benefits associated with the Brazilian and SA H&W Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (II) (1) a portion of each other health and welfare benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States who become PK Employees at PK properties based outside of the United States, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 7(b)(ii)(B) (collectively, “ PK Required H&W Plans ”), (2) all Liabilities associated with the PK Required H&W Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (3) all Assets (other than those held in an insurance policy or those that the PK Employee has the right to elect to retain with the applicable insurer) and accrued benefits associated with the PK Required H&W Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to PK Employees or Former PK Employees under the Brazilian and SA H&W Plans or the PK Required H&W Plans. The PK Compensation Committee (or its designee) shall establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the PK Required H&W Plans. Following the adoption of such Plans, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Transfer all Assets (other than those held in an insurance policy or those that the PK Employee or Former PK Employee has the right to elect to retain with the applicable insurer) and Liabilities attributable to PK Employees and Former PK Employees under the respective PK Required H&W Plans to each such newly adopted Plan. Following such Transfer, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto.

(iii) HGV Group .

(A) Continued Participation in HLT Plans . Subject to consent of the applicable insurers or any other applicable third-parties, as needed, effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of the applicable members of the HGV Group shall remain as participating employers in the Plans listed on Schedule 7(b)(iii)(A) (each such Plan, a “ Continued HGV H&W Plan ”) until no later than December 31, 2017 and, in connection therewith, each of the HLT Group and the HGV Group shall (x) pay their proportional share of the administrative and contribution costs associated with each such Continued HGV H&W Plan during such period and (y) Assume all Liabilities associated with each such Continued HGV H&W Plan related to HLT Employees or HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, after the Distribution Date), respectively. Effective no later than January 1, 2018, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to each applicable Continued HGV H&W Plan.

 

21


(B) Assumption/Establishment of New Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume (I) each health and welfare benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by a member of the HGV Group as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in Japan who become HGV Employees at HGV properties based in Japan (such Plans, the “ Japanese H&W Plans ”), all Liabilities associated with the Japanese H&W Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and all Assets (other than those held in an insurance policy or those that the HGV Employee or Former HGV Employee has the right to elect to retain with the applicable insurer) and accrued benefits associated with the Japanese H&W Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (II) (1) a portion of each other health and welfare benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available as of the Cut-Off Date to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States who become HGV Employees at HGV properties based outside of the United States (collectively, “ HGV Required H&W Plans ”), (2) all Liabilities associated with the HGV Required H&W Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time, and (3) all Assets (other than those held in an insurance policy or those that the HGV Employee or Former HGV Employee has the right to elect to retain with the applicable insurer) and accrued benefits associated with the HGV Required H&W Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, whether accrued prior to, on or after the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related to HGV Employees or Former HGV Employees under the Japanese H&W Plans or the HGV Required H&W Plans. The HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee) shall establish, adopt and implement one or more new health and welfare benefit Plans that have substantially similar terms, in all material respects, to the HGV Required H&W Plans. Following the adoption of such Plans, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Transfer all Assets (other than those held in an insurance policy or those that the HGV Employee or Former HGV Employees has the right to elect to retain with the applicable insurer) and Liabilities attributable to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees under the respective HGV Required H&W Plans to each such newly adopted Plan. Following such Transfer, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto.

(iv) Credit . To the extent available under local Law, PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to use commercially reasonable efforts to waive all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements for each Non-US health and welfare benefit Plan in which such PK Employees and HGV Employees were participating as of the Cut-Off Date or the effective date of such new Plan, as applicable.

(A) PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to provide credit for expenses incurred by such PK Employees and HGV Employees and their respective eligible dependents during the portion of the plan year that includes the Distribution Date for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to each such Employee.

 

22


(B) For purposes of this Section 7, a claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred (i) with respect to medical, dental, vision and/or prescription drug benefits, upon the rendering of health services giving rise to such claim or Liability; (ii) with respect to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and business travel accident insurance, upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to such claim or Liability; (iii) with respect to disability benefits, upon the date of an Employee’s disability, as determined by the disability benefit insurance carrier or claim administrator, giving rise to such claim or Liability; and (iv) with respect to a period of continuous hospitalization, upon the date of admission to the hospital.

8. SEVERANCE PLANS .   (a)  US Plans . (i) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume (x) each severance plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees in the United States (or on temporary assignment outside the United States, if applicable) as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Plans listed on Schedule 8(a)(i) (collectively, the “ Hilton Severance Plans ”), (y) all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Severance Plans related to HLT Employees as of the Plan Effective Time, and (z) all accrued benefits associated with the Hilton Severance Plans related to HLT Employees as of the Plan Effective Time. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, (I) HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Severance Plans related to Former Hilton Employees, (II) PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Severance Plans related to Former PK Employees, and (III) HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Severance Plans related to Former HGV Employees.

(ii) On or after the Plan Effective Time, PK and/or HGV may establish, adopt and implement one or more new severance Plans in the United States, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the PK Compensation Committee (or its designee) and/or the HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee), as applicable.

(iii) The Parties agree that transfers of employment in connection with the Distribution shall not be treated as terminations of employment under any Hilton Severance Plan and all severance benefits payable on and after the Plan Effective Time related to HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) shall be paid under the applicable Hilton Severance Plan or, upon adoption following the Distribution Date, the new PK Group severance Plan or HGV Group severance Plan, as applicable.

(b) Non-US Plans . HLT, PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to provide severance or end of service benefits (“ Non-US Severance ”), as applicable, to their respective Employees to the extent required by applicable Law and Assume all such Liabilities related to HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, as applicable. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, (i) HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with Non-US Severance related to Former Hilton Employees, (ii) PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume all

 

23


Liabilities associated with Non-US Severance related to Former PK Employees, and (iii) HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with Non-US Severance related to Former HGV Employees.

9. PAID TIME OFF . (a) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume each US and non-US paid time off Plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to Pre-Existing Hilton Employees as of the Cut-Off Date who become HLT Employees (such Plans, the “ Hilton PTO Plans ”) and all Liabilities associated with the Hilton PTO Plans related to HLT Employees as of the Plan Effective Time. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees under the Hilton PTO Plans.

(b) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new US and non-US paid time off Plans (each such Plan, a “ PK PTO Plan ”), the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by one or more members of the PK Group, taking into account the terms and conditions of the corresponding Hilton PTO Plan. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume all Liabilities related to PK Employees under the applicable Hilton PTO Plan. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto.

(c) Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new US and non-US paid time off plans (each such Plan, a “ HGV PTO Plan ”), the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by one or more members of the HGV Group, taking into account the terms and conditions of the corresponding Hilton PTO Plan. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume all Liabilities related to HGV Employees under the applicable Hilton PTO Plan. On and after the Plan Effective Time, no member of the HLT Group or the PK Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto.

(d) Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the Parties agree that transfers of employment in connection with the Distribution shall not be treated as terminations of employment under any Hilton PTO Plan, PK PTO Plan or HGV PTO Plan and all paid time off benefits accrued under any Hilton PTO Plan as of the Plan Effective Time related to HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees shall remain with the applicable Hilton PTO Plan or transfer to a PK PTO Plan or HGV PTO Plan, as applicable.

(e) To the extent that any member of the HLT Group, PK Group or HGV Group (such member, the “ Paying Entity ”) is required to pay any amounts relating to paid time off benefits associated with HLT Employees, PK Employees or HGV Employees who are not Employees of the Paying Entity as of the Distribution Date in connection with the Distribution, the employing entity agrees to reimburse the Paying Entity for such amounts.

 

24


10. PERQUISITES .   (a)  TMTP/Go Hilton . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV Employees and PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group and the PK Group after the Distribution Date) shall continue to be eligible to participate in the Go Hilton Program, as amended from time to time in the HLT Group’s sole discretion (the “Program”), subject to annual review of such participation by the HLT Group. HGV and PK participation in the Program is subject to the terms and conditions of reciprocity agreement(s) between a member of the HLT Group and a member of the HGV Group or the PK Group, as applicable, and reciprocal loading of HGV and PK inventory to be centrally managed by the HLT Go Hilton team. Such participation is intended to qualify as a fringe benefit excludible from gross income of HLT Employees, HGV Employees and PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group, PK Group and the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) under Section 132(a) of the Code. This Agreement and any reciprocity agreement(s) shall each constitute a reciprocal agreement between HLT and HGV and HLT and PK, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 132(i) of the Code and each of HLT, PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group to, execute such further documentation as may be required for tax purposes or otherwise necessary to effect such arrangement.

(b) HGV Discount Program . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT Employees and PK Employees shall no longer participate in the discount program offered by the HGV Group with respect to purchases of HGV inventory. The HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee) shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether to continue to offer discounts on HGV inventory to HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) following the Plan Effective Time.

(c) HLT Non-US Perquisites . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume, establish, adopt and implement, as applicable, one or more new perquisite policies covering HLT Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group after the Distribution Date) outside of the United States, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the HLT Compensation Committee (or its designee), taking into account the terms and conditions of the perquisite policy sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees outside of the United States as of the Cut-Off Date (such plans, the “ Hilton Non-US Perk Plans ”). In connection with the foregoing, effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Non-US Perk Plans related to HLT Employees and Former Hilton Employees. Following the Plan Effective Time, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees or Former Hilton Employees under the Hilton Non-US Perk Plans.

(d) PK Non-US Perquisites . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, establish, adopt and implement, as applicable, one or more new perquisite policies covering eligible PK Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group after the Distribution Date) outside of the United States, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the PK Compensation Committee (or its designee), taking into account the terms and conditions of the corresponding Hilton Non-US Perk Plan. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Non-US Perk Plans related to PK Employees and Former PK Employees.

(e) HGV Non-US Perquisites . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, establish, adopt and implement, as applicable, one or more new perquisite policies covering eligible HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HGV Group after the Distribution Date) outside of the United States, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee), taking into account the terms and conditions of the corresponding Hilton Non-US Perk Plan. Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume all Liabilities associated with the Hilton Non-US Perk Plans related to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees.

 

25


11. CASH BONUS PLANS . (a)  General . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group to, Assume each cash bonus Plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the Hilton 2016 corporate and hotel operations (general managers and hotel management) and hotel sales incentive Plans other than the 2016 Assumed HGV Plans (as defined below) (such Plans, the “ Hilton Bonus Plans ”) and all Assets and Liabilities with respect to the bonus amounts earned (or to be earned) under the Hilton Bonus Plans based on the performance of Hilton for the period beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2016 with respect to HLT Employees and Former Hilton Employees. Such bonus amounts, if any, shall be paid, following the determination and certification by the HLT Compensation Committee (or its designee), by a member of the HLT Group in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Hilton Bonus Plan.

(b) HGV Cash Bonus Plans . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, Assume each cash bonus Plan sponsored or maintained by Vacations as of the Cut-Off Date in respect of the 2016 fiscal year (the “ 2016 Assumed HGV Plans ”) and all Assets and Liabilities with respect to bonus amounts earned under the 2016 Assumed HGV Plans based on the performance of the HGV Group for the period commencing on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2016 (“ CY 2016 ”) with respect to HGV Employees and Former HGV Employees, as determined and certified by the HGV Compensation Committee (or its designee). Such bonus amounts, if any, shall be paid by a member of the HGV Group in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable 2016 Assumed HGV Plan.

(c) 2016 PK and HGV Cash Bonuses . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group or the HGV Group to, establish, adopt and implement one or more new cash bonus Plans under which eligible PK Employees and HGV Employees (and any new Employees employed by any member of the PK Group and the HGV Group after the Distribution Date), as applicable, shall participate, the terms and conditions of which shall be substantially similar to the Hilton Bonus Plans in effect with respect to the 2016 fiscal year (such plans, the “ 2016 Spinco Bonus Plans ”). Under the 2016 Spinco Bonus Plans, to the extent any bonus payable thereunder is based on

 

26


company performance, with respect to the period commencing on January 1, 2016 and ending on the Distribution Date, company performance shall be based on the actual performance of Hilton and its Subsidiaries during such period, as determined and certified by the HLT Compensation Committee (or its designee) and, with respect to the period commencing on the day immediately following the Distribution Date and ending on December 31, 2016, company performance shall be based on the actual performance of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, during such period, as determined and certified by the HGV Compensation Committee or the PK Compensation Committee (or its designee), as applicable. Effective as of the Distribution Date, each of PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and HGV Group, as applicable, to, Assume all Liabilities associated with bonuses for CY 2016 related to PK Employees and HGV Employees, as applicable. Such bonus amounts, if any, shall be paid by a member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable 2016 Spinco Bonus Plan.

12. EQUITY-BASED AWARDS . (a)  General . Effective as of the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall Assume each equity-based incentive plan sponsored or maintained by Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date that is made available to certain Pre-Existing Hilton Employees as of the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, the HLT 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ OIP ”) and all Assets and Liabilities associated with such plans related to Former Employees, HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or following the Plan Effective Time. Following the Plan Effective Time, no member of the PK Group or the HGV Group shall have any Liabilities related to HLT Employees or Former Employees under such plans. Employees who separate from service with Hilton prior to the Plan Effective Time and whose awards are subject to continued vesting under the retirement eligibility provisions of the OIP and the award agreements thereunder shall be treated as HLT Employees regardless of their roles with Hilton prior to the Plan Effective Time.

(b) New PK and HGV Plans . (i) Effective not later than the Plan Effective Time, PK shall have adopted (x) the Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ PK OIP ”), which shall permit the issuance of equity-based and cash-based incentive awards denominated in PK Common Stock and (y) the Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which shall permit the issuance of equity-based awards denominated in PK Common Stock (the “ PK Director Plan ”). HLT shall cause the PK OIP and the PK Director Plan to both be approved prior to the Plan Effective Time by HLT, as PK’s sole stockholder.

(ii) Effective not later than the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall have adopted (x) the Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ HGV OIP ”), which shall permit the issuance of equity-based and cash-based incentive awards denominated in HGV Common Stock and (y) the Hilton Grand Vacation Inc. 2016 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which shall permit the issuance of equity-based awards denominated in HGV Common Stock (the “ HGV Director Plan ”). HLT shall cause the HGV OIP and the HGV Director Plan to both be approved prior to the Plan Effective Time by HLT, as HGV’s sole stockholder.

(iii) No individual awards (other than as expressly contemplated below) shall be granted under the PK OIP, the PK Director Plan, the HGV OIP or the HGV Director

 

27


Plan until after the Distribution Date with any such awards at the discretion of the PK Board, the PK Compensation Committee, the HGV Board or the HGV Compensation Committee, as applicable.

(c) Treatment of Equity-Based Awards . (i) Equity-based awards granted under the OIP based on HLT Common Stock held by HLT Employees, Former Employees, HLT non-employee Board members and PK Employees who serve as General Managers at Hilton-branded PK properties outside of the United States (“ PK Non-US GMs ”) shall remain outstanding under the OIP and be adjusted, effective as of the Distribution Date, in accordance with the terms of the OIP in a manner as determined by the HLT Compensation Committee, to reflect the impact of the Distribution, but shall otherwise remain subject to the same terms and conditions, including vesting schedule, as the original awards.

(ii) Equity-based awards granted under the OIP based on HLT Common Stock held by PK Employees (other than PK Non-US GMs) shall be converted, effective as of the Distribution Date, into awards under the PK OIP with equivalent value based on, and settled in, PK Common Stock but shall otherwise remain subject to the same terms and conditions, including vesting schedule, as the original awards, except as expressly provided for below.

(iii) Equity-based awards granted under the OIP based on HLT Common Stock held by HGV Employees shall be converted, effective as of the Distribution Date, into awards under the HGV OIP with equivalent value based on, and settled in, HGV Common Stock but shall otherwise remain subject to the same terms and conditions, including vesting schedule, as the original awards, except as expressly provided for below.

(iv) Outstanding and unvested restricted stock units granted under the OIP in 2013 to HLT non-employee Board members shall vest and be settled in shares of HLT Common Stock as of a date prior to the Distribution Date as determined by the Board, which date shall be no later than the day before the Distribution Record Date, and, accordingly, such Board members shall receive shares of each of PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock in connection with the Distribution.

(v) Performance-based awards granted in 2014 under the OIP held by HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees shall be treated as follows: the performance period applicable to such awards which was originally scheduled to end December 31, 2016 shall instead end on a date prior to the Distribution Date as determined by the HLT Compensation Committee. The HLT Compensation Committee shall determine to what extent such awards vest based on performance from the beginning of the applicable performance period through the vesting date determined by the HLT Compensation Committee and any such vested awards shall be settled in shares of HLT Common Stock prior to the Distribution Date, but in no event later than the day before the Distribution Record Date.

(vi) Performance-based awards granted in 2015 and 2016 under the OIP held by HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees shall be converted into time vesting awards, effective as of the Distribution Date, based on a performance level determined by the HLT Compensation Committee and, subject to continued employment, shall vest on the date that the applicable performance period would have otherwise ended and be settled in shares of HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock or HGV Common Stock, as applicable.

 

28


(d) PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group or the HGV Group to, Assume all Liabilities related to any cash long-term incentive awards granted under the OIP by HLT to PK Employees and HGV Employees, respectively, whether incurred prior to, on or following the Distribution Date. On and after the Distribution Date, no member of the HLT Group shall have any Liabilities related thereto.

(e) All of the adjustments and conversions described in this Section 12 shall be effected in accordance with Sections 424 and 409A of the Code, as applicable.

(f) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain effective registration statements with the SEC with respect to the awards described in this Section 12, to the extent any such registration statement is required by applicable Law.

13. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS . (a)  HLT Collective Bargaining Agreements . HLT or another member or members of the HLT Group shall expressly Assume all collective bargaining or other labor agreements so identified on Schedule 13(a) (such agreements, the “ HLT CBAs ”) and associated Liabilities, in each case, effective as of the Distribution Date. For each such HLT CBA in effect as of the Distribution Date, HLT or another member or members of the HLT Group, as applicable, agrees to recognize the union which is a party to each such HLT CBA as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for the HLT Employees covered under the terms of each such HLT CBA. PK shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group to, at the request of HLT, execute all “Owner’s Letters” and take all other actions necessary for HLT’s and/or PK’s compliance with any collective bargaining agreement or other labor agreement identified on Schedule 13(a) or Schedule 13(c).

(b) PK Collective Bargaining Agreements . PK or a member of the PK Group shall expressly Assume all collective bargaining or other labor agreements so identified on Schedule 13(b) (such agreements, the “ PK CBAs ”) and associated Liabilities, in each case, effective as of the Distribution Date. For each such PK CBA in effect as of the Distribution Date, PK or another member or members of the PK Group agrees to recognize the union which is a party to each such PK CBA as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for the PK Employees covered under the terms of each such PK CBA.

(c) HGV Collective Bargaining Agreements . HGV or a member of the HGV Group shall expressly Assume all collective bargaining or other labor agreements so identified on Schedule 13(c) (such agreements, the “ HGV CBAs ”) and associated Liabilities, in each case, effective as of the Distribution Date. For each such HGV CBA in effect as of the Distribution Date, HGV or another member or members of the HGV Group agrees to recognize the union which is a party to each such HGV CBA as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for the HGV Employees covered under the terms of each such HGV CBA. HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HGV Group to, at the request of HLT, execute all “Owner’s Letters” and take all other actions necessary to HLT’s and/or HGV’s compliance with any collective bargaining agreement or other labor agreement identified on Schedule 13(a) or Schedule 13(c).

(d) EU Directive . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13, in countries in which the European Union Acquired Rights Directive applies, collective bargaining agreements and any other agreements with employee representatives shall continue to apply after the Distribution Date to the extent and in the manner provided for by local Law.

 

29


14. TRANSITION SERVICES . Each of HLT, PK and HGV and the members of their respective Groups shall provide such transition services as required by the Transition Services Agreement.

15. ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND DATA EXCHANGE . (a)  Provision of Corporate Records . (i) Consistent with Section 8.3 of the Distribution Agreement, upon the prior written request by PK or HGV for specific and identified agreements, documents, books, records or files including, without limitation, computer files, microfiche, tape recordings and photographs (collectively, “ Records ”), relating to or affecting PK or HGV, as applicable, HLT shall arrange, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, for the provision of appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if the Party making the request has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession of HLT or any of its Subsidiaries.

(ii) After the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by HLT or PK for specific and identified Records relating to or affecting HLT or PK, as applicable, HGV shall arrange, as soon as practicable following the receipt of such request, for the provision of appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if the Party making the request has a need for such originals) in the possession of HGV or any of its Subsidiaries.

(iii) After the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by HLT or HGV for specific and identified Records relating to or affecting HLT or HGV, as applicable, PK shall arrange, as soon as practicable following the receipt of such request, for the provision of appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if the Party making the request has a need for such originals) in the possession of PK or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) Access to Information . (i) From and after the Distribution Date and consistent with Section 8.3 of the Distribution Agreement, each of HLT, PK and HGV shall afford to the other and its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to the appropriate restrictions for classified, privileged or confidential information, to the personnel, properties, books and Records of such Party and its Subsidiaries insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other Party.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (i), except as otherwise provided by applicable Law, each Party shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished to the other Parties, a list of all benefit plan participants and employee data or information in its possession which is necessary for such other Parties to maintain and implement any benefit plan or arrangement covered by this Agreement, or to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, and which is not otherwise readily available to such other Party.

 

30


(c) Reimbursement; Other Matters. (i) Except to the extent otherwise specifically identified by the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, a Party providing Records or access to information to the other Party under this Section 15 shall be entitled to receive from the recipient, upon the presentation of invoices therefore, payments for such amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses, as may be reasonably incurred in providing such Records or access to information.

(ii) The Parties shall comply with those document retention policies, cost sharing arrangements, expense reimbursement procedures and request procedures as shall be established and agreed to in writing by their respective authorized officers on or prior to the Distribution Date in respect of Records and related matters.

(d) Confidentiality . Each of HLT, PK and HGV shall, or shall cause another member or members of the HLT Group, the PK Group, and the HGV Group to, not use or permit the use of (without the prior written consent of the other) and shall hold, and shall cause its consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, all information concerning the other Parties in its possession, its custody or under its control (except to the extent that (A) such information has been in the public domain through no fault of such Party, (B) such information has been later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party, (C) the Distribution Agreement, this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement entered into pursuant hereto permits the use or disclosure of such information, or (D) as may be required under the USA Patriot Act) to the extent such information (x) relates to the period up to the Plan Effective Time, (y) relates to the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (z) is obtained in the course of performing services for the other Party pursuant to the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and each Party shall not (without the prior written consent of the other) otherwise release or disclose such information to any other Person, except such Party’s auditors and attorneys, unless compelled to disclose such information by judicial or administrative process or unless such disclosure is required by Law and such Party has used commercially reasonable efforts to consult with the other affected Party or Parties prior to such disclosure. To the extent that a Party is compelled by judicial or administrative process to disclose such information under circumstances in which any evidentiary privilege would be available, such Party agrees to assert such privilege in good faith prior to making such disclosure. Each of the Parties agrees to consult with each relevant other Party in connection with any such judicial or administrative process, including, without limitation, in determining whether any privilege is available, and further agrees to allow each such relevant Party and its counsel to participate in any hearing or other proceeding (including, without limitation, any appeal of an initial order to disclose) in respect of such disclosure and assertion of privilege. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Party shall be entitled to use information disclosed pursuant to this Agreement to the extent reasonably necessary for the administration of its employee benefit plans in accordance with applicable Law.

(e) Audit Rights with Respect to Information Provided . Each of the Parties and their duly authorized representatives shall have the right to conduct reasonable audits with respect to all information provided to it by the other Party. The Parties shall cooperate to determine the procedures and guidelines for conducting audits under this Section 15(e), which shall require reasonable advance notice by the auditing Party. The auditing Party shall have the right to make copies of any records at its expense, subject to applicable Law.

 

31


16. NOTICES; COOPERATION . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all actions contemplated herein with respect to benefit plans which are to be consummated pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to such notices to, and/or approvals by, the Internal Revenue Service (or other Governmental Entity) as are required or deemed appropriate by such benefit plan’s sponsor. Each of HLT, PK and HGV agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such notices and/or approvals to be filed or obtained, as the case may be, in a timely fashion. Each Party shall reasonably cooperate with the other Parties with respect to any Governmental Approvals, employee notices or any other actions reasonably necessary to maintain and implement the employee benefit arrangements covered by this Agreement.

17. FURTHER ASSURANCES . From time to time, as and when reasonably requested by any other Party, each Party shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions as such other Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder.

18. INDEMNIFICATION . (a)  Indemnification by HLT . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in Article VII of the Distribution Agreement, following the Plan Effective Time, HLT shall, and shall cause the other members of the HLT Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Ownership Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Ownership Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees, respectively, arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (i) any HLT Plan, (ii) any and all Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from the operation or conduct of any US DB Plan, UK DB Plan or Terminated Hilton DB Plan or any individual identified as an HLT Employee (and any new Employees employed by any member of the HLT Group after the Distribution Date), and (iii) the breach by HLT of any provision of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, HLT and OpCo shall be jointly and severally liable to any of the Ownership Indemnitees for any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Ownership Indemnitees arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the foregoing.

(b) Indemnification by PK . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in Article VII of the Distribution Agreement, following the Plan Effective Time, PK shall, and shall cause the other members of the PK Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Management and Franchising Indemnitees and the Timeshare Indemnitees, respectively, arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (i) any PK Plan, (ii) any and all Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from the operation or conduct of any Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the PK Group prior to the Distribution Date primarily for the benefit of PK Employees and Former PK Employees or any individual identified as a PK Employee, or (iii) the breach by PK of any provision of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, any and all payments by PK or any other members of the PK Group in respect of Indemnifiable Losses of the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the foregoing shall be made directly to OpCo or one of its Subsidiaries.

 

32


(c) Indemnification by HGV . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in Article VII of the Distribution Agreement, following the Plan Effective Time, HGV shall, and shall cause the other members of the HGV Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Ownership Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Managing and Franchising Indemnitees and the Ownership Indemnitees, respectively, arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (i) any HGV Plan, (ii) any and all Liabilities relating primarily to, arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from the operation or conduct of any Plan sponsored or maintained by Vacations prior to the Distribution Date or any individual identified as a HGV Employee, or (iii) the breach by HGV of any provision of this Agreement.

(d) Limitations on Indemnification Obligations . (i) The amount that any Party (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) is or may be required to pay to any other Person (an “ Indemnitee ”) pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 18, as applicable, shall be reduced (retroactively or prospectively) by any Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered by or on behalf of such Indemnitee in respect of the related Indemnifiable Loss. If an Indemnitee shall have received the payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of an Indemnifiable Loss and shall subsequently actually receive Insurance Proceeds or other amounts in respect of such Indemnifiable Loss, then such Indemnitee shall pay to such Indemnifying Party a sum equal to the amount of such Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually received, up to the aggregate amount of any payments received from such Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Indemnifiable Loss.

(ii) An Indemnifying Party shall not be required to indemnify or pay an Indemnitee pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 18, as applicable, for any Indemnifiable Losses relating to or associated with any Plan of the Indemnifying Party arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with any act or failure to act on the part of such Indemnitee (including for this purpose any Subsidiaries, businesses or operations which become associated with the Indemnitee by virtue of or in connection with the Distribution) with respect to or in connection with such Plan, including, without limitation, any such act or failure to act in connection with the administration by the Indemnitee of such Plan.

(e) Survival of Indemnities . The obligations of HLT, PK and HGV under this Section 18 shall survive the sale or other Transfer by any of them of any assets or businesses or the assignment by any of them of any Liabilities, with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss of the other related to such assets, businesses or Liabilities.

(f) REIT Status Considerations . The principles of Section 7.9(c) of the Distribution Agreement shall apply to indemnification payments due under this Agreement.

19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION . In the event of an Action arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity or breach of this Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any Action based on contract, tort, statute or constitution, the relevant Parties shall adhere to the dispute resolution procedures as described in the Distribution Agreement.

 

33


20. PAYROLL REPORTING AND TAX WITHHOLDING .   (a)  Form W-2 Reporting .   The Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to follow the alternate procedure for United States employment tax withholding as provided in Section 5 of Rev. Proc. 2004-53, I.R.B. 2004-35.

(b) Garnishments, Tax Levies, Child Support orders and Wage Assignments . With respect to Employees with garnishments, tax levies, child support orders and wage assignments in effect with Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date, PK and HGV, as the successor employers to each such PK Employee and HGV Employee, as applicable, shall, or shall cause another member of the PK Group or the HGV Group, as applicable, to honor such payroll deduction authorizations and shall continue to make payroll deductions and payments to the authorized payee, as specified by the court or governmental order which was filed with Hilton. HLT shall, or shall cause another member of the HLT Group to provide each of PK and HGV with a list of the PK Employees and HGV Employees who have garnishments, tax levies, child support orders and wage assignments in effect as of the Cut-Off Date.

(c) Authorization for Payroll Deductions . Unless otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, another Ancillary Agreement, a Plan document or applicable Law, with respect to Employees with authorizations for payroll deductions and direct deposits in effect with Hilton as of the Cut-Off Date, PK and HGV, as the successor employers, shall, or shall cause another member or members of the PK Group and the HGV Group, as applicable, to honor such payroll deduction authorizations relating to each PK Employee and HGV Employee, as applicable, and shall not require that such PK Employee or HGV Employee, as applicable, submit a new authorization to the extent that the type of deduction by PK or HGV, as applicable, does not differ from that made by Hilton.

21. MISCELLANEOUS . (a)  Complete Agreement; Construction . This Agreement, including any schedules hereto and the Distribution Agreement, shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments, course of dealings and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event and to the extent that there shall be a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Distribution Agreement, this Agreement shall control unless specifically stated otherwise in this Agreement. In the event and to the extent that there shall be a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any other Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement shall control unless specifically stated otherwise in this Agreement.

(b) Data Privacy . The Parties agree that any applicable data privacy Laws and any other obligations of the HLT Group, PK Group and the HGV Group to maintain the confidentiality of any employee information or information held by any Plan in accordance with applicable Law shall govern the disclosure of employee information among the Parties under this Agreement. The Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to have in place appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect the personal data of the HLT Employees, PK Employees and HGV Employees.

(c) Ancillary Agreements . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by any other Ancillary Agreement.

 

34


(d) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties.

(e) Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Plan Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

(f) Expenses . All out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred, or to be incurred and directly related to the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid as described in Section 11.5 of the Distribution Agreement.

(g) Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be made as described in Section 11.6 of the Distribution Agreement.

(h) Consents . Any consent required or permitted to be given by any Party to the other Parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such consent and shall be effective only against such Party (and its Group).

(i) Assignment . This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be assignable in whole in connection with a merger or consolidation or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Business Entity assumes all the obligations of the relevant Party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Parties. No assignment permitted by this Section 21(i) shall release the assigning Party from liability for the full performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

(j) Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement and the obligations and rights hereunder shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by (and against) the Parties and their respective successors and permitted transferees and assigns.

(k) Termination and Amendment . This Agreement may be terminated, amended, or modified and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of HLT without the approval of PK, HGV or the stockholders of HLT. In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any Liability of any kind to any other Party or any other Person. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated, modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by HLT, PK and HGV.

(l) Payment Terms . Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement, any amount to be paid or reimbursed by any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, to any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group), on the other hand, under this Agreement

 

35


shall be paid or reimbursed hereunder within sixty (60) days after presentation of an invoice or a written demand therefor and setting forth, or accompanied by, reasonable documentation or other reasonable explanation supporting such amount. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement (and any amount billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that is not paid within sixty (60) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR, from time to time in effect, calculated for the actual number of days elapsed, accrued from the date on which such payment was due up to the date of the actual receipt of payment. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, a Party (or any member of a Party’s Group) may direct that any payment owed such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) hereunder be paid directly to a member of the same Group.

(m) No Circumvention . The Parties agree not to directly or indirectly take any actions, act in concert with any Person who takes an action, or cause or allow any member of any such Party’s Group to take any actions (including the failure to take a reasonable action) such that the resulting effect is to materially undermine the effectiveness of any of the provisions of this Agreement (including adversely affecting the rights or ability of any Party to successfully pursue indemnification or payment pursuant to Section 18).

(n) Subsidiaries . Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary of such Party or by any entity that becomes a Subsidiary of such Party at and after the Plan Effective Time, to the extent such Subsidiary remains a Subsidiary of the applicable Party.

(o) Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as provided in Section 18 relating to Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

(p) Title and Headings . Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(q) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without reference to any choice-of-law or conflict of law principles that would result in the applicable of Laws of a different jurisdiction.

(r) Consent to Jurisdiction . Subject to the provisions of Article IX of the Distribution Agreement, each of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (i) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any appeals court thereof, or (ii) if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, any other state or federal court located within the County of New Castle in the State of Delaware and any appeals court thereof (the courts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), the “ Delaware Courts ”), for the purposes of any Action to compel arbitration or for provisional relief in aid of arbitration in accordance with Article IX of the Distribution Agreement or to prevent irreparable harm, and to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Courts for the enforcement of any award issued thereunder. Each of the Parties

 

36


further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any Action in the Delaware Courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 21(r). Each of the Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the Delaware Courts, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(s) Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 21(S).

(t) Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The Parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

(u) Force Majeure . No Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any Liability for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement, so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event: (i) notify the other applicable Parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (ii) use due diligence to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible.

(v) Interpretation . The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

(w) No Duplication; No Double Recovery . Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer to or impose upon any Party a duplicative right, entitlement, obligation or recovery with respect to any matter arising out of the same facts and circumstances.

 

37


(x) No Waiver . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of any Party, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver hereof or thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

(y) No Admission of Liability . The allocation of Assets and Liabilities herein is solely for the purpose of allocating such Assets and Liabilities among the HLT Group, the PK Group and the HGV Group and is not intended as an admission of liability or responsibility for any alleged Liabilities vis-a-vis any third party, including with respect to the Liabilities of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of HLT, PK or HGV.

(z) Effect if Distribution Does Not Occur . If the Distribution does not occur, then all actions that are, under this Agreement, to be take or occur effective as of the Distribution, or otherwise in connection with the Distribution, shall not be taken or occur except to the extent specifically agreed by the Parties.

(aa) Relationship of Parties . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third party as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture between the Parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no act of the Parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the Parties other than the relationship set forth herein.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

38


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC. (solely for purposes of Section 18)
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Exhibit 10.3

FORM OF MASTER TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Master Transition Services Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of      , 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HLT ”), Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PK ”) and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HGV ”). Each of HLT, PK and HGV is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties ”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Distribution Agreement, entered into on the date hereof, by and among HLT, PK, HGV and Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. (as such may be amended from time to time, the “ Distribution Agreement ”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of HLT has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of HLT and its stockholders to separate, pursuant to and in accordance with the Distribution Agreement, HLT into three separate, publicly traded companies, one for each of (i) the HLT Retained Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HLT, (ii) the Ownership Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by PK (which will elect to be a REIT), and (iii) the Timeshare Business, which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HGV; and

WHEREAS, in order to provide for an orderly transition under the Distribution Agreement, each of HLT, PK and HGV desires to provide to the other certain services for specified periods following the Distribution Date, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements of the Parties contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1. Services Provided .

(a) With respect to each Service (as defined in Section 1(b) ), the Party required to provide such Service is the “ Service Provider ” and the other Party is the “ Service Recipient ”. In performing the Services, Service Provider and each of its Affiliates shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide, or to ensure that any Third Party Provider (as defined in Section 1(b) ) shall provide, the Services in the same manner, within the same amount of time and at the same level of service (including, as applicable, with respect to type, scope, frequency, quality and quantity), with the same degree of reasonable skill and care and with the same level of security and control as provided and used in providing the Services during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date (excluding any actions taken in contemplation of the Distribution); provided , however , that Service Provider shall not be obligated to provide services that are more extensive in type, scope, frequency, quality or quantity than similar or comparable services provided by Service Provider to Service Recipient during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Services are to be provided in a manner that does not disparately treat


Service Recipient (or its Subsidiaries or its or their personnel or business) as compared to Service Provider’s treatment of itself (or its Affiliates or its or their personnel or business) in connection with the provision of a Self-Service (as defined in Section 2(a)(v) ).

(b) During the period commencing on the Distribution Date and ending on the date that is two (2) years from the date hereof, unless an earlier or later date is otherwise specified for a Service on Schedule A-1 or Schedule A-2 hereto (for each such Service, such end date being herein referred to as the “ Termination Date ”, with Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 being herein referred to as the “ Services Schedules ”), Service Provider shall provide, or shall cause one or more of its Affiliates or a contractor, subcontractor, vendor or other third-party service provider (each, a “ Third Party Provider ”) to provide, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the services described on the Services Schedules (the “ Services ”); provided , Service Provider shall obtain the consent of Service Recipient (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) in the event any such Service is to be provided by a Third Party Provider or Affiliate if such Services were not provided by such Third Party Provider or Affiliate to Service Recipient during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date; provided further , Service Provider shall remain primarily responsible for the performance by any such Affiliate or Third Party Provider of its obligations hereunder. Irrespective of whether Service Provider, an Affiliate or a Third Party Provider is providing a Service, Service Recipient may direct that any such Service be provided directly to Service Recipient or any other member of such Party’s Group.

(c) Each Service provided hereunder shall be terminated on its applicable Termination Date, unless otherwise terminated earlier by Service Recipient pursuant to Section 11 . Service Provider shall be under no obligation to provide a Service to Service Recipient after the Termination Date applicable to such Service, except to the extent otherwise agreed in writing by Service Provider and Service Recipient.

(d)  Limitations on Services .

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Services Schedules, Service Provider shall have no obligation under this Agreement to: (1) operate the business of Service Recipient or any members of its Group or any portion thereof; (2) advance funds; (3) provide any Service to the extent that the provision of such Service would require Service Provider to violate any applicable Law, third-party confidentiality, contractual obligations or fiduciary responsibilities; (4) provide any Service to the extent Service Recipient has breached (or through its actions or omissions has caused the Service Provider to be in breach of or default under) any applicable obligations under, or requirements of, any contract or arrangement with any Third Party Provider (“ Third Party Provider Use Requirements ”) engaged with respect to such Service ( provided that Service Recipient shall first be permitted to attempt to cure such breach or default within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice thereof if such breach or default is capable of being cured); (5) implement processes, plans or initiatives developed, acquired or utilized by Service Recipient after the Distribution Date except as otherwise agreed; (6) perform or cause to be performed any of the Services for the benefit of any third party; (7) render any Service in a particular location that would necessitate

 

2


that Service Provider obtain any permits or regulatory approvals, or qualify to do business, in any location or jurisdiction other than the locations and jurisdictions where Service Provider does business or conducted business as of the date hereof; or (8) purchase, lease or license any physical assets or equipment, expand its facilities or incur long-term capital expenses.

(ii) All employees and representatives of Service Provider, members of its Group and its Affiliates shall be deemed for all purposes to be employees or representatives of Service Provider, members of its Group or such Affiliates, as applicable. In performing the Services, such employees and representatives shall be under the direction, control and supervision of Service Provider, members of its Group or the applicable Affiliate thereof, and Service Provider, members of its Group and its Affiliates shall have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment (including termination of employment), assignment and compensation of such employees and representatives.

2. Consideration .

(a)  Costs and Fees .

(i) For each Service, Service Recipient shall pay (in accordance with Section 2(b) ) Service Provider an amount equal to the Market Rate (as defined in Section 2(a)(i)(1) ).

(1) The “ Market Rate ” for each Service shall be an amount equal to the sum of: (A) the rate as set forth on the applicable Services Schedule (which rate reflects the Parties’ good faith estimate as to the cost of such Service to the Service Provider plus an additional amount that the Parties acknowledge is fair and adequate consideration for the work expected to be performed by personnel of Service Provider in connection with such Service, including coordinating or managing Third Party Providers); provided that if a Services Schedule is silent regarding such rate, the amount under this subsection (A) shall be equal to Service Provider’s allocated costs (including salary, wages and benefits, but excluding severance costs that are the responsibility of Service Recipient pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii) ) for any of its (or its Affiliates’) employees involved in providing Services; plus (B) any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with retaining Third Party Providers or pursuing any warranty or indemnity against a Third Party Provider in accordance with Section 3(c) ; plus (C) fees incurred in connection with any Third Party Consent or Alternative Method, which shall be borne equally by Service Recipient and Service Provider; plus (D) any sales, transfer, goods, services, value added, gross receipts or similar taxes, fees, charges or assessments (including any such taxes that are required to be withheld); provided that the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any such tax with respect to the Services; plus (E) other reasonable miscellaneous out-of-pocket costs and expenses; provided , however , that any such expenses exceeding $        per month for each Service (other than routine business travel and related expenses) shall require advance approval of Service Recipient.

 

3


(2) Any costs and expenses provided for on a Services Schedule shall be subject to an increase of     % per annum beginning on January 1, 2018, in order to adjust for inflation.

(3) Service Provider shall notify Service Recipient of any event that may reasonably be expected to increase the Market Rate by more than     %.

(ii) Subject to the terms of this Section 2(a)(ii) , Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to retain its workforce required to provide the Services and, consistent with its severance policies then in effect, if any, may make severance payments to its employees. Service Provider shall be responsible for Service Provider’s actual severance costs incurred as a result of terminating an employee who is primarily engaged in providing a Service in connection with the termination of such Service, provided that to the extent such severance costs are in excess of the amount of the severance costs that would have been paid by Service Provider if such employee had been terminated on the Distribution Date, the Service Recipient shall be reponsible for the amount of such excess severance costs; provided that any such employee’s employment was actually terminated and such individual is not rehired by Service Provider or any of its Affiliates for at least ninety (90) days following such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a former employee of Service Provider (who was (a) primarily engaged in providing a Service and (b) terminated by Service Provider within six (6) months of such individual having engaged in any activities with respect to providing such Service) is hired by another Party within twelve (12) months of the termination of such individual’s employment with Service Provider, such other Party shall be responsible for (and shall indemnify Service Provider with respect to) all of the actual services costs incurred by Service Recipient with respect to such individual. Service Provider shall prepare and deliver, within thirty (30) days following the end of each quarterly period ending each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 (it being understood that the first such period shall be shorter than one quarter), to Service Recipient an invoice setting forth the amount of severance costs to be paid by Service Recipient in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 2(a)(ii) , which invoice Service Recipient shall pay pursuant to the terms of Section 2(b) .

(iii) Unless the Parties otherwise agree in writing, (i) where Services are provided in a country outside of the United States by a Person located in the same country, amounts shall be invoiced and paid in the local currency of the Person providing the Services and (ii) if payments are to be made between Persons not within the same country, such amounts shall be invoiced and paid in U.S. Dollars. To the extent necessary, local currency conversion on any such invoice shall be based on Service Provider’s internal exchange rate for the then-current month, based upon the average for such month, as calculated consistently with how such local currency conversion was calculated in the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date.

 

4


(iv) All charges based on a monthly or other time basis will be pro-rated based on actual calendar days elapsed during the period of service.

(v) With respect to any service that a Service Provider provides or causes an Affiliate to provide to itself or its Affiliates that is the same or substantially similar to a Service provided to Service Recipient or its Subsidiaries hereunder (such service, a “ Self-Service ”), if Service Provider determines to no longer provide such Self-Service to itself or its Affiliates, Service Provider shall notify Service Recipient of such termination no later than the number of days prior to such termination as is provided in Section 11(b) for terminating the corresponding Service. If Service Provider terminates a Self-Service prior to the end of the Termination Date applicable for the corresponding Service, the Market Rate of such Service following any such termination and up to but not including the Termination Date shall be calculated as if Service Provider had not terminated such Self-Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Service Provider shall continue to provide the Service in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, unless such Service is otherwise terminated pursuant to Section 11 , and Service Provider shall not be permitted to terminate any Self-Service prior to the Termination Date for the applicable Service if such termination would adversely affect the level of service, security or control of such Service or the scope or content thereof required pursuant to Sections 1(a) and 4(a ).

(b) Invoices and Payment .

(i) Service Provider shall invoice Service Recipient for the amounts owed hereunder in arrears on a calendar monthly basis or, in the case of Section 2(a )( ii) , as provided therein, and shall provide reasonable documentation supporting such amounts owed pursuant to Section 2(a) , except to the extent such amounts are set forth on the Services Schedules. Service Recipient shall pay the amount of such invoice by electronic transfer of immediately available funds not later than forty-five (45) days after the date of such invoice. Neither Party nor any of its respective Subsidiaries shall have a right of set-off against the other Party or its Subsidiaries, except in connection with any amounts billed hereunder. In the event Service Recipient does not pay Service Provider in accordance with the terms hereof (i) all amounts so payable and past due shall accrue interest from the 31 st day after the date of the invoice to the receipt of payment at a rate per annum equal to five percent (5%) (the “ Interest Rate ”) until such amounts, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are paid in full, and (ii) Service Recipient shall pay, as additional fees, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Service Provider in attempting to collect and collecting amounts due under this Section 2 , including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.

(ii) In the event that Service Recipient in good faith disputes an invoice submitted by Service Provider, Service Recipient may withhold payment of any amount subject to the dispute; provided , however , that (x) Service Recipient shall continue to pay all undisputed amounts in accordance with the terms hereof, (y) Service Recipient shall notify Service Provider, in writing, of any disputed amounts and the reason for any dispute by the due date for payment of the invoice containing any disputed charges and (z) in the event any dispute is resolved in Service Provider’s favor, any amount that

 

5


Service Recipient should have paid shall be deemed to have accrued interest at the Interest Rate from the date such payment should have been made. In the event of a dispute regarding the amount of any invoice, the Parties shall use all reasonable efforts to resolve such dispute within thirty (30) days after Service Recipient provides written notification of such dispute to Service Provider. Each Party shall provide full supporting documentation concerning any disputed amount or invoice within twenty (20) days after written notification of the dispute. Unpaid fees that are under good faith dispute shall not be considered a basis for default hereunder. To the extent that a dispute regarding the amount of any invoice cannot be resolved pursuant to this Section 2(b)(ii) , the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 9 herein shall apply.

(c) Migration and Integration; Disconnection and Disintegration .

(i) Service Recipient shall be responsible for planning, preparing and integrating the transition of the provision of each of the Services to its own internal organization or other third-party service providers, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare, within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Distribution Date (“ Migration Planning Period ”), a plan in order to transition off each Service by the end of the term for such Service (“ Migration Plan ”); provided , however , that Service Recipient will not be deemed to have violated its obligations with respect to preparation of the Migration Plan if Service Recipient (i) fails to complete the Migration Plan within the Migration Planning Period, (ii) has been working, and thereafter continues to work, in good faith and without undue delay to expeditiously prepare the Migration Plan and (iii) completes the Migration Plan no later than one hundred and fifty (150) days after the Distribution Date. At Service Recipient’s request, Service Provider shall reasonably assist, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Third Party Provider to reasonably assist, Service Recipient in connection with the implementation of Service Recipient’s transition plan, which may include consulting and training and providing reasonable access to data and other information and to Service Provider’s employees, but which shall take into account the need to minimize the cost of such migration and the disruption to the ongoing business activities of Service Provider and its Affiliates and shall not unduly burden or interfere with Service Provider’s business and operations ( provided that , for the avoidance of doubt, such services shall not include any services that, in Service Provider’s commercially reasonable opinion, do not primarily effect the separation of Service Recipient from the Services).

(ii) In furtherance of the foregoing, Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make or obtain any approvals, permits and licenses and implement any systems as may be necessary for it to perform the Services independently in each country and applicable jurisdiction as soon as practicable following the Distribution Date.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (but subject to Section 2(a)(ii) ), in the Distribution Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, Service Recipient shall bear all costs or expenses associated with integrating the Services with the Information, facilities, personnel and assets of Service Recipient and shall reimburse Service Provider for any costs or expenses incurred by Service Provider which are to be borne by Service Recipient pursuant to this Section 2(c) .

 

6


3. Cooperation .

(a) It is understood that it will require significant efforts by the Parties to implement this Agreement and ensure performance hereunder. The Parties shall: (i) cooperate with and provide such information and documentation to the other Party as is reasonably necessary for Service Provider to perform the Services and for Service Recipient to meet its obligations under the Agreement; (ii) notify the other Party of any changes to operating environments or key personnel to the extent related to the provision of the Services; (iii) provide timely decisions, approvals and acceptances required to perform the obligations hereunder in a timely and efficient manner; and (iv) perform such other duties and tasks as may be reasonably required to permit Service Provider to perform the Services or for Service Recipient to meet its obligations under the Agreement, including (A) cooperating in obtaining any Third Party Consents necessary to facilitate Service Provider’s ability to provide the Services and (B) upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by Service Provider, conducting such testing as may be reasonably required by Service Provider in connection with any updates or changes to the applicable systems or processes involved in providing a Service. Service Provider shall not be deemed to be in breach of its obligations to provide or make available any Service to the extent that Service Recipient has not provided information and access to appropriate personnel that is reasonably necessary for the performance of such Service.

(b) Upon Service Recipient’s written request and without prejudice to Service Recipient’s direct rights against a Third Party Provider, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to request any warranty or indemnity under any contract Service Provider or its Subsidiaries may have with a Third Party Provider with respect to any Service provided to Service Recipient by such Third Party Provider.

(c) Service Provider and Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain in a cost effective manner any necessary waivers, permits, license, consents or similar approvals with respect to agreements with third parties in order for Service Provider to provide the Services directly or indirectly (any such waiver, permit, consent, license or similar approval, a “ Third Party Consent ”). If a Third Party Consent cannot be obtained on reasonable terms or after using commercially reasonable efforts, such Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for an alternative method of obtaining any such Service on Service Recipient’s behalf in a cost effective manner (“ Alternative Method ”), which may include Service Provider providing such Service itself. If there is any Third Party Consent which was not required as of the date hereof but will subsequently be required before the Termination Date for a particular Service, Service Provider shall identify in writing to Service Recipient such Third Party Consent within sixty (60) days of the date hereof.

(d) The Parties shall use the fiscal month, quarter and year ends as set forth in Schedule B in connection with the provision and receipt of applicable Services hereunder, for so long as such Services are being provided.

(e) In connection with the provision of Services hereunder, except as provided pursuant to Section 2(a)(iii) for local currency conversion for invoices, the Parties shall use the same methodology to determine the appropriate foreign exchange conversion rate as used in the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date, which may be determined or based upon the average for the month or other applicable period or the spot rate at the end of such month or period or otherwise.

 

7


4. Performance Standard; Reports; Personnel .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Services Schedule and Section 1(a) herein, nothing in this Agreement shall require or be interpreted to require Service Provider to provide a Service to Service Recipient beyond the scope and content of such Service as provided by Service Provider to the HLT Retained Business, Ownership Business or Timeshare Business, as the case may be, during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date, excluding any actions taken in contemplation of the Distribution.

(b) Service Provider shall not make changes in the manner of providing a Service unless (i) Service Provider is making similar changes in a service being performed for itself or its Subsidiaries, (ii) such changes are immaterial and do not adversely affect the level of service, security or control of such Service or the scope or content thereof required pursuant to Sections 1(a) and 4(a ) above, (iii) such changes are required by Service Provider or Service Recipient pursuant to applicable Law (including changes required by Service Provider or Service Recipient in connection with the provision of the Services to the other Party) or (iv) Service Recipient provides its prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to such changes (in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, with the costs of any such change to be included in the calculation of the Market Rate). In the event Service Provider determines to change the location of delivery of any Service, Service Provider shall provide Service Recipient with thirty (30) days’ prior written notice. All Services shall be performed in compliance with applicable Law, including all applicable U.S. and non-U.S. laws and regulations relating to export controls, sanctions, and imports, including without limitation those regulations maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.

(c) In performing the Services, Service Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and furnish to Service Recipient reports concerning the Services with such reports to contain substantially the same data, in substantially the same format, and prepared and delivered on substantially the same timetable, as reports prepared during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Distribution Date (excluding any reports solely prepared in contemplation of the Distribution), except as may be otherwise required by Service Recipient or Service Provider pursuant to applicable Law. Upon Service Recipient’s written request for modifications to the reporting and data transfer practices reasonably required to assist Service Recipient in transitioning off the Service, Service Provider shall cooperate and consult in good faith with Service Recipient to make such modifications; provided that if Service Provider reasonably determines in its sole discretion that any such modification may cause Service Provider to be in breach of its obligations to the other Party hereunder (including as a result of breaching its obligations as a Service Provider to the other Party as Service Recipient), then Service Provider shall not be under any obligation to make such modifications.

 

8


(d) Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practice to make available such personnel as may be required to provide the Services. Service Provider shall have the right to designate which personnel it will assign to perform the Services. Service Provider also shall have the right to remove and replace any such personnel at any time or designate any of its Subsidiaries or a Third Party Provider (subject to Section 1(a) herein) at any time to perform the Services; provided , however , that Service Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practice to limit the disruption to Service Recipient in the transition of the Services to different personnel. Subject to and consistent with Section 2(a)(ii) , Service Provider shall have no obligation to retain any individual employee or any Third Party Provider or to employ additional personnel in order to provide a particular Service.

(e) In the event Service Recipient or any of its Subsidiaries hires away an employee of Service Provider or its Subsidiaries, and such employee was providing Services to Service Recipient and will not continue to provide such Service, Service Provider shall have the option, in its sole discretion (in addition to any other remedies available to it under the Distribution Agreement or otherwise), upon ten (10) Business Days’ written notice to Service Recipient to reduce its obligations with respect to such Service (with a proportionate reduction in the applicable Market Rate) effective on the date of such employee’s termination of employment with Service Provider. Any provision of Service thereafter pursuant to such a reduction in Service Provider’s obligations shall be deemed to be consistent with Service Provider’s obligations under this Agreement, so long as Service Provider satisfies the other obligations contained in this Section 4 with respect to such Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 4(e) shall be deemed to modify, amend or waive the non-solicitation and no-hire restrictions set forth in Section 5.1 of the Distribution Agreement.

(f) Each Party agrees that it shall take appropriate action by instruction of or agreement with its personnel (including any Third Party Provider) to ensure that all such personnel performing or otherwise involved with Services shall be bound by and comply with all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(g) In the event Service Provider has received a notice of default or breach in the performance of a Service hereunder (including as a result of substantial errors in the performance of such Service), it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such default or breach. In the event Service Provider is unable to cure such default within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice thereof, in addition to the rights available under Section 11 , there shall be an adjustment to the Market Rate to reflect the costs to Service Recipient associated with such default, breach or error, including any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Service Recipient in retaining any Third Party Provider to provide such Service or in providing such Service itself.

(h) Each Party shall notify the applicable other Party as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of any breach of this Agreement committed by either it or the applicable other Party. Service Provider shall notify Service Recipient of any event that may

 

9


reasonably be expected to materially impact a Service provided hereunder, which may include a Termination Notice (as defined in Section 11(b) ) provided by the other Party as Service Recipient hereunder or a notice of termination of a Self-Service, issued pursuant and in accordance with, Section 2(a)(v) .

(i) In the event of any conflict, as reasonably determined by Service Provider in its sole discretion, between requests for modification or termination of Services made by the two other Parties and each properly delivered hereunder, Service Provider shall determine which request it received first and, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, make such modifications or terminations pursuant to the request that was first received before making any modifications or terminations pursuant to any requests received afterwards.

5. New Services .

If, after the date hereof and on or prior to August 31, 2017, or, with respect to Services provided in connection with any Transfer that, pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Distribution Agreement, is not consummated at or prior to the Effective Time, one hundred (100) days following the actual date of such Transfer (notwithstanding that under Section 2.5(c) of the Distribution Agreement such Transfer may be deemed to have occurred on the Effective Time) the Parties determine that a service required by Service Recipient and provided by Service Provider or one of its Subsidiaries prior to the Distribution Date was omitted from the Services Schedules, Service Recipient may request that Service Provider perform such service (“ New Service ”) in addition to the Services being provided hereunder. Service Provider shall promptly begin performing any New Service consistent with past practice upon a timely written request from Service Recipient (which request may be in the form of email) including (i) a description of the work Service Recipient anticipates being performed by Service Provider in connection with such New Service and (ii) a schedule for commencing and completing such New Service, and Service Provider and Service Recipient shall enter into good faith negotiations to agree to an amendment to the Services Schedules providing for such New Service; provided that if no agreement for an Additional Service Schedule Amendment has been reached in writing in thirty (30) days, such New Service shall be deemed to have a Termination Date of two (2) years from the date hereof, with the Market Rate as provided for in Section 2(a)(i) , calculated as if the amendment to the Services Schedule for such New Service were silent regarding costs and expenses (such amendment or deemed amendment pursuant to the foregoing proviso, an “ Additional Service Schedule Amendment ”). Any New Service shall be considered a Service hereunder and the Services Schedules shall incorporate, and be deemed to be duly amended by, such Additional Service Schedule Amendment.

6. Intellectual Property; IT Security .

(a) Except as provided in the Services Schedules, the Market Rate shall include the allocable portion of any amounts that are required to be paid by Service Provider to any third party licensors of software that is used by Service Provider in connection with the provision of any Services hereunder, including (i) license, right-to-use and royalty fees and (ii) any amounts required to obtain the consent of such licensors to allow Service Provider to provide any of the Services hereunder. Service Recipient agrees to comply and cause its Subsidiaries to comply with the terms of any license or other agreement of Service Provider or

 

10


any of its Subsidiaries relating to software that is provided to Service Recipient and is used in connection with the provision of any Services hereunder, including as specified in the Third Party Provider Use Requirements; provided that in the event that Service Provider enters into new software licenses after the Distribution Date, Service Recipient shall have the prior opportunity to review and confirm its ability to comply therewith, which it shall do in good faith. In the event that Service Recipient provides notice of its inability to comply therewith, Service Provider may at its sole discretion discontinue its provision of any Services under such new software licenses effective after thirty (30) days’ notice of the same, and Service Recipient shall indemnify Service Provider for any claims by third parties arising out of or in connection with Service Recipient’s noncompliance or violation of such software licenses; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Service Recipient’s delivery of such notice will not affect Service Recipient’s obligation to comply with all Third Party Provider Use Requirements applicable to Services already in use by Service Recipient. Subject to the foregoing, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any consent that may be required from such licensors in order to provide any of the Services hereunder and the Parties shall cooperate to identify any material licenses or consents necessary for such provision and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the costs associated therewith.

(b) If the receipt or provision of any Service hereunder requires the use by a Party of the patents, know-how, trade secrets, methods and processes (excluding Customer Information and Loyalty Program Information) of the other Party, then, subject to applicable restrictions contained in Service Provider’s contracts with Third Party Providers, such Party and its Subsidiaries shall have the non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-sublicensable (except as required for its and its Subsidiaries’ receipt or provision of Services) right and license to use such Intellectual Property for the sole purpose of, and only to the extent necessary for, the receipt or provision of such Services hereunder, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Upon the Termination Date applicable to such Service, or the earlier termination of any Services in accordance with Section 11 , the license herein to the applicable Intellectual Property will terminate, and the applicable Service Recipient and/or Service Provider shall cease all use of the Intellectual Property licensed hereunder. The applicable Service Recipient and/or Service Provider acknowledges that it will acquire no right, title or interest (including any license rights or rights of use) in any firmware or software, and the licenses therefor which are held by the applicable Service Provider and/or Service Recipient, by reason of the provision of the Services provided hereunder, except to the extent that any such license rights or rights of use are provided for in a written agreement signed by Service Provider and Service Recipient. Nothing in this Section 6(b) shall be deemed to limit, modify or terminate any License Agreement between the Parties.

(c) Subject to the limited licenses granted in Section 6(b) , each Party shall exclusively own any Intellectual Property that it creates, develops or invents in connection with the provision of any Services hereunder.

(d) While using or accessing any computers, systems, software, networks, information technology or related infrastructure or equipment (including any data stored thereon or transmitted thereby) (“ Systems ”) of the other Party (whether or not a Service), each Party shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, adhere in all respects to the other Party’s

 

11


controlled processes, policies and procedures (including any of the foregoing with respect to Confidential Information, data, communications and system privacy, operation, security and proper use) as in effect on the Distribution Date or as communicated to such Party from time to time in writing.

(e) Service Provider and Service Recipient shall each maintain reasonable, current security measures (i) to prevent unauthorized access to its systems and (ii) with respect to all data contained in its facilities, networks and systems and used in connection with the Services. Such measures shall in no event be less stringent than those used to safeguard such Party’s own property, or industry standard security measures used by companies of a similar size. Such measures shall include, where appropriate, use of updated firewalls, virus screening software, logon identification and passwords, encryption, intrusion detection systems, logging of incidents, periodic reporting, and prompt application of current security patches, virus definitions and other updates. Service Recipient shall not install any new equipment, software or technology or modify the setup of any existing equipment, software or technology that is, or will be, connected to Service Provider’s facilities, networks or systems without the prior consent of Service Provider.

(f) Service Provider may suspend Service Recipient’s access (if any) to the information technology or communications systems used by Service Recipient following advance written notice to the extent practicable if, in Service Provider’s reasonable opinion (i) the integrity, security or performance of its systems, or any data stored on them, is being or is likely to be jeopardized by the activities of Service Recipient, or (ii) continued access to those information technology or communications systems by Service Recipient would expose Service Provider to liability. Service Recipient shall take appropriate corrective actions and if such actions fully resolve the matter (as determined by Service Provider in its sole discretion), Service Provider shall restore such access to Service Recipient.

(g) Each Party reserves the right to terminate all Services that provide access to such Party’s information technology or communications systems, in its sole discretion and without limitation or termination liability, if Service Recipient or Service Provider, as applicable, remains in breach of this Section 6 five (5) Business Days after receipt of notice of such breach. Service Provider and Service Recipient acknowledge that the security measures used by the other as of the date of this Agreement are in compliance with this Section 6.

(h) Each party will comply with all applicable privacy and other Laws and regulations relating to protection, collection, use, and distribution of information (including Customer Information) received by a Party in connection with the Services that can be associated with or traced to any individual, including an individual’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, credit card information, social security number, or other similar specific factual information, regardless of the media on which such information is stored (e.g., on paper or electronically), and which includes certain of such information that is generated, collected, stored or obtained as part of this Agreement, including transactional and other data pertaining to users (“ Personally Identifiable Information ”). In no event may a Party sell or transfer Personally Identifiable Information to third parties other than its Affiliates, or otherwise provide third parties other than its Affiliates with access thereto, except (i) as may be allowed pursuant to

 

12


other written agreements between the Parties, or (ii) in the case of Service Provider, with any of its Third Party Providers assisting Service Provider with the performance of the Services hereunder. If there is a suspected or actual breach of security involving Personally Identifiable Information, responsible Party will notify the other Party’s privacy counsel within twenty four (24) hours of a management-level associate becoming aware of such occurrence.

(i) Those Third Party Providers (and their personnel) of Service Recipient and Service Provider (or their respective Affiliates) having access to the other Party’s Systems may be required by Service Provider or Service Recipient, as the case may be, to enter into a customary non-disclosure agreement in connection with, and as a condition to, such access.

7. Records .

Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Service Recipient, taking into consideration the financial reporting, internal controls and other public company requirements of Service Recipient, all information and records reasonably required to maintain full and accurate books relating to the provision of Services whether prior to or after the Distribution Date. Upon reasonable notice and reasonable request from Service Recipient, and at Service Recipient’s cost, Service Provider shall (a) make available for inspection and copying by Service Recipient’s agents or representatives such information, books and records relating to the Services during reasonable business hours and (b) certify that the controls in effect prior to the Distribution Date continue to be in effect, or if Service Provider is aware of any instances where such controls are not so in effect, in lieu of certification for such instances, provide a list of such instances and descriptions of the change in such controls thereof.

8. Force Majeure; Reduction of Services .

No Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any liability or responsibility for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event: (a) notify the other applicable Parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (b) use due diligence to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Service Recipient shall be entitled to terminate Services so affected by a Force Majeure upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice in respect of any such delay or failure resulting from any such Force Majeure without any penalty or obligation to pay for Services not performed; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Service Recipient shall remain responsible for any severance costs for any such Services to the extent set forth in Section 2(a)(ii).

9. TSA Managers; Steering Committee; Dispute Resolution .

(a) Each Party shall nominate in writing one representative to act as the primary contact with respect to the provision and receipt of Services (a “ TSA Manager ”), with the initial TSA Managers as listed on Schedule C . Each Party may, at its discretion, from time to time select another individual to serve in these capacities during the term of this Agreement;

 

13


provided , however , each Party shall notify the other Party promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) of any change in an individual serving in this capacity, setting forth the name and contact information of the replacement, and stating that such replacement is authorized to act for such Party in accordance with this Section 9(a) . The TSA Managers shall meet regularly or as needed.

(b) A steering committee (the “ Steering Committee ”) of the TSA Managers, a finance executive from each Party (the “ Finance Officers ”) and corporate counsel from each Party (the “ Legal Officers ”) will have overall responsibility for oversight, administration and issue resolution relating to the performance and migration of Services under this Agreement. The Finance Officers will liaise with the TSA Managers and the Legal Officers to suggest modifications to Services or their costs (as necessary). The Legal Officers will adjust the schedule of Services to reflect changes in scope (as necessary).

(c) The TSA Managers shall meet as expeditiously as possible to resolve any dispute hereunder, and, notwithstanding anything in Article IX (Dispute Resolution) of the Distribution Agreement to the contrary, in the event any dispute is not so resolved within thirty (30) days, a TSA Manager may provide written notice of such dispute to the Chief Financial Officer of each Party (or such other executive as designated by the Chief Executive Officer of such Party), who shall attempt within a period of fifteen (15) days following the end of such previous thirty (30) day period to conclusively resolve any such issue, and in the event the dispute remains unresolved following such fifteen (15) day period, either Party may submit the dispute to mediation in accordance with Section 9.2 (Mediation) of the Distribution Agreement ( provided that , for the avoidance of doubt, the twenty-one (21) day waiting period referenced therein shall be inapplicable), and if any dispute remains unresolved after the Mediation Period (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), such dispute shall be determined, at the request of either Party, by arbitration in accordance with Section 9.3 (Arbitration) of the Distribution Agreement and the other applicable provisions of Article IX (Dispute Resolution) of the Distribution Agreement. Each Party may treat an act of any other Party’s TSA Manager or Chief Financial Officer (or such other executive as designated by the Chief Executive Officer of such other Party), in each case that is consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, as being authorized by such other Party to resolve such dispute without inquiring behind such act or ascertaining whether such TSA Manager or Chief Financial Officer (or such other executive as designated by the Chief Executive Officer of such other Party) had authority to so act; provided , however , that none of the TSA Managers or Chief Financial Officer or other executives so designated shall have authority to amend this Agreement, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 17 .

(d) In the event of any dispute between the Parties regarding a Service, prior to the applicable Termination Date, Service Provider shall not discontinue the supply of any such Service, unless so provided for in a settlement agreement between the Parties or arbitral determination pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9(c) herein and Article IX of the Distribution Agreement or as requested by Service Recipient pursuant to a Termination Notice.

 

14


10. Disclaimer; Limited Liability .

(a) Service Recipient acknowledges that Service Provider is not in the business of providing the Services and that the Services being provided pursuant to this Agreement are provided as an accommodation to Service Recipient. Other than in the event of Service Provider’s fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct, Service Provider will not be liable for any error or omission in rendering Services under this Agreement, or for any defect in Services so rendered; provided that if there is a substantial error in any of the Services, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to attempt to correct the error, or if Service Provider is unable to so correct such error, to provide an adjustment to the Market Rate for such Service in reasonable proportion to that which the error bears to the Service provided for such month, which adjustment may, pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)(1) , include any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Service Recipient in retaining a Third Party Provider to provide such Service or in providing such service itself. Other than in the event of Service Provider’s fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct, and other than for the Market Rate, severance costs owed under Section 2(a)(ii) and other amounts expressly owed hereunder, Service Provider will not be liable for any damages, fines, penalties, deficiencies, losses, liabilities (including settlements and judgments) and expenses (including interest, court costs, reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other experts and professionals or other reasonable fees and expenses of litigation or other proceedings or of any claim, default or assessment) (“ Losses ”) arising out of a breach of Service Provider’s obligations in connection with the Services provided under this Agreement. Service Provider agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Service Recipient and its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents as a result of the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of Service Provider or its Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents. Service Recipient agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Service Provider and its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any Loss resulting from Service Recipient’s breach of any Third Party Provider Use Requirements.

(b) NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, ACCURACY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR CONFORMITY TO ANY REPRESENTATION OR DESCRIPTION), ARE MADE BY SERVICE PROVIDER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WITH RESPECT TO THE PROVISION OF SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL SUCH REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY WAIVED AND DISCLAIMED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE FAILURE OF THE ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDY, SHALL SERVICE PROVIDER BE LIABLE FOR, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY LOST PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, CUSTOMER CLAIMS, REMITTANCES, COLLECTIONS, INVOICES, PENALTIES, INTEREST OR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF, ANY DELAY IN THE PERFORMING, FAILURE TO PERFORM OR DEFECTS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF, THE SERVICES CONTEMPLATED TO BE PERFORMED BY SERVICE PROVIDER PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

15


11. Term and Service Termination Dates .

(a) This Agreement (other than Sections 9 , 10 , 11 and 13 ) shall terminate upon the last of the Termination Dates in respect of all Services to be provided hereunder; provided that the rights of the Parties in respect of any claims that have accrued prior to such termination shall survive such termination.

(b) For each Service, the service period during which Service Provider is obligated to provide such Service to Service Recipient ends as of the Termination Date set forth on the applicable Services Schedule. The Parties agree to cooperate if necessary to adjust the applicable Termination Date to end on a date that is the end of a calendar or fiscal month, as deemed appropriate. Service Recipient may terminate any Service prior to its Termination Date by providing to Service Provider written notice of termination, which shall be deemed irrevocable upon delivery (a “ Termination Notice ”), not less than sixty (60) days before the date of such earlier termination except as otherwise specified in the Services Schedules; provided that if the Services Schedules indicate that any Service is dependent on one or more other Services, then each such Service must be terminated together; provided further that any termination may be on a location by location basis if so indicated on the Services Schedules. In the event a Service is terminated prior to its Termination Date pursuant to Service Recipient’s Termination Notice, Service Recipient shall reimburse Service Provider for any out-of-pocket costs incurred by Service Provider through the date of receipt of any Termination Notice in expectation that such Service would be provided until the applicable Termination Date (subject to Service Provider exercising commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate such costs). Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the receipt of a Termination Notice, if Service Provider is unable to transition the applicable Service to Service Recipient or its designee in a commercially reasonable manner which does not unduly disrupt the Service on the requested termination date, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practice to transition such Service as soon as possible, and any resulting third party out-of-pocket costs to Service Recipient shall be paid by Service Recipient.

(c) In the event either Party defaults in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement, and if such default is not excused and not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice from the other Party specifying such default, then the non-defaulting Party may at any time thereafter terminate, at its option, any such Service that is the subject of such default by giving five (5) days’ prior written notice; provided that if no such termination notice is given within fifteen (15) days after the end of the thirty (30) day cure period, then the non-defaulting Party waives all rights to terminate such Service with respect to such default; provided further , that such fifteen (15) day period referred to in the immediately foregoing proviso shall be extended if (x) the Parties dispute whether there has been a default hereunder or (y) agree that there has been a default hereunder and have a dispute related to such default, and in either case are attempting to resolve such dispute pursuant to Section 9(c) until ten (10) days after there has been a final determination pursuant to the procedures in Section 9(c) .

(d) Any Service can be terminated prior to the Distribution Date, with no fee, penalty or ongoing obligation, if Service Recipient provides a Termination Notice to Service

 

16


Provider (which may be via email) at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Distribution Date; provided , however , that Service Recipient shall reimburse Service Provider for any out-of-pocket costs incurred by Service Provider through the date of receipt of any Termination Notice received prior to the Distribution Date (subject to Service Provider exercising commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate such costs).

12. Independent Contractor .

The Parties hereto understand and agree that this Agreement does not make either of them an agent or legal representative of the other for any purpose whatsoever. No Party is granted, by this Agreement or otherwise, any right or authority to assume or create any obligation or responsibilities, express or implied, on behalf of or in the name of any other Party, or to bind any other Party in any manner whatsoever. The Parties expressly acknowledge (i) that Service Provider is an independent contractor with respect to Service Recipient in all respects, including the provision of the Services, and (ii) that the Parties are not partners, joint venturers, employees or agents of or with each other.

13. Confidentiality .

(a) Any Confidential Information of the Parties shall be subject to Section 8.6 of the Distribution Agreement. With respect to any information disclosed by one Party to another Party for the purpose of this Agreement or otherwise accessible to such other Party during the performance hereunder, including any Customer Information (“ Confidential Information ”), the Party receiving such Confidential Information agrees that it will use the same skill and care as set forth in Section 1(a) to prevent the disclosure or accessibility to others of the disclosing Party’s Confidential Information and will use such Confidential Information only for the purposes of this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. The receiving Party and its employees, representatives and agents (including any Third Party Provider) (collectively, the “ Recipient Parties ”) shall only disclose and permit access to Confidential Information of the other Parties to such Recipient Parties who have a need to know such Confidential Information for the purposes of this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements and who are informed of the obligation to hold such Confidential Information confidential and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable Party will be responsible. For Confidential Information provided with respect to any Service, the obligations of the Recipient Parties pursuant to this Section 13 shall expire on the date that is five (5) years from the termination of such Service. Each Party shall provide prompt written notice of any breach of the obligations under this Section 13 by such Party or its Recipient Parties and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the other Party in remedying any such breach.

(b) Specifically excluded from the definition of Confidential Information is any and all information that:

(i) is independently developed by the Recipient Parties after the Effective Time without reference to any Confidential Information;

 

17


(ii) is or comes to be in the public domain or available to the public through no fault of the Recipient Parties of the Confidential Information; or

(iii) is lawfully acquired after the Effective Time by the Recipient Parties from other sources not known to be subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such Confidential Information.

(c) If the Recipient Party is required to disclose Confidential Information by Law, process or regulation, to the extent legally permissible, such Recipient Party shall promptly notify the disclosing Party, reasonably cooperate with the disclosing Party to the extent it may seek to limit such disclosure and, insofar as a protective order or waiver from the disclosing Party is not obtained, only disclose such Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed.

(d) In connection with any permitted disclosure of this Agreement to any third party, each Party shall redact the portions of the Services Schedules that are not relevant to such third party’s inquiry.

(e) It is further understood and agreed that money damages may not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 13 and that each Party shall be entitled to seek equitable relief, including injunction and specific performance, as remedy for any such breach in any court of competent jurisdiction, without posting bond or other security. Such remedies shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedies for a breach, but shall be in addition to all other remedies herein described available at law or equity.

14. Audit Rights .

(a)  Audits by Service Provider . Upon notice from Service Provider, Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Service Provider, its auditors (including internal audit staff and external auditors), inspectors, regulators and other reasonably designated representatives as Service Provider may from time to time designate in writing (collectively, the “ Service Provider Auditors ”) with access to, at reasonable times, any Service Recipient facility or part of a facility at which Service Recipient is using the Services, Service Recipient personnel, and data and records relating to the Services for purposes of verifying compliance with this Agreement. Service Provider audits may include security reviews (including Service Recipient’s completion of security-related questionnaires) of the Services and Service Recipient’s systems, including reasonable use of automated scanning tools such as network scanners, port scanners, and web inspection tools. Service Recipient will provide any assistance that Service Provider Auditors may reasonably require with respect to such audits. Upon notice from Service Recipient, Service Provider shall provide Service Recipient and its auditors with access to, at reasonable times, books and records relating to the Services or this Agreement in order for Service Recipient to comply with applicable Laws.

(b)  Audits by Service Recipient . Service Recipient shall have the right, upon at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to Service Provider, and in a manner to avoid unreasonable interruption to Service Provider’s business, to perform audit procedures over Service Provider’s internal controls and procedures for the Services provided by Service

 

18


Provider under this Agreement; provided that, such audit right shall exist solely to the extent required by Service Recipient’s external auditors to ensure Service Recipient’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to determine if Service Recipient’s financial statements conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), to verify third-party expenses or to the extent required by any Governmental Authority; provided , further , that such audit right shall not grant Service Recipient the right to perform audit activities with respect to any Third Party Provider engaged in the provision of the Services. Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Service Recipient and its auditors with appropriate space, furnishings, and telephone, facsimile and photocopy equipment as Service Recipient or its auditors may reasonably require to perform such audit procedures. Service Provider shall consider in good faith, but shall not be obligated to make, changes to its controls and procedures to address any findings of such audits. Service Recipient shall pay or reimburse all of Service Provider’s incremental costs arising from all such audit-related activities, provision of space, furnishings and equipment, and analysis and implementation, if any, of any potential changes in Service Provider’s controls or procedures described in this Section 14(b) .

15. Beneficiary of Services; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto, and nothing expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give any Person any legal or equitable rights hereunder, whether as a third-party beneficiary or otherwise. Each Party agrees, and each Party in its capacity as a Service Recipient represents and warrants, that the Services shall be provided solely to, and shall be used solely by, Service Recipient and its Subsidiaries. Service Recipient shall not resell or provide the Services to any other Person, or permit the use of the Services by any Person other than Service Recipient and its Subsidiaries.

16. Entire Agreement .

This Agreement, together with the Distribution Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements, constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. In the event and to the extent that there shall be a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Distribution Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, the Parties agree that this Agreement shall govern. The Parties agree that, in the event of an express conflict between the terms of this Agreement and a Services Schedule, the terms of the Services Schedule shall govern as it relates to the Services to which such terms and conditions apply.

17. Amendment; Waiver .

This Agreement and the Services Schedules may be amended, and any provision of this Agreement may be waived, only if such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by each of the Parties, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom the waiver is effective. No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

19


18. Notices .

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications to any Party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy, electronic transmission or similar writing) and shall be given as follows:

if to HLT:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (703) 883-6188

if to PK:

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile:

if to HGV:

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

6355 MetroWest Boulevard, Suite 180

Orlando, Florida 32835

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile:

or to such other address or telecopy number and with such other copies, as such Party may hereafter specify for the purpose of notice to the other Parties. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements shall be in English, shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 18 ).

19. Non-Assignability .

Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations of either Party hereunder may be assigned or transferred by any such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), and any purported assignment, without such prior written consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding

 

20


the foregoing, (a) any Party may assign or transfer all its rights hereunder without such consent to an acquirer in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or other similar change in control of such Party and (b) Service Provider may assign any or all of its rights or obligations arising under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates that is reasonably capable of providing the Services ( provided , however , that Service Provider shall remain primarily responsible for its obligations under this Agreement notwithstanding any such assignment).

20. Further Assurances .

From time to time after the date hereof, without further consideration, each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, do or cause to be done all things reasonably proper or advisable under applicable Law, and execute and deliver such documents as may be required or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and to consummate, perform and make effective the transition contemplated hereby.

21. Definitions and Rules of Construction .

(a) Defined terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them by definition in this Agreement or in the Distribution Agreement.

(b) This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

(c) Whenever the words “include”, “including”, or “includes” appear in this Agreement, they shall be read to be followed by the words “without limitation” or words having similar import.

(d) As used in this Agreement, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

(e) All references to “$” herein shall be references to U.S. Dollars.

22. Counterparts; Effectiveness .

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy, telefax or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 22 , provided that receipt of copies of such counterparts is confirmed. This Agreement shall become effective when each Party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other Party hereto.

23. Section Headings .

The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

21


24. Severability .

If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect, and the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision with a provision that corresponds as closely as possible to the intentions of the Parties as expressed by such illegal, void, or unenforceable provision.

25. Governing Law .

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without reference to any choice-of-law or conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank ]

 

22


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Transition Services Agreement]

Exhibit 10.4

FORM OF PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose . The purpose of the Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and the other members of the Company Group may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and the other members of the Company Group can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measured by reference to the value of Common Stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company Group and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

2. Definitions . The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan.

(a) “ Absolute Share Limit ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(b) of the Plan.

(b) “ Adjustment Event ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 12(a) of the Plan.

(c) “ Affiliate ” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

(d) “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Other Equity-Based Award, Other Cash-Based Award and Performance Compensation Award granted under the Plan.

(e) “ Award Agreement ” means the document or documents by which each Award (other than an Other Cash-Based Award) is evidenced, which may be in written or electronic form.

(f) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(g) “ Cause ” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, a good faith determination of the Committee or its designee that (i) there is “cause” to terminate a Participant’s employment or service, as defined in and in accordance with any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), any of the following has occurred with respect to a Participant: (A) such Participant has failed to reasonably perform his or her duties to the Service Recipient,


or has failed to follow the lawful instructions of the Board or his or her direct superiors, in each case other than as a result of his or her incapacity due to physical or mental illness or injury, in a manner that could reasonably be expected to result in harm (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate, following notice by the Company Group or such Affiliate of such failure; (B) such Participant has engaged or is about to engage in conduct harmful (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate; (C) such Participant has been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or any crime involving as a material element fraud or dishonesty; (D) the willful misconduct or gross neglect of such Participant that could reasonably be expected to result in harm (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate; (E) the willful violation by such Participant of the written policies of the Service Recipient or any applicable written policies of any member of the Company Group that could reasonably be expected to result in harm (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate; (F) such Participant’s fraud or misappropriation, embezzlement or misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company Group or an Affiliate (other than good faith expense account disputes); (G) such Participant’s act of personal dishonesty which involves personal profit in connection with such Participant’s employment or service with the Company Group or an Affiliate, or (H) the willful breach by such Participant of fiduciary duty owed to the Service Recipient.

(h) “ Change in Control ” means:

(i) the acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, combination or other similar transaction) by any Person of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 30% (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock; or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (clauses (A) and (B), the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); provided, however , that for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate; (II) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate; (III) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant); or (IV) any acquisition in one transaction or a series of related transactions, by any Person directly from The Blackstone Group L.P. and/or its Affiliates;

(ii) during any period of twenty-four (24) months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such

 

2


nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however , that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company Group (taken as a whole) to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other similar transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination, 50% or more of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (or, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of sufficient voting securities eligible to elect a majority of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of such resulting entity) is held by the holders of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination.

(i) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

(j) “ Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any properly delegated subcommittee thereof or, if no such Compensation Committee or subcommittee thereof exists, the Board.

(k) “ Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (and any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).

(l) “ Company ” means Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

(m) “ Company Group ” means, collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(n) “ Date of Grant ” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.

(o) “ Designated Foreign Subsidiaries ” means all members of the Company Group that are organized under the laws of any jurisdiction or country other than the United States of America that may be designated by the Board or the Committee from time to time.

(p) “ Detrimental Activity ” means any of the following: (i) unauthorized disclosure of any confidential or proprietary information of any member of the Company Group; (ii) any

 

3


activity that would be grounds to terminate the Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient for Cause; or (iii) a material breach by the Participant of any restrictive covenant by which such Participant is bound, including, without limitation, any covenant not to compete or not to solicit, in any agreement with any member of the Company Group.

(q) “ Disability ” means, unless in the case of a particular Award the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, the Company or an Affiliate having cause to terminate a Participant’s employment or service on account of “disability,” as defined in any then-existing employment, consulting or other similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence of such an employment, consulting or other similar agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Disability” contained therein), a condition entitling the Participant to receive benefits under a long-term disability plan of the Company or an Affiliate, or, in the absence of such a plan, the complete and permanent inability by reason of illness or accident to perform the duties of the occupation at which a Participant was employed or served when such disability commenced. Any determination of whether Disability exists shall be made by the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(r) “ Effective Date ” means                     , 20    .

(s) “ Eligible Person ” means any (i) individual employed by any member of the Company Group; provided, however , that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; or (ii) consultant or advisor to any member of the Company Group who may be offered securities registrable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act, who, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above has entered into an Award Agreement or who has received written notification from the Committee or its designee that they have been selected to participate in the Plan.

(t) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(u) “ Exercise Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.

(v) “ Fair Market Value ” means, on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock reported on the primary exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and traded on such date, or, if there are no such sales on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such sales were reported; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange but is quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the average between the closing bid price and ask price reported on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.

 

4


(w) “ GAAP ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(d) of the Plan.

(x) “ Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option which is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Plan.

(y) “ Indemnifiable Person ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4(e) of the Plan.

(z) “ Minimum Vesting Condition ” means, with respect to any Award, that vesting of (or lapsing of restrictions on) such Award does not occur earlier than the first anniversary of the Date of Grant (or the date of commencement of employment or service, in the case of a grant made in connection with a Participant’s commencement of employment or service), other than (i) in connection with a Change in Control, or (ii) as a result of a Participant’s death or Disability.

(aa) “ Negative Discretion ” means the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of an Award that is designated as a Performance Compensation Award consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.

(bb) “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option which is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

(cc) “ Option ” means an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan.

(dd) “ Option Period ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(c)(i) of the Plan.

(ee) “ Other Cash-Based Award ” means an Award that is not a Stock Appreciation Right or Restricted Stock Unit granted under Section 10 of the Plan that is denominated and/or payable in cash.

(ff) “ Other Equity-Based Award ” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Compensation Award, that is granted under Section 10 of the Plan and is (i) payable by delivery of Common Stock, and/or (ii) measured by reference to the value of Common Stock. Other Equity-Based Awards may include (i) operating partnership or limited liability company units or profits interests with respect to a Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) unrestricted shares of Common Stock.

(gg) “ Participant ” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to the Plan.

(hh) “ Performance Compensation Award ” means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.

 

5


(ii) “ Performance Criteria ” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan.

(jj) “ Performance Formula ” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulae applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

(kk) “ Performance Goals ” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.

(ll) “ Performance Period ” means the one or more periods of time of not less than 12 months, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.

(mm) “ Person ” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

(nn) “ Plan ” means this Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.

(oo) “Qualifying Director ” means a person who is (i) with respect to actions intended to obtain an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; and (ii) with respect to actions intended to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under 162(m) of the Code, an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(pp) “ Restricted Period ” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions, including vesting conditions.

(qq) “ Restricted Stock ” means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(rr) “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(ss) “ SAR Period ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8(c) of the Plan.

 

6


(tt) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(uu) “ Service Recipient ” means, with respect to a Participant holding a given Award, the member of the Company Group by which the original recipient of such Award is, or following a Termination was most recently, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides, or following a Termination was most recently providing, services, as applicable.

(vv) “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.

(ww) “ Strike Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.

(xx) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of such entity’s voting securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(ii) any partnership, limited liability company or any comparable foreign entity (A) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (B) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

(yy) “ Substitute Award ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(e) of the Plan.

(zz) “ Sub-Plans ” means any sub-plan to the Plan that has been adopted by the Board or the Committee for the purpose of permitting the offering of Awards to employees of certain Designated Foreign Subsidiaries or otherwise outside the United States of America, with each such sub-plan designed to comply with local laws applicable to offerings in such foreign jurisdictions. Although any Sub-Plan may be designated a separate and independent plan from the Plan in order to comply with applicable local laws, the Absolute Share Limit and the other limits specified in Section 5(b) shall apply in the aggregate to the Plan and any Sub-Plan adopted hereunder.

(aaa) “ Termination ” means the termination of a Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient for any reason (including death or Disability).

 

7


3. Effective Date; Duration . The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however , that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

4. Administration .

(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan) or necessary to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time such member takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan that is intended to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, be a Qualifying Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as a Qualifying Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in, or exercised for, cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) adopt Sub-Plans; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

(c) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of any member of the Company Group, the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter,

 

8


right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of, or which is allocated to, the Committee herein, and which may be so delegated as a matter of law, except with respect to grants of Awards to persons (i) who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act; or (ii) who are, or could reasonably be expected to be, “covered employees” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including, without limitation, any member of the Company Group, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.

(e) No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee or agent of any member of the Company Group (each such Person, an “ Indemnifiable Person ”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder (unless constituting fraud or a willful criminal act or omission). Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken or determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, and the Company shall advance to such Indemnifiable Person any such expenses promptly upon written request (which request shall include an undertaking by the Indemnifiable Person to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined, as provided below, that the Indemnifiable Person is not entitled to be indemnified); provided , that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts, omissions or determinations of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of or otherwise supersede any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group, as a matter of law, under an individual indemnification agreement or contract or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold such Indemnifiable Persons harmless.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan

 

9


with respect to such Awards. Any such actions by the Board shall be subject to the applicable rules of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.

5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to the Plan; Limitations .

(a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.

(b) Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, no more than                 shares of Common Stock (the “ Absolute Share Limit ”) shall be available for Awards under the Plan; (ii) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, grants of Options or SARs under the Plan in respect of no more than                shares of Common Stock may be made to any individual Participant during any single fiscal year of the Company (for this purpose, if a SAR is granted in tandem with an Option (such that the SAR expires with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is exercised), only the shares underlying the Option shall count against this limitation); (iii) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, no more than the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Absolute Share Limit may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan; (iv) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, no more than                shares of Common Stock may be issued in respect of Performance Compensation Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan to any individual Participant for a single fiscal year during a Performance Period (or with respect to each single fiscal year in the event a Performance Period extends beyond a single fiscal year), or in the event such share-denominated Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, other securities, other Awards or other property, no more than the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock on the last day of the Performance Period to which such Award relates; (v) the maximum amount that can be paid to any individual Participant for a single fiscal year during a Performance Period (or with respect to each single fiscal year in the event a Performance Period extends beyond a single fiscal year) pursuant to a Performance Compensation Award denominated in cash (described in Section 11(a) of the Plan) shall be $                ; and (vi) no more than                 shares of Common Stock may be granted pursuant to Awards which do not satisfy the Minimum Vesting Condition (the “ Minimum Vesting Condition Limit ”).

(c) Other than with respect to Substitute Awards, to the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited or terminated without issuance to the Participant of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related, the unissued shares will again be available for grant under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to have been issued in settlement of Awards if the Fair Market Value equivalent of such shares is paid in cash; provided , however, that no shares shall be deemed to have been issued in settlement of a SAR or Restricted Stock Unit that only provides for settlement in cash and settles only in cash or in respect of any Other Cash-Based Award. In no event shall (i) shares tendered or withheld on the exercise of Options or other Award for the payment of the exercise or purchase price or withholding taxes, (ii) shares not issued upon the settlement of a SAR that settles in shares of Common Stock (or could settle in shares of Common Stock), or (iii) shares purchased on the open market with cash proceeds from the exercise of Options, again become available for other Awards under the Plan.

 

10


(d) Shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase or a combination of the foregoing.

(e) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“ Substitute Awards ”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Absolute Share Limit or the Minimum Vesting Condition Limit; provided , that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted to Participants in connection with the adoption of the Plan or in substitution for awards of Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. shall not be counted against the Minimum Vesting Condition Limit.

6. Eligibility . Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Eligible Persons.

7. Options .

(a) General . Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which agreement need not be the same for each Participant. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of a member of the Company Group, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to, and comply with, such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan.

 

11


(b) Exercise Price . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price (“ Exercise Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant); provided, however , that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group, the Exercise Price per share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Vesting and Expiration; Termination .

(i) Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee. Grants of Options that are settled in shares of Common Stock shall comply with the Minimum Vesting Condition; provided that the Minimum Vesting Condition need not be applied to such grants that, when taken together with other Awards not subject to the Minimum Vesting Condition, comprise Awards with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock that does not exceed, in the aggregate, the Minimum Vesting Condition Limit. Options shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “ Option Period ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Option Period exceed five (5) years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of (A) a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient other than for Cause; or (B) a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient due to death or Disability, in each case within 12 months following a Change in Control, each outstanding Option granted to such Participant shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable as of the date of such Termination; provided , that in the event the vesting or exercisability of any Option would otherwise be subject to the achievement of performance conditions, the portion of any such Option that shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable shall be based on (x) actual performance through the date of Termination as determined by the Committee, or (y) if the Committee determines that measurement of actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, the assumed achievement of target performance as determined by the Committee, in each case prorated based on the time elapsed from the date of grant to the date of Termination.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of (A) a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause, all outstanding Options granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire; (B) a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, after taking into account any accelerated vesting under the above clause (ii),

 

12


each outstanding unvested Option granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire, and each outstanding vested Option shall remain exercisable for one (1) year thereafter (but in no event beyond the expiration of the Option Period); and (C) a Participant’s Termination for any other reason each outstanding unvested Option granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire, and each outstanding vested Option shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days thereafter (but in no event beyond the expiration of the Option Period).

(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment . No shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. Options which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company (or telephonic instructions to the extent provided by the Committee) in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable: (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual issuance of such shares to the Company); provided , that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and have been held by the Participant for any period of time as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”); or (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price; (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Committee) a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price; or (C) a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the minimum number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of an Option that are needed to pay the Exercise Price. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

(e) Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option . Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date the Participant makes a disqualifying disposition of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (i) the date that is two (2) years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option, or (ii) the date that is one (1) year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession, as agent for the applicable Participant, of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instructions from such Participant as to the sale of such Common Stock.

 

13


(f) Compliance With Laws, etc . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner which the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as it may be amended from time to time, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.

8. Stock Appreciation Rights .  

(a) General . Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Option granted under the Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Persons independent of any Option.

(b) Strike Price . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the strike price (“ Strike Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a SAR granted in tandem with (or in substitution for) an Option previously granted shall have a Strike Price equal to the Exercise Price of the corresponding Option.

(c) Vesting and Expiration; Termination .

(i) A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee. Grants of SARs that are settled in shares of Common Stock shall comply with the Minimum Vesting Condition; provided that the Minimum Vesting Condition need not be applied to such grants that, when taken together with other Awards not subject to the Minimum Vesting Condition, comprise Awards with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock that does not exceed, in the aggregate, the Minimum Vesting Condition Limit. SARs shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “ SAR Period ”).

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of (A) a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient other than for Cause; or (B) a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient due to death or Disability, in each case within 12 months following a Change in Control, outstanding SARs granted to such Participant shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable as of the date of such Termination; provided , that in the event the vesting or exercisability of any SARs would otherwise be subject to the achievement of performance conditions, the portion of any such SAR that shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable shall be based on (x) actual performance through the date of termination as determined by the Committee, or (y) if the Committee determines that measurement of actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, the assumed achievement of target performance as determined by the Committee, in each case prorated based on the time elapsed from the date of grant to the date of Termination.

 

14


(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of (A) a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause, all outstanding SARs granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire; (B) a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, after taking into account any accelerated vesting under the above clause (ii), each outstanding unvested SAR granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire, and each outstanding vested SAR shall remain exercisable for one (1) year thereafter (but in no event beyond the expiration of the SAR Period); and (C) a Participant’s Termination for any other reason, each outstanding unvested SAR granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire, and each outstanding vested SAR shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days thereafter (but in no event beyond the expiration of the SAR Period).

(d) Method of Exercise . SARs which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded.

(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units .  

(a) General . Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Stock Certificates and Book-Entry; Escrow or Similar Arrangement . Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate registered in the name of the Participant to be issued or shall cause share(s) of Common Stock to be registered in the name of the Participant and held in book-entry form subject to the Company’s directions and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than issued to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable; and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute and deliver (in a manner permitted under Section 14(a) of the

 

15


Plan or as otherwise determined by the Committee) an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to shares of Restricted Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Restricted Stock; provided , that if the lapsing of restrictions with respect to any grant of Restricted Stock is contingent on satisfaction of performance conditions (other than, or in addition to, the passage of time), any dividends payable on such shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company and delivered (without interest) to the Participant within fifteen (15) days following the date on which the restrictions on such Restricted Stock lapse (and the right to any such accumulated dividends shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate). To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company. A Participant shall have no rights or privileges as a stockholder as to Restricted Stock Units.

(c) Vesting; Termination .

(i) Subject to the Minimum Vesting Condition, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall vest, and any applicable Restricted Period shall lapse, in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee. Grants of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that are settled in shares of Common Stock shall comply with the Minimum Vesting Condition; provided that the Minimum Vesting Condition need not be applied to such grants that, when taken together with other Awards not subject to the Minimum Vesting Condition, comprise Awards with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock that does not exceed, in the aggregate, the Minimum Vesting Condition Limit.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of (A) a Participant’s Termination by the Company other than for Cause, or (B) a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, in each case within 12 months following a Change in Control, outstanding Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted to such Participant shall become fully vested and the restrictions thereon shall immediately lapse as of the date of such Termination; provided , that in the event the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units would otherwise be subject to the achievement of performance conditions, the portion of any such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units that shall become fully vested and free from such restrictions shall be based on (x) actual performance through the date of termination as determined by the Committee, or (y) if the Committee determines that measurement of actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, the assumed achievement of target performance as determined by the Committee, in each case prorated based on the time elapsed from the date of grant to the date of Termination.

 

16


(d) Issuance of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units .

(i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall issue to the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate (or, if applicable, a notice evidencing a book-entry notation) evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall issue to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, one (1) share of Common Stock (or other securities or other property, as applicable) for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however , that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to (A) pay cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock in lieu of issuing only shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units; or (B) defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock (or cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such extension would not cause adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code. If a cash payment is made in lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or by the Committee, in its sole discretion, upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock, the holder of outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalent payments in cash (unless, the Committee, in its sole discretion, elects to credit such payments in shares of Common Stock or additional Restricted Stock Units having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividend), and interest may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee, which accumulated dividend equivalents (and earnings or interest thereon, if applicable) shall be payable at the same time as the underlying Restricted Stock Units are settled following the date on which the Restricted Period lapses with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, and, if such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividend equivalent payments (or earnings or interest thereon, if applicable).

(e) Legends on Restricted Stock . Each certificate, if any, or book entry representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan, if any, shall bear a legend or book entry notation

 

17


substantially in the form of the following, in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate, until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such shares of Common Stock:

TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC. 2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC. AND PARTICIPANT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

10. Other Equity-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards .   The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards under the Plan to Eligible Persons, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and dependent on such conditions as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Other Equity-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, and each Other Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine from time to time. Each Other Equity-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award, as applicable, so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement or other form evidencing such Award, including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 14(a) of the Plan. Grants of Other Equity-Based Awards that are settled in shares of Common Stock shall comply with the Minimum Vesting Condition; provided that the Minimum Vesting Condition need not be applied to such grants that, when taken together with other Awards not subject to the Minimum Vesting Condition, comprise Awards with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock that does not exceed the Minimum Vesting Condition Limit. Grants of Other Equity-Based that are operating partnership or limited liability company units or profits interests or other equity interests in an operating partnership or limited liability company Subsidiary of the Company (a) may only be granted for Service to such operating partnership or limited liability company Subsidiary and (b) shall have the rights and features of which, if applicable, will be set forth in an operating partnership or limited liability company agreement and an applicable Award Agreement.

11. Performance Compensation Awards .  

(a) General . The Committee shall have the authority, at or before the time of grant of any Award, to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the Company determines that a Participant who has been granted an Award designated as a Performance Compensation Award is not (or is no longer) a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code), the terms and conditions of such Award may be modified without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in this Section 11 (but subject otherwise to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan).

(b) Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards . With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have sole discretion to

 

18


select the length of such Performance Period, the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goal(s) that is (are) to apply and the Performance Formula(e). Within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.

(c) Performance Criteria . The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) may be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (and/or one or more members of the Company Group, divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments, or any combination of the foregoing) and shall be limited to the following, which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis: (i) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (ii) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (iii) net revenue or net revenue growth; (iv) gross revenue or gross revenue growth, gross profit or gross profit growth; (v) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (vi) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, capital, employed capital, invested capital, equity, revenue or sales); (vii) cash flow measures (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment), which may but are not required to be measured on a per share basis; (viii) total capital invested in assets; (ix) earnings before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization (including EBIT, EBITDA and adjusted, core, or hotel EBITDA); (x) earnings as a percentage of average capital, earnings as a multiple of interest expense, or business unit economic earnings; (xi) funds from operations (as determined by NAREIT or otherwise), adjusted or core funds from operations, funds available for distribution, adjusted or core funds available for distribution, cash available for distribution, or adjusted or core cash available for distribution; (xii) asset acquisition or disposition volume; (xiii) gross or net operating margins (including EBITDA and adjusted, core, or hotel EBITDA margins); (xiv) productivity ratios; (xv) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); (xvi) expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; (xvii) operating efficiency or productivity; (xviii) objective measures of customer satisfaction; (xix) working capital targets; (xx) measures of economic value added or other ‘value creation’ metrics; (xxi) enterprise value; (xxii) sales; (xxiii) stockholder return; (xxiv) competitive market metrics; (xxv) employee retention; (xxvi) timely opening of new facilities; (xxvii) hotel occupancy rates; (xxviii) objective measures of personal targets, goals or completion of projects (including but not limited to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets); (xxix) revenues; (xxx) revenues under management; (xxxi) comparisons of continuing operations to other operations; (xxxii) market share or penetration; (xxxiii) cost of capital, debt leverage (including net debt to EBITDA or adjusted or core EBITDA), year-end cash position or book value; (xxxiv) strategic objectives; (xxxv) international operations; (xxxvi) capital expenditures; (xxxvii) RevPAR (revenue per available room); (xxxviii) RevPAR penetration ratios; (xxxix) financial ratios as provided in credit agreements of the Company and/or a member of the Company Group; or (xxxx) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be stated as a

 

19


percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more members of the Company Group as a whole or any assets, divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments or administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more members of the Company Group or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. Without limiting the foregoing, any one or more of the Performance Criteria may also be calculated on a same store, per share or relative-to-peers basis. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.

(d) Modification of Performance Goal(s) . In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining stockholder approval of such alterations, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such alterations without obtaining stockholder approval. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time a Performance Compensation Award is granted, the Committee shall, during the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter to the extent the exercise of such authority at such time would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for such Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, specify adjustments or modifications to be made to the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect the following events: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) acquisitions or divestitures; (vi) any other specific, unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (vii) foreign exchange gains and losses or fluctuation in currency exchange rates; (viii) discontinued operations and nonrecurring charges; (ix) a change in the Company’s fiscal year; (x) accruals for payments to be made in respect of the Plan or other specific compensation arrangements; and (xi) any other event described in Section 12.

(e) Payment of Performance Compensation Awards .

(i) Condition to Receipt of Payment . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.

 

20


(ii) Limitation . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved, and (B) all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period based on the application of the Performance Formula to such achieved Performance Goals; provided, however , that in the event of (x) a Participant’s Termination by the Company other than for Cause, or (y) a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, in each case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, the Participant shall receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award based on (1) actual performance through the date of Termination as determined by the Committee, or (2) if the Committee determines that measurement of actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, the assumed achievement of target performance as determined by the Committee (but not to the extent that application of this clause (2) would cause Section 162(m) of the Code to result in the loss of the deduction of the compensation payable in respect of such Performance Compensation Award for any Participant reasonably expected to be a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code), in each case, prorated based on the time elapsed from the Date of Grant to the date of Termination.

(iii) Certification . Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the amount of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award actually payable for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion.

(iv) Use of Negative Discretion . In determining the actual amount of an individual Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of such Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, the Committee shall not have the discretion to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5 of the Plan.

(f) Timing of Award Payments . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 11. Any Performance Compensation Award that has been deferred shall not (between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) increase (i) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in cash, by a measuring factor for each fiscal year greater than a reasonable rate of interest set by the Committee; or (ii) with respect to a Performance

 

21


Compensation Award that is payable in shares of Common Stock, by an amount greater than the appreciation of a share of Common Stock from the date such Award is deferred to the payment date. Any Performance Compensation Award that is deferred and is otherwise payable in shares of Common Stock shall be credited (during the period between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) with dividend equivalents (in a manner consistent with the methodology set forth in the last sentence of Section 9(d)(ii) of the Plan).

12. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted hereunder (other than Other Cash-Based Awards):

(a) General . In the event of (i) any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects the shares of Common Stock (including a Change in Control); or (ii) unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, including changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements, that the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, could result in substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants (any event in (i) or (ii), an “ Adjustment Event ”), the Committee shall, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of (A) the Absolute Share Limit, or any other limit applicable under the Plan with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder; (B) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be issued in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan or any Sub-Plan; and (C) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (I) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate; (II) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award; or (III) any applicable performance measures (including, without limitation, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals); provided , that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring.

(b) Adjustment Events . Without limiting the foregoing, except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, in connection with any Adjustment Event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

(i) substitution or assumption of Awards (or awards of an acquiring company), acceleration of the vesting of, exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards, or establishment of a period of time (which shall not be required to be more than ten (10) days) for Participants to exercise outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of such event (and any such Award not so exercised shall terminate upon the occurrence of such event);

 

22


(ii) cancellation of any one or more outstanding Awards and payment to the holders of such Awards that are vested as of such cancellation (including, without limitation, any Awards that would vest as a result of the occurrence of such event but for such cancellation or for which vesting is accelerated by the Committee in connection with such event pursuant to clause (i) above), the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which value, if applicable, may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including, without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor), or, in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards that are not vested as of such cancellation, a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards prior to cancellation, or the underlying shares in respect thereof; and

(iii) subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, conversion or replacement of any Award that is not vested as of the occurrence of such event into or with the right to receive a payment, based on the value of the Award (as determined consistent with clause (ii) above), which is subject to continued vesting on the same basis as the vesting requirements applicable to such converted or replaced Award.

Payments to holders pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable Exercise Price or Strike Price).

(c) Other Requirements . Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 12, the Committee may require a Participant to (i) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards; (ii) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

 

23


(d) Fractional Shares . Any adjustment provided under this Section 12 may provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award.

(e) Binding Effect . Any adjustment, substitution, determination of value or other action taken by the Committee under this Section 12 shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

13. Amendments and Termination .  

(a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan . The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided , that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if (i) such approval is necessary to comply with any regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company may be listed or quoted) or for changes in GAAP to new accounting standards; (ii) it would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan (except for increases pursuant to Section 5 or 12 of the Plan); or (iii) it would materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan; provided, further , that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment shall be made to the last proviso of Section 13(b) of the Plan without stockholder approval.

(b) Amendment of Award Agreements . The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award Agreement, prospectively or retroactively (including after a Participant’s Termination); provided , that, other than pursuant to Section 12, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; provided, further , that in no event shall any such amendment alter the Minimum Vesting Condition.

(c) No Repricing .  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, without stockholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 12 of the Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR; (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR (with a lower Exercise Price or Strike Price, as the case may be) or other Award or cash payment that is greater than the intrinsic value (if any) of the cancelled Option or SAR; and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action which is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted.

 

24


14. General .

(a) Award Agreements . Each Award (other than an Other Cash-Based Award) under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant to whom such Award was granted and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including, without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, Disability or Termination of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, an Award Agreement may be in any such form (written or electronic) as determined by the Committee (including, without limitation, a Board or Committee resolution, an employment agreement, a notice, a certificate or a letter) evidencing the Award. The Committee need not require an Award Agreement to be signed by the Participant or a duly authorized representative of the Company.

(b) Nontransferability . Each Award shall be exercisable only by such Participant to whom such Award was granted during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant (unless such transfer is specifically required pursuant to a domestic relations order or by applicable law) other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against any member of the Company Group; provided , that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(c) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide a Participant as part of an Award with dividends, dividend equivalents, or similar payments in respect of Awards, payable in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, payment directly to the Participant, withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or other Awards; provided , that no dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments shall be payable in respect of outstanding (i) Options or SARs; or (ii) unearned Performance Compensation Awards or other unearned Awards subject to performance conditions (other than, or in addition to, the passage of time) (although dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments may be accumulated in respect of unearned Awards and paid within fifteen (15) days after such Awards are earned and become payable or distributable).

(d) Tax Withholding .

(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, an amount in cash (by check or wire transfer) equal to the aggregate amount of any income, employment and/or other applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld in respect of an Award. Alternatively, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may elect, in its sole discretion, to satisfy this requirement by withholding such amount from any cash compensation or other cash amounts owing to a Participant.

 

25


(ii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, all or any portion of the minimum income, employment and/or other applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld with respect to an Award by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been both held by the Participant and vested for any period of time as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment under GAAP) having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such minimum statutorily required withholding liability (or portion thereof); or (B) having the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of the Award, as applicable, a number of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to an amount, subject to clause (iii) below, not in excess of such minimum statutorily required withholding liability (or portion thereof).

(iii) The Committee, subject to its having considered the applicable accounting impact of any such determination, has full discretion to allow Participants to satisfy, in whole or in part, any additional income, employment and/or other applicable taxes payable by them with respect to an Award by electing to have the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, a Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of the Award, as applicable, shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum required statutory withholding liability (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum statutory withholding amount(s) in a Participant’s relevant tax jurisdictions).

(e) Data Protection . By participating in the Plan or accepting any rights granted under it, each Participant consents to the collection and processing of personal data relating to the Participant so that the Company and its Affiliates can fulfill their obligations and exercise their rights under the Plan and generally administer and manage the Plan. This data will include, but may not be limited to, data about participation in the Plan and shares offered or received, purchased, or sold under the Plan from time to time and other appropriate financial and other data (such as the date on which the Awards were granted) about the Participant and the Participant’s participation in the Plan.

(f) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver . No employee of any member of the Company Group, or other Person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Service Recipient or any other member of the Company Group, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Service Recipient or any other member of the Company Group may at any time dismiss a Participant from

 

26


employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement, except to the extent of any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Service Recipient and/or any member of the Company Group and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.

(g) International Participants . With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of the Plan and create or amend Sub-Plans or amend outstanding Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant or any member of the Company Group.

(h) Designation and Change of Beneficiary . Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more Persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon the Participant’s death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change the Participant’s beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however , that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be the Participant’s spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, the Participant’s estate.

(i) Termination . Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence (including, without limitation, a call to active duty for military service through a Reserve or National Guard unit) nor a transfer from employment or service with one Service Recipient to employment or service with another Service Recipient (or vice-versa) shall be considered a Termination; and (ii) if a Participant undergoes a Termination of employment, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company Group in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be considered a Termination for purposes of the Plan. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that any Service Recipient ceases to be a member of the Company Group (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off or other similar transaction), unless a Participant’s employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute a Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction.

 

27


(j) No Rights as a Stockholder . Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement, no Person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock which are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to such Person.

(k) Government and Other Regulations .

(i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in shares of Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel (if the Company has requested such an opinion), satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the Federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted and any other applicable Federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on certificates representing shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in

 

28


accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (A) pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (I) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or issued, as applicable); over (II) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of issuance of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof, or (B) in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards, provide the Participant with a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards, or the underlying shares in respect thereof.

(l) No Section 83(b) Elections Without Consent of Company . No election under Section 83(b) of the Code or under a similar provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. If a Participant, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted to make such election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or other applicable provision.

(m) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants . If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for the Participant’s affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or the Participant’s estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to the Participant’s spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

(n) Nonexclusivity of the Plan . Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of equity-based awards otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

(o) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and a Participant or other Person, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or

 

29


other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be obligated to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other service providers under general law.

(p) Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of any member of the Company Group and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself or herself.

(q) Relationship to Other Benefits . No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan or as required by applicable law.

(r) Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. EACH PARTICIPANT WHO ACCEPTS AN AWARD IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST SUCH PARTICIPANT IN RESPECT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER.

(s) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(t) Obligations Binding on Successors . The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

(u) Section 409A of the Code .

(i) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the

 

30


requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of such Participant in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Service Recipient nor any other member of the Company Group shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. With respect to any Award that is considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, references in the Plan to “termination of employment” (and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each of the payments that may be made in respect of any Award granted under the Plan is designated as separate payments.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, no payments in respect of any Awards that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and which would otherwise be payable upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) shall be made to such Participant prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. Following any applicable six (6) month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code that is also a business day.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event that the timing of payments in respect of any Award (that would otherwise be considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code) would be accelerated upon the occurrence of (A) a Change in Control, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the event giving rise to the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code; or (B) a Disability, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the Disability also satisfies the definition of “Disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

(v) Clawback/Repayment . All Awards shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Committee and as in effect from time to time; and (ii) applicable law. Further, to the extent that the Participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the Participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the Participant shall be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company.

(w) Detrimental Activity . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if a Participant has engaged in any Detrimental Activity, as determined by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for one or more of the following:

 

31


(i) cancellation of any or all of such Participant’s outstanding Awards; or

(ii) forfeiture by the Participant of any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of Awards, and to repay any such gain to promptly to the Company.

(x) Right of Offset . The Company will have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement any outstanding amounts (including, without limitation, travel and entertainment or advance account balances, loans, repayment obligations under any Awards, or amounts repayable to the Company pursuant to tax equalization, housing, automobile or other employee programs) that the Participant then owes to any member of the Company Group and any amounts the Committee otherwise deems appropriate pursuant to any tax equalization policy or agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Award is “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee will have no right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement if such offset could subject the Participant to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A of the Code in respect of an outstanding Award.

(y) Expenses; Titles and Headings . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company Group. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

32

Exhibit 10.10

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of this 26th day of April 2016, by and between Hilton Worldwide, Inc. (the “ Company ”), and Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. (the “ Executive ”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive and to enter into this Agreement embodying the terms of such employment, and Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to be employed by the Company, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and in contemplation of a corporate restructuring intended, among other things, to transform the Company into a real estate investment trust (the “ Spinoff ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions . Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth on Appendix A , attached hereto.

Section 2. Acceptance and Term of Employment .

(a) The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to serve the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Term of Employment shall commence on May 16, 2016 (the “ Initial Commencement Date ”) and continue until the fourth anniversary of the Initial Commencement Date, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 7 hereof (the “ Term of Employment ”); provided that, on such fourth anniversary and on each anniversary thereof thereafter (each, an “ Extension Date ”), the Term of Employment shall be automatically extended for an additional one-year period unless at least ninety (90) days prior to a given Extension Date, the Company or Executive delivers a written notice to the other party that the Term of Employment shall not be so extended.

(b)  Company Nonrenewal . The Company may terminate this Agreement (subject to the continued applicability of certain provisions of this Agreement as provided in Section 21) by delivering to Executive the written notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof (such termination, a “ Company Nonrenewal ”). A Company Nonrenewal shall be deemed to constitute termination without Cause as of the date of such notice for purposes of Section 7.

(c)  Executive Nonrenewal . Executive may terminate this Agreement (subject to the continued applicability of certain provisions of this Agreement as provided in Section 21) by Executive’s delivery to the Company of the written notice of nonrenewal as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof (such termination, an “ Executive Nonrenewal ”). An Executive Nonrenewal will constitute a voluntary termination of employment by Executive unless Executive follows the procedures for Good Reason. If such voluntary termination by Executive is for Good Reason, then the nonrenewal notice shall include the Notice of Termination.


(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, if Executive continues employment with the Company following the expiration of the Term of Employment (whether due to a Company Nonrenewal or an Executive Nonrenewal), such employment shall constitute “at will” employment and may be terminated at any time by either party upon written notice and, notwithstanding Section 21 hereof, the provisions of Section 7 shall not apply to such “at-will” employment and no longer be of further force or effect.

Section 3. Position, Duties, and Responsibilities; Place of Performance.

(a)  Position, Duties, and Responsibilities . From the Initial Commencement Date through the date that the Spinoff is completed (the “ Spinoff Date ”), Executive shall be employed and serve as Executive Adviser-Real Estate of the Company and shall have such duties and responsibilities commensurate with such title and as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (before the Spinoff) shall designate from time to time. Beginning with the Spinoff Date and during the remainder of the Term of Employment, Executive shall be employed and serve as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company (together with such other position or positions consistent with Executive’s title as the Board shall specify from time to time) and shall have such duties and responsibilities commensurate with such title and as the Board may designate from time to time. Executive shall at all times after the Spinoff Date be the highest ranking officer of the Company and shall report exclusively to the Board and/or such committees thereof as the Board may designate. In addition, on and after the Spinoff Date, Executive shall be appointed to serve as a director on the Board and, at each annual stockholders meeting during the Term of Employment, shall be nominated for re-election to the Board, in each case to the extent not inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Board in making such appointment and renomination. If requested by the Company, Executive also agrees to serve as the chief executive officer and/or director of any other member of the Company Group, in each case without additional compensation. Executive shall be based at the Company’s corporate headquarters in McLean, Virginia, unless and until the corporate headquarters are moved to another location, which will then be the location where Executive is based.

(b)  Performance . Executive shall devote his full business time, attention, skill, and best efforts to the performance of his duties under this Agreement and shall not engage in any other business or occupation during the Term of Employment, including, without limitation, any activity that (x) conflicts with the interests of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (y) interferes with the proper and efficient performance of Executive’s duties for the Company, or (z) interferes with Executive’s exercise of judgment in the Company’s best interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) serving as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of the entities listed on Schedule I hereto, charitable organizations or, with the prior written consent of the Board following a recommendation from the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, of non-competing businesses, (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and (iii) managing his personal investments and affairs; provided , however , that the activities set out

 

- 2 -


in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) must not violate the restrictions referenced in Section 9 hereof and shall be limited by Executive so as not to materially interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

Section 4. Compensation .

During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation:

(a)  Base Salary . Executive shall initially be paid a salary of $38,461.54 per biweekly pay period, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, and annualizing to $1,000,000 (the “ Base Salary ”). No less frequently than annually, Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee who may (but is not obligated to) adjust such Base Salary in its sole discretion; provided that Base Salary shall not be decreased. Any such increased Base Salary shall be Executive’s “Base Salary” for all purposes under this Agreement.

(b)  Annual Bonus . During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus award (the “ Annual Bonus ”) based on the achievement level (threshold, target or maximum) of performance objectives adopted by the Compensation Committee within the first three months of each fiscal year during the Term of Employment (it being understood that such performance objectives and targets generally will correspond to those established for other members of senior management). During each fiscal year, the minimum bonus payable to Executive if the threshold performance objectives are achieved will be 75% of Executive’s Base Salary, the target bonus will be 150% of Executive’s Base Salary (which number is the “ Target Annual Bonus ”) if target performance objectives are achieved and the maximum bonus payable to Executive will be 225% of Base Salary if maximum performance objectives are achieved. For fiscal year 2016, the actual bonus will be pro-rated based on the Initial Commencement Date and portion of the fiscal year Executive is employed with the Company, and will be based on discretionary performance objectives and achievement levels as approved by the Compensation Committee. The Annual Bonus shall otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus Plan. Any earned Annual Bonus for a fiscal year shall be paid to Executive at the same time as annual bonuses are generally payable to other senior executives of the Company, subject to Executive’s continuous employment through the applicable performance period, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the close of such fiscal year.

(c)  Annual Equity Awards . During the Term of Employment, (i) Executive will be eligible to participate in the long-term equity incentive plan(s) adopted by Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (the “ Current Parent ”) (before the Spinoff Date) or the Company (effective on and after the Spinoff Date) from time to time, including without limitation, under the Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as applicable, the “ Equity Plan ”) and (ii) commencing in fiscal year 2016 and for each fiscal year thereafter, Executive shall be entitled to receive a long-term equity award with a target value equal to $3,500,000 (based on grant date fair market value of the applicable public company’s common stock (“ Common Stock ”) underlying such awards) subject to such vesting and other terms and

 

- 3 -


conditions as the Compensation Committee shall determine and otherwise in accordance with the applicable public company’s Equity Award Grant Policy, in effect from time to time. Within ninety (90) days following the Initial Commencement Date, one-half of the initial grant will be made in the form of restricted stock units that will vest in equal installments on the three following anniversaries of the date of grant, provided Executive remains employed by the Company on such dates. At the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Company after the Spinoff Date and subject to approval by such committee, the remaining one-half of the initial grant will be made in the form of performance share units, which may be earned from 0 to 200% of the target number of units, based on the Company’s relative total shareholder return performance versus the FTSE NAREIT Lodging/Resorts Index over a three (3) year performance period following the Spinoff Date. As promptly as practicable (and, in no event less than 2.5 months) following the last day of the performance period, the Compensation Committee of the Company shall determine whether the performance conditions have been satisfied and any performance share units with respect to which the performance conditions have been satisfied shall become vested as of the last day of the performance period, provided Executive remains employed by the Company on such date.

(d)  Sign-On Restricted Stock Grant . Within ninety (90) days following the Initial Commencement Date, Executive shall receive a one-time grant (the “ Sign-On Restricted Stock Unit Grant ”) of restricted stock units with respect to Common Stock with a value on the grant date equal to $6,750,000. The Sign-On Restricted Stock Unit Grant shall vest in four installments, 40% on December 15, 2016, and 20% annually in the three following anniversaries of the date of grant, provided Executive remains employed by the Company through such dates.

(e)  Effect of Change in Control . For avoidance of doubt, the Spinoff shall not be deemed as Change in Control for the purposes of this Section 4(e). Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, a pro-rated portion of the number of unvested performance shares and performance share units previously granted will immediately vest based on actual performance through the most recently completed fiscal quarter, or, if performance is unable to be calculated, at target. Proration will be based on the number of days in the applicable performance period prior to the closing of the Change in Control relative to the number of the days in the full performance period.

(f)  Effect of Spinoff on Equity Compensation . Executive acknowledges that the equity compensation he holds or has been promised as of the Spinoff will be adjusted in accordance with the Spinoff in a manner comparable to that for similarly situated senior executives who remain employed by the Company after the Spinoff.

Section 5. Employee Benefits; Vacation .

(a) During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in health, insurance, retirement, annual leave and time-off, and other benefits provided generally to similarly situated executive officers of the Company. Executive shall also be entitled to the same number of holidays, vacation days, and sick days, as well as any other benefits, in each case as are generally allowed to similarly situated executive officers of the Company in accordance with the Company policy as in effect from time to time. Nothing contained herein

 

- 4 -


shall be construed to limit the Company’s ability to amend, suspend, or terminate any employee benefit plan or policy at any time without providing Executive notice, and the right to do so is expressly reserved.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5(a), during the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of annual paid vacation days, which shall accrue and be usable in accordance with Company policy, as in effect from time to time; provided that for fiscal year 2016, Executive’s annual paid vacation shall be prorated based on the Initial Commencement Date and portion of the fiscal year Executive is employed with the Company.

Section 6. Reimbursement of Expenses .

(a)  Business Expenses . Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all such reasonable business expenses, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policies, as in effect from time to time.

Section 7. Termination of Employment.

(a)  General . The Term of Employment shall terminate earlier than as provided in Section 2 hereof upon the earliest to occur of (i) Executive’s death, (ii) a termination by reason of a Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company with or without Cause, and (iv) a termination by Executive with or without Good Reason. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, other than the requirements of Section 12 hereof, the payment (or commencement of a series of payments) hereunder of any nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) upon a termination of employment shall be delayed until such time as Executive has also undergone a “separation from service” as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h), at which time such nonqualified deferred compensation (calculated as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder) shall be paid (or commence to be paid) to Executive on the schedule set forth in this Section 7 as if Executive had undergone such termination of employment (under the same circumstances) on the date of his ultimate “separation from service.”

(b)  Termination Due to Death or Disability . Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon his death. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately upon the occurrence of a Disability, such termination to be effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. Upon Executive’s death or in the event that Executive’s employment is terminated due to his Disability, Executive or his estate or his beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to:

(i) The Accrued Rights;

 

- 5 -


(ii) Subject to satisfaction of the applicable performance objectives applicable under the Annual Bonus Plan for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs, an amount equal to (A) the Annual Bonus that Executive would otherwise have been entitled to receive under the Annual Bonus Plan (based on actual achievement of applicable performance objectives) had no such termination occurred, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from the commencement of such fiscal year through the date of such termination and the denominator of which is 365 (the “ Pro Rata Bonus ”), which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company, but in no event later than the 15 th day of the third month following the last day of the fiscal year in which such termination occurred;

(iii) Fully accelerated vesting and immediate lapse of restrictions on the unvested portion of any time-based restricted stock awards previously granted; and

(iv) Fully accelerated vesting and immediate lapse of restrictions on the unvested portion of any stock options previously granted; and

(v) Accelerated vesting of pro-rated portion of the target number of unvested performance shares and performance share units previously granted (irrespective of performance). Proration will be based on the number of days in the applicable performance period prior to the Termination Date relative to the number of the days in the full applicable performance period.

Following Executive’s death or a termination of Executive’s employment by reason of a Disability, except as set forth in this Section 7(b), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(c)  Termination by the Company for Cause .

(i) The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination; provided , however , that with respect to any Cause termination relying on clauses (i), (ii), (vi) or (vii) of the definition of Cause, to the extent that such act or acts or failure or failures to act are curable, Executive shall be given not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice by the Board of the Company’s intention to terminate him for Cause, such notice to state in detail the particular act or acts or failure or failures to act that constitute the grounds on which the proposed termination for Cause is based, and such termination shall be effective at the expiration of such thirty (30) day notice period unless Executive has fully cured such act or acts or failure or failures to act that give rise to Cause during such period.

A termination of employment of Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until the Board has taken an action by the affirmative vote or consent of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board (not including Executive) in which the Board identifies the conduct of Executive constituting grounds for Cause, as described in one or more of the clauses of Section (f) of Appendix A hereof, and specifies the particulars thereof in reasonable detail.

 

- 6 -


(ii) In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, he shall be entitled only to the Accrued Rights. Following such termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, except as set forth in this Section 7(c)(ii), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(d)  Termination by the Company without Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time without Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability) and Executive complies with Section 7(g) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to:

(i) The Accrued Rights;

(ii) An amount equal to 2.99 multiplied by the sum of (x) Base Salary and (y) the Target Annual Bonus, such amount to be paid in a lump sum as provided under (g) or such later date as Section 13 may provide;

(iii) Fully accelerated vesting and immediate lapse of restrictions on the unvested portion of any time-based restricted stock awards previously granted; and

(iv) Fully accelerated vesting and immediate lapse of restrictions on the unvested portion of any stock options previously granted; and

(v) Accelerated vesting of pro-rated portion of the target number of unvested performance shares and performance share units previously granted (irrespective of performance). Proration will be based on the number of days in the applicable performance period prior to the Termination Date relative to the number of the days in the full performance period (provided that the acceleration will not be reduced for proration if the termination without Cause or termination for Good Reason occurs within twelve (12) months following the closing of a Change in Control); and

(vi) Subject to Executive’s election of COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, payment, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of each month during the twelve months following the Date of Termination (the “ Coverage Period ”), of an amount equal to the difference between the monthly COBRA premium cost and the monthly contribution paid by active employees for the same coverage; provided , that the payments described in this clause (v) shall cease earlier than the expiration of the Coverage Period in the event that Executive becomes eligible to receive any health benefits as a result of subsequent employment or service during the Coverage Period and provided further that the Company may end its payment of premiums earlier (but not Executive’s eligibility for COBRA) if it reasonably determines that applicable laws or regulations are likely to cause the payment of these premiums to

 

- 7 -


trigger taxes or penalties on the Company or other medical plan participants or to Executive (beyond, if taxable to Executive, the tax to him on the amount of the premiums).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments and benefits described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) above shall immediately terminate, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive with respect thereto, in the event that Executive breaches any provision of the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B attached hereto. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, except as set forth in this Section 7(d), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy upon a termination of employment by the Company without Cause shall be receipt of the Accrued Rights and the Severance Benefits. For purposes of this Section 7(d), if the Spinoff does not occur on or before December 31, 2017, the Company will terminate Executive’s employment and treat such termination as termination without Cause.

(e)  Termination by Executive with Good Reason . Executive may terminate his employment with Good Reason by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which written notice, to be effective, must be provided to the Company within sixty (60) days of Executive’s knowledge (whether actual or constructive, including, without limitation, knowledge that Executive would have reasonably obtained after making due and appropriate inquiry) of such event. During such thirty (30) day notice period, the Company shall have a cure right (if curable), and if not cured within such period, Executive’s termination must be effective no later than thirty (30) days following the expiration of such cure period, and Executive shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 7(d) hereof for a termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the same conditions on payment and benefits as described in Section 7(d) and Section 7(g) hereof. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive with Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 7(e) and Section 14, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy upon a termination of employment with Good Reason shall be receipt of the Accrued Rights and the Severance Benefits.

(f)  Termination by Executive without Good Reason . Executive may terminate his employment without Good Reason by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of employment by Executive under this Section 7(f), Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Rights. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment under this Section 7(f), the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written notice accelerate such date of termination or remove him from any officer or director positions without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by Executive without Good Reason. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive without Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 7(f) and Section 14, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

 

- 8 -


(g)  Release . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of this Section 7 (other than the Accrued Rights) (collectively, the “ Severance Benefits ”) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s execution, delivery to the Company, and non-revocation of the Release of Claims (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such Release of Claims) within sixty (60) days following the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, or such shorter period as the Company may provide. If Executive fails to execute the Release of Claims in such a timely manner so as to permit any revocation period to expire prior to the end of such sixty (60) day (or shorter) period, or timely revokes his acceptance of such release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, but for the condition on executing the Release of Claims, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date whose cutoff date follows such sixtieth (60 th ) day, after which any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein.

(h)  Notice of Termination . Any written notice of termination given under Section 7 of this Agreement shall be provided to the other party in accordance with Section 18 of this Agreement. In addition, any written notice pertaining to a termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason shall meet the requirements of a Notice of Termination (as defined in this paragraph). For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Notice of Termination ” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the Date of Termination (as defined below).

(i)  Date of Termination . “ Date of Termination ” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the date of expiration of the cure period, if any, set forth in Section 7(c), (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, thirty (30) days following the date of expiration of the cure period specified in Section 7(e) or such earlier date (after the cure period) as Executive’s termination is final, (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the date on which the Company notifies Executive of such termination or such later date specified by the Company, (iv) if Executive voluntarily resigns without Good Reason, the date at least thirty (30) days after Executive notifies the Company, subject to the Company’s right to accelerate such date of termination without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by Executive without Good Reason as provided in Section 7(f), (v) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death of Executive, or (vi) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company due to Disability, the date specified by the Company.

 

- 9 -


Section 8. Certain Payments .

(a) In the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (“ Payments ”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this section, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, any successor provisions, or any comparable federal, state, local or foreign excise tax (“ Excise Tax ”), then, subject to the provisions of this Section 8, such Payments shall be either (A) provided in full pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other applicable agreement, or (B) provided as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such Payments being subject to the Excise Tax (“ Reduced Amount ”), whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state, local and foreign income, employment and other taxes and the Excise Tax (including, without limitation, any interest or penalties on such taxes), results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of payments and benefits provided for hereunder or otherwise, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax.

(b) Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 8 shall be made by an independent advisor designated by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive (“ Independent Advisor ”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required under this Section, Independent Advisor may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code; provided that Independent Advisor shall assume that Executive pays all taxes at the highest marginal rate. The Company and Executive shall furnish to Independent Advisor such information and documents as Independent Advisor may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs that Independent Advisor may incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section. The reduction of the Payments payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the cash payments under Section 7(d)(ii), second by reducing the Pro Rata Bonus, third by reducing COBRA reimbursement under Section 7(d)(vi) and lastly by reducing any other Payments in a manner determined by the Company, in consultation with Executive.

(c) If, notwithstanding any reduction described in Section 8 (or in the absence of any such reduction), the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”) determines that Executive is liable for the Excise Tax as a result of the receipt of one or more Payments, then Executive shall be obligated to surrender or pay back to the Company, within one hundred twenty (120) days after a final IRS determination, an amount of such payments or benefits equal to the “ Repayment Amount .” The Repayment Amount with respect to such Payments shall be the smallest such amount, if any, as shall be required to be surrendered or paid to the Company so that Executive’s net proceeds with respect to such Payments (after taking into account the payment of the excise tax imposed on such Payments) shall be maximized. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Repayment Amount with respect to such Payments shall be zero if a Repayment Amount of more than zero would not eliminate the Excise Tax imposed on such Payments or if a Repayment Amount of more than zero would not maximize the net amount received by Executive from the Payments. If the Excise Tax is not eliminated pursuant to this Section 8, Executive shall pay the Excise Tax.

 

- 10 -


Section 9. Restrictive Covenants .

Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company Group and accordingly agrees, as a condition of Executive’s initial and continued employment with the Company, to be bound by and comply with the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 1 of Appendix B (or a material breach or material threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 2 of Appendix B of this Agreement) would be inadequate and the Company would suffer irreparable damages as a result of such breach or threatened breach. In recognition of this fact, Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law and in addition to cessation of payments described in the last paragraph of Section 7(d), the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. For the avoidance of doubt, the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other similar restrictive covenants contained in any other agreement between Executive and any member of the Company Group.

Section 10. Representations and Warranties of Executive .

Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

(a) Executive has had the opportunity to consult with, and is represented by, his own tax and legal advisor(s) in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement;

(b) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that, to the best of his knowledge, his employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will not conflict with or result in the breach by him of any agreement to which he is a party or by which he may be bound;

(c) To the best of his knowledge, Executive has not violated, and in connection with his becoming employed or remaining employed with the Company will not violate, any non-solicitation, non-competition, or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer by which he is or may be bound; and

(d) In connection with his employment with the Company, Executive will not knowingly use any confidential or proprietary information he may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer.

 

- 11 -


Section 11. Taxes .

The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to him in connection with this Agreement and that he has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from his own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to him pursuant to this Agreement, including specifically, the application of the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to such payments.

Section 12. Additional Section 409A Provisions .

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary:

(a) Any payment otherwise required to be made hereunder to Executive at any date as a result of the termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed for such period of time as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the “ Delay Period ”). On the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule set forth herein.

(b) Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

(c) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.

(d) While the payments and benefits provided hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the implication of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall any member of the Company Group be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code). If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall, after consulting

 

- 12 -


with and receiving the approval of Executive, reform such provision in a manner intended (but not guaranteed by the Company) to avoid the incurrence by Executive of any such additional tax or interest.

Section 13. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries .

(a)  The Company . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, obligations, or interests arising hereunder may be assigned by the Company to a Person (other than another member of the Company Group, or its or their respective successors) without Executive’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned); provided , however , that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any direct or indirect division or subsidiary thereof to which Executive’s employment primarily relates, the Company may provide that this Agreement will be assigned to, and assumed by, the acquiror of such assets, division or subsidiary, as applicable, without Executive’s consent. Other than with respect to equity compensation issued by the Current Parent, the Company shall have the sole obligation or liability with respect to any compensation (whether due but unpaid or not yet due) to Executive, and, with respect to such equity compensation from the Current Parent, all obligations will be assumed by the Company or otherwise treated as provided in connection with the Spinoff.

(b)  Executive . Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided , however , that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

(c)  No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in Section 7(b) or Section 13(b) hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the other members of the Company Group, and Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.

Section 14. Disputes; Legal Fees.

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively in the courts of the State of Delaware or if appropriate, a federal court located in the State of Delaware (which courts, for purposes of this Agreement and the Release of Claims, are the only courts of competent jurisdiction). The parties hereto irrevocably agree to submit to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts (or federal courts) of the State of Delaware in any action or proceeding brought with respect to or in connection with this Agreement. In the event of any material contest or dispute relating to this Agreement or the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, each of the parties shall bear its own costs and expenses, except that the Company agrees to promptly reimburse Executive for his costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by Executive in connection with such contest or dispute, in the event that Executive substantially prevails in such contest or dispute. Any reimbursements that become payable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid within 15 days following receipt of an appropriately detailed invoice.

 

- 13 -


(b)  Legal Fees Incurred in Negotiating the Agreement . The Company shall pay or Executive shall be reimbursed for Executive’s reasonable legal fees incurred in negotiating and drafting this Agreement up to a maximum of $20,000.00, provided that any such payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the Initial Commencement date.

Section 15. Waiver and Amendments.

Any waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto; provided , however , that any such waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification must be consented to on the Company’s behalf by the Compensation Committee and the Board. No waiver by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a continuing waiver.

Section 16. Severability.

If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof.

Section 17. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND IS TO BE CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ALSO HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 18. Notices.

(a)  Place of Delivery . Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom or which it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided; provided , that unless and until some other address be so designated, all notices and communications by Executive to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal executive office to the attention of the General Counsel, and all notices and communications by the Company to Executive may be given to Executive personally or may be mailed to Executive at Executive’s last known address, as reflected in the Company’s records.

 

- 14 -


(b)  Date of Delivery . Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given (i) if delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if mailed by courier or by overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing, and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.

Section 19. Section Headings.

The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof.

Section 20. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement, together with any exhibits and appendices attached hereto and any equity award grants referenced herein to be made by the Company to Executive, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto regarding the employment of Executive. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 21. Survival of Operative Sections.

Upon any termination of Executive’s employment, the provisions of Section 7 through Section 21 of this Agreement (together with any related definitions set forth in Section 1 hereof) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.

Section 22. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be by actual or facsimile signature.

*        *        *

[Signatures to appear on the following page.]

 

- 15 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE, INC.
/s/ Matthew W. Schuyler
Matthew W. Schuyler

Executive Vice President and Chief Human

Resources Officer

EXECUTIVE
/s/ Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.
Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.


SCHEDULE I

Board Service

Duke Realty Corporation (NYSE: DRE)

Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE: PRU)


APPENDIX A

Definitions

(a) “ Accrued Rights ” shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus that is required to be paid in accordance with the terms of the Annual Bonus Plan, (iii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred in accordance with Section 6 hereof, and (iv) any benefits provided under the Company’s employee benefit plans or any incentive plans upon a termination of employment, including rights with respect to Company equity (or equity derivatives), in accordance with the terms contained therein.

(b) “ Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(c) “ Annual Bonus ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

(d) “ Base Salary ” shall mean the salary provided for in Section 4(a).

(e) “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. until the Spinoff Date and the Board of Directors of the Company thereafter.

(f) “ Cause ” shall mean (i) Executive’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of Executive’s employment hereunder, (ii) willful failure or refusal by Executive (or Executive’s inability, as a result of circumstances described in clause (v) of this definition) to perform in any material respect his duties or responsibilities, (iii) misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) by Executive of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (iv) embezzlement or fraud committed (or attempted) by Executive, or at his direction, (v) Executive’s conviction of, indictment for, or pleading “guilty” or “no contest” to, (x) a felony or (y) any other criminal charge involving moral turpitude that has, or could be reasonably expected to have, an adverse impact on the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company or any other member of the Company Group or otherwise result in injury to the reputation or business of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (vi) any violation by Executive of the policies of the Company, including but not limited to those relating to sexual harassment or business conduct, and those otherwise set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Company, which causes material harm to the Company (vii) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement or breach of the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B or any other similar restrictive covenants contained in any other agreement between Executive and any member of the Company Group, or (viii) Executive’s breach of the representations in Sections 10(b)-(d) or any action taken during employment that violates such representations as though such representations had been made immediately after such action; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the adverse performance of the Company alone (other than as a result of, arising out of or in connection with circumstances described in clauses (i) through (vii), inclusive, of this definition) shall not constitute grounds for termination of Executive’s employment for Cause.

For purposes of this Section (f), no act or failure to act by Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that


Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any action or inaction of Executive taken in reliance on the advice of the Company’s legal counsel shall be considered to have been taken or not taken in good faith, and not in bad faith.

(g) “ Change in Control ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (or any successor plan).

(h) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(i) “ Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(j) “ Company Group ” shall mean the Company together with any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

(k) “ Compensation Committee ” shall mean the committee (of the applicable Board) designated to make compensation decisions relating to senior executive officers of the Company.

(l) “ Delay Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12 hereof.

(m) “ Disability ” shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that prevents, with reasonable accommodation to the extent required by applicable law, the performance of Executive’s duties for a period of (i) one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred eighty (180) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period. Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician selected by the Company and approved by Executive (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

(n) “ Executive ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(o) “ Excise Tax ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereto.

(p) “ Good Reason ” shall mean, without Executive’s consent, (i) a material diminution in Executive’s title, duties, or responsibilities as set forth in Section 3 hereof (providing that his remaining Executive Adviser-Real Estate of the Company and not being promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall not be material diminution unless and until the Spinoff occurs and he is not promptly thereafter promoted to Chief Executive Officer), (ii) a material reduction in Base Salary set forth in Section 4(a) hereof or Target Annual Bonus opportunity set forth in Section 4(b) hereof (other than pursuant to an across-the-board reduction applicable to all similarly situated executives), (iii) the relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s headquarters, or such other place of employment at which Executive has agreed to be based, or (iv) any other material breach of a provision of this Agreement by the Company (other than a provision that is covered

 

2


by clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above). Executive acknowledges and agrees that his exclusive remedy in the event of any breach of this Agreement shall be to assert Good Reason pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 7(e) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Term of Employment, in the event that the Board reasonably believes that Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, suspend Executive from performing his duties hereunder, and in no event shall any such suspension constitute an event pursuant to which Executive may terminate employment with Good Reason or otherwise constitute a breach hereunder; provided , that no such suspension shall alter the Company’s obligations under this Agreement during such period of suspension.

(q) “ Independent Advisor ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereto.

(r) “ IRS ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereto.

(s) “ Notice of Termination ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(h) hereto.

(t) “ Payments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereto.

(u) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

(v) “ Pro Rata Bonus ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) hereof.

(w) “ Reduced Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereto.

(x) “ Release of Claims ” shall mean Executive’s release of claims, confirmation of continued compliance with restrictive covenants, and post-employment cooperation on a form with customary terms to be supplied by the Company at or promptly following the Date of Termination.

(y) “ Repayment Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereto.

(z) “ Restrictive Covenants ” shall mean the restrictive covenants contained in Appendix B attached hereto.

(aa) “ Severance Benefits ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(g) hereof.

(bb) “ Target Annual Bonus ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

(cc) “ Term of Employment ” shall mean the period specified in Section 2 hereof.

 

3


APPENDIX B

Restrictive Covenants

1. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .

(a) Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company and its affiliates and accordingly agrees as follows:

(i) During Executive’s employment with the Company or its subsidiaries and for a period of the greater of 18 months following the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Company or its subsidiaries (the “ Restricted Period ”), Executive will not, whether on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise whatsoever (“ Person ”), directly or indirectly solicit or assist in soliciting in competition with the Restricted Group in the Business, the business of any then current or prospective client or customer with whom Executive (or his direct reports) had personal contact or dealings on behalf of the Company during the one-year period preceding Executive’s termination of employment.

(ii) During the Restricted Period, Executive will not directly or indirectly:

(A) enter the employ of, or render any services to, a Core Competitor, except where such employment or services do not relate in any manner to the Business;

(B) acquire a financial interest in, or otherwise become actively involved with, any Person engaged in the Business, directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; or

(C) intentionally and adversely interfere with, or attempt to adversely interfere with, business relationships between the members of the Restricted Group and any of their clients, customers, suppliers, partners, members or investors.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Appendix B, Executive may, directly or indirectly own, solely as an investment, securities of any Person engaged in a Business (including, without limitation, a Core Competitor) which are publicly traded on a national or regional stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market if Executive (i) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such person and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own 2% or more of any class of securities of such Person.

(iv) During Executive’s employment with the Company Group and for a period of the 18 months from the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Company or its subsidiaries, Executive will not, whether on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any Person, directly or indirectly:


(A) solicit or encourage any employee of the Restricted Group to leave the employment of the Restricted Group;

(B) hire any executive-level employee who was employed by the Restricted Group as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company or who left the employment of the Restricted Group coincident with, or within one year prior to or after, the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company; or

(C) encourage any material consultant of the Restricted Group to cease working with the Restricted Group.

(v) For purposes of this Appendix B:

(A) “ Restricted Group ” shall mean, collectively, the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the extent engaged in the Business, their respective affiliates.

(B) “ Business ” shall mean the business of lodging real estate and acquiring controlling investments in owning, operating, and managing hotel and lodging properties.

(C) “ Core Competitor ” shall mean any major lodging real estate company or global hotel brand engaged in the Business.

(b)  Non-Disparagement . Executive will not at any time (whether during or after Executive’s employment with the Company Group) make public statements or public comments intended to be (or having the effect of being) of a defamatory or disparaging nature regarding (including, without limitation, any statements or comments, whether in person, radio, television, film, social media or otherwise, that are (i) likely to be harmful to the business, business reputation or personal reputation of or (ii) for, on behalf of or in association with any trade, industry, activist or other advocacy group that has, at any time, made adverse or critical statements in relation to) the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any of their respective businesses, shareholders, members, partners, employees, agents, officers, directors or contractors (it being understood that comments made in Executive’s good faith performance of his duties hereunder shall not be deemed disparaging or defamatory for purposes of this paragraph). The Company (via any official statement) shall not, and shall instruct its executive officers and directors to not, at any time make any public statements or public release which is intended to be (or having the effect of being) of defamatory or disparaging nature regarding Executive’s reputation in the business community (it being understood that comments made by the Company in the good faith and in ordinary course of business shall not be deemed disparaging or defamatory for purposes of this paragraph). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 1(b), either Executive or the Company (including its officers and directors) shall be permitted to (x) provide a reasonable and truthful response to or statement to defend itself or him/herself against any public statement made by the Company or Executive, as applicable, that is incorrect or disparages such person, to the extent necessary to correct or refute such public statement and (y) provide truthful testimony in any legal proceeding or process. For the

 

2


avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Executive from communicating with a government agency, regulator or legal authority concerning any possible violations of federal or state law or regulation prevent or limit Executive from discussing his terms and conditions of employment. Nothing in this Agreement, however, authorizes the disclosure of information Executive obtained through a communication that was subject to the attorney-client privilege, unless disclosure of the information would otherwise be permitted by an applicable law or rule.

(c) It is expressly understood and agreed that, although Executive and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 1 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained in this Appendix B is an unenforceable restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Appendix B shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Appendix B is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

(d) The period of time during which the provisions of this Section 1 shall be in effect shall be extended by the length of time during which Executive is in breach of the terms hereof as determined by any court of competent jurisdiction on the Company’s application for injunctive relief.

(e) The provisions of Section 1 hereof shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, including but not limited to, any termination other than for Cause (except as otherwise set forth in Section 1 hereof).

2. Confidentiality; Intellectual Property .

(a)  Confidentiality .

(i) Executive will not at any time (whether during or after Executive’s employment with the Company Group) (x) retain or use for the benefit, purposes or account of Executive or any other Person; or (y) disclose, divulge, reveal, communicate, share, transfer or provide access to any Person outside the Company (other than its professional advisers who are bound by confidentiality obligations or otherwise in performance of Executive’s duties under Executive’s employment and pursuant to customary industry practice), any non-public, proprietary or confidential information — including without limitation trade secrets, know-how, research and development, software, databases, inventions, processes, formulae, technology, designs and other intellectual property, information concerning finances, investments, profits, pricing, costs, products, services, vendors, customers, clients, partners, investors, personnel, compensation, recruiting, training, advertising, sales, marketing, promotions, government and regulatory activities and approvals, and safety practices, protocols, policies, or procedures — concerning the past, current or future business, activities and operations of

 

3


the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates and/or any third party that has disclosed or provided any of same to the Company on a confidential basis (“ Confidential Information ”) without the prior written authorization of the Board.

(ii) “ Confidential Information ” shall not include any information that is (a) generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result of Executive’s breach of this covenant; (b) made legitimately available to Executive by a third party without breach of any confidentiality obligation of which Executive has knowledge; or (c) required by law to be disclosed; provided that with respect to subsection (c) Executive shall give prompt written notice to the Company of such requirement, disclose no more information than is so required, and reasonably cooperate with any attempts by the Company to obtain a protective order or similar treatment.

(iii) Except as required by law, Executive will not disclose to anyone, other than Executive’s family (it being understood that, in this Agreement, the term “family” refers to Executive, Executive’s spouse, children, parents and spouse’s parents) and advisors, the existence or contents of this Agreement; provided that Executive may disclose to any prospective future employer the provisions of this Appendix B. This Section 2(a)(iii) shall terminate if the Company publicly discloses a copy of this Agreement (or, if the Company publicly discloses summaries or excerpts of this Agreement, to the extent so disclosed).

(iv) Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall (x) cease and not thereafter commence use of any Confidential Information or intellectual property (including without limitation, any patent, invention, copyright, trade secret, trademark, trade name, logo, domain name or other source indicator) owned or used by the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates; and (y) immediately destroy, delete, or return to the Company, at the Company’s option, all originals and copies in any form or medium (including memoranda, books, papers, plans, computer files, letters and other data) in Executive’s possession or control (including any of the foregoing stored or located in Executive’s office, home, laptop or other computer, whether or not Company property) that contain Confidential Information, except that Executive may retain only those portions of any personal notes, notebooks and diaries that do not contain any Confidential Information.

(b)  Intellectual Property .

(i) If Executive has created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to or improved any works of authorship, inventions, intellectual property, materials, documents or other work product (including without limitation, research, reports, software, databases, systems, applications, presentations, textual works, content, or audiovisual materials) (“ Works ”), either alone or with third parties, prior to Executive’s employment by the Company, that are relevant to or implicated by such employment and in which Executive has exclusive, unfettered ownership (“ Prior Works ”), Executive hereby grants the Company a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, assignable, sublicensable license under all rights and intellectual property rights

 

4


(including rights under patent, industrial property, copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and related laws) therein for all purposes in connection with the Company’s current and future business.

(ii) If Executive creates, invents, designs, develops, contributes to or improves any Works, either alone or with third parties, at any time during Executive’s employment by the Company and within the scope of such employment and with the use of any Company resources (“ Company Works ”), Executive shall promptly and fully disclose same to the Company and hereby irrevocably assigns, transfers and conveys, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, all rights and intellectual property rights therein (including rights under patent, industrial property, copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and related laws) to the Company to the extent ownership of any such rights does not vest originally in the Company.

(iii) Executive shall take all reasonably requested actions and execute all reasonably requested documents (including any licenses or assignments required by a government contract) at the Company’s expense (but without further remuneration) to assist the Company in validating, maintaining, protecting, enforcing, perfecting, recording, patenting or registering any of the Company’s rights in the Prior Works and Company Works. If the Company is unable for any other reason, after reasonable attempt, to secure Executive’s signature on any document for this purpose, then Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in Executive’s behalf and stead to execute any documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts required in connection with the foregoing. Executive also waives any moral rights to Prior Works and Company Works.

(iv) Executive shall not improperly use for the benefit of, bring to any premises of, divulge, disclose, communicate, reveal, transfer or provide access to, or share with the Company any confidential, proprietary or non-public information or intellectual property relating to a former employer or other third party without the prior written permission of such third party. Executive shall comply with all relevant policies and guidelines of the Company that are from time to time previously disclosed to Executive, including regarding the protection of Confidential Information and intellectual property and potential conflicts of interest. Executive acknowledges that the Company may amend any such policies and guidelines from time to time, and that Executive remains at all times bound by their most current version from time to time previously disclosed to Executive.

(v) The provisions of Section 2 hereof shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason (except as otherwise set forth in Section 2(a)(iii) hereof).

 

5

Exhibit 10.11

FORM OF PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

2016 STOCK PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

1. Purpose . The purpose of the Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors is to provide a means through which the Company and the other members of the Company Group may attract and retain members of the board of directors of the Company and to provide a means whereby members of the board of directors of the Company can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company Group and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

2. Definitions . The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan.

(a) “ Absolute Share Limit ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(b) of the Plan.

(b) “ Adjustment Event ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 11(a) of the Plan.

(c) “ Affiliate ” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

(d) “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, and Other Equity-Based Award.

(e) “ Award Agreement ” means the document or documents by which each Award is evidenced, which may be in written or electronic form.

(f) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(g) “ Cause ” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, a good faith determination of the Committee or its designee that (i) there is “cause” to terminate a Participant’s service as a non-employee director of the Board, as defined in and in accordance with any consulting or other agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) in the absence of any such agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), any of the following has occurred with respect to a Participant: (A) such Participant has failed to reasonably perform his or her duties to any member of the Company Group, or has failed to follow the lawful instructions of the Board, in each case other than as a result of his or her incapacity due to physical or mental illness or injury, in a manner that could reasonably be expected to result in harm (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate, following notice by the Company Group or


such Affiliate of such failure, (B) such Participant has engaged or is about to engage in conduct harmful (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate, (C) such Participant has been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or any crime involving as a material element fraud or dishonesty, (D) the willful misconduct or gross neglect of such Participant that could reasonably be expected to result in harm (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate, (E) the willful violation by such Participant of the written policies of any member of the Company Group or any applicable written policies of any member of the Company Group that could reasonably be expected to result in harm (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to any member of the Company Group or an Affiliate; (F) such Participant’s fraud or misappropriation, embezzlement or misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company Group or an Affiliate (other than good faith expense account disputes); (G) such Participant’s act of personal dishonesty which involves personal profit in connection with such Participant’s service as a non-employee director of the Board, or (H) the willful breach by such Participant of fiduciary duty owed to any member of the Company Group.

(h) “ Change in Control ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time).

(i) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

(j) “ Committee ” means the Board or any properly delegated subcommittee thereof.

(k) “ Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (and any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).

(l) “ Company ” means Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

(m) “ Company Group ” means, collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(n) “ Date of Grant ” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.

(o) “ Disability ” means, unless in the case of a particular Award the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, the Company or an Affiliate having cause to terminate a Participant’s service on account of “disability,” as defined in any then-existing consulting or other similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence of such an agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Disability” contained therein), the complete and permanent inability by reason of illness or accident to perform the duties of the occupation at which a Participant was employed or served when such disability commenced. Any determination of whether Disability exists shall be made by the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

 

2


(p) “ Effective Date ” means            , 20    .

(q) “ Eligible Director ” means a member of the Board, elected or appointed, who is not also an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. An individual who is elected to the Board at an annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company shall be deemed to be a member of the Board as of the date of such meeting.

(r) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(s) “ Exercise Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.

(t) “ Fair Market Value ” means, on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock reported on the primary exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and traded on such date, or, if there are no such sales on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such sales were reported; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange but is quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the average between the closing bid price and ask price reported on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.

(u) “ GAAP ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(d) of the Plan.

(v) “ Indemnifiable Person ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4(e) of the Plan.

(w) “ Option ” means an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan.

(x) “ Option Period ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(c)(i) of the Plan.

(y) “ Other Equity-Based Award ” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, share of Restricted Stock, or Restricted Stock Unit, that is granted under Section 10 of the Plan and is (i) payable by delivery of Common Stock, and/or (ii) measured by reference to the value of Common Stock. Other Equity-Based Awards may include (i) operating partnership or limited liability company units or profits interests with respect to a Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) unrestricted shares of Common Stock.

(z) “ Participant ” means an Eligible Director who accepts an Award pursuant to the Plan.

 

3


(aa) “ Person ” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

(bb) “ Plan ” means this Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.

(cc) “ Qualifying Director ” means a person who is, with respect to actions intended to obtain an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

(dd) “ Restricted Period ” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions, including vesting conditions.

(ee) “ Restricted Stock ” means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant provide continuous services as a non-employee director of the Board for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(ff) “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant provide continuous services as a non-employee director of the Board for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(gg) “ SAR Period ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8(c) of the Plan.

(hh) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(ii) “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.

(jj) “ Strike Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.

(kk) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of such entity’s voting securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

4


(ii) any partnership, limited liability company or any comparable foreign entity (A) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (B) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

(ll) “ Termination ” means the cessation of a Participant’s service as a member of the Board for any reason.

3. Effective Date; Duration . The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however , that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

4. Administration .

(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan), it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time such member takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan that is intended to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act be a Qualifying Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as a Qualifying Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan to (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in, or exercised for, cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

5


(c) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including, without limitation, any member of the Company Group, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.

(e) No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee or agent of any member of the Company Group (each such Person, an “ Indemnifiable Person ”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder (unless constituting fraud or a willful criminal act or omission). Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken or determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, and the Company shall advance to such Indemnifiable Person any such expenses promptly upon written request (which request shall include an undertaking by the Indemnifiable Person to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined, as provided below, that the Indemnifiable Person is not entitled to be indemnified); provided , that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts, omissions or determinations of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of or otherwise supersede any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group, as a matter of law, under an individual indemnification agreement or contract or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold such Indemnifiable Persons harmless.

 

6


(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. Any such actions by the Board shall be subject to the applicable rules of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.

5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to the Plan; Limitations .

(a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Awards to one or more Eligible Directors.

(b) Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) subject to Section 11 of the Plan, no more than            shares of Common Stock (the “ Absolute Share Limit ”) shall be available for Awards under the Plan; and (ii) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single fiscal year to any Participant, taken together with any cash fees paid during the fiscal year to such Participant in respect of service as a member of the Board, shall not exceed $1,000,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).

(c) To the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited or terminated without issuance to the Participant of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related, the unissued shares will again be available for grant under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to have been issued in settlement of Awards if the Fair Market Value equivalent of such shares is paid in cash; provided , however , that no shares shall be deemed to have been issued in settlement of a SAR or Restricted Stock Unit that only provides for settlement in cash and settles only in cash. In no event shall (i) shares tendered or withheld on the exercise of Options or other Award for the payment of the exercise or purchase price, (ii) shares not issued upon the settlement of a SAR that settles in shares of Common Stock (or could settle in shares of Common Stock), or (iii) shares purchased on the open market with cash proceeds from the exercise of Options, again become available for other Awards under the Plan.

(d) Shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase or a combination of the foregoing.

6. Eligibility . Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Eligible Directors.

7. Options .

(a) General . Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which agreement need not be the same for each Participant. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be nonqualified stock options.

 

7


(b) Exercise Price . The exercise price (“ Exercise Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant).

(c) Vesting and Expiration; Termination .

(i) Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee. Options shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “ Option Period ”).

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, each outstanding Option granted to such Participant shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable as of the date of such Termination.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, (A) in the event of a Participant’s Termination by any member of the Company Group for Cause, all outstanding Options granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire, and (B) in the event of a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, after taking into account any accelerated vesting under the above clause (ii), each outstanding vested Option shall remain exercisable for one (1) year thereafter (but in no event beyond the expiration of the Option Period).

(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment . No shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. Options which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company (or telephonic instructions to the extent provided by the Committee) in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable: (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual issuance of such shares to the Company); provided , that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and have been held by the Participant for any period of time as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”); or (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price; (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Committee) a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price; or (C) a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the minimum number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of an Option that are needed to pay the Exercise Price. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

 

8


(e) Compliance With Laws, etc . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner which the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as it may be amended from time to time, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.

8. Stock Appreciation Rights .

(a) General . Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Option granted under the Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Directors independent of any Option.

(b) Strike Price . The strike price (“ Strike Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a SAR granted in tandem with (or in substitution for) an Option previously granted shall have a Strike Price equal to the Exercise Price of the corresponding Option.

(c) Vesting and Expiration; Termination .

(i) A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable in such a manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee. SARs shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “ SAR Period ”).

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, outstanding SARs granted to such Participant shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable as of the date of such Termination.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, whether in an Award Agreement or otherwise, (A) in the event of a Participant’s Termination by any member of the Company Group for Cause, all outstanding SARs granted to such Participant shall immediately terminate and expire, and (B) in the event of a Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability, each outstanding vested SAR granted to such Participant shall remain exercisable for one (1) year thereafter (but in no event beyond the expiration of the SAR Period).

(d) Method of Exercise . SARs which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded.

 

9


(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units .

(a) General . Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Stock Certificates and Book-Entry; Escrow or Similar Arrangement . Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate registered in the name of the Participant to be issued or shall cause share(s) of Common Stock to be registered in the name of the Participant and held in book-entry form subject to the Company’s directions and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than issued to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable; and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute and deliver (in a manner permitted under Section 13(a) of the Plan or as otherwise determined by the Committee) an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to shares of Restricted Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Restricted Stock. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company. A Participant shall have no rights or privileges as a stockholder as to Restricted Stock Units.

(c) Vesting; Termination . Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall vest, and any applicable Restricted Period shall lapse, in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee.

 

10


(d) Issuance of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units .

(i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall issue to the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate (or, if applicable, a notice evidencing a book-entry notation) evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall issue to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, one (1) share of Common Stock (or other securities or other property, as applicable) for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to (A) pay cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock in lieu of issuing only shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units; or (B) defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock (or cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such extension would not cause adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code. If a cash payment is made in lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or by the Committee, in its sole discretion, upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock, the holder of outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalent payments in cash (unless, the Committee, in its sole discretion, elects to credit such payments in shares of Common Stock or additional Restricted Stock Units having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividend), and interest may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee, which accumulated dividend equivalents (and earnings or interest thereon, if applicable) shall be payable at the same time as the underlying Restricted Stock Units are settled following the date on which the Restricted Period lapses with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, and, if such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividend equivalent payments (or earnings or interest thereon, if applicable).

(e) Legends on Restricted Stock . Each certificate, if any, or book entry representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan, if any, shall bear a legend or book entry notation

 

11


substantially in the form of the following, in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate, until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such shares of Common Stock:

TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC. 2016 STOCK PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC. AND PARTICIPANT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

10. Other Equity-Based Awards . The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards under the Plan to Eligible Directors, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and dependent on such conditions as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Other Equity-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Other Equity-Based Award so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement or other form evidencing such Award, including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 13(a) of the Plan. Grants of Other Equity-Based that are operating partnership or limited liability company units or profits interests or other equity interests in an operating partnership or limited liability company Subsidiary of the Company (a) may only be granted for Service to such operating partnership or limited liability company Subsidiary and (b) shall have the rights and features of which, if applicable, will be set forth in an operating partnership or limited liability company agreement and an applicable Award Agreement.

11. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted hereunder:

(a) General . In the event of (i) any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects the shares of Common Stock (including a Change in Control); or (ii) unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, including changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements, that the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, could result in substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants (any event in (i) or (ii), an “ Adjustment Event ”), the Committee shall, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of (A) the Absolute Share Limit, or any other limit applicable under the Plan with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder; (B) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be issued in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan; and (C) the

 

12


terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (I) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate; or (II) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award; provided, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring.

(b) Adjustment Events . Without limiting the foregoing, except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, in connection with any Adjustment Event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

(i) substitution or assumption of Awards (or awards of an acquiring company), acceleration of the vesting of, exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards, or establishment of a period of time (which shall not be required to be more than ten (10) days) for Participants to exercise outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of such event (and any such Award not so exercised shall terminate upon the occurrence of such event);

(ii) cancellation of any one or more outstanding Awards and payment to the holders of such Awards that are vested as of such cancellation (including, without limitation, any Awards that would vest as a result of the occurrence of such event but for such cancellation or for which vesting is accelerated by the Committee in connection with such event pursuant to clause (i) above), the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which value, if applicable, may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including, without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor), or, in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards that are not vested as of such cancellation, a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards prior to cancellation, or the underlying shares in respect thereof; and

(iii) subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, conversion or replacement of any Award that is not vested as of the occurrence of such event into or with the right to receive a payment, based on the value of the Award (as determined consistent with clause (ii) above), which is subject to continued vesting on the same basis as the vesting requirements applicable to such converted or replaced Award.

 

13


Payments to holders pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable Exercise Price or Strike Price).

(c) Other Requirements . Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 11, the Committee may require a Participant to (i) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards; (ii) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

(d) Fractional Shares . Any adjustment provided under this Section 11 may provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award.

(e) Binding Effect . Any adjustment, substitution, determination of value or other action taken by the Committee under this Section 11 shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

12. Amendments and Termination .

(a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan . The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided , that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if (i) such approval is necessary to comply with any regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company may be listed or quoted) or for changes in GAAP to new accounting standards; (ii) it would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan (except for increases pursuant to Section 5 or 11 of the Plan); or (iii) it would materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan; provided, further , that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment shall be made to the last proviso of Section 12(b) of the Plan without stockholder approval.

(b) Amendment of Award Agreements . The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award Agreement, prospectively or retroactively (including after a Participant’s Termination); provided , that, other than pursuant to Section 11, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or

 

14


termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant.

(c) No Repricing . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, without stockholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 11 of the Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR; (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR (with a lower Exercise Price or Strike Price, as the case may be) or other Award or cash payment that is greater than the intrinsic value (if any) of the cancelled Option or SAR; and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action which is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted.

13. General .

(a) Award Agreements . Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant to whom such Award was granted and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including, without limitation, the effect on such Award of a Termination of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, an Award Agreement may be in any such form (written or electronic) as determined by the Committee (including, without limitation, a Board or Committee resolution, a notice, a certificate or a letter) evidencing the Award. The Committee need not require an Award Agreement to be signed by the Participant or a duly authorized representative of the Company.

(b) Nontransferability . Each Award shall be exercisable only by such Participant to whom such Award was granted during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant (unless such transfer is specifically required pursuant to a domestic relations order or by applicable law) other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against any member of the Company Group; provided , that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(c) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide a Participant as part of an Award with dividends, dividend equivalents, or similar payments in respect of Awards, payable in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, payment directly to the Participant, withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or other Awards; provided , that no dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments shall be payable in respect of outstanding Options or SARs.

 

15


(d) Tax Withholding .

(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, an amount in cash (by check or wire transfer) equal to the aggregate amount of any income, employment and/or other applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld in respect of an Award. Alternatively, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may elect, in its sole discretion, to satisfy this requirement by withholding such amount from any cash compensation or other cash amounts owing to a Participant.

(ii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, all or any portion of the minimum income, employment and/or other applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld with respect to an Award by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been both held by the Participant and vested for any period of time as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment under GAAP) having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such minimum statutorily required withholding liability (or portion thereof); or (B) having the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of the Award, as applicable, a number of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to an amount, subject to clause (iii) below, not in excess of such minimum statutorily required withholding liability (or portion thereof).

(iii) The Committee, subject to its having considered the applicable accounting impact of any such determination, has full discretion to allow Participants to satisfy, in whole or in part, any additional income, employment and/or other applicable taxes payable by them with respect to an Award by electing to have the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, a Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of the Award, as applicable, shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum required statutory withholding liability (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum statutory withholding amount(s) in a Participant’s relevant tax jurisdictions).

(e) Data Protection . By participating in the Plan or accepting any rights granted under it, each Participant consents to the collection and processing of personal data relating to the Participant so that the Company and its Affiliates can fulfill their obligations and exercise their rights under the Plan and generally administer and manage the Plan. This data will include, but may not be limited to, data about participation in the Plan and shares offered or received, purchased, or sold under the Plan from time to time and other appropriate financial and other data (such as the date on which the Awards were granted) about the Participant and the Participant’s participation in the Plan.

(f) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Service; Waiver . No employee of any member of the Company Group, member of the Board, or other Person, shall have any

 

16


claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of any other member of the Company Group, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Participant’s service as a member of the Board may be terminated free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement, except to the extent of any provision to the contrary in any written services contract or other agreement between any member of the Company Group and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.

(g) Designation and Change of Beneficiary . Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more Persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon the Participant’s death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change the Participant’s beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however , that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be the Participant’s spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, the Participant’s estate.

(h) Termination . Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant undergoes a Termination of service as a member of the Board, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company Group in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be considered a Termination for purposes of the Plan.

(i) No Rights as a Stockholder . Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement, no Person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock which are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to such Person.

(j) Government and Other Regulations .

(i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in shares of Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling,

 

17


any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel (if the Company has requested such an opinion), satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the Federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted and any other applicable Federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on certificates representing shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (A) pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (I) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or issued, as applicable); over (II) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of issuance of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof, or (B) in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards, provide the Participant with a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards, or the underlying shares in respect thereof.

 

18


(k) No Section 83(b) Elections Without Consent of Company . No election under Section 83(b) of the Code or under a similar provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. If a Participant, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted to make such election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or other applicable provision.

(l) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants . If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for the Participant’s affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or the Participant’s estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to the Participant’s spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

(m) Nonexclusivity of the Plan . Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of equity-based awards otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

(n) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and a Participant or other Person, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be obligated to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other service providers under general law.

(o) Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of any member of the Company Group and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself or herself.

 

19


(p) Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. EACH PARTICIPANT WHO ACCEPTS AN AWARD IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST SUCH PARTICIPANT IN RESPECT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER.

(q) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(r) Obligations Binding on Successors . The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

(s) Section 409A of the Code .

(i) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of such Participant in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and no member of the Company Group shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. With respect to any Award that is considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, references in the Plan to “termination of employment” or “termination of service” (and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each of the payments that may be made in respect of any Award granted under the Plan is designated as separate payments.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, no payments in respect of any Awards that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and which would otherwise be payable upon the Participant’s

 

20


“separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) shall be made to such Participant prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. Following any applicable six (6) month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code that is also a business day.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event that the timing of payments in respect of any Award (that would otherwise be considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code) would be accelerated upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the event giving rise to the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

(t) Clawback/Repayment . All Awards shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Committee and as in effect from time to time; and (ii) applicable law. Further, to the extent that the Participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the Participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the Participant shall be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company.

(u) Right of Offset . The Company will have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement any outstanding amounts that the Participant then owes to any member of the Company Group and any amounts the Committee otherwise deems appropriate pursuant to any tax equalization policy or agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Award is “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee will have no right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement if such offset could subject the Participant to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A of the Code in respect of an outstanding Award.

(v) Expenses; Titles and Headings . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company Group. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

21

Exhibit 10.12

FORM OF PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

2016 EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

(Effective as of            )


PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I TITLE AND DEFINITIONS      1   
  Section 1.1   Title      1   
  Section 1.2   Definitions      1   
ARTICLE II PARTICIPATION      5   
ARTICLE III DEFERRAL ELECTIONS      5   
  Section 3.1   Elections to Defer Compensation      5   
  Section 3.2   Distribution Elections      7   
  Section 3.3   Investment Elections      8   
  Section 3.4   Subsequent Elections      9   
ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTION OPTION ACCOUNTS      9   
  Section 4.1   Compensation Deferrals      9   
  Section 4.2   Company Contribution      10   
  Section 4.3   Investment Return      10   
ARTICLE V VESTING      10   
  Section 5.1   Compensation Deferral      10   
  Section 5.2   Company Contribution      10   
ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS      11   
  Section 6.1   Form and Timing of Distribution      11   
  Section 6.2   Small Benefit Cashout      12   
  Section 6.3   Payout      12   
  Section 6.4   Financial Hardship of Participant      13   
  Section 6.5   Permissible Distribution Event      13   
  Section 6.6   Payment by Trust      13   
  Section 6.7   Inability to Locate Participant      14   
ARTICLE VII CHANGE IN CONTROL      14   
ARTICLE VIII DEATH BENEFITS      14   
ARTICLE IX CLAIMS PROCEDURES      14   
  Section 9.1   Claims      14   
  Section 9.2   Appeal      15   

 

i


  Section 9.3   Authority      15   
ARTICLE X ADMINISTRATION      15   
  Section 10.1   Administrator      15   
  Section 10.2   Administrator Action      16   
  Section 10.3   Powers and Duties of the Administrator      16   
  Section 10.4   Construction and Interpretation      17   
  Section 10.5   Information      17   
  Section 10.6   Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity      17   
  Section 10.7   Quarterly Statements      17   
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS      18   
  Section 11.1   Unsecured General Creditor      18   
  Section 11.2   Restriction Against Assignment      18   
  Section 11.3   Withholding      18   
  Section 11.4   Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination      18   
  Section 11.5   Governing Law      19   
  Section 11.6   Receipt or Release      19   
  Section 11.7   Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity      19   
  Section 11.8   Headings      19   

 

ii


PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

2016 EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

WHEREAS, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. hereby establishes a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”), effective as of the Effective Date, for deferrals with respect to Compensation to be earned or to be otherwise paid on or after the Effective Date, to provide supplemental retirement income benefits for a select group of management and highly compensated employees through deferrals of base salary and bonus compensation and, to the extent applicable, Company contributions; and

WHEREAS, as of the Effective Date, the account balances of certain participants in the Prior Plan were transferred to an Account under this Plan (the “Transferred Balances”). The Transferred Balances are balances deferred by “PK Employees” under the Prior Plan, and the time and form of payment of the Transferred Balances shall be the same under this Plan as under the Prior Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby established, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:

ARTICLE I

TITLE AND DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Title .

This Plan shall be known as the Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

Section 1.2 Definitions .

Whenever the following words and phrases are used in this Plan, with the first letter capitalized, they shall have the meanings specified below.

“Administrator” shall mean the Person or Persons appointed by the Committee to administer the Plan in accordance with Article X, or such Person or Person’s delegate.

“Base Salary Deferral” shall mean that portion of Base Salary as to which an Eligible Employee has made an irrevocable election to defer receipt of until the date specified under the In-Service Distribution Option and/or as otherwise specified under this Plan.

“Beneficiary” or “Beneficiaries” shall mean the Person or Persons, including a trustee, personal representative or other fiduciary, last designated in writing by a Participant in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator to receive all of the benefits specified hereunder in the event of the Participant’s death. No Beneficiary designation shall become effective until it is filed with the Administrator. If there is no Beneficiary designation in effect, or if there is no surviving designated Beneficiary, then the Participant’s surviving spouse shall be the Beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse to receive any benefits payable in accordance with the preceding sentence, the duly appointed and currently acting personal representative of the Participant’s estate (which shall include either the Participant’s probate

 

1


estate or living trust) shall be the Beneficiary. In any case where there is no such personal representative of the Participant’s estate duly appointed and acting in that capacity within 90 days after the Participant’s death (or such extended period as the Administrator determines is reasonably necessary to allow such personal representative to be appointed, but not to exceed 180 days after the Participant’s death), then Beneficiary shall mean the Person or Persons who can verify by affidavit or court order to the satisfaction of the Administrator that they are legally entitled to receive the benefits specified hereunder. In the event any amount is payable under the Plan to a minor, payment shall not be made to the minor, but instead be paid (i) to that Person’s living parent(s) to act as custodian, (ii) if that Person’s parents are then divorced, and one parent is the sole custodial parent, to such custodial parent, or (iii) if no parent of that Person is then living, to a custodian selected by the Administrator to hold the funds for the minor under the Uniform Transfers or Gifts to Minors Act in effect in the jurisdiction in which the minor resides. If no parent is living and the Administrator decides not to select another custodian to hold the funds for the minor, then payment shall be made to the duly appointed and currently acting guardian of the estate for the minor or, if no guardian of the estate for the minor is duly appointed and currently acting within 60 days after the date the amount becomes payable, payment shall be deposited with the court having jurisdiction over the estate of the minor.

“Bonus Compensation Deferral” shall mean that portion of Bonus Compensation as to which an Eligible Employee has made an irrevocable election to defer receipt of until the date specified under the In-Service Distribution Option and/or as otherwise specified under this Plan.

“Change in Control” shall mean a “Change in Control” under the Company’s 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, which also constitutes a “Change in Control” under Section 409A.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, or if no such committee exists, the full Board of Directors of the Company.

“Company” shall mean Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., any successor corporation and each corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) of which Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. is a component member.

“Company Contribution” shall equal the amount described in Section 4.2, if any.

“Compensation” shall mean the total salary paid to the Eligible Employee, including cash bonuses, in a Plan Year. An Eligible Employee’s “Compensation” shall consist of the Eligible Employee’s “Base Salary” as in effect from time to time during a Plan Year and the Eligible Employee’s “Bonus Compensation” which shall equal the amount of any cash incentive to be paid to an Eligible Employee under an incentive plan maintained by the Company and any other cash bonus of any kind.

“Compensation Deferral” means that portion of Compensation as to which a Participant has made an irrevocable election to defer receipt until the date specified under the In-Service Distribution Option and/or as otherwise specified under this Plan.

 

2


“Disabled” or “Disability” shall mean that a Participant is disabled due to sickness or injury which qualifies the Participant for disability payments under the Company’s long term disability plan. A Participant shall be considered totally and permanently disabled on the date the Participant qualifies for such long term disability payments.

“Distribution Option” shall mean the two distribution options which are available under the Plan, consisting of the Separation Distribution Option and the In-Service Distribution Option.

“Distribution Option Account” or “Accounts” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, the Separation Distribution Account and/or the In-Service Distribution Account(s) established on the books of account of the Company, pursuant to Article IV, for each Participant.

“Effective Date” shall mean the “Distribution Date” as defined in the Distribution Agreement by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., and the Company, dated as of                    .

“Eligible Employee” shall mean (i) officers of the Company at the Vice President level or higher, or (ii) Highly Compensated Employees who are selected by the Administrator to participate in the Plan pursuant to Article II.

“Enrollment Agreement” shall mean the authorization form which an Eligible Employee files with the Administrator to participate in the Plan and, with respect to the Plan Year in which the Effective Date occurs, the authorization form as in effect under the Prior Plan.

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“Fund” or “Funds” shall mean one or more of the investments selected by the Administrator pursuant to Section 3.3(a).

“Highly Compensated Employee” shall mean an employee of the Company who the Administrator, in its discretion, anticipates will receive Compensation in excess of the salary limitation contained in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the applicable Plan Year or who the Administrator otherwise determines to be a highly compensated employee or member of a select group of management within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA.

“In-Service Distribution Account” or “Accounts” shall mean the Account(s) maintained for a Participant to which Compensation Deferrals and Company Contributions are credited pursuant to the In-Service Distribution Option.

“In-Service Distribution Option” shall mean the Distribution Option pursuant to which benefits are payable in accordance with Article VI.

“Investment Return” shall mean, for each Fund, an amount equal to the net investment performance of such Fund on a given day, as determined by the Administrator.

“Key Employee” shall be defined in accordance with Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) of the Code and shall generally mean (i) officers of the Company

 

3


having annual compensation greater than $170,000 (adjusted for inflation and limited to 50 employees), (ii) five percent owners, and (iii) one percent owners having annual compensation from the Company greater than $150,000, all as determined by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the regulations issued under Section 409A.

“Participant” shall mean any Eligible Employee who elects to defer Compensation in accordance with Section 3.1.

“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

“PK Employees” shall (i) any individual designated as an “PK Employee” in the Employee Matters Agreement by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., and the Company, dated as of            , and (ii) any individual who is an Eligible Employee and who commences employment with the Company upon or following the date hereof.

“Plan” shall mean the Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan set forth herein, in effect as of the Effective Date, or as amended from time to time.

“Plan Year” shall mean the 12 consecutive month period beginning on a January 1.

“Prior Plan” shall mean the Hilton Hotels 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.

“Retirement” shall mean a Participant’s Separation from Service (for reasons other than death) on or after the combination of the Participant’s age and Years of Vesting Service equals at least 55.

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Separation Date” shall mean the date a Participant incurs a Separation from Service.

“Separation Distribution Account” shall mean the Account maintained for a Participant to which Compensation Deferrals and Company Contributions are credited pursuant to the Separation Distribution Option.

“Separation Distribution Option” shall mean the Distribution Option pursuant to which benefits are payable in accordance with Article VI.

“Separation from Service” shall mean a Participant’s separation from service with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A.

“Unforeseeable Financial Emergency” shall mean: (i) a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse,

 

4


beneficiary, or a dependent (as defined in Code Section 152(a)) of the Participant, loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, the imminent foreclosure of or eviction from the Participant’s primary residence, the need to pay medical expenses (including nonrefundable deductibles) or prescription drug medications, the need to pay for funeral expenses of a spouse, beneficiary, or dependent, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant; or (ii) such other definition of “unforeseeable emergency” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii).

“Year of Vesting Service” shall mean a “Year of Vesting Service” as determined for purposes of the 401(k) defined contribution savings plan in which such Participant participates or most recently participated.

ARTICLE II

PARTICIPATION

Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, prior to December 31 of each Plan Year, the Administrator shall designate which Highly Compensated Employees shall become Eligible Employees for the following Plan Year. An Eligible Employee designated as a Participant shall thereafter, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, be eligible to make a Compensation Deferral for each Plan Year. Participation in the Plan shall be made conditional upon an Eligible Employee’s acknowledgement, in writing or by making a deferral election under the Plan, that all decisions and determinations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Participant, the Participant’s beneficiaries and any other Person having or claiming an interest under the Plan.

As of the Effective Date, each PK Employee with respect to whom a Transferred Balance is transferred to the Plan shall become a Participant in the Plan.

ARTICLE III

DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

Section 3.1 Elections to Defer Compensation .

(a) Each Eligible Employee may elect to make a Compensation Deferral by filing with the Administrator an election that conforms to the requirements set forth in this Article III, on an Enrollment Agreement provided by the Administrator, no later than December 31 of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year for which the Compensation is to be earned and specifying whether the Participant elects a Base Salary Deferral or a Bonus Compensation Deferral or a combination, the Distribution Option Accounts to which such amounts will be credited, the form and timing of distribution and such other information as the Administrator shall require; provided, however, that for the Plan Year in which the Effective Date occurs, a deferral election under the Prior Plan shall be treated as a deferral election under this Section 3.1(a) and be given continuing effect under this Plan after the Effective Date for the remainder of such Plan Year.

(i) Notwithstanding (a) above, if an Eligible Employee’s Bonus Compensation is “performance-based compensation” as contemplated by Section 409A, the

 

5


Administrator may allow the Eligible Employee to elect to defer all or a portion of such Eligible Employee’s Bonus Compensation for a Plan Year at a time determined by the Administrator, which may be no less than six months before the end of the applicable Plan Year in which such Bonus Compensation is to be earned.

(ii) The Eligible Employee shall elect to allocate such Eligible Employee’s Compensation Deferrals (and any Company Contributions that may be credited with respect thereto) between the Distribution Options in whole percentage increments; provided that one hundred percent (100%) of such Deferrals (and Company Contributions) may be allocated to one or the other of the Distribution Options.

(iii) The Administrator may establish minimum or maximum amounts that may be deferred under this Section and may change such standards from time to time. Any such limits shall be communicated by the Administrator to the Participants prior to the commencement of a Plan Year. No Participant may have more than one Separation Distribution Account.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Eligible Employee shall be permitted to defer Compensation which the Administrator reasonably determines is required to pay the Eligible Employee’s portion of payroll and other taxes and contributions towards benefits (including, but not limited to, medical, life, dental and disability) provided to the Eligible Employee and such Eligible Employee’s dependents.

(c) Any Compensation Deferral made under Section 3.1(a) above shall remain in effect and be irrevocable, notwithstanding any change in a Participant’s Compensation, for the entire Plan Year for which it is effective. A new Compensation Deferral election must be made for each Plan Year during which a Participant wishes to defer Compensation. If a Participant elects to allocate all or a portion of such Participant’s Compensation Deferrals to an In-Service Distribution Account, that election will remain effective only for the Plan Year to which the Enrollment Agreement relates. If the Participant does not elect an in-service distribution date for deferrals to the In-Service Distribution Account in a subsequent Plan Year, such deferrals shall automatically be allocated to the Participant’s Separation Distribution Account. Compensation Deferral elections shall be made on an Enrollment Agreement filed with the Administrator by December 31 of a Plan Year (or such earlier date as may be designated by the Administrator) to make a Compensation Deferral for Compensation to be earned on or after January 1 of the immediately following Plan Year.

(d) The Administrator may, in its discretion, permit Eligible Employees who first become Eligible Employees after the beginning of a Plan Year, including Eligible Employees who become Eligible Employees because they are promoted or hired by the Company on or after January 1 of a Plan Year to a position which has been designated by the Administrator as an Eligible Employee, to enroll in the Plan for that Plan Year by filing a completed and fully executed Enrollment Agreement as soon as practicable following the date the Employee is notified that of such Employee’s eligibility but, in any event, within 30 days after such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, any Enrollment Agreement executed by an Eligible Employee, pursuant to this Section, to make a Compensation Deferral shall apply only to Compensation earned by the Eligible Employee after the date on which such Enrollment Agreement is filed.

 

6


(e) All deferral elections under the Plan shall be made in accordance with Section 409A.

Section 3.2 Distribution Elections .

Subject to Section 3.4, in the Enrollment Agreement, each Eligible Employee shall select the form and the timing of payment with respect to the Eligible Employee’s Compensation Deferral. An Eligible Employee’s deferral election under this Article III shall not be effective unless and until the Eligible Employee makes the required distribution elections under this Section 3.2. Each Eligible Employee shall make the following form and timing of payment elections:

(a) Retirement . An Eligible Employee shall elect the form of payment in which amounts credited to the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts shall be paid where (i) the Eligible Employee’s Separation Date occurs on or after eligibility for Retirement and (ii) the amount to be distributed from all of the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts exceeds $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to all of the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts). The Eligible Employee may elect a lump sum, or quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments payable over 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. This form of payment election shall apply to all Compensation Deferrals credited on behalf of the Eligible Employee to such Eligible Employee’s Separation Distribution Account in any Plan Year in which the Eligible Employee makes Compensation Deferrals under this Plan, subject to change only in accordance with Section 3.4 below. In the event the amount to be distributed from a Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts upon a Separation from Service after eligibility for Retirement does not exceed $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to all of the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts) as determined under Section 6.2, the Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts shall be paid in a lump sum in accordance with Section 6.2 without regard to the Participant’s actual form of payment election.

(b) In-Service Distribution . An Eligible Employee shall elect (i) the form of payment in which amounts credited to the Eligible Employee’s In-Service Distribution Account, if applicable, shall be paid where the amount to be distributed exceeds $25,000 and (ii) the Plan Year in which such payment shall commence; provided that the Plan Year selected in (ii) may not be prior to the third Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the Compensation Deferral is made, except as permitted under Section 3.6. The Eligible Employee may elect a lump sum, or quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments payable over 2, 3, 4 or 5 years. This election shall apply only to the Compensation Deferrals credited on behalf of the Eligible Employee to the In-Service Distribution Account created pursuant to the Enrollment Form to which such Compensation Deferrals relate, except to the extent changed pursuant to a subsequent election in accordance with Section 3.4 below. In the event the amount to be distributed from a Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account does not exceed $25,000 as of the applicable distribution date, the Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account shall be paid in a lump sum in accordance with Section 6.2 without regard to the Participant’s actual form of payment election(s). If a Participant incurs a Separation from Service prior to the in-service distribution date elected by the Participant with respect to the Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account,

 

7


the Participant’s distribution election with respect to such In-Service Distribution Account shall become invalid and distribution shall instead be made in accordance with the Participant’s elections under Section 3.2(a), 3.2(c) or 3.4, as applicable.

(c) Separation from Service.

An Eligible Employee shall elect the form of payment in which amounts credited to the Eligible Employee’s Separation Distribution Account, if applicable, shall be paid where (i) the Eligible Employee’s Separation Date occurs prior to eligibility for Retirement, and (ii) the amount to be distributed from all of the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts exceeds $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to all of the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts). The Eligible Employee may elect a lump sum or annual installments payable over 5 years. This election shall apply to all Compensation Deferrals credited on behalf of the Eligible Employee to such Eligible Employee’s Separation Distribution Account in any Plan Year in which Compensation Deferrals are made under this Plan, subject to change only in accordance with Section 3.4 below. In the event the amount to be distributed from a Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts upon a Separation from Service before eligibility for Retirement does not exceed $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to all of the Eligible Employee’s Distribution Option Accounts) as determined under Section 6.2, the Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts shall be paid in a lump sum in accordance with Section 6.2 without regard to the Participant’s actual form of payment election.

Section 3.3 Investment Elections .

(a) At the time of making the deferral elections described in Section 3.1 and the distribution elections described in Section 3.2, the Participant shall designate, in a manner prescribed by the Administrator, which Funds the Participant’s Accounts will be deemed to be invested in for purposes of determining the Investment Return to be credited to those Accounts. The Funds shall be as selected by the Administrator from time to time and the Administrator may add, change, or delete Funds at any time. In making the designation pursuant to this Section 3.3, the Participant may specify that all or any whole percentage of the Participant’s Accounts be deemed to be invested in one or more of the Funds. A Participant may change the designation made under this Section 3.3, in a manner prescribed by the Administrator, on any business day. Such change shall be effective as soon as administratively feasible after it is received.

(b) If a Participant fails to elect a type of Fund under this Section 3.3, he or she shall be deemed to have elected the Fund designated by the Administrator.

(c) Although the Participant may designate the Funds according to Section 3.3(a) above, the Administrator shall select, from time to time, in its sole discretion, for each of the Funds described in Section 3.3(a) above, a commercially available mutual fund or contract or an investment fund established with and administered by an investment manager selected by the Administrator. The Investment Return of each such commercially available mutual fund, contract or investment fund shall be used to determine the amount of earnings to be credited to Participants’ Accounts under Article IV although nothing set forth in this Plan shall require an actual investment of monies in any such mutual fund or in any other Fund designated as a deemed investment vehicle for Compensation Deferrals.

 

8


Section 3.4 Subsequent Elections .

The Administrator may establish rules allowing a Participant to make a subsequent election to postpone payment of Compensation Deferrals under the Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account(s) and/or such Participant’s Separation Distribution Account, in accordance with the rules in this Section 3.4; provided that any such subsequent election shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A and that no subsequent election may result in an impermissible acceleration of payment as described in Section 409A. The following rules shall apply to subsequent elections under the Plan:

(a) With respect to Compensation Deferrals under an In-Service Distribution Account, a Participant may make a subsequent election to defer the payment to a later Plan Year or to change the form of payment applicable to such In-Service Distribution Account; provided that (i) the subsequent election must be made at least 12 months prior to the January in which the first scheduled payment was to occur, (ii) the subsequent election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the election is made, and (iii) except with respect to an election related to payment upon an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency, the first payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made.

(b) A Participant may make a subsequent election to change the form or time at which Compensation Deferrals credited to a Participant’s Separation Distribution Account will be paid; provided that (i) the subsequent election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the election is made, and (ii) except with respect to an election related to payment upon an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency or death, the first payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of five years from the date such payment would have otherwise have been made. Participants shall be permitted to make only one subsequent election to change the form or time of payment of their Separation Distribution Account.

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTION OPTION ACCOUNTS

Section 4.1 Compensation Deferrals .

(a) The Administrator shall establish and maintain separate Distribution Option Accounts with respect to a Participant. A Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts may consist of a Separation Distribution Account and/or one or more In-Service Distribution Account(s), as elected by the Participant. Each Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts shall be further divided into separate subaccounts (“subaccounts”), each of which corresponds to a Fund elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 3.3(a).

(b) As soon as practicable after the end of each calendar month, the Administrator shall credit the subaccounts of the Participant’s Distribution Option Account with an amount equal to the Base Salary and/or Bonus Compensation that would otherwise have been earned for such calendar month in accordance with the Distribution Option irrevocably elected by the Participant in the Enrollment Agreement and in accordance with the Participant’s

 

9


investment elections under Section 3.3(a). Any amount once taken into account as Base Salary and/or Bonus Compensation for purposes of this Plan shall not be taken into account thereafter. The Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts shall be reduced by the amount of payments made by the Company to the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary pursuant to this Plan.

(c) Transferred Balances . As of the Effective Date, a Participant’s account balances, if any, under the Prior Plan shall be transferred to this Plan as follows:

(i) A Transferred Balance attributable to amounts credited to the Participant under the Prior Plan shall be transferred to the Participant’s Account under this Plan, and credited to a Separation Distribution Account and/or In-Service Distribution Account (or other subaccount), as previously credited under the Prior Plan. Following the transfer of a Transferred Balance, the Company shall be responsible under this Plan for the payment of all Transferred Balances.

(ii) The Participant’s investment elections with respect to any Transferred Balance shall be mapped to the available investment options as directed by the Administrator.

Section 4.2 Company Contribution .

From time-to-time and in its sole discretion, the Committee may provide that Company Contributions be credited to some or all Participants, according to the terms and conditions determined by the Committee.

Section 4.3 Investment Return .

Each subaccount of a Participant’s Distribution Option Account shall, as of each business day, be credited with earnings and debited with losses in an amount equal to that determined by multiplying the balance credited to such subaccount as of the previous day by the Investment Return for the corresponding Fund pursuant to Section 3.3(a).

ARTICLE V

VESTING

Section 5.1 Compensation Deferral .

A Participant’s Compensation Deferral credited to the Participant’s Distribution Option Account shall be 100% vested at all times.

Section 5.2 Company Contribution .

(a) Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, Company Contributions credited to a Participant’s Distribution Option Account, if any, will vest and become non-forfeitable in the following increments: (i) 25% upon the Participant’s completion of two Years of Vesting Service; (ii) an additional 25% (50% total) upon completion of three Years of Vesting Service; (iii) an additional 25% (75% total) upon completion of four Years of Vesting Service; and (iv) the Distribution Option Account balance shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable in its entirety on and after the Participant’s completion of five Years of Vesting Service.

 

10


(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.2(a) above, a Participant’s Distribution Option Account balance shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable in its entirety should: (i) the Participant die while providing service to the Company, (ii) the Participant become Disabled while providing service to the Company, or (iii) there occur a Change in Control.

(c) When a Participant incurs a Separation Date, the portion of the Company Contribution credited to such Participant’s Distribution Option Account which is not vested shall immediately be forever forfeited to the Company, and the Company shall have no obligation to the Participant (or Beneficiary) with respect to such forfeited amount.

ARTICLE VI

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1 Form and Timing of Distribution .

(a) Subject to Section 6.2, in the case of a Participant whose Separation Date occurs on or after eligibility for Retirement and the vested portion of the Participant’s Separation Distribution Account exceeds $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to the Participant’s Separation Distribution Account), the Participant’s Separation Distribution Account shall be distributed in the form elected by the Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.4, as applicable, and shall be paid, or commence to be paid, within 30 days following the end of the twelfth full calendar month after the Participant has a Separation from Service, unless payment is deferred pursuant to Section 3.4.

(b) Subject to Section 6.2 and to clauses (i) and (ii) below, in the case of a Participant who has not incurred a Separation from Service and the vested portion of a Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account exceeds $25,000 (applied on an Account by Account basis), the vested portion of the Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account shall be paid to the Participant within 30 days following the date elected by the Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.4, as applicable; provided that if the amount to be distributed does not exceed $25,000, distribution shall be made in a lump sum in accordance with Section 6.2.

(i) If the Participant’s Account is not fully vested in accordance with Article V when the In-Service Distribution Account is to be paid, the non-vested portion at the date of first payment will automatically be transferred to the Participant’s Separation Distribution Account.

(ii) If the Participant incurs a Separation from Service after distribution has commenced in accordance with this Section 6.1(b) but prior to the date on which the Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account(s) is fully distributed, distribution of the remaining amounts held in the Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account(s) shall continue to be distributed in accordance with the Participant’s election for such Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account.

 

11


(c) In the case of a Participant whose Separation Date occurs prior to the earliest date on which the Participant is eligible for Retirement, other than by reason of death, and the vested portion of the Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts exceeds $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to the Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts), the vested portion of a Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts shall be distributed in the form elected by the Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.4, as applicable, and shall be paid or commence to be paid within 30 days following the end of the twelfth full calendar month after the Participant has a Separation from Service, unless payment is deferred pursuant to Section 3.4. Any unvested portion of any Distribution Option Account shall be forfeited in accordance with Section 5.2.

Section 6.2 Small Benefit Cashout .

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or election by a Participant to the contrary, in the event the value of the vested portion of a Participant’s Separation Distribution Account does not exceed $100,000 (taking into account all deferrals made to the Eligible Employee’s Separation Distribution Account) as of the date the Participant’s Account becomes distributable in accordance with the terms of the Plan, then the vested portion of the Participant’s Account shall be paid in a lump sum within 30 days following the date the Participant’s Account becomes distributable. For purposes of the foregoing, the Participant’s Account shall be valued as of the last business day of the month following the month in which the Participant’s Separation Date occurs. If the value at such time does not exceed $100,000, the Participant’s Account shall be distributed in a lump sum within 30 days thereafter.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or election by a Participant to the contrary, in the event the value of the vested portion of a Participant’s In-Service Distribution Account does not exceed $25,000 (applied on an Account by Account basis) as of the date the Participant’s Account becomes distributable, then the vested portion of the Participant’s Account shall be paid in a lump sum within 30 days following the date the Participant’s Account becomes distributable.

Section 6.3 Payout .

(a) Unless otherwise specified in Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 hereof, any lump sum benefit payable under this Article VI shall be paid in January of the Plan Year elected by the Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2(b) and 3.4, as applicable, in an amount equal to the vested value of the portion of such Distribution Option Account being distributed as of the business day the Funds are deemed to be liquidated to make the payment.

(b) Installment payments, if any, payable under this Article VI shall commence in January of the Plan Year elected by the Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2(b) and 3.4, as applicable, or otherwise at the time specified for payment under Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(c), as applicable, in an amount equal to (i) the vested value of such portion of such Distribution Option Account being distributed as of the business day the Funds are deemed to be liquidated to make the payment, divided by (ii) the number of installment payments elected by the Participant in the applicable Enrollment Agreement with respect to an In-Service Distribution Account or in the distribution election form filed pursuant to Section 3.2 or 4.2(d) with respect to the

 

12


Separation Distribution Account. The remaining installments shall be paid in an amount equal to (x) the vested value of such portion of the Distribution Option Account being distributed as of the business day the Funds are deemed to be liquidated to make the payment divided by (y) the number of installments remaining.

Section 6.4 Financial Hardship of Participant .

(a) At any time prior to commencement of payment pursuant to this Article VI, a Participant may request payment to the Participant of all or a portion of the amounts that the Participant has deferred under the Plan. The decision to approve or deny such a request shall be in the absolute discretion of the Administrator. However, such a request shall be approved only upon a finding that the Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency, and then only in an amount necessary to eliminate such Unforeseeable Financial Emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship). In the event such a request is approved, payment of all or a portion of the amounts previously deferred by the Participant, with credited interest, to the extent approved by the Administrator, shall be made as soon as practicable to the Participant. Amounts otherwise payable to a Participant hereunder shall be adjusted (as determined by the Administrator in its absolute discretion) to take into account such Unforeseeable Financial Emergency payment. The Administrator shall administer hardship distribution requests consistently with Section 409A.

(b) If a Participant elects to take an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency distribution prior to June 30 of any Plan Year, the Participant’s deferral election shall be cancelled for the Plan Year in which the distribution occurs with respect to all Base Salary and Bonus Compensation not yet earned. If a Participant elects to take an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency distribution on or after June 30 of any Plan Year, the Participant’s deferral election shall be cancelled for the Plan Year in which such distribution occurs with respect to all salary and bonuses not yet earned, and the Participant shall be suspended from participation in the Plan for the following Plan Year. If the Participant wishes to commence making a Compensation Deferral after the period during which the Participant’s deferral election is cancelled pursuant to this Section 6.4(b), the Participant may make a new deferral election in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.1.

Section 6.5 Permissible Distribution Event .

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, no distributions shall be made except upon a specified date or event as permitted pursuant to Section 409A.

Section 6.6 Payment by Trust .

The Company may cause the payment of benefits under this Plan to be made in whole or in part by the trustee of a trust designated by the Committee (the “Trust”). The Administrator may direct the Trustee to pay the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s benefit at the time and in the amount described herein. In the event the amounts allocated to the Participant under the Trust are not sufficient to provide the full amount of benefit payable to the Participant, the Company shall pay the remainder of such benefit.

 

13


Section 6.7 Inability to Locate Participant .

In the event that the Administrator is unable to locate a Participant or Beneficiary within two years following the date the Participant was to commence receiving payment, the entire amount allocated to the Participant’s Deferral Account and Company Contribution Account shall be forfeited. If, after such forfeiture, the Participant or Beneficiary later claims such benefit, such benefit shall be reinstated without interest or earnings from the date payment was to commence pursuant to the Participant’s elections under Sections 3.2 and 3.4, as applicable.

ARTICLE VII

CHANGE IN CONTROL

In the event of a Change in Control, all Participants shall receive a distribution of 100% of the Participant’s Distribution Option Accounts at the time of the distribution. Such distribution shall be made in a lump sum within 30 days following the date the Change in Control is consummated, in an amount equal to the value of such Distribution Option Accounts as of the business day the Funds are deemed to be liquidated to make the payment.

ARTICLE VIII

DEATH BENEFITS

Upon the death of a Participant before the Participant’s Distribution Option Account(s) has been paid in full (either in a lump sum or installment payments), the Participant’s Beneficiary shall receive the balance of the Participant’s vested Account as of the date of death, as adjusted by subsequent gains or losses prior to distribution, in the form of a lump sum payment as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of the Participant’s death (but in no event after December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which death occurs).

ARTICLE IX

CLAIMS PROCEDURES

Section 9.1 Claims .

A Participant or, following the Participant’s death, a Beneficiary (collectively referred to in this section as “Claimant”) may submit a claim for benefits under the Plan. Any claim for benefits under this Plan shall be made in writing to the Administrator. If such claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator shall, within 90 days after receipt of the claim, notify the Claimant of the denial of the claim unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, which extension shall not exceed 180 days from receipt of the claim. If such extension is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial 90-day period and shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Administrator expects to render a final decision. A notice of denial shall be in writing, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and shall contain the specific reason or reasons for

 

14


denial of the claim, a specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, a description of the additional material or information (if any) necessary to perfect the claim, together with an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and an explanation of the claims review procedure set forth below, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review.

Section 9.2 Appeal .

Within 60 days after the receipt by a Claimant of a written notice of denial of a claim, the Claimant may file a written request with the Administrator that it conduct a full and fair review of the denial of the claim for benefits. The Claimant, or duly authorized representative, shall receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits. The Claimant, or duly authorized representative may also submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits, and the review will take into account such items whether or not they were considered in the initial benefit determination.

The Administrator shall deliver to the Claimant, or authorized representative, a written decision on the claim within 60 days after the receipt of the request for review, except that if there are special circumstances that require an extension of time, the 60-day period may be extended to 120 days. If such extension is required, written notice shall be furnished to the Claimant, or authorized representative, prior to the termination of the initial 60-day period and shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the final decision will be rendered. The decision shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, include the specific reason or reasons for the decision, include a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive upon request and free of charge, access to and copies of all documents and other information relevant to the claim, contain a specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision is based, and include a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the Plan and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under section 502(a) of ERISA.

Section 9.3 Authority .

The Administrator, in determining claims for benefits, shall have the complete discretion to review and determine related factual questions, to construe the terms of the Plan, and to bind the Company with respect to the Plan.

ARTICLE X

ADMINISTRATION

Section 10.1 Administrator .

The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator. The Administrator shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Committee, provided that if no Administrator is designated, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The number of members comprising the Administrator shall be determined by the Committee which may from time to time vary the number of members. A member of the Administrator may resign by delivering a

 

15


written notice of resignation to the Committee. The Committee may remove any member by delivering a certified copy of its resolution of removal to such member. Vacancies in the membership of the Administrator shall be filled promptly by the Committee.

Section 10.2 Administrator Action .

The Administrator shall act at meetings by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Administrator. Any action permitted to be taken at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if, prior to such action, a written consent to the action is signed by all members of the Administrator and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Administrator. A member of the Administrator shall not vote or act upon any matter which relates solely to such member as a Participant. Any member or members of the Administrator may execute any certificate or other written direction on behalf of the Administrator.

Section 10.3 Powers and Duties of the Administrator .

(a) The Administrator, on behalf of the Participants and their Beneficiaries, shall enforce the Plan in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general administration of the Plan, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish its purposes, including, but not by way of limitation, the following:

(i) To select the mutual funds, contracts or investment funds to be the Funds in accordance with Section 3.3(b) hereof;

(ii) To construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan; reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan; and to make factual determinations;

(iii) To compute and certify to the amount and kinds of benefits payable to Participants and their Beneficiaries;

(iv) To maintain all records that may be necessary for the administration of the Plan;

(v) To provide for the disclosure of all information and the filing or provision of all reports and statements to Participants, Beneficiaries or governmental agencies as shall be required by law;

(vi) To make and publish such rules for the regulation of the Plan and procedures for the administration of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the terms hereof; and

(vii) To appoint a plan administrator or any other agent, and to delegate to them such powers and duties in connection with the administration of the Plan as the Administrator may from time to time prescribe.

(viii) On behalf of the Company, to select those Highly Compensated Employees who shall be Eligible Employees.

 

16


Section 10.4 Construction and Interpretation .

(a) The Administrator shall have full discretion to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan, which interpretation or construction shall be final and binding on all parties, including but not limited to, the Company and any Participant or Beneficiary. The Administrator shall administer such terms and provisions in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner and in full accordance with any and all laws applicable to the Plan.

(b) Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company from taking any action which is deemed by it to be appropriate or in its best interest. No Participant, Beneficiary, or other Person shall have any claim against the Company as a result of such action. Any decisions, actions or interpretations to be made under the Plan by the Company or the Committee, or the Administrator acting on behalf of the Company, shall be made in its respective sole discretion, not as a fiduciary, need not be uniformly applied to similarly situated individuals and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Persons interested in the Plan.

Section 10.5 Information .

To enable the Administrator to perform its functions, the Company shall supply full and timely information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Compensation of all Participants, their death, Disability, or other cause of termination, and such other pertinent facts as the Administrator may require.

Section 10.6 Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity .

(a) The Administrator is authorized at the expense of the Company to employ such legal counsel as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder. Expenses and fees in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable state law, the Company shall indemnify and save harmless the Administrator and each member thereof, the Committee and any delegate of the Administrator who is an employee of the Company against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims, including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims arising out of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident to the Plan, other than expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct. This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any bylaw, agreement or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under state law.

Section 10.7 Quarterly Statements .

Under procedures established by the Administrator, a Participant shall receive a statement with respect to such Participant’s Accounts on a quarterly basis as of each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

 

17


ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1 Unsecured General Creditor .

Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors, and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, claims, or interest in any specific property or assets of the Company. No assets of the Company shall be held under any trust, or held in any way as collateral security for the fulfilling of the obligations of the Company under this Plan. Any and all of the Company’s assets shall be, and remain, the general unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Company. The Company’s obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to pay money in the future, and the rights of the Participants and Beneficiaries shall be no greater than those of unsecured general creditors.

Section 11.2 Restriction Against Assignment .

The Company shall pay all amounts payable hereunder only to the Persons designated by the Plan and not to any other Persons. No part of a Participant’s Accounts shall be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant, the Participant’s Beneficiary, or successors in interest, nor shall a Participant’s Accounts be subject to execution by levy, attachment, or garnishment or by any other legal or equitable proceeding, nor shall any such Person have any right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any benefits or payments hereunder in any manner whatsoever. If any Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest is adjudicated bankrupt or purports to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any distribution or payment from the Plan, voluntarily or involuntarily, the Administrator, in its discretion, may cancel such distribution or payment (or any part thereof) to or for the benefit of such Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest in such mariner as the Administrator shall direct.

Section 11.3 Withholding .

There shall be deducted from each payment made under the Plan or any other compensation payable to the Participant (or Beneficiary) all taxes which are required to be withheld by the Company in respect to such payment or this Plan. The Company shall have the right to reduce any payment (or compensation) by the amount of cash sufficient to provide the amount of said taxes.

Section 11.4 Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination .

The Committee or the Board of Directors of the Company may at any time, or from time to time, in its sole discretion amend or terminate the Plan in any manner that the Committee or the Board of Directors of the Company deems appropriate, including amending or terminating outstanding deferral elections, if necessary or appropriate to comply with changes to applicable law, without the consent of any Participant; provided, however, that no amendment shall reduce any benefits accrued under the terms of the Plan as of the date of amendment. In the event the Committee or the Board of Directors of the Company acts to terminate and liquidate the Plan in accordance with Treasury regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix), distribution to Participant shall be made in accordance with Article 6, unless otherwise required in order to comply with Section 409A.

 

18


Section 11.5 Governing Law .

This Plan shall be construed, governed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (including its statute of limitations and all substantive and procedural law, and without regard to its conflict of laws provisions), except as to matters of federal law.

Section 11.6 Receipt or Release .

Any payment to a Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Administrator, the Company and the Trustee. The Administrator may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

Section 11.7 Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity .

In the event that any amount becomes payable under the Plan to a Person who, in the sole judgement of the Committee, is considered by reason of physical or mental condition to be unable to give a valid receipt therefore, the Administrator may direct that such payment be made to any Person found by the Administrator, in its sole judgement, to have assumed the care of such Person. Any payment made pursuant to such determination shall constitute a full release and discharge of the Administrator and the Company.

Section 11.8 Headings .

Headings and subheadings in this Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this document to be executed by its duly authorized officer to be effective on this                    , 2016.

 

  PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.
By:  

 

Its:  

 

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

The following is a list of the subsidiaries Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. will have immediately after the completion of the spin-off.

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction

African American Properties (Pty) Ltd.

  

South Africa

African American Properties Hotels (Pty) Ltd.

  

South Africa

American Plaza Parking LLC

  

Utah

A-R HHC Orlando Convention Hotel Member, LLC

  

Delaware

A-R HHC Orlando Convention Hotel Mezz, LLC

  

Delaware

A-R HHC Orlando Convention Hotel, LLC

  

Delaware

Ashford HHC Partners III LP

  

Delaware

Atlanta Airport Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Atlanta Perimeter Hotel Owner LLC

  

Delaware

Atlanta Perimeter Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Austin Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Belfast Hilton Limited

  

Northern Ireland

Bonnet Creek Hilton Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Bonnet Creek Equity Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Boston Airport Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Brazil TRS Lessee Ltda.

  

Brazil

BRE/FL Development Parcels L.L.C.

  

Delaware

Buckingham’s Chicago, LLC

  

Delaware

Casa Marina Equity Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Casa Marina Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Casa Marina Owner, LLC

  

Delaware

CHH Capital Hotel GP, LLC

  

Delaware

CHH Capital Hotel Partners, LP

  

Delaware

CHH Capital Tenant Corp.

  

Delaware

CHH III Tenant Parent Corp.

  

Delaware

CHH Torrey Pines Hotel GP, LLC

  

Delaware

CHH Torrey Pines Hotel Partners, LP

  

Delaware

CHH Torrey Pines Tenant Corp.

  

Delaware

Chicago Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

Chicago Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Chicago O’Hare Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Club Mack OPCO, L.L.C.

  

Nevada

Craigendarroch Limited

  

Scotland

Crystal City LLC

  

Delaware

Crystal City Lessee LLC

  

Delaware


Cupertino Hotel Owner LLC

  

Delaware

Cupertino Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

DC Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

DJONT Leasing LLC

  

Delaware

Domhotel GmbH

  

Germany

Doubletree DTWC LLC

  

Delaware

Doubletree Spokane City Center Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Doubletree Spokane City Center LLC

  

Delaware

DR Spokane City Center LLC

  

Delaware

DT Ontario GP LLC

  

Delaware

DT Ontario Hotel Partners

  

California

DT Ontario Hotel Partners Lessee

  

Delaware

DT Spokane Equity Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

DTR TM Holdings, Inc.

  

Arizona

DTWC Spokane City Center SPE LLC

  

Delaware

Durango Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Durban Hotel Asset Trust

  

South Africa

Earlsfort Centre Hotel Proprietors Limited

  

Ireland

Embassy Suites Austin LLC

  

Delaware

Embassy Suites Phoenix Airport LLC

  

Delaware

EPT Kansas City Limited Partnership

  

Delaware

EPT Meadowlands Limited Partnership

  

Delaware

Fess Parker-Red Lion Hotel

  

California

G/B/H Condo Owner, LLC

  

Delaware

G/B/H Four Star, LLC

  

Delaware

G/B/H Golf Course, LLC

  

Delaware

Global Resort Partners

  

Hawaii

Hapeville Hotel Limited Partnership

  

Delaware

HHC One Park Boulevard, LLC

  

Delaware

HIEF Germany BV

  

Netherlands

HIEF Holding GmbH

  

Germany

Hillview Holding GmbH

  

Germany

Hilton Brazil Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton CMBS Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton do Brasil Ltd

  

Brazil

Hilton Domestic Property LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton El Segundo LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton Embassy Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton Hawaiian Village Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton Hawaiian Village LLC

  

Hawaii

Hilton International European Fund BV

  

Netherlands

Hilton Land Investment 1, LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton New Orleans, LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton OPB, LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton Orlando Partners III, LLC

  

Delaware

 

2


Hilton Riverside, LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton Seattle Airport LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton Suites, LLC

  

Delaware

Hilton-OCCC Hotel, LLC

  

Florida

Hilton Worldwide International of Puerto Rico LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Alexandria Equity Holding LLC

  

Delaware

HLT CA Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

HLT DC Owner LLC

  

Delaware

HLT GP LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Hawaii Holding LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Logan LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Memphis LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Milton Keynes Limited

  

England, UK

HLT NY Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

HLT NY Waldorf LLC

  

Delaware

HLT O’Hare LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Operate DTWC LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Owned VIII Holding LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Property Acquisition LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Resorts GP LLC

  

Delaware

HLT San Jose LLC

  

Delaware

HLT Stakis SPE Limited

  

England, UK

Hotel Maatschappij Rotterdam BV

  

Netherlands

International Rivercenter, L.L.C.

  

Louisiana

Kansas City Overland Park Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Kansas City Plaza Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

KC Plaza GP LLC

  

Delaware

Kenner Hotel Limited Partnership

  

Delaware

Key West Reach Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Key West Reach Owner, LLC

  

Delaware

King Street Station Hotel Associates L.P.

  

Virginia

King Street Station Hotel Associates Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Kitty O’Shea’s Chicago, LLC

  

Delaware

Lake Buena Vista Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Marin Hotel Owner LLC

  

Delaware

Mclean Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

McLean Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Meritex, LLC

  

Delaware

Miami Airport Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Miami Airport LLC

  

Delaware

New Orleans Airport Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

New Orleans Rivercenter

  

Louisiana

New Orleans Riverside Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

 

3


New York Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

NORC Riparian Property, LLC

  

Louisiana

Oakbrook Hilton Suites and Garden Inns LLC

  

Illinois

Oakland Airport Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

One Park Boulevard, LLC

  

Delaware

Overland Park Hotel Owner LLC

  

Delaware

P55 Hotel Owner LLC

  

Delaware

Parc 55 Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Park DT Ontario Lessee Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Park DT Spokane Lessee Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Park Embassy Alexandria Lessee Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Park Hotels & Resorts Nuremberg Lessee Ltd

  

England, UK

Park Intermediate Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Park UK Holding Limited

  

England, UK

Park UK Lessee Holdings Limited

  

England, UK

Park US Lessee Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Park Victoria Quays Lessee Ltd

  

England, UK

Parsippany Hotel Owner LLC

  

Delaware

Parsippany Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Phoenix Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Phoenix SP Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

Pointe Squaw Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Puerto Rico Caribe Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Reach Equity Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Rotterdam Lessee Ltd

  

England, UK

S.F. Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

Salt Lake City Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

San Diego Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

San Francisco Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

San Jose Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

San Rafael Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Santa Barbara Hotel Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Santa Barbara JV Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Santa Barbara Lessee Holdings LLC

  

Delaware

Seattle Airport DT Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Seattle Airport HLT Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Short Hills Hilton LLC

  

Delaware

Short Hills Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

SL Secundus Grundstücksverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH

  

Germany

SL Secundus Grundstücksverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Nürnberg KG

  

Germany

Sonoma Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

 

4


Suite Life LLC

  

Delaware

Sunstone Park Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

Tex Holdings, Inc.

  

Delaware

Village Motor Inn

  

Montana

Waikoloa Village Lessee LLC

  

Delaware

 

5

Table of Contents

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

                    , 2016

Dear Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Stockholder:

I am pleased to inform you that the board of directors of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton Parent” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton”) approved a plan to enhance long-term stockholder value by separating Hilton into three independent, publicly traded companies. Under the plan, Hilton Parent will execute tax-free spin-offs of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“Park Parent” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Park Hotels & Resorts”), which will hold a portfolio of Hilton’s owned and leased hotels and resorts, and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (“HGV Parent” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton Grand Vacations”), which will own and operate Hilton’s timeshare business. Upon completion of the spin-offs, Hilton Parent stockholders will own 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of each of Park Parent and HGV Parent, and will continue to own 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Hilton Parent. Park Parent will be a leading lodging real estate investment trust with a diverse portfolio of iconic and market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value, and Hilton Grand Vacations will be a rapidly growing timeshare company that markets and sells vacation ownership intervals and manages resorts in top destinations. Hilton Parent will retain its core management and franchise business and continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange as a leading global hospitality company.

We believe that this separation is in the best interests of Hilton Parent, its stockholders and other constituents, as it will result in three pure-play companies, enabling dedicated management teams to fully activate their respective businesses, take advantage of both organic and inorganic growth opportunities, and align their structures and capital allocation strategies with a dedicated investor base.

The spin-offs will be completed by way of a pro rata distribution of Park Parent and HGV Parent common stock to our stockholders of record as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on                     , 2016, the spin-off record date. Each Hilton Parent stockholder will receive one share of Park Parent common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock and one share of HGV Parent common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock, in each case, held by such stockholder on the record date. The distribution of these shares will be made in book-entry form, which means that no physical share certificates will be issued. The transaction is subject to certain customary conditions. Stockholder approval of the distributions is not required, and you are not required to take any action to receive your shares of Park Parent and HGV Parent common stock. Immediately following the spin-offs, you will own common stock in Hilton Parent, Park Parent and HGV Parent. The common stock of Hilton Parent will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HLT.” Both Park Parent and HGV Parent intend to have their common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “PK” and “HGV,” respectively. We expect the spin-offs to be tax-free to the stockholders of Hilton Parent, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of fractional shares. The spin-offs are conditioned on, among other things, the ruling received by Hilton Parent from the Internal Revenue Service regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of the spin-offs remaining in effect as of the distribution date, and the receipt of an opinion of our tax counsel confirming that the spin-offs should qualify as tax-free distributions under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

We have prepared the enclosed information statements, which describe the spin-offs in detail and contain important information about each of Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations, including historical financial statements. We are mailing to all Hilton Parent stockholders a notice with instructions informing holders how to access the information statements online. We urge you to read the information statements carefully.

We want to thank you for your continued support of Hilton, and we look forward to your support of all three companies in the future.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Nassetta

President and Chief Executive Officer

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.


Table of Contents

                    , 2016

Dear Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. Stockholder:

It is our pleasure to welcome you as a stockholder of our company, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“Park Parent” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Park Hotels & Resorts”). Following the distribution of all of the outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton Parent”), Park Parent will be one of the largest publicly traded lodging real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) with a diverse portfolio of iconic and market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value.

Our objective is to be the preeminent lodging REIT and to generate premium long-term total returns for our stockholders. As an independent company, our dedicated management team will focus on diligent asset management and strategic capital allocation to maximize performance, growth and value creation over time. As a pure-play real estate company with direct access to capital and independent financial resources, we believe our enhanced ability to implement compelling return on investment initiatives within our portfolio represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. Finally, given our scale and investment expertise, we believe we will be able to successfully execute single-asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions to further enhance the value and diversification of our assets throughout the lodging cycle, including potentially taking advantage of the economies of scale that could come from consolidation in the lodging REIT industry.

Park Parent intends to elect to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution of its common shares by Hilton Parent. We believe our election of REIT status combined with the strong income generation of our assets will enhance our ability to pay an attractive dividend, offering a compelling value proposition for investors seeking current income, as well as long-term growth.

We expect to have Park Parent common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PK” in connection with the distribution of Park Parent common stock by Hilton Parent.

We invite you to learn more about Park Parent by reviewing the enclosed information statement. We look forward to our future as an independent, publicly traded company and to your support as a holder of Park Parent common stock.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.


Table of Contents

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

INFORMATION STATEMENT

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Common Stock

(par value $0.01 per share)

 

 

This information statement is being sent to you in connection with the separation of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“Park Parent” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Park Hotels & Resorts”) from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton Parent” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton”), following which Park Parent will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded lodging real estate investment trust (“REIT”). As part of the separation, Hilton will undergo an internal reorganization, after which it will complete the separation by distributing all of the outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock on a pro rata basis to the holders of Hilton Parent common stock. We refer to this pro rata distribution as the “distribution” and we refer to the separation, including the internal reorganization and distribution, as the “spin-off.” We expect that the spin-off will be tax-free to Hilton Parent stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of fractional shares. Each Hilton Parent stockholder will receive one share of Park Parent common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock held by such stockholder on                     , 2016, the record date. The distribution of shares will be made in book-entry form only. Hilton Parent will not distribute any fractional shares of Park Parent common stock. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the spin-off. The distribution will be effective as of                     , Eastern time, on                     , 2016. Immediately after the distribution becomes effective, we will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded company.

No vote or other action of Hilton Parent stockholders is required in connection with the spin-off. We are not asking you for a proxy and you should not send us a proxy . Hilton Parent stockholders will not be required to pay any consideration for the shares of Park Parent common stock they receive in the spin-off, and they will not be required to surrender or exchange shares of their Hilton Parent common stock or take any other action in connection with the spin-off.

All of the outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock are currently owned, directly or indirectly, by Hilton Parent. Accordingly, there is no current trading market for Park Parent common stock. We expect, however, that a limited trading market for Park Parent common stock, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop at least two trading days prior to the record date for the distribution, and we expect “regular-way” trading of Park Parent common stock will begin the first trading day after the distribution date. We intend to list Park Parent common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PK.”

We intend to elect to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. Shares of our common stock will be subject to limitations on ownership and transfer that are primarily intended to assist us in qualifying as a REIT. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our common stock, including, subject to certain exceptions, a 4.9% limit, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, on the ownership of outstanding shares of our common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

 

 

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 30 of this information statement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This information statement is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

The date of this information statement is                     , 2016.

 

 

A Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials containing instructions describing how to access this Information Statement was first mailed to Hilton Parent stockholders on or about                     , 2016.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page  

Summary

    1   

Risk Factors

    30   

Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements

    69   

The Spin-Off

    70   

Trading Market

    83   

Distribution Policy

    85   

Capitalization

    86   

Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data

    87   

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

    89   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    97   

Market Opportunity

    127   

Business and Properties

    128   

Management

    146   

Executive and Director Compensation

    149   

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

    156   

Investment Policies and Policies with respect to Certain Activities

    162   

Description of Certain Indebtedness

    166   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

    169   

Description of Capital Stock

    171   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

    181   

Where You Can Find More Information

    207   

Index to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-1   

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references herein to:

 

    “Park Hotels & Resorts,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to “Park Parent” refer only to Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., exclusive of its subsidiaries;

 

    “Hilton Grand Vacations” refer to Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to “HGV Parent” refer only to Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., exclusive of its subsidiaries; and

 

    “Hilton” refer to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to “Hilton Parent” or “Parent” refer only to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., exclusive of its subsidiaries;

in each case giving effect to the spin-off, including the internal reorganization and distribution, and our election to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


Table of Contents

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

The market data and certain other statistical information used throughout this information statement are based on independent industry publications, government publications or other published independent sources. These sources generally state that the information they provide has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of the information are not guaranteed. The forecasts and projections are based on industry surveys and the preparers’ experience in the industry, and there is no assurance that any of the projected amounts will be achieved. We believe that the surveys and market research others have performed are reliable, but we have not independently verified this information. STR, Inc. (“STR”) is the primary source for third-party market data and industry statistics and forecasts. STR does not guarantee the performance of any company about which it collects and provides data. The reproduction of STR’s data without their written permission is strictly prohibited. Nothing in the STR data should be construed as advice. Some data is also based on our good faith estimates.

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

Except where the context suggests otherwise, we define certain terms in this information statement as follows:

 

    “Adjusted EBITDA” means EBITDA (as defined below) further adjusted to exclude gains, losses and expenses in connection with: (i) asset dispositions for both consolidated and unconsolidated investments; (ii) foreign currency transactions; (iii) debt restructurings/retirements; (iv) non-cash impairment losses; (v) furniture, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”) replacement reserves required by certain lease agreements; (vi) reorganization costs; (vii) share-based and certain other compensation expenses; (viii) severance, relocation and other expenses; and (ix) other items. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information regarding our use of Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

    “Adjusted EBITDA margin” means Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information regarding our use of Adjusted EBITDA margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

    “Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent” means NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent (as defined below) as further adjusted for the following items: (i) gain on debt extinguishment; (ii) foreign currency (gain) loss; (iii) acquisition costs; and (iv) litigation gains and losses. In unusual circumstances, we may also adjust NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent for additional gains or losses that management believes are not representative of our current operating performance. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information regarding our use of Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

    “ADR” or “average daily rate” means hotel rooms revenue divided by total number of room nights sold in a given period;

 

    “comparable hotels” mean those hotels that: (i) were active and operating in our system since January 1st of the previous year; and (ii) have not sustained substantial property damage, business interruption, undergone large-scale capital projects or for which comparable results are not available.

 

    “EBITDA” means net income (loss) excluding interest expense, a provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information regarding our use of EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

i


Table of Contents
    “Hotel Adjusted EBITDA” means property-level results before debt service, depreciation and corporate expenses for our consolidated properties, including both comparable and non-comparable hotels but excluding properties owned by unconsolidated affiliates. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information regarding our use of Hotel Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

    a “luxury” hotel refers to a luxury hotel as defined by STR;

 

    “NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent” means net income (loss) attributable to Parent (calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”)), excluding gains (losses) from sales of real estate, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, real estate-related depreciation, amortization and impairments and adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures are calculated to reflect our pro rata share of the FFO of those entities on the same basis. We calculate NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent for a given operating period in accordance with the guidelines of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information regarding our use of NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

    “occupancy” means the total number of room nights sold divided by the total number of room nights available at a property or group of properties;

 

    “RevPAR” or “revenue per available room” means hotel rooms revenue divided by total number of room nights available to guests for a given period, and does not include non-rooms revenues such as food and beverage revenue or other operating revenues;

 

    “Select Hotels” means the hotels that will be managed by Park Hotels & Resorts rather than a third-party hotel management company, consisting of the following four hotels: the Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo in El Segundo, California; the Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis—Shady Grove in Memphis, Tennessee, the Hilton Suites Chicago/Oak Brook in Chicago, Illinois and the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Oak Brook in Chicago, Illinois;

 

    “TRS” refers to a taxable REIT subsidiary under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and includes any subsidiaries or other, lower-tier entities of the taxable REIT subsidiary;

 

    an “upper midscale” hotel refers to an upper midscale hotel as defined by STR;

 

    an “upper upscale” hotel refers to an upper upscale hotel as defined by STR; and

 

    an “upscale” hotel refers to an upscale hotel as defined by STR.

 

ii


Table of Contents

SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained in this information statement and provides an overview of our company, our separation from Hilton and the distribution of Park Parent common stock by Hilton Parent to its stockholders. For a more complete understanding of our business and the spin-off, you should read this entire information statement carefully, particularly the discussion set forth under “Risk Factors” and our audited historical combined financial statements, our unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements and the respective notes to those statements included in this information statement.

Park Hotels & Resorts

We are a leading lodging real estate company with a diverse portfolio of iconic and market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value. Our portfolio consists of 69 premium-branded hotels and resorts with nearly 36,000 rooms located in prime U.S. and international markets with high barriers to entry. Over 85% of our rooms are luxury and upper upscale and nearly 90% are located in the United States, including 14 of the top 25 markets as defined by Smith Travel Research (STR). Over 70% of our rooms are located in the central business districts of major cities and resort/conference destinations. We have a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship with Hilton, one of the world’s leading hotel branding and management companies. We are focused on driving premium long-term total returns by continuing to enhance the value of our existing properties and utilizing our scale to efficiently allocate capital to drive growth while maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet. With $2.7 billion of revenue, $817 million of Adjusted EBITDA and $299 million of net income in 2015, we will be one of the largest lodging REITs and expect to have significant liquidity.

Our portfolio is anchored by a collection of iconic properties located in gateway cities and premium resort destinations. Our top 10 properties contributed more than 60% of our Hotel Adjusted EBITDA in 2015 and achieved an average RevPAR of $201.78.

 

Top 10 Properties

 

•      Hilton Hawaiian Village

 

•      Hilton Waikoloa Village

 

•      Hilton San Francisco Union Square

 

•      Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco

 

•      Hilton New York Midtown

  

•      Hilton New Orleans Riverside

 

•      Hilton Chicago

 

•      Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek Orlando

 

•      Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

 

•      Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina Resort Key West

We believe these premier properties, which average more than 1,400 rooms and 120,000 square feet of meeting space, are relatively insulated from incremental competition as a result of high replacement costs, long-lead times for new development and irreplaceable locations in prime city center and resort/convention destinations.

Our portfolio is competitively positioned and well-maintained. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $1.2 billion, or nearly $40 thousand per room and 10% of revenues, in our consolidated properties with a focus on enhancing the overall guest experience with updated guestroom design, open and activated lobby areas, food and beverage and public spaces, and modernized meeting space. Approximately 80% of this investment was made in guest rooms, lobbies and other guest-facing areas. We also have enhanced the offerings and amenities of our hotels and resorts by repositioning food and beverage outlets, optimizing retail platforms, and redeveloping under-utilized space, thus generating incremental returns. We believe our portfolio continues to present significant opportunities for strategic value-enhancing investment over time.

 



 

1


Table of Contents

As an independent company, our dedicated management team will focus on diligent asset management and strategic capital allocation to maximize performance, growth and value creation over time. As a pure-play real estate company with direct access to capital and independent financial resources, we believe our enhanced ability to implement compelling return on investment (ROI) initiatives within our portfolio represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. Finally, given our scale and investment expertise, we believe we will be able to successfully execute single-asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions to further enhance the value and diversification of our assets throughout the lodging cycle, including potentially taking advantage of the economies of scale that could come from consolidation in the lodging REIT industry.

We enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with Hilton. Hilton’s diverse collection of powerful brands creates a network effect that drives industry-leading revenue premiums. Hilton’s award-winning HHonors customer loyalty program, with over 55 million members as of June 30, 2016, provides our hotels and resorts with a large and growing base of loyal guests, representing nearly half of our rooms sold in 2015. Hilton has the expertise and track record to effectively manage our large-scale properties, and its robust sales and marketing platform drives strong group business, which enhances the stability and predictability of our revenues throughout the lodging cycle. As Hilton’s largest property owner, with six of the 10 largest properties in their global system by room count, we accounted for more than 13% of Hilton’s total group revenue and approximately 41% of Hilton-operated domestic group revenue in 2015.

We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” We believe our election of REIT status combined with the strong income generation of our assets will enhance our ability to pay an attractive dividend, offering a compelling value proposition for investors seeking current income as well as long-term growth.

 



 

2


Table of Contents

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following strengths distinguish us from other lodging real estate companies and effectively position us to execute on our business plan and growth strategies:

 

    Premium Assets with Significant Underlying Real Estate Value. Our portfolio includes iconic and market-leading properties with significant scale and embedded asset value. Our top 10 properties contributed more than 60% of our Hotel Adjusted EBITDA and generated an average RevPAR of $201.78 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Top 10 Properties

 

Hotel

 

 

Rooms

 

 

Meeting

Space

(sq. ft.)

 

  

Description

 

     

 Hilton Hawaiian Village

  Honolulu, Hawaii

  2,860   96,000     

• ~22-acre oceanfront resort along Waikiki Beach, with nearly 145,000 sq. ft. of retail space

 Hilton Waikoloa Village

  Waikoloa Village, Hawaii

  1,241 (1)     57,000     

• 62-acre oceanfront resort on Hawaii Island

 Hilton San Francisco Union

 Square

 Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco

  San Francisco, California

  1,919

 

1,024

  136,000  

 

32,000  

  

• Two adjacent convention hotels together comprising 2,943 rooms with 168,000 square feet of meeting space spanning two city blocks in downtown San Francisco

 Hilton New York Midtown

  New York, New York

  1,931 (2)     150,000     

• One of the largest hotels in New York City in the heart of midtown Manhattan

     

  Hilton New Orleans Riverside

  New Orleans, Louisiana

  1,622   143,000     

• Overlooks the Mississippi River, adjacent to one of the largest U.S. convention centers

 Hilton Chicago

  Chicago, Illinois

  1,544   190,000     

• Convention hotel that covers a full city block in downtown Chicago

 Waldorf Astoria Orlando

 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

  Orlando, Florida

  498

1,001

  34,000  

113,000  

  

 

• Together comprising a 482-acre resort complex near Walt Disney World ® with an 18-hole golf course and surrounded by private nature preserve

 Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina

 Resort Key West

  Key West, Florida

  311   11,000     

• Landmark luxury beach resort in Key West overlooking nearly a quarter mile of private beachfront

 

(1)   Includes approximately 600 rooms that will become part of Hilton Grand Vacations prior to the completion of the spin-offs.
(2) Includes approximately 25 rooms that will become part of Hilton Grand Vacations prior to the completion of the spin-offs.

We believe these premier properties, which average 1,400 rooms and 120,000 square feet of meeting space, are relatively insulated from incremental competition as a result of high replacement costs, long-lead times for new development and irreplaceable locations in prime city center and resort/convention destinations.

 

   

Scaled Platform with Strong Growth Potential. With nearly 36,000 rooms and $817 million of Adjusted EBITDA in 2015, we will be the second-largest publicly traded lodging REIT, more than 55% larger than our next-largest competitor based on number of rooms, and more than twice as large as our next largest competitor based on 2015 Adjusted EBITDA. Our significant scale and expected liquidity will allow us to create value throughout all phases of the lodging cycle through disciplined

 



 

3


Table of Contents
 

capital allocation and portfolio management. We believe we will have a competitive advantage in competing for large-scale opportunities to invest in properties and portfolios, both as a result of superior access to capital and our expertise as an owner of complex lodging properties. Additionally, our diverse portfolio enables us to opportunistically sell assets and recycle capital accretively. Finally, we believe we can expand our operating margins through proactive asset management and by leveraging our modest corporate overhead across a large and growing asset base.

 

    Diversified Exposure to Attractive Markets . We will be one of the most geographically diversified lodging REITs, with hotels and resorts in 14 of the top 25 markets in the United States, as well as select international markets. We are focused on enhancing our exposure to attractive, high barrier-to-entry markets. The following charts illustrate our concentration by market and property type by portfolio room-count:

 

Percentage of Total Rooms by Market

 

  

Percentage of Total Rooms by Property Type

 

LOGO

   LOGO

 

  (1)   New York market information includes the 304 room Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey.

 

In our top five markets, which represented 52% of our 2015 Hotel Adjusted EBITDA, average demand growth is projected to exceed supply growth over the next several years, based on CBRE forecasts. Additionally, average RevPAR for our top five markets is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% over the next three years, outpacing the U.S. industry average by roughly 70 basis points.

 

    Leading Group Platform. With 26 properties with over 25,000 square feet of meeting space and six properties with over 125,000 square feet of meeting space in top convention markets, our portfolio generates robust corporate meeting and group business, which represented approximately one-third of bookings at our comparable hotels in 2015. We believe the strong group positioning of our portfolio increases our visibility into forward bookings and reduces operating volatility by enhancing the stability and predictability of our revenue throughout the lodging cycle. For example, our portfolio revenue declined on a percentage basis approximately 400 basis points less than peers in 2009. Additionally, we entered 2016 with over 75% of anticipated annual group business on the books, which equated to 20% of total expected portfolio bookings for the year, lowering our dependency on in-the-year for-the-year business and enabling more effective revenue management. Moreover, we expect new supply of hotels with over 500 rooms and significant meeting space to continue to be very limited in the near to intermediate term based on STR forecasts, creating a favorable macro environment for our large convention hotels to continue to capture strong market share in group business.

 

   

Beneficial Relationship with Hilton . We enjoy a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Hilton. Hilton’s diverse collection of powerful brands creates a network effect that drives industry-leading revenue premiums. Hilton’s award-winning HHonors customer loyalty program, with over 55 million members as of June 30, 2016, provides our hotels and resorts with a large and growing base of loyal guests, representing nearly half of our rooms sold in 2015. As an independent company, we will be Hilton’s largest property owner and our portfolio will include six of the 10 largest properties in Hilton’s global system by room count. We believe this relationship will continue to drive significant

 



 

4


Table of Contents
 

benefits and mutual alignment of strategic interests. Hilton has the experience and expertise to manage the complexities of large-scale, multi-use hotels and resorts, and its robust commercial services platform drives significant levels of demand and premium pricing that enhances the performance of our properties. For example, Hilton’s global sales team, with approximately 500 sales professionals in 90 offices around the world, drives significant group business to our large convention and resort properties through preferred relationships with direct customers, group meeting planners and other distribution partners. We accounted for more than 13% of total group business for the Hilton system and 41% for Hilton-operated domestic properties in 2015.

 

    Experienced Senior Leadership . Our senior management team will be led by Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., who will serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Sean M. Dell’Orto, who will serve as our Chief Financial Officer. Our senior management team are proven lodging industry operators, with an average of              years of experience in the real estate and lodging industries. Our senior management team has extensive and long-standing business relationships with leading hotel management companies, major franchisors, lenders, brokers and institutional investors, established through many years of industry experience, as well as significant expertise in asset management, acquisitions, dispositions, financing and renovations and repositioning of hotel properties over multiple lodging cycles. They lead a highly skilled team of asset management professionals that have a long history with our portfolio and have managed hotel portfolios through a number of lodging cycles, and that possess an intimate knowledge of our properties, markets and potential investment opportunities. We believe that the extensive operating expertise of our team enables us to achieve superior operational efficiency and pursue innovative asset management strategies.

Our Business and Growth Strategies

Our objective is to be the preeminent lodging REIT and to generate premium long-term total returns for our stockholders through proactive and sophisticated asset management, value-enhancing investment and disciplined capital allocation. We intend to pursue this objective through the following strategies:

 

    Maximizing Hotel Profitability through Proactive and Sophisticated Asset Management . We are focused on continually improving the operating performance and profitability of each of our hotels and resorts through our proactive asset management efforts. We will continue to identify opportunities to increase market share, drive cost efficiencies and thereby maximize the operating performance, cash flow and value of each property. We have a demonstrated record of improving profitability, increasing Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margins more than 600 basis points in the last five years to 30.5% in 2015, and believe that further opportunities exist to improve operating results in our portfolio. Following the spin-off, we will be even better positioned to provide independent oversight of our properties to ensure optimal results are achieved.

 

   

Identifying and Executing Value Enhancement Opportunities . We have a demonstrated record of executing on strategic plans for our properties to generate strong unlevered returns on investment, which we target to significantly exceed our weighted average cost of capital on a risk-adjusted basis. As a pure-play lodging real estate company with significant financial resources and an extensive portfolio of large, multi-use assets, including 27 hotels with 400 rooms or more, we believe our ability to continue to implement compelling ROI initiatives represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. These may include the expansion of meeting platforms in convention and resort markets; the upgrade or redevelopment of existing amenities, including retail platforms, food and beverage outlets, pools and other facilities; the development of vacant land into income-generating uses, including retail or mixed-use properties; or the redevelopment or optimization of underutilized spaces. We also may create value through repositioning select hotels across brands or chain scale segments and exploring adaptive reuse opportunities to ensure our assets achieve their highest and best use. Finally, we are focused on maintaining the competitive strength of our properties and adapting to evolving

 



 

5


Table of Contents
 

customer preferences by renovating properties to provide updated guestroom design, open and activated lobby areas, food and beverage and public spaces, and modernized meeting space.

 

    Pursuing Growth and Diversification through Disciplined Capital Allocation . We intend to leverage our scale, expected liquidity and mergers and acquisitions expertise to create value throughout all phases of the lodging cycle through opportunistic acquisitions, dispositions and/or corporate transactions. We believe this platform also will enable us to further diversify our portfolio. For example, our portfolio includes six properties located in high-growth markets we acquired in February 2015 with the proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property that was significantly accretive to Adjusted EBITDA. We will continue to opportunistically seek to expand our presence in target markets and further diversify over time, including by acquiring hotels that are affiliated with other leading hotel brands and operators.

 

    Maintaining a Strong and Flexible Balance Sheet . We intend to maintain a strong and flexible balance sheet with continued focus on optimizing our cost of capital by targeting modest leverage levels, which we will target to be approximately three- to five-times Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA throughout the lodging cycle. We also will focus on maintaining sufficient liquidity with minimal short-dated maturities, and intend to have a mix of debt that will provide us with the flexibility to prepay when desired, dispose of assets, pursue our value enhancement strategies within our existing portfolio, and support acquisition activity. Additionally, we expect to reduce our level of secured debt over time, which will provide additional balance sheet flexibility. Our senior management team has extensive experience managing capital structures over multiple lodging cycles and has extensive and long-standing relationships with numerous lending institutions and financial advisors to address our capital needs.

Market Opportunity

The U.S. lodging industry is highly fragmented. The publicly traded lodging REIT universe, composed of 22 companies as of December 31, 2015, collectively comprises over 340,000 rooms and over 1,650 hotels, which in total generated approximately $21 billion in total revenues during the 2015 fiscal year. With 36,062 rooms and 69 hotels as of December 31, 2015 and $2.7 billion in total revenues for the 2015 fiscal year, we will be the second-largest publicly traded lodging REIT, more than 55% larger than our next largest competitor based on number of rooms and nearly twice as large as our next largest competitor based on 2015 revenues. Given our scale advantage, we will look to be an active consolidator of hotel assets to utilize efficiencies achieved through owning a broad portfolio of assets.

Summary Risk Factors

There are a number of risks related to our business and the spin-off and related transactions, including:

 

    we are subject to the business, financial and operating risks inherent to the lodging industry, any of which could reduce our revenues, the value of our properties and our ability to make distributions and limit opportunities for growth;

 

    macroeconomic and other factors beyond our control can adversely affect and reduce lodging demand, which could adversely affect our profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth;

 

    the lodging industry is subject to seasonal and cyclical volatility, which is expected to contribute to fluctuations in our results of operations and financial condition;

 

    we operate in a highly competitive industry;

 

    we are subject to risks associated with the concentration of our portfolio in the Hilton family of brands. Any deterioration in the quality or reputation of the Hilton brands could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations;

 



 

6


Table of Contents
    there are inherent risks with investments in real estate, including the relative illiquidity of such investments;

 

    contractual and other disagreements with or involving Hilton or other future third-party hotel managers and franchisors could make us liable to them or result in litigation costs or other expenses;

 

    we have investments in joint venture projects, which limit our ability to manage third-party risks associated with these projects;

 

    our indebtedness and other contractual obligations could adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, our ability to operate our business, our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and our ability to pay our debts and could divert our cash flow from operations for debt payments;

 

    we may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the spin-off;

 

    we do not have a recent operating history as an independent company and our historical financial information does not predict our future results;

 

    we may have been able to receive better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we receive in our agreements related to the spin-off;

 

    we may be responsible for U.S. federal income tax liabilities that relate to the distribution;

 

    if we do not qualify or maintain our qualification as a REIT, we will be subject to tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability;

 

    if the distribution is not considered grandfathered under new REIT legislation, either the spin-off would not qualify for tax-free treatment, or we will not be eligible to elect REIT status for a 10-year period following the spin-off;

 

    complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive investments, force us to liquidate or restructure otherwise attractive investments or force us to borrow to make distributions to stockholders; and

 

    upon consummation of the spin-off, approximately         % of the voting power in Park Parent will be controlled by investment funds associated with or designated by The Blackstone Group L.P. and its affiliates (“Blackstone”), and their interests may conflict with ours or yours in the future.

These and other risks related to our business and the spin-off are discussed in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in this information statement. You should read and consider all of these risks carefully.

Distribution Policy

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and imposes tax on any taxable income retained by a REIT, including capital gains. To satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT and generally not be subject to U.S. federal income and excise taxes, we intend to make quarterly distributions of all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income to holders of our common stock out of assets legally available for such purposes. Our future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors.

To the extent we are prevented by provisions of our financing arrangements or otherwise from distributing 100% of our REIT taxable income or otherwise do not distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to income tax, and potentially excise tax, on the retained amounts. If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow to allow us to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements, we may be required to fund

 



 

7


Table of Contents

distributions from working capital, borrow funds, raise additional equity capital, sell assets or reduce such distributions. See “Distribution Policy.”

REIT Qualification

We intend to make a tax election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution, and expect to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on net taxable income that we distribute annually to our stockholders. To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the real estate qualification of sources of our income, the composition and values of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock, including certain ownership limitations and restrictions on our stock. Qualification as a REIT involves the interpretation and application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which no or only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. To comply with REIT requirements, we may need to forego otherwise attractive opportunities and limit our expansion opportunities and the manner in which we conduct our operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our REIT Status and Certain Other Tax Items.”

Restrictions on Ownership of our Stock

Subject to certain exceptions, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock, which we refer to as the “ownership limit,” and will impose certain other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock. We expect that, upon consummation of the spin-off, our board of directors will grant an exemption from the ownership limit to Blackstone and its affiliates.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also will prohibit any person from, among other things:

 

    owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as such terms are defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) and 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, respectively) on behalf of our TRS lessees failing to qualify as such);

 

    transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons; and

 

    beneficially owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in our failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if effective, would result in violation of the above limitations or the ownership limit (except for a transfer which results in shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons, in which case such transfer will be void and of no force and effect and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares) will cause the number of shares causing the violation, rounded up to the nearest whole share, to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries designated by us, and the intended transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares.

 



 

8


Table of Contents

These restrictions are intended to assist with our REIT compliance under the Code and otherwise to promote our orderly governance, among other purposes. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

 

 

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware on May 29, 1946 under the name Hilton Hotels Corporation, was later renamed Hilton Worldwide, Inc. on December 10, 2009 and renamed Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. on June 1, 2016. Our headquarters are located in McLean, Virginia, at 7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100. Our telephone number is (703) 883-1000 .

 



 

9


Table of Contents

The Spin-Off

Overview

On February 26, 2016, Hilton Parent announced its intention to implement the spin-off of Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations from Hilton, following which Park Parent and HGV Parent will be independent, publicly traded companies.

Before our spin-off from Hilton, we will enter into a Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent related to the spin-off. These agreements will govern the relationship among us, Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations after completion of the spin-off and provide for the allocation among us, Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations of various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations (including employee benefits, intellectual property, insurance and tax-related assets and liabilities). These agreements also will include arrangements with respect to transitional services to be provided by Hilton to Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off.”

The distribution of Park Parent common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. In addition, Hilton has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of Hilton Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not then in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, that a sale or other alternative is in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that it is not advisable at that time to separate Park Hotels & Resorts from Hilton. See “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.”

Organizational Structure

The simplified diagrams below (which omit certain wholly owned intermediate holding companies) depict the organizational structure of Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations before and after giving effect to the spin-offs.

Current Hilton Organizational Structure

 

LOGO

 



 

10


Table of Contents

Organizational Structure Following the Spin-Offs

 

LOGO

Financing Transactions

Subject to market conditions, Park Hotels & Resorts expects to complete one or more financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain of its existing indebtedness, which we expect will result in an estimated net reduction of its outstanding indebtedness at June 30, 2016 of between $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion. We have not yet identified the specific indebtedness to be repaid or refinanced or specific sources of funds. There can be no assurances that any such financing transactions will be completed in the timeframe or size indicated or at all.

In addition, we anticipate that prior to the completion of the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts will enter into a senior revolving facility permitting borrowings of up to $         , which is expected to be undrawn on completion of the spin-off. The financing transactions will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. See “The Spin-Off—Financing Transactions” and “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

Purging Distribution

Hilton Parent will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the spin-off between Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and Park Parent in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Code. As a result of our intended election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we intend to declare a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years (the “Purging Distribution”), including any earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year ending on the date of the spin-off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to our stockholders in a combination of cash and Park Parent common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in Park Parent common stock. We expect to declare the Purging Distribution in                      and to make the Purging Distribution no later than                     . We currently expect the amount of the Purging Distribution will be between approximately $         million and $         million. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.”

 



 

11


Table of Contents

Questions and Answers About the Spin-Off

The following provides only a summary of the terms of the spin-off. For a more detailed description of the matters described below, see “The Spin-Off.”

 

Q: What is the spin-off?

 

A: The spin-off is the series of transactions by which Park Hotels & Resorts will separate from Hilton. To complete the spin-off, Hilton Parent will distribute to its stockholders all of the outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock. We refer to this as the distribution. Following the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts will be a separate company from Hilton, and Hilton will not retain any ownership interest in Park Hotels & Resorts

 

Q: What will I receive in the spin-off?

 

A: As a holder of Hilton Parent common stock, you will retain your Hilton Parent shares and will receive one share of Park Parent common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock you own as of the record date. You also will receive one share of common stock of HGV Parent for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock you own as of the record date in connection with the spin-off of that company. The number of shares of Hilton Parent common stock you own and your proportionate interest in Hilton Parent will not change as a result of the spin-off. See “The Spin-Off.”

 

Q: What is Park Parent?

 

A: Park Parent is a leading lodging real estate company with a diverse portfolio of iconic and market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value. Park Parent is currently a subsidiary of Hilton Parent whose shares will be distributed to Hilton Parent stockholders when the spin-off is completed. After the spin-off is completed, Park Parent will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded lodging REIT.

 

Q: Why is Park Parent referred to as a REIT, and what is a REIT?

 

A: Following the spin-off, we intend to elect to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution.

A REIT is a company that derives most of its income from real property or real estate mortgages and has elected to be subject to tax as a REIT. If a corporation elects to be subject to tax as a REIT and qualifies as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxes on income that it currently distributes to its stockholders. A company’s qualification as a REIT depends on its ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of its gross income, the composition and values of its assets, its distribution levels to its stockholders and the diversity of ownership of its capital stock.

 

Q: Why is the separation of Park Parent structured as a spin-off?

 

A:

Hilton Parent intends to implement the spin-off of (i) a portfolio of 69 owned and leased hotel and resort properties, with nearly 36,000 rooms, comprising a substantial portion of Hilton’s ownership business, and certain related assets and operations consisting of the hotel laundry operations described under “Business and Properties—Portfolio Summary—Hotel Laundry Operations,” which we refer to collectively as the “Separated Real Estate business” and (ii) its timeshare business, which we refer to as Hilton’s “Timeshare business.” Hilton determined, and continues to believe, that a spin-off is the most efficient way to accomplish a separation of the Separated Real Estate business from Hilton for various reasons, including: (i) a spin-off would be a tax-free distribution of Park Parent common stock to Hilton Parent stockholders;

 



 

12


Table of Contents
  (ii) a spin-off offers a higher degree of certainty of completion in a timely manner, lessening disruption to current business operations; and (iii) a spin-off provides greater assurance that decisions regarding the capital structure of Park Hotels & Resorts support future financial stability. After consideration of strategic alternatives, Hilton believes that a tax-free spin-off will enhance the long-term value of both Hilton and Park Hotels & Resorts See “The Spin-Off—Reasons for the Spin-Off.”

 

Q : Why aren’t all of Hilton’s real estate assets included in Park Hotels & Resorts?

 

A: As a general matter, Hilton sought to include substantially all of its owned and leased properties in Park Hotels & Resorts. After undertaking an extensive review of its real estate portfolio, in conjunction with its advisors, Hilton identified certain properties that will not be separated as part of the spin-off. More specifically, following the spin-off, Hilton or joint ventures in which Hilton holds an interest, will continue to own or lease an aggregate of 73 hotels, of which 65 are leased hotels located outside the United States. In 2015, such hotels represented approximately $1.6 billion of revenue. In general, these properties were retained by Hilton for one or more of the following reasons:

 

    in the case of international leased hotels, the interest and tenure of Hilton under such leases is more akin to that of a hotel management company under a management agreement than a real estate interest;

 

    there are legal or contractual impediments to their inclusion in Park Hotels & Resorts; or

 

    there are potentially adverse tax consequences to their inclusion in Park Hotels & Resorts.

 

Q: How much of our portfolio is owned versus leased?

 

A: Nearly 80% of our portfolio by room count is wholly or primarily owned in fee simple, with the remaining hotels subject to ground lease. Nine of our hotels, comprising 5,082 rooms are owned or leased by unconsolidated joint ventures in which we own an interest. See “Business and Properties—Type of Property Interest,” “—Our Hotels” and “—Ground Leases” for additional information.

 

Q: Can Hilton decide to cancel the distribution of the Park Parent common stock even if all the conditions have been met?

 

A: Yes. The distribution of Park Parent common stock is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. See “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” Hilton has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of Hilton Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that the spinoff is not then in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, that a sale or other alternative is in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that it is not advisable at that time to separate Park Hotels & Resorts from Hilton.

 

Q: What is being distributed in the spin-off?

 

A: Approximately          million shares of Park Parent common stock will be distributed in the spin-off, based on the number of shares of Hilton Parent common stock expected to be outstanding as of                     , 2016, the record date, and assuming a distribution ratio of one-to-                     . The actual number of shares of Park Parent common stock to be distributed will be calculated on the record date. The shares of Park Parent common stock to be distributed by Hilton Parent will constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock immediately prior to the distribution. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.”

 



 

13


Table of Contents
Q: When is the record date for the distribution?

 

A: The record date is                     , 2016.

 

Q: When will the distribution occur?

 

A: The distribution date of the spin-off is                     , 2016. We expect that it will take the distribution agent, acting on behalf of Hilton Parent, up to two weeks after the distribution date to fully distribute the shares of Park Parent common stock to Hilton Parent stockholders.

 

Q: What do I have to do to participate in the spin-off?

 

A: Nothing. You are not required to take any action, although we urge you to read this entire document carefully. No stockholder approval of the distribution is required or sought. You are not being asked for a proxy. No action is required on your part to receive your shares of Park Parent common stock. You will neither be required to pay anything for the new shares nor be required to surrender any shares of Hilton Parent common stock to participate in the spin-off.

 

Q: How will stock options, time-vesting restricted stock units, and performance-vesting restricted stock units and restricted shares held by Park Hotels & Resorts employees be affected as a result of the spin-off?

 

A: At the time of the distribution, subject to approval of the board of directors of Hilton Parent, in general, it is expected that all outstanding Hilton Parent equity-based compensation awards, whether vested or unvested, and which are held by any individual who is employed by us as of the separation, other than those of our employees who serve as General Managers at our properties outside of the United States, will convert into awards that will settle in shares of Park Hotels & Resorts common stock following the spin-off, and performance-vesting awards will generally be converted into time-vesting awards based upon a performance level to be determined by the Hilton Parent Compensation Committee prior to the separation. For more information on the treatment of equity-based compensation awards in the spin-off, see “The Spin-Off—Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards.”

 

Q: How will fractional shares be treated in the spin-off?

 

A: Fractional shares of Park Parent common stock will not be distributed. Fractional shares of Park Parent common stock to which Hilton Parent stockholders of record would otherwise be entitled will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent at prevailing market prices. The distribution agent, in its sole discretion, will determine when, how and through which broker-dealers, provided that such broker-dealers are not affiliates of Hilton Parent or Park Parent, and at what prices to sell these shares. The aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales will be distributed ratably to those stockholders who would otherwise have received fractional shares of Park Parent common stock. See “The Spin-Off—Treatment of Fractional Shares” for a more detailed explanation. Receipt by a stockholder of proceeds from these sales in lieu of a fractional share generally will result in a taxable gain or loss to those stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each stockholder entitled to receive cash proceeds from these shares should consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to such stockholder’s particular circumstances. We describe the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution in more detail under “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

 

Q: Why has Hilton determined to undertake the spin-off?

 

A: Hilton Parent’s board of directors has determined that the spin-off is in the best interests of Hilton Parent, its stockholders and other constituents because the spin-off will provide the following key benefits:

 

   

Direct and Differentiated Access to Capital Resources to Pursue Tailored Growth Strategies . Following the spin-off, Park Parent will be free to allocate capital with a focus on optimizing the value of our portfolio without having to balance the countervailing economic imperatives of a capital-light

 



 

14


Table of Contents
 

management and franchising business. As a pure-play real estate company with direct access to capital and independent financial resources, we believe our enhanced ability to execute compelling return on investment initiatives within our portfolio represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. Moreover, the anticipated liquidity of our stock should enhance our ability to pursue single-asset and portfolio acquisition opportunities. Similarly, as a pure-play hotel management and franchising company, Hilton Parent expects to benefit from alignment with a dedicated investor base, resulting in enhanced and more efficient access to capital to pursue a growth strategy best suited for its core, capital-light fee business.

 

    Enhanced Investor Choices by Offering Investment Opportunities in Separate Entities. Hilton’s management and franchising and real estate businesses exhibit different financial and operating characteristics and appeal to different types of investors with different investment goals and risk profiles. Finding investors who want to invest in the businesses together is more challenging than finding investors for each business individually. After the spin-off, investors should be better able to evaluate the financial performance of each company, as well as its strategy within the context of its particular market, thereby enhancing the likelihood that each company will achieve an appropriate market valuation.

 

    Dedicated Management Team with Enhanced Strategic Focus . Following the spin-off, Hilton’s management and franchising and real estate businesses will no longer compete for the attention and resources of a single management team and will benefit from dedicated management teams focused on designing and implementing tailored strategies to achieve the distinct goals and opportunities of each business. Moreover, free from constraints that arise from being part of a larger hotel management business, Park Parent’s dedicated management team will be able to more effectively and independently oversee the management of our properties to ensure optimal results are achieved and will be able to pursue separate and optimal business strategies.

 

    Improved Management Incentive Tools . We expect to use equity-based and other incentive awards to compensate current and future employees. In multi-business companies such as Hilton, it is difficult to structure incentives that reward employees in a manner directly related to the performance of their respective business units. By granting awards linked to the performance of a pure-play business, the compensation arrangements of each company should provide enhanced incentives for employee performance and improve the ability of each company to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.

 

    Tax-Efficient Structure. The spin-off will allow Hilton Parent’s stockholders to hold their interest in the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio, comprising most of Hilton Parent’s ownership segment, through an entity that will elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe this will result in Hilton Parent’s stockholders realizing significant tax savings on the earnings from the portfolio of Park Hotels & Resorts.

 

Q: What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off?

 

A: Hilton Parent has received a ruling (“IRS Ruling”) from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of the spin-off. The spin-off is conditioned on the IRS Ruling remaining in effect as of the distribution date. In addition, the spin-off is conditioned on the receipt of an opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Hilton Parent’s tax counsel (“Spin-off Tax Counsel”), confirming tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code of the distributions. Although Hilton Parent has no current intention to do so, such conditions are solely for the benefit of Hilton Parent and its stockholders and may be waived by Hilton Parent in its sole discretion. The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution are described in more detail under “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

 

Q: Will the Park Parent common stock be listed on a stock exchange?

 

A:

Yes. Although there is not currently a public market for Park Parent common stock, before completion of the spin-off, Park Parent will apply to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the

 



 

15


Table of Contents
  symbol “PK .” It is anticipated that trading of Park Parent common stock will commence on a “when-issued” basis at least two trading days prior to the record date. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. “When-issued” trades generally settle within four trading days after the distribution date. On the first trading day following the distribution date, any “when-issued” trading with respect to Park Parent common stock will end, and “regular-way” trading will begin. “Regular-way” trading refers to trading after a security has been issued and typically involves a transaction that settles on the third full trading day following the date of the transaction. See “Trading Market.”

 

Q: Will my shares of Hilton Parent common stock continue to trade?

 

A: Yes. Hilton Parent common stock will continue to be listed and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HLT.”

 

Q: If I sell, on or before the distribution date, shares of Hilton Parent common stock that I held on the record date, am I still entitled to receive shares of Park Parent common stock distributable with respect to the shares of Hilton Parent common stock I sold?

 

A: Beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing through the distribution date for the spin-off, Hilton Parent common stock will begin to trade in two markets on the New York Stock Exchange: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. If you hold shares of Hilton Parent common stock as of the record date for the distribution and choose to sell those shares in the “regular-way” market after the record date for the distribution and on or before the distribution date, you also will be selling the right to receive the shares of Park Parent common stock in connection with the spin-off. However, if you hold shares of Hilton Parent common stock as of the record date for the distribution and choose to sell those shares in the “ex-distribution” market after the record date for the distribution and on or before the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of Park Parent common stock in the spin-off.

 

Q: Will the spin-off affect the trading price of my Hilton Parent stock?

 

A: Yes. The trading price of shares of Hilton Parent common stock immediately following the distribution is expected to be lower than immediately prior to the distribution because its trading price will no longer reflect the value of the Separated Real Estate business and Timeshare business. However, we cannot predict the price at which the Hilton Parent shares will trade following the spin-off.

 

Q: What financing transactions will be undertaken in connection with the spin-off?

 

A: Subject to market conditions, Park Hotels & Resorts expects to complete one or more financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain of its existing indebtedness, which we expect will result in an estimated net reduction from its outstanding indebtedness at June 30, 2016 of between $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion. We have not yet identified the specific indebtedness to be repaid or refinanced or specific sources of funds. There can be no assurances that any such financing transactions will be completed in the timeframe or size indicated or at all.

In addition, we anticipate that prior to the completion of the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts will enter into a senior revolving facility permitting borrowings of up to $         , which is expected to be undrawn on completion of the spin-off. The financing transactions will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. See “The Spin-Off—Financing Transactions” and “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

 

Q: Who will comprise the senior management team and board of directors of Park Parent after the spin-off?

 

A:

Our senior management team will be led by Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., who will serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Sean M. Dell’Orto, who will serve as our Chief Financial Officer.

 



 

16


Table of Contents
  Mr. Baltimore has served most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ), a publicly traded lodging REIT that he co-founded. Mr. Baltimore has led RLJ since its IPO in 2011 and its predecessor entities since 2000. RLJ currently owns 125 hotels in major markets in North America, with more than 20,900 guest rooms and a portfolio value in excess of $4 billion. Mr. Dell’Orto has served most recently as Senior Vice President, Treasurer of Hilton Parent since September 2012, and he has been integral in Hilton’s corporate strategy, capital markets and investor relations activities, including the company’s IPO in 2013. Messrs. Baltimore and Dell’Orto lead a talented team of executive officers, with an average of              years of experience in the real estate and lodging industries. We expect to identify additional members of the senior management team prior to the distribution date. See “Management” for information on our executive officers and board of directors.

 

Q: What will the relationship be between Hilton and Park Hotels & Resorts after the spin-off?

 

A: Following the spin-off, Park Parent will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded lodging REIT, and Hilton Parent will have no continuing stock ownership interest in Park Parent. Park Parent will have entered into a Distribution Agreement with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent and will enter into several other agreements for the purpose of allocating among Hilton Parent, Park Parent and HGV Parent various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations (including employee benefits, intellectual property, insurance and tax-related assets and liabilities). These agreements also will govern our relationship with Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations following the spin-off and will provide arrangements for employee matters, tax matters, intellectual property matters, insurance matters and other specified liabilities, rights and obligations attributable to periods before and, in some cases, after the spin-off. These agreements also will include arrangements with respect to transitional services to be provided by Hilton to Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations. The Distribution Agreement will provide, in general, that Park Hotels & Resorts will indemnify Hilton against any and all liabilities arising out of the business of Park Hotels & Resorts as constituted in connection with the spin-off and any other liabilities and obligations assumed by Park Hotels & Resorts, and that Hilton will indemnify Park Hotels & Resorts against any and all liabilities arising out of the businesses of Hilton as constituted in connection with the spin-off and any other liabilities and obligations assumed by Hilton.

To qualify as a REIT, we will not directly or indirectly operate any of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels. Upon consummation of the spin-off, we will lease each of our wholly owned hotels (other than the Select Hotels) to our TRS lessees, which, in turn, will engage Hilton to manage these hotels pursuant to management agreements. We will operate the Select Hotels pursuant to franchise agreements with Hilton.

The terms of the management and franchise agreements that we and Hilton will enter into in connection with the spin-off are described under “Business and Properties—Our Principal Agreements—Management Agreements” and “—Franchise Agreements.”

 

Q: What will Park Parent’s distribution policy be after the spin-off?

 

A: We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. The Code generally requires that a REIT annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain, and imposes tax on any taxable income retained by a REIT, including capital gains.

All dividends will be made by us at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on the financial position, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, debt covenants (which are expected to include limits on dividends), applicable law and other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Our board of directors has not yet determined when any dividends will be declared or paid, although we currently expect that dividends will be paid on a quarterly basis. We cannot guarantee, and there can be no assurance, that we will declare or pay any dividends or distributions. See “Distribution Policy.”

 



 

17


Table of Contents
Q: What are the anti-takeover effects of the spin-off?

 

A: Some provisions of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Park Parent, Delaware law and possibly the agreements governing Park Parent’s new debt, as each will be in effect immediately following the spin-off, may have the effect of making more difficult an acquisition of control of Park Hotels & Resorts in a transaction not approved by our board of directors. See “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law.” In addition, under the Tax Matters Agreement, Park Parent will agree, subject to certain terms, conditions and exceptions, not to enter into any transaction for a period of two years following the distribution involving an acquisition (including issuance) of Park Parent common stock or certain other transactions that could cause the distribution to be taxable to Hilton Parent. The parties also will agree to indemnify each other for any tax resulting from any transaction to the extent a party’s actions caused such tax liability, whether or not the indemnified party consented to such transaction or the indemnifying party was otherwise permitted to enter into such transaction under the Tax Matters Agreement, and for all or a portion of any tax liabilities resulting from the distribution under certain other circumstances. Generally, Hilton Parent will recognize a taxable gain on the distribution if there are (or have been) one or more acquisitions (including issuances) of Park Parent capital stock representing 50% or more of Park Parent’s stock, measured by vote or value, and the acquisitions are deemed to be part of a plan or series of related transactions that include the distribution. Any such acquisition of Park Parent common stock within two years before or after the distribution (with exceptions, including public trading by less-than-5% stockholders and certain compensatory stock issuances) generally will be presumed to be part of such a plan unless that presumption is rebutted. Moreover, under the Tax Matters Agreement, Park Parent will agree to restrict certain issuances and repurchases of its stock to manage the aggregate shift in ownership of Park Parent’s stock as a result of such acquisitions. As a result, these obligations may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of Park Hotels & Resorts.

 

Q: What are the risks associated with the spin-off?

 

A: There are a number of risks associated with the spin-off and ownership of Park Parent common stock. These risks are discussed under “Risk Factors.”

 

Q: Where can I get more information?

 

A. If you have any questions relating to the mechanics of the distribution, you should contact the distribution agent at:

Wells Fargo Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 64874

St. Paul, MN 55164-0874

Toll Free: 800-468-9716

Before completion of the spin-off, if you have any questions relating to the spin-off, you should contact Hilton Parent at:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Investor Relations

Phone: 703-883-5476

Email: ir@hilton.com

www.hiltonworldwide.com

After completion of the spin-off, if you have any questions relating to Park Hotels & Resorts, you should contact Park Parent at:

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Investor Relations

Phone:

Email:

 



 

18


Table of Contents

Summary of the Spin-Off

 

Distributing Company

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. After the distribution, Hilton will not own any shares of Park Parent common stock.

 

Distributed Company

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton.

 

  After the spin-off, Park Parent will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded company, and intends to elect to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Prior to the completion of the spin-off, Park Parent will be renamed.

 

Distributed Securities

All of the outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock owned by Hilton Parent, which will be 100% of the Park Parent common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the distribution.

 

Record Date

The record date for the distribution is                     , 2016.

 

Distribution Date

The distribution date is                     , 2016.

 

Internal Reorganization

As part of the spin-off, Hilton will undergo an internal reorganization, which we refer to as the “internal reorganization,” pursuant to which, among other things and subject to limited exceptions:

 

    all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) associated with the Separated Real Estate business will be retained by or transferred to us or our subsidiaries;

 

    all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) associated with the Timeshare business will be retained by or transferred to HGV Parent or its subsidiaries; and

 

    all other assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) of Hilton will be retained by or transferred to Hilton Parent or its subsidiaries (other than us, HGV Parent and our respective subsidiaries).

 

  After completion of the spin-off:

 

    we will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded company (NYSE: PK), and will hold a portfolio of Hilton’s real estate assets and certain other assets and operations as described herein;

 

    HGV Parent will be an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE : HGV), and will own and operate Hilton’s timeshare business; and

 



 

19


Table of Contents
    Hilton will continue to be an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: HLT) and continue to own and operate its management and franchising business and will continue to hold certain real estate assets not transferred to Park Hotels & Resorts as part of the spin-off.

 

  See “The Spin-Off—Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off—Internal Reorganization.”

 

Distribution Ratio

Each holder of Hilton Parent common stock will receive one share of Park Parent common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock held at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on                     , 2016.

 

  Immediately following the spin-off, Park Parent expects to have approximately                      record holders of shares of common stock and approximately              million shares of common stock outstanding, based on the number of stockholders and outstanding shares of Hilton Parent common stock on                     , 2016 and the distribution ratio. The figures exclude shares of Hilton Parent common stock held directly or indirectly by Hilton Parent, if any. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined on the record date and will reflect any repurchases of shares of Hilton Parent common stock and issuances of shares of Hilton Parent common stock in respect of awards under Hilton Parent equity-based incentive plans between the date the Hilton Parent board of directors declares the dividend for the distribution and the record date for the distribution.

 

The Distribution

On the distribution date, Hilton Parent will release the shares of Park Parent common stock to the distribution agent to distribute to Hilton Parent stockholders. The distribution of shares will be made in book-entry form only, which means that no physical share certificates will be issued. It is expected that it will take the distribution agent up to two weeks to issue shares of Park Parent common stock to you or to your bank or brokerage firm electronically on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. Trading of our shares will not be affected during that time. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Hilton Parent common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of Park Parent common stock.

 

Fractional Shares

The distribution agent will not distribute any fractional shares of Park Parent common stock to Hilton Parent stockholders. Fractional shares of Park Parent common stock to which Hilton Parent stockholders of record would otherwise be entitled will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent. The aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales will be distributed ratably to those stockholders who would otherwise have received fractional shares of Park Parent common stock. Receipt of the proceeds from these sales generally will result in a taxable gain or loss to those stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each stockholder entitled to receive cash

 



 

20


Table of Contents
 

proceeds from these shares should consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to such stockholder’s particular circumstances. The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution are described in more detail under “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

 

Conditions to the Spin-Off

Completion of the spin-off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Hilton Parent of the following conditions:

 

    the final approval by the board of directors of Hilton Parent of the spin-off and all related transactions and the determination of the record date, which approval may be given or withheld at its absolute and sole discretion;

 

    our Registration Statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, shall have been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC, and this information statement, or a notice of internet availability thereof, shall have been mailed to the Hilton Parent stockholders;

 

    Park Parent common stock shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of distribution;

 

    Hilton Parent shall have obtained an opinion from Spin-off Tax Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to Hilton Parent, to the effect that the spin-off should qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code;

 

    the IRS Ruling shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect;

 

    the receipt by Park Parent of a tax opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Park Parent, to the effect that, commencing with Park Parent’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2016, Park Parent should be considered to be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation should enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;

 

    prior to the distribution date, the Hilton Parent board of directors shall have obtained opinions from a nationally recognized valuation firm, in form and substance satisfactory to Hilton, with respect to the capital adequacy and solvency of each of Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations after giving effect to the spin-off;

 

    any material governmental approvals and other consents necessary to consummate the spin-off shall have been received;

 

   

no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition

 



 

21


Table of Contents
 

preventing the consummation of all or any portion of the spin-off shall be pending, threatened, issued or in effect, and no other event shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of all or any portion of the spin-off;

 

    no other events or developments shall have occurred or failed to occur that, in the judgment of the board of directors of Hilton Parent, would result in the distribution having a material adverse effect on Hilton or its stockholders;

 

    the internal reorganization shall have been completed, except for such steps as Hilton Parent in its sole discretion shall have determined may be completed after the distribution date;

 

    all necessary actions shall have been taken to cause the board of directors of Park Parent to consist of the individuals identified in this information statement as directors of Park Parent;

 

    all necessary actions shall have been taken to cause the officers of Park Parent to be the individuals identified as such in this information statement;

 

    all necessary actions shall have been taken to adopt the form of amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws filed by Park Parent with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part; and

 

    each of the Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and the other ancillary agreements shall have been executed by each party.

 

  Completion of the spin-off of Hilton Grand Vacations will be subject to similar conditions as those listed above.

 

 

The fulfillment of the foregoing conditions will not create any obligation on the part of Hilton to effect the spin-off. We are not aware of any material federal, foreign or state regulatory requirements that must be complied with or any material approvals that must be obtained, other than compliance with SEC rules and regulations, approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, by the SEC, in connection with the distribution. Hilton has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of Hilton Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not then in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, that a sale or other alternative is in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents or that it is not advisable for Park Hotels & Resorts to separate from Hilton at

 



 

22


Table of Contents
 

that time. For more information, see “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.”

 

Trading Market and Symbol

We intend to list Park Parent common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PK.” We anticipate that, at least two trading days prior to the record date, trading of shares of Park Parent common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue up to and including the distribution date, and we expect “regular-way” trading of Park Parent common stock will begin the first trading day after the distribution date. We also anticipate that, at least two trading days prior to the record date, there will be two markets in Hilton Parent common stock: (i) a “regular-way” market on which shares of Hilton Parent common stock will trade with an entitlement for the purchaser of Hilton Parent common stock to shares of Park Parent common stock to be distributed pursuant to the distribution; and (ii) an “ex-distribution” market on which shares of Hilton Parent common stock will trade without an entitlement for the purchaser of Hilton Parent common stock to shares of Park Parent common stock. For more information, see “Trading Market.”

 

Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

Hilton Parent has received the IRS Ruling regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of the spin-off. The spin-off is conditioned upon, among other things, the IRS Ruling remaining in effect as of the distribution date. In addition, the spin-off is conditioned on the receipt of an opinion of Spin-off Tax Counsel, confirming the tax-free treatment of the spin-off. See “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

 

  Each stockholder is urged to consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the spin-off to such stockholder, including the effect of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws and of changes in applicable tax laws.

 

Relationship with Hilton after the Spin-Off

We will enter into a Distribution Agreement and several other agreements with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent related to the spin-off. These agreements will govern the relationship among us, Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations after completion of the spin-off and provide for the allocation among us, Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations of various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations (including employee benefits, intellectual property, insurance and tax-related assets and liabilities). The Distribution Agreement will provide for the allocation of assets and liabilities among Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations and will establish the rights and obligations between and among the parties following the distribution. We intend to enter into one or more Transition Services Agreements with Hilton Parent pursuant to which certain services will be provided on an interim basis following the distribution. We also intend to enter into an Employee Matters Agreement that will set forth the agreements among us, Hilton Grand Vacations and Hilton

 



 

23


Table of Contents
 

concerning certain employee, compensation and benefit-related matters. Further, we intend to enter into a Tax Matters Agreement with Hilton Parent and Hilton Grand Vacations regarding the sharing of taxes incurred before and after completion of the spin-off, certain indemnification rights with respect to tax matters and certain restrictions on our conduct following the distribution intended to preserve the tax-free status of the spin-off. We describe these arrangements in greater detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off,” and describe some of the risks of these arrangements under “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Spin-Off.”

 

  To qualify as a REIT, we will not directly or indirectly operate any of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels. Upon consummation of the spin-off, we will lease each of our wholly owned hotels (other than the Select Hotels) to our TRS lessees, which, in turn, will engage Hilton to manage these hotels pursuant to management agreements. We will operate the Select Hotels pursuant to franchise agreements with Hilton.

 

  The terms of the management and franchise agreements that we and Hilton will enter into in connection with the spin-off are described under “Business and Properties—Our Principal Agreements—Management Agreements” and “—Franchise Agreements.”

 

Distribution Policy

Following the spin-off and our election and qualification to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution, we intend to make quarterly dividend payments of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to holders of our common stock out of assets legally available for this purpose. Dividends will be authorized by and at the sole discretion of our board of directors based on a number of factors including actual results of operations, dividend restrictions under Delaware law or applicable debt covenants, our liquidity and financial condition, our taxable income, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, our operating expenses and other factors it may deem relevant. For more information, see “Distribution Policy.”

 

Purging Distribution

Hilton Parent will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the spin-off between Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and Park Parent in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Code. As a result of our intended election to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we will make the Purging Distribution by declaring a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years, including the earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year ending on the date of the spin-off. The Purging

 



 

24


Table of Contents
 

Distribution will be paid to Park Parent stockholders in a combination of cash and Park Parent common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in Park Parent common stock. Additionally, we expect to declare the Purging Distribution in              and to make the Purging Distribution no later than                     . We currently expect the aggregate amount of the Purging Distribution will be between $         million and $         million. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.”

 

Tax Consequences of the Purging Distribution

In general, any and all of the cash and stock we distribute to our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be treated as a taxable distribution of property with respect to our stock, and the amount of any distribution of stock received by any of our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of the money that could have been received instead. In the Purging Distribution, a holder of our common stock will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if we distribute no cash or only nominal amounts of cash to such stockholder. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.”

 

  Each stockholder is urged to consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the Purging Distribution to such stockholder, including the effect of any U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax laws .

 

Financing Transactions

Subject to market conditions, Park Hotels & Resorts expects to complete one or more financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain of its existing indebtedness, which we expect will result in an estimated net reduction from its outstanding indebtedness at June 30, 2016 of between $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion. We have not yet identified the specific indebtedness to be repaid or refinanced or specific sources of funds. There can be no assurances that any such financing transactions will be completed in the timeframe or size indicated or at all.

 

  In addition, we anticipate that prior to the completion of the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts will enter into a senior revolving facility permitting borrowings of up to $         ,which is expected to be undrawn on completion of the spin-off. The financing transactions will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. See “The Spin-Off—Financing Transactions” and “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

 

Transfer Agent

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 



 

25


Table of Contents

Risk Factors

We face both general and specific risks and uncertainties relating to our business, our relationship with Hilton and our being an independent, publicly traded company. We also are subject to risks relating to the spin-off. You should carefully read the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this information statement.

 



 

26


Table of Contents

Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Data

The following summary historical combined consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the summary historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are derived from our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. The summary historical combined consolidated statement of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and the summary historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2016 are derived from our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. The summary historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2013, are derived from our unaudited combined consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this information statement. We have prepared our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited combined consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, have included all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly in all material respects our financial position and results of operations. The results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

The unaudited summary pro forma financial information has been prepared to reflect the spin-off and related transactions described under “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.” The following unaudited summary pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the relevant transactions had been consummated on the date indicated, nor is it indicative of future operating results. The assumptions used and pro forma adjustments derived from such assumptions are based on currently available information and we believe such assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances.

This summary financial data is not indicative of our future performance and does not necessarily reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had we been operating as an independent, publicly traded company during the periods presented, including changes that will occur in our operations and capitalization as a result of the spin-off from Hilton. For example, our historical combined consolidated financial statements include allocations of certain expenses from Hilton, including expenses for costs related to functions such as information technology support, systems maintenance, financial services, human resources and other shared services. These costs may not be representative of the future costs we will incur, either positively or negatively, as an independent, public company.

The summary historical financial data below should be read together with the audited combined consolidated financial statements, unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements, including the related notes thereto, as well as “Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Description of Certain Indebtedness” and the other financial information included elsewhere in this information statement.

 



 

27


Table of Contents
    As of and for the Six
Months ended June 30,
    As of and for the Year
ended December 31,
 
    Pro
Forma
    Historical     Pro
Forma
    Historical  
        2016             2016             2015             2015             2015             2014             2013      
    (in millions)  

Summary Statement of Operations Data:

             

Revenues

             

Rooms

  $                   $ 901       $ 870       $                   $ 1,783       $ 1,679       $ 1,556    

Food and beverage

      380         357           691         644         607    

Other

      105         105           214         190         170    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

      1,386         1,332           2,688         2,513         2,333    

Expenses

             

Rooms

      232         225           456         457         422    

Food and beverage

      258         246           487         454         437    

Other departmental and support

      335         320           650         592         556    

Other property-level

      92         89           180         178         178    

Management fees

      51         47           89         77         61    

Impairment loss

      15         —           —         —         —    

Depreciation and amortization

      147         139           287         248         246    

Corporate and other

      35         63           96         67         103    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

      1,165         1,129           2,245         2,073         2,003    

Operating income

      222         347           586         440         330    

Net income attributable to Parent

      82         192           292         176         144    

Summary Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $        $ 198       $ 55       $        $ 72       $ 42       $ 48    

Restricted cash

      90         74           72         32         42    

Total assets

      9,879         9,867           9,787         9,714         9,792    

Debt

      4,062         4,184           4,057         4,246         4,174    

Total equity

      2,907         2,808           2,797         2,593         2,868    

 



 

28


Table of Contents
    Six months ended June 30,      Year ended December 31,  
           2016                    2015                    2015                    2014                    2013         
    ($ in millions, except RevPAR and ADR)  

Operational and Other Financial Data:

             

Number of Hotels

    69            69            69            64            70      

Number of Rooms

    35,717            36,065            36,062            34,263            35,664      

Hotel Data:

             

RevPAR (1)

  $ 161.49          $ 157.88          $ 160.37          $ 160.53          $ 153.95      

Occupancy (1)

    80.8%         81.9%         81.8%         81.0%         79.5%   

ADR (1)

  $ 199.94          $ 192.66          $ 196.10          $ 198.26          $ 193.70      

Total Hotel Revenue

  $ 1,380          $ 1,326          $ 2,675          $ 2,503          $ 2,323      

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA (2)

  $ 414          $ 401          $ 815          $ 747          $ 670      

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA Margin (3)

    30.0%         30.2%         30.5%         29.8%         28.8%   

NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent (4)

  $ 252          $ 195          $ 454          $ 424          $ 416      

Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent (4)

  $ 251          $ 221          $ 480          $ 427          $ 349      

 

(1)   Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Business Metrics Used by Management.” Excludes operating statistics for hotels owned by unconsolidated joint ventures.
(2)   Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the definition of Hotel Adjusted EBITDA and reconciliation to net income, which we believe is the most closely comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.
(3)   Hotel Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated as Hotel Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total Hotel Revenue.
(4)   Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the definitions of NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent and Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent and reconciliation to net income attributable to Parent, which we believe is the most closely comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

 



 

29


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Owning our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following risk factors and all other information contained in this information statement. If any of the following risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, occur, our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly, and you could lose all or a part of the value of your ownership in our common stock. Some statements in this information statement, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section in this information statement entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We are subject to the business, financial and operating risks inherent to the lodging industry, any of which could reduce our revenues, the value of our properties and our ability to make distributions and limit opportunities for growth.

Our business is subject to a number of business, financial and operating risks inherent to the lodging industry, including:

 

    significant competition from other lodging businesses and hospitality providers in the markets in which we operate;

 

    changes in operating costs, including energy, food, employee compensation and benefits and insurance;

 

    increases in costs due to inflation or otherwise, including increases in our operating costs, that may not be fully offset by revenue increases in our business;

 

    changes in taxes and governmental regulations that influence or set wages, prices, interest rates or construction and maintenance procedures and costs;

 

    the costs and administrative burdens associated with complying with applicable laws and regulations;

 

    the costs or desirability of complying with local practices and customs;

 

    significant increases in cost for health care coverage for employees and potential government regulation with respect to health care coverage;

 

    shortages of labor or labor disruptions;

 

    the ability of third-party internet and other travel intermediaries to attract and retain customers;

 

    the availability and cost of capital necessary to fund investments, capital expenditures and service debt obligations;

 

    delays in or cancellations of planned or future development or refurbishment projects;

 

    the quality of services provided by Hilton and any other future third-party hotel managers;

 

    the financial condition of Hilton and any other future third-party hotel managers and franchisors, developers and joint venture partners;

 

    relationships with Hilton and any other future third-party hotel managers, developers and joint venture partners, including the risk that Hilton or any other future third-party hotel managers or franchisors may terminate our management or franchise agreements and that joint venture partners may terminate joint venture agreements;

 

    cyclical over-building in the hotel industry;

 

    changes in desirability of geographic regions of the hotels in our portfolio, geographic concentration in our portfolio and shortages of desirable locations for development;

 

30


Table of Contents
    changes in the supply and demand for hotel services (including rooms, food and beverage and other products and services); and

 

    decreases in the frequency of business travel that may result from alternatives to in-person meetings, including virtual meetings hosted online or over private teleconferencing networks.

Any of these factors could increase our costs or reduce our revenues, adversely impact our ability to make distributions to our stockholders or otherwise affect our ability to maintain existing properties or develop new properties.

Macroeconomic and other factors beyond our control can adversely affect and reduce lodging demand.

Macroeconomic and other factors beyond our control can reduce demand for our products and services, including demand for rooms at our hotels. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

    changes in general economic conditions, including low consumer confidence, unemployment levels and depressed real estate prices resulting from the severity and duration of any downturn in the U.S. or global economy;

 

    war, political conditions or civil unrest, violence or terrorist activities or threats and heightened travel security measures instituted in response to these events;

 

    decreased corporate or government travel-related budgets and spending, as well as cancellations, deferrals or renegotiations of group business such as industry conventions;

 

    statements, actions, or interventions by governmental officials related to travel and corporate travel-related activities and the resulting negative public perception of such travel and activities;

 

    the financial and general business condition of the airline, automotive and other transportation-related industries and its effect on travel, including decreased airline capacity and routes, as well as the price of crude oil and refined products;

 

    conditions that negatively shape public perception of travel, including travel-related accidents and outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases, such as Ebola, avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1 (swine flu) and the Zika virus;

 

    cyber-attacks;

 

    climate change or availability of natural resources;

 

    natural or manmade disasters, such as earthquakes, windstorms, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, drought, fires, oil spills and nuclear incidents;

 

    changes in the desirability of particular locations or travel patterns of customers; and

 

    organized labor activities, which could cause a diversion of business from hotels involved in labor negotiations and loss of business for our hotels generally as a result of certain labor tactics.

Any one or more of these factors can adversely affect, and from time to time have adversely affected, individual hotels, particular regions and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contraction in the global economy or low levels of economic growth could adversely affect our revenues and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

Consumer demand for products and services provided by the lodging industry is closely linked to the performance of the general economy and is sensitive to business and personal discretionary spending levels. Decreased global or regional demand for products and services provided by the lodging industry can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or low levels of economic growth, and the

 

31


Table of Contents

recovery period in our industry may lag overall economic improvement. Declines in demand for our products and services due to general economic conditions could negatively affect our business by decreasing the revenues and profitability of our properties. In addition, many of the expenses associated with our business, including personnel costs, interest, rent, property taxes, insurance and utilities, are relatively fixed. During a period of overall economic weakness, if we are unable to meaningfully decrease these costs as demand for our hotels decreases, our business operations and financial performance may be adversely affected.

In addition to general economic conditions, new hotel room supply is an important factor that can affect the lodging industry’s performance and overbuilding has the potential to further exacerbate the negative impact of an economic downturn. Room rates and occupancy, and thus RevPAR, tend to increase when demand growth exceeds supply growth. A reduction or slowdown in growth of lodging demand or increased growth in lodging supply could result in returns that are substantially below expectations or result in losses, which could materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

The lodging industry is subject to seasonal and cyclical volatility, which is expected to contribute to fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations.

The lodging industry is seasonal in nature. The periods during which our properties experience higher revenues vary from property to property, depending principally upon location and the customer base served. This seasonality can be expected to cause periodic fluctuations in a hotel’s rooms revenues, occupancy levels, room rates and operating expenses. We can provide no assurances that our cash flows will be sufficient to offset any shortfalls that occur as a result of these fluctuations. As a result, we may have to enter into short-term borrowings in certain quarters to make distributions to our stockholders, and we can provide no assurances that such borrowings will be available on favorable terms, if at all. Consequently, volatility in our financial performance resulting from the seasonality of the lodging industry could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the lodging industry is cyclical and demand generally follows the general economy on a lagged basis. The seasonality and cyclicality of our industry may contribute to fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations.

Our expenses may not decrease even if our revenue decreases.

Many of the expenses associated with owning and operating hotels, such as debt-service payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and employee wages and benefits, are relatively inflexible. They do not necessarily decrease in tandem with a reduction in revenue at the hotels and may be subject to increases that are not tied to the performance of our hotels or the increase in the rate of inflation generally. In addition some of our third-party ground leases require periodic increases in ground rent payments. Our ability to pay these rents could be affected adversely if our hotel revenues do not increase at the same or a greater rate than the increases in rental payments under the ground leases.

Additionally, certain costs, such as wages, benefits and insurance, may exceed the rate of inflation in any given period. In the event of a significant decrease in demand, Hilton or other third-party hotel managers that we may engage in the future may not be able to reduce the size of hotel work forces to decrease wages and benefits. Our hotel managers also may be unable to offset any fixed or increased expenses with higher room rates. Any of our efforts to reduce operating costs also could adversely affect the future growth of our business and the value of our hotel properties.

There are inherent risks with investments in real estate, including the relative illiquidity of such investments.

Investments in real estate are subject to varying degrees of risk. For example, an investment in real estate cannot generally be quickly sold, and we cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any hotel we desire to for the price or on the terms set by us or acceptable to us, or the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of the hotel. Moreover, the Code imposes restrictions on a REIT’s ability to dispose of properties

 

32


Table of Contents

that are not applicable to other types of real estate companies. In particular, the tax laws applicable to REITs require that we hold our hotels for investment, rather than primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, which may cause us to forego or defer sales of hotels that otherwise would be in our best interests. Therefore, we may not be able to vary our portfolio promptly in response to changing economic, financial and investment conditions and dispose of assets at opportune times or on favorable terms, which may adversely affect our cash flows and our ability to make distributions to stockholders.

In addition, our ability to dispose of some of our hotels could be constrained by their tax attributes. Hotels that we own may have low tax bases. If we dispose of these hotels outright in taxable transactions, we may be required to distribute the taxable gain to our stockholders under the requirements of the Code applicable to REITs or to pay tax on that gain, either of which, in turn, would impact our cash flow. To dispose of low basis hotels efficiently, we may from time to time use like-kind exchanges, which qualify for non-recognition of taxable gain, but can be difficult to consummate and result in the hotel for which the disposed assets are exchanged inheriting their low tax bases and other tax attributes.

In addition, real estate ownership and leasing is subject to various risks, including:

 

    governmental regulations relating to real estate ownership or operations, including tax, environmental, zoning and eminent domain laws;

 

    loss in value of real estate due to changes in market conditions or the area in which real estate is located;

 

    potential civil liability for accidents or other occurrences on owned or leased properties;

 

    the ongoing need for owner-funded capital improvements and expenditures to maintain or upgrade properties;

 

    periodic total or partial closures due to renovations and facility improvements;

 

    risks associated with mortgage debt, including the possibility of default, fluctuating interest rate levels and uncertainties in the availability of replacement financing;

 

    fluctuations in real estate values or potential impairments in the value of our assets;

 

    the relative illiquidity of real estate compared to some other assets;

 

    risks associated with the possibility that cost increases will outpace revenue increases and that in the event of an economic slowdown, the high proportion of fixed costs will make it difficult to reduce costs to the extent required to offset declining revenues;

 

    changes in tax laws and property taxes, or an increase in the assessed valuation of a property for real estate tax purposes; and

 

    force majeure events, such as earthquakes, floods or other uninsured losses.

We operate in a highly competitive industry.

The lodging industry is highly competitive. Our principal competitors are other owners and investors in upper upscale, full-service hotels, including other lodging REITs, as well as major hospitality chains with well-established and recognized brands. Our hotels face competition for individual guests, group reservations and conference business. We also compete against smaller hotel chains, independent and local hotel owners and operators. We compete for these customers based primarily on brand name recognition and reputation, as well as location, room rates, property size and availability of rooms and conference space, quality of the accommodations, customer satisfaction, amenities and the ability to earn and redeem loyalty program points. New hotels may be constructed and these additions to supply create new competitors, in some cases without corresponding increases in demand for hotel rooms. Our competitors may have greater commercial, financial and marketing resources and more efficient technology platforms, which could allow them to improve their

 

33


Table of Contents

properties and expand and improve their marketing efforts in ways that could affect our ability to compete for guests effectively and adversely affect our revenues and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

We also compete for hotel acquisitions with entities that have similar investment objectives as we do. This competition could limit the number of investment opportunities that we find suitable for our business. It may also increase the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell to us, making it more difficult for us to acquire new properties on attractive terms or on the terms contemplated in our business plan.

Our efforts to develop, redevelop or renovate our properties could be delayed or become more expensive, which could reduce revenues or impair our ability to compete effectively.

Certain of the properties in our portfolio were constructed more than a century ago. The condition of our properties could negatively affect our ability to attract guests or result in higher operating and capital costs, if not sufficiently maintained. These factors could reduce revenues or profits from these properties. There can be no assurance that our planned replacements and repairs will occur, or even if completed, will result in improved performance. In addition, these efforts are subject to a number of risks, including:

 

    construction delays or cost overruns (including labor and materials);

 

    obtaining zoning, occupancy and other required permits or authorizations;

 

    changes in economic conditions that may result in weakened or lack of demand for improvements that we make or negative project returns;

 

    governmental restrictions on the size or kind of development;

 

    volatility in the debt and capital markets that may limit our ability to raise capital for projects or improvements;

 

    lack of availability of rooms or meeting spaces for revenue-generating activities during construction, modernization or renovation projects;

 

    force majeure events, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or tsunamis; and

 

    design defects that could increase costs.

If our properties are not updated to meet guest preferences, if properties under development or renovation are delayed in opening as scheduled, or if renovation investments adversely affect or fail to improve performance, our operations and financial results could be negatively affected.

We face various risks posed by our acquisition, redevelopment, repositioning, renovation and re-branding activities, as well as our disposition activities.

A key element of our business strategy is to invest in identifying and consummating acquisitions of additional hotels and portfolios. We can provide no assurances that we will be successful in identifying attractive hotels or that, once identified, we will be successful in consummating an acquisition. We face significant competition for attractive investment opportunities from other well-capitalized investors, some of which have greater financial resources and a greater access to debt and equity capital to acquire hotels than we do. This competition increases as investments in real estate become increasingly attractive relative to other forms of investment. As a result of such competition, we may be unable to acquire certain hotels or portfolios that we deem attractive or the purchase price may be significantly elevated or other terms may be substantially more onerous. In addition, we expect to finance future acquisitions through a combination of retained cash flows, borrowings and offerings of equity and debt securities, which may not be available on advantageous terms, or at all. Any delay or failure on our part to identify, negotiate, finance on favorable terms, consummate and integrate such acquisitions could materially impede our growth.

 

34


Table of Contents

In addition, newly acquired, redeveloped, renovated, repositioned or re-branded hotels may fail to perform as expected and the costs necessary to bring such hotels up to brand standards may exceed our expectations, which may result in the hotels’ failure to achieve projected returns.

In particular, these activities could pose the following risks to our ongoing operations:

 

    we may abandon such activities and may be unable to recover expenses already incurred in connection with exploring such opportunities;

 

    acquired, redeveloped, renovated or re-branded hotels may not initially be accretive to our results, and we and the third-party hotel managers may not successfully manage newly acquired, renovated, redeveloped, repositioned or re-branded hotels to meet our expectations;

 

    we may be unable to quickly, effectively and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of hotels, into our existing operations;

 

    our redevelopment, repositioning, renovation or re-branding activities may not be completed on schedule, which could result in increased debt service and other costs and lower revenues, and defects in design or construction may result in delays and additional costs to remedy the defect or require a portion of a property to be closed during the period required to rectify the defect;

 

    management attention may be diverted by our acquisition, redevelopment, repositioning or re-branding activities, which in some cases may turn out to be less compatible with our growth strategy than originally anticipated;

 

    we may not be able to meet the loan covenants in any financing obtained to fund the new development, creating default risks;

 

    we may issue shares of stock or other equity interests in connection with such acquisitions that could dilute the interests of our existing stockholders; and

 

    we may assume various contingent liabilities in connection with such transactions.

We may also divest certain properties or assets, and any such divestments may yield lower than expected returns or otherwise fail to achieve the benefits we expect. In some circumstances, sales of properties or other assets may result in losses. Upon sales of properties or assets, we may become subject to contractual indemnity obligations, incur material tax liabilities or, as a result of required debt repayment, face a shortage of liquidity. Finally, any acquisitions, investments or dispositions could demand significant attention from management that would otherwise be available for business operations, which could harm our business. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events, among others, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

Our hotels are geographically concentrated in a limited number of markets and, accordingly, we could be disproportionately harmed by adverse changes to these markets, force majeure events or threat of a terrorist attack.

A significant portion of our room count is located in a concentrated number of markets that exposes us to greater risk to local economic or business conditions, changes in hotel supply in these markets, and other conditions than more geographically diversified hotel companies. Hotels in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New Orleans, Florida and Hawaii represented approximately 50% of our room count, as of June 30, 2016. An economic downturn, an increase in hotel supply in these markets, a force majeure event, a terrorist attack or similar disaster in any one of these markets likely would cause a decline in the hotel market and adversely affect occupancy rates, the financial performance of our hotels in these markets and our overall results of operations. For example, in 2005, our operations in New Orleans were affected negatively by Hurricane Katrina.

 

35


Table of Contents

In addition, certain of our hotels are located in markets that are more susceptible to natural disasters than others, which could adversely affect those hotels, the local economies, or both. For instance, our hotels in Florida may be susceptible to hurricanes, while our hotels in California may be susceptible to earthquakes.

The threat of terrorism also may negatively impact hotel occupancy and average daily rate, due to resulting disruptions in business and leisure travel patterns and concerns about travel safety. Hotels in major metropolitan areas, such as the gateway cities that represent our target markets, may be particularly adversely affected due to concerns about travel safety. The possibility of future attacks may hamper business and leisure travel patterns and, accordingly, the performance of our business and our operations.

Our properties may not be permitted to be rebuilt if destroyed.

Certain of our properties may qualify as legally permissible nonconforming uses and improvements, including certain of our iconic and most profitable properties. If a substantial portion of any such properties were to be destroyed by fire or other casualty, we might not be permitted to rebuild that property as it now exists, regardless of the availability of insurance proceeds. Any loss of this nature, whether insured or not, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and prospects.

We have investments in joint venture projects, which limit our ability to manage third-party risks associated with these projects.

In certain cases, we are minority participants and do not control the decisions of the joint ventures in which we are involved. Therefore, joint venture investments may involve risks such as the possibility that a co-venturer in an investment might become bankrupt, be unable to meet its capital contribution obligations, have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals or take actions that are contrary to our instructions or to applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we may be unable to take action without the approval of our joint venture partners, or our joint venture partners could take actions binding on the joint venture without our consent. Consequently, actions by a co-venturer or other third-party could expose us to claims for damages, financial penalties and reputational harm, any of which could adversely affect our business and operations. In addition, we may agree to guarantee indebtedness incurred by a joint venture or co-venturer or provide standard indemnifications to lenders for loss liability or damage occurring as a result of our actions or actions of the joint venture or other co-venturers. Such a guarantee or indemnity may be on a joint and several basis with a co-venturer, in which case we may be liable in the event that our co-venturer defaults on its guarantee obligation. The non-performance of a co-venturer’s obligations may cause losses to us in excess of the capital we initially may have invested or committed.

Preparing our financial statements requires us to have access to information regarding the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of our joint ventures. Any deficiencies in our joint ventures’ internal controls over financial reporting may affect our ability to report our financial results accurately or prevent or detect fraud. Such deficiencies also could result in restatements of, or other adjustments to, our previously reported or announced operating results, which could diminish investor confidence and reduce the market price for our shares. Additionally, if our joint ventures are unable to provide this information for any meaningful period or fail to meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to satisfy our financial reporting obligations or timely file our periodic reports.

Although our joint ventures may generate positive cash flow, in some cases they may be unable to distribute that cash to the joint venture partners. Additionally, in some cases our joint venture partners control distributions and may choose to leave capital in the joint venture rather than distribute it. Because our ability to generate liquidity from our joint ventures depends in part on their ability to distribute capital to us, our failure to receive distributions from our joint venture partners could reduce our cash flow return on these investments.

 

36


Table of Contents

We own and lease hotels outside the United States, which exposes us to risks related to doing business in international markets.

Our portfolio includes 16 hotels located outside of the United States, including joint venture interests, and this may increase over time. As a result, we are subject to the risks of doing business outside the United States, including:

 

    rapid changes in governmental, economic and political policy, political or civil unrest, acts of terrorism or the threat of international boycotts or U.S. anti-boycott legislation;

 

    increases in anti-American sentiment and the identification of the licensed brands as an American brand;

 

    recessionary trends or economic instability in international markets;

 

    changes in foreign currency exchange rates or currency restructurings and hyperinflation or deflation in the countries in which we operate;

 

    the effect of disruptions caused by severe weather, natural disasters, outbreak of disease or other events that make travel to a particular region less attractive or more difficult;

 

    the presence and acceptance of varying levels of business corruption in international markets and the effect of various anti-corruption and other laws;

 

    the imposition of restrictions on currency conversion or the transfer of funds or limitations on our ability to repatriate non-U.S. earnings in a tax-efficient manner;

 

    the ability to comply with or effect of complying with complex and changing laws, regulations and policies of foreign governments that may affect investments or operations, including foreign ownership restrictions, import and export controls, tariffs, embargoes, increases in taxes paid and other changes in applicable tax laws;

 

    uncertainties as to local laws regarding, and enforcement of, contract and intellectual property rights;

 

    forced nationalization of our properties by local, state or national governments;

 

    the difficulties involved in managing an organization doing business in many different countries; and

 

    difficulties in complying with U.S. rules governing REITs while operating outside of the United States.

These factors may adversely affect the revenues from and the market value of our properties located in international markets. While these factors and the effect of these factors are difficult to predict, any one or more of them could lower our revenues, increase our costs, reduce our profits or disrupt our business operations.

With respect to our leased hotels, we could be materially and adversely affected if we are found to be in breach of a ground lease or are unable to renew a ground lease.

If we are found to be in breach of certain of our third-party ground leases, we could lose the right to use the applicable hotel. In addition, unless we can purchase a fee interest in the underlying land and improvements or extend the terms of these leases before their expiration, as to which no assurance can be given, we will lose our right to operate these properties and our interest in the improvements upon expiration of the leases. Our ability to exercise any extension options relating to our ground leases is subject to the condition that we are not in default under the terms of the ground lease at the time that we exercise such options, and we can provide no assurances that we will be able to exercise any available options at such time. Furthermore, we can provide no assurances that we will be able to renew any ground lease upon its expiration. If we were to lose the right to use a hotel due to a breach or non-renewal of the ground lease, we would be unable to derive income from such hotel, which could adversely affect us.

 

37


Table of Contents

We will not recognize any increase in the value of the land or improvements subject to our ground leases and may only receive a portion of compensation paid in any eminent domain proceeding with respect to the hotel.

Unless we purchase a fee interest in the land and improvements subject to our ground leases, we will not have any economic interest in the land or improvements at the expiration of our ground leases and therefore we generally will not share in any increase in value of the land or improvements beyond the term of a ground lease, notwithstanding our capital outlay to purchase our interest in the hotel or fund improvements thereon, and will lose our right to use the hotel. Furthermore, if a governmental authority seizes a hotel subject to a ground lease under its eminent domain power, we may only be entitled to a portion of any compensation awarded for the seizure.

We may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities related to recently acquired hotels and the hotels that we may acquire in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability growth.

Our recently acquired hotels, and the hotels that we may acquire in the future, may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which we may have no recourse, or only limited recourse, against the sellers. In general, the representations and warranties provided under the transaction agreements related to the purchase of the hotels we acquire may not survive the completion of the transactions. Furthermore, indemnification under such agreements may be limited and subject to various materiality thresholds, a significant deductible or an aggregate cap on losses. As a result, there is no guarantee that we will recover any amounts with respect to losses due to breaches by the sellers of their representations and warranties. In addition, the total amount of costs and expenses that may be incurred with respect to liabilities associated with these hotels may exceed our expectations, and we may experience other unanticipated adverse effects, all of which could materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

We depend on external sources of capital for future growth; therefore, any disruption to our ability to access capital at times and on terms reasonably acceptable to us may affect adversely our business and results of operations.

Ownership of hotels is a capital intensive business that requires significant capital expenditures to acquire, operate, maintain and renovate properties. To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determine without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain), including taxable income recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes but with regard to which we do not receive cash. As a result, we must finance our growth, fund debt repayments and fund these significant capital expenditures largely with external sources of capital. Our ability to access external capital could be hampered by a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including:

 

    price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions in the U.S. and global equity and credit markets such as occurred during 2008 and 2009;

 

    changes in market perception of our growth potential, including downgrades by rating agencies;

 

    decreases in our current and estimated future earnings;

 

    decreases or fluctuations in the market price of our common stock;

 

    increases in interest rates; and

 

    the terms of our existing indebtedness.

Any of these factors, individually or in combination, could prevent us from being able to obtain the external capital we require on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to finance our future growth and our financial condition and results of operations. Potential consequences of disruptions in U.S. and global equity and credit markets and, as a result, an inability for us to access external capital at times, and on terms, reasonably acceptable to us could include:

 

    a need to seek alternative sources of capital with less attractive terms, such as more restrictive covenants and shorter maturity;

 

38


Table of Contents
    adverse effects on our financial condition and liquidity, and our ability to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, debt service and capital expenditures;

 

    higher costs of capital;

 

    an inability to enter into derivative contracts to hedge risks associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; or

 

    an inability to execute on our acquisition strategy.

We are subject to risks associated with the concentration of our portfolio in the Hilton family of brands. Any deterioration in the quality or reputation of the Hilton brands could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations.

All of our properties as of the date of this information statement utilize brands owned by Hilton. As a result, our ability to attract and retain guests depends, in part, on the public recognition of the Hilton brands and their associated reputation. If the Hilton brands become obsolete or consumers view them as unfashionable or lacking in consistency and quality, we may be unable to attract guests to our hotels.

Changes in ownership or management practices, the occurrence of accidents or injuries, force majeure events, crime, individual guest notoriety or similar events at our hotels or other properties managed, owned or leased by Hilton can harm our reputation, create adverse publicity and cause a loss of consumer confidence in our business. Because of the global nature of the Hilton brands and the broad expanse of its business and hotel locations, events occurring in one location could negatively affect the reputation and operations of otherwise successful individual locations, including properties in our portfolio. In addition, the recent expansion of social media has compounded the potential scope of negative publicity. We also could face legal claims related to negative events, along with resulting adverse publicity. If the perceived quality of the Hilton brands declines, or if Hilton’s reputation is damaged, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

Furthermore, if our relationship with Hilton were to deteriorate or terminate as a result of disputes regarding the management of our hotels or for other reasons, Hilton could, under certain circumstances, terminate our current management agreements or franchise licenses or decline to provide franchise licenses for hotels that we may acquire in the future. If any of the foregoing were to occur, it could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth and impair our ability to compete effectively.

Changes to the Hilton HHonors loyalty program or our access to it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

All of our properties as of the date of this information statement utilize brands owned by Hilton and participate in Hilton’s HHonors guest loyalty and rewards program. Program members accumulate points based on eligible stays and hotel charges and redeem the points for a range of benefits including free rooms and other items of value. The program is an important aspect of our business and of the affiliation value of our hotels. In addition to the accumulation of points for future hotels stays at the Hilton family of brands, Hilton HHonors arranges with third-party service providers, such as airlines and rail companies, to exchange monetary value represented by points for program awards. Currently, the program benefits are not taxed as income to members. We are not the owner of the Hilton HHonors loyalty program and changes to the program or our access to it could negatively impact our business. If the program deteriorates or materially changes in an adverse manner, or is taxed such that a material number of Hilton HHonors members choose to no longer participate in the program, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

39


Table of Contents

Contractual and other disagreements with or involving Hilton or other future third-party hotel managers and franchisors could make us liable to them or result in litigation costs or other expenses.

Our management and franchise agreements with Hilton require us and Hilton to comply with operational and performance conditions that are subject to interpretation and could result in disagreements, and we expect this will be true of any management and franchise agreements that we enter into with future third-party hotel managers or franchisors. At any given time, we may be in disputes with one or more third-party hotel managers or franchisors. Any such dispute could be very expensive for us, even if the outcome is ultimately in our favor. We cannot predict the outcome of any arbitration or litigation, the effect of any negative judgment against us or the amount of any settlement that we may enter into with Hilton or any other third-party. In the event we terminate a management or franchise agreement early and the hotel manager or franchisor considers such termination to have been wrongful, they may seek damages. Additionally, we may be required to indemnify our third-party hotel managers and franchisors against disputes with third parties, pursuant to our management and franchise agreements. An adverse result in any of these proceedings could materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

We are dependent on the performance of Hilton and other third-party hotel managers and could be materially and adversely affected if Hilton or such other third-party hotel managers do not properly manage our hotels or otherwise act in our best interests.

In order for us to qualify as a REIT, with limited exceptions, third parties must operate our hotels. With the exception of the Select Hotels, we lease each of our hotels to our TRS lessees. Our TRS lessees, in turn, will enter or have entered into management agreements with Hilton to operate our hotels. We could be materially and adversely affected if Hilton or any other future third-party hotel manager fails to provide quality services and amenities, fails to maintain a quality brand name or otherwise fails to manage our hotels in our best interest, and can be financially responsible for the actions and inactions of our third-party hotel managers pursuant to our management agreements. In addition, Hilton manages, and in some cases may own or lease, or may have invested in or may have provided credit support or operating guarantees to hotels that compete with our hotels, any of which could result in conflicts of interest. As a result, Hilton may make decisions regarding competing lodging facilities that are not in our best interests. Other third-party hotel managers that we engage in the future may also have similar conflicts of interest. From time to time, disputes may arise between us, Hilton and/or any other future third-party hotel manager regarding their performance or compliance with the terms of the hotel management agreements, which in turn could adversely affect our results of operations. If we are unable to reach satisfactory results through discussions and negotiations, we may choose to terminate our management agreement, litigate the dispute or submit the matter to third-party dispute resolution, the outcome of which may be unfavorable to us.

In the event that we terminate any of our management agreements, we can provide no assurances that we could find a replacement hotel manager or that any replacement hotel manager will be successful in operating our hotels. If any of the foregoing were to occur, it could materially and adversely affect us.

Restrictive covenants in certain of our hotel management and franchise agreements will contain provisions limiting or restricting the sale of our hotels, which could materially and adversely affect our profitability.

Many of our hotel management and franchise agreements with Hilton generally will contain restrictive covenants that will limit or restrict our ability to sell a hotel free of the management or franchise encumbrance without the consent of Hilton. Generally, we may not agree to sell, lease or otherwise transfer particular hotels unless the transferee executes a new agreement or assumes the related hotel management and franchise agreements. If Hilton does not consent to the sale of our hotels, we may be prohibited from taking actions that would otherwise be in our and our stockholders’ best interests. In addition, as noted above, Hilton may have a conflict that results in Hilton’s declining to approve a transfer that would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

 

40


Table of Contents

If we are unable to maintain good relationships with Hilton and other third-party hotel managers and franchisors that we may engage in the future, profitability could decrease and our growth potential may be adversely affected.

The success of our properties largely depends on our ability to establish and maintain good relationships with Hilton and other third-party hotel managers and franchisors that we may engage in the future. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with Hilton and such other third-party hotel managers and franchisors, we may be unable to renew existing management or franchise agreements or expand relationships with them. Additionally, opportunities for developing new relationships with additional third-party managers or franchisors may be adversely affected. This, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to execute our growth strategy.

Costs associated with, or failure to maintain, brand operating standards may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability.

The terms of our franchise agreements and management agreements generally require us to meet specified operating standards and other terms and conditions and compliance with such standards may be costly. We expect that Hilton and any other future third-party franchisors will periodically inspect our hotels to ensure that we and any third-party hotel managers follow brand standards. Failure by us, or any hotel management company that we engage, to maintain these standards or other terms and conditions could result in a franchise license being canceled or the franchisor requiring us to undertake a costly property improvement program. If a franchise license is terminated due to our failure to make required improvements or to otherwise comply with its terms, we also may be liable to the franchisor for a termination payment, which will vary by franchisor and by hotel. If the funds required to maintain brand operating standards are significant, or if a franchise license is terminated, it could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability.

If we were to lose a brand license at one or more of our hotels, the value of the affected hotels could decline significantly and we could incur significant costs to obtain new franchise licenses, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

If we were to lose a brand license, the underlying value of a particular hotel could decline significantly from the loss of associated name recognition, marketing support, participation in guest loyalty programs and the centralized reservation system provided by the franchisor or brand manager, which could require us to recognize an impairment on the hotel. Furthermore, the loss of a franchise license at a particular hotel could harm our relationship with the franchisor or brand manager, which could impede our ability to operate other hotels under the same brand, limit our ability to obtain new franchise licenses or brand management agreements from the franchisor or brand in the future on favorable terms, or at all, and cause us to incur significant costs to obtain a new franchise license or brand management agreement for the particular hotel. Accordingly, if we lose one or more franchise licenses or brand management agreement, it could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

Cyber threats and the risk of data breaches or disruptions of our hotel managers’ or our own information technology systems could materially adversely affect our business.

Hilton is dependent on information technology networks and systems, including the internet, to access, process, transmit and store proprietary and customer information, and other hotel managers that we contract with in the future also will be dependent on such networks. These complex networks include reservation systems, vacation exchange systems, hotel management systems, customer databases, call centers, administrative systems, and third-party vendor systems. These systems require the collection and retention of large volumes of personally identifiable information of hotel guests, including credit card numbers.

 

41


Table of Contents

These information networks and systems can be vulnerable to threats such as system, network or internet failures; computer hacking or business disruption; cyber-terrorism; viruses, worms or other malicious software programs; and employee error, negligence or fraud. The risks from these cyber threats are significant. In November 2015, Hilton Parent announced that it had identified and taken action to eradicate unauthorized malware that targeted payment card information in some point-of-sale systems in its hotels and had determined that specific payment card information was targeted by this malware. We expect Hilton will be subject to additional cyber-attacks in the future and may experience data breaches. We rely on Hilton to protect proprietary and customer information from these threats. Any compromise of Hilton’s networks could result in a disruption to operations, such as disruptions in fulfilling guest reservations, delayed bookings or sales, or lost guest reservations. Any of these events could, in turn, result in disruption of the operations of our hotels, in increased costs and in potential litigation and liability. In addition, public disclosure, or loss of customer or proprietary information could result in damage to Hilton’s reputation and a loss of confidence among hotel guests and result in reputational harm for our hotels, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to the information technologies and systems Hilton uses to operate our hotels, we have our own corporate technologies and systems that are used to access, store, transmit, and manage or support a variety of business processes. There can be no assurance that the security measures we have taken to protect the contents of these systems will prevent failures, inadequacies or interruptions in system services or that system security will not be breached through physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, and attacks by hackers. Disruptions in service, system shutdowns and security breaches in the information technologies and systems we use, including unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, could have a material adverse effect on our business, our financial reporting and compliance, and subject us to liability claims or regulatory penalties which could be significant.

The growth of internet reservation channels could adversely affect our business and profitability.

A significant percentage of hotel rooms for individual guests are booked through internet travel intermediaries. Search engines and peer-to-peer inventory sources also provide online travel services that compete with our hotels. If bookings shift to higher cost distribution channels, including internet travel intermediaries and meeting procurement firms, it could materially impact our profits. Additionally, as intermediary bookings increase, these intermediaries may be able to obtain higher commissions, reduced room rates or other significant contract concessions from our brands and management companies. Moreover, hospitality intermediaries generally employ aggressive marketing strategies, including expending significant resources for online and television advertising campaigns to drive consumers to their websites. As a result, consumers may develop brand loyalties to the intermediaries’ offered brands, websites and reservations systems rather than to the Hilton brands and systems. If this happens, our business and profitability may be significantly affected. Internet travel intermediaries also have recently been subject to regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe. The outcome of this regulatory activity may affect the ability of Hilton to compete for direct bookings through Hilton’s own internet channels, which could have an adverse impact on occupancy at our hotels in Europe.

In addition, although internet travel intermediaries have traditionally competed to attract individual consumers or “transient” business rather than group and convention business, in recent years they have expanded their business to include marketing to large group and convention business. If that growth continues, it could both divert group and convention business away from our hotels and also increase our cost of sales for group and convention business. Consolidation of internet travel intermediaries, and the entry of major internet companies into the internet travel bookings business, also could divert bookings away from Hilton’s websites and increase our cost of sales.

 

42


Table of Contents

The loss of senior executives or key field personnel, such as general managers, could significantly harm our business.

Our ability to maintain our competitive position depends somewhat on the efforts and abilities of our senior executives. Finding suitable replacements for senior executives could be difficult. Losing the services of one or more of these senior executives could adversely affect strategic relationships, including relationships with Hilton or other hotel managers or franchisors, joint venture partners and vendors, and limit our ability to execute our business strategies.

We also rely on the general managers at each of our hotels to manage daily operations and oversee the efforts of employees. These general managers are trained professionals in the hospitality industry and have extensive experience in many markets worldwide. The failure by us, Hilton or other future third-party hotel managers to retain, train or successfully manage the general managers at our hotels could negatively affect our operations.

We are subject to risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly with hotels that employ unionized labor, which could increase our operating costs, reduce the flexibility of our hotel managers to adjust the size of the workforce at our hotels and could materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

We have entered into management agreements with Hilton to operate each of our hotels, with the exception of the Select Hotels. Hilton is generally responsible for hiring and maintaining the labor force at each of the hotels they manage. Although, with the exception of the Select Hotels, we generally do not directly employ or manage employees at our hotels, we are subject to many of the costs and risks generally associated with the hotel labor force. Increased labor costs due to factors like additional taxes or requirements to incur additional employee benefits costs, including the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, may adversely impact our operating costs. Labor costs can be particularly challenging at those of our hotels with unionized labor, and additional hotels may be subject to new collective bargaining agreements in the future.

From time to time, strikes, lockouts, public demonstrations or other negative actions and publicity may disrupt hotel operations at any of our hotels, negatively impact our reputation or the reputation of our brands, or harm relationships with the labor forces at our hotels. We also may incur increased legal costs and indirect labor costs as a result of contract disputes or other events. Additionally, hotels where our hotel managers have collective bargaining agreements with employees are more highly affected by labor force activities than others. The resolution of labor disputes or new or re-negotiated labor contracts could lead to increased labor costs, either by increases in wages or benefits or by changes in work rules that raise hotel operating costs. Furthermore, labor agreements may limit the ability of our hotel managers to reduce the size of hotel workforces during an economic downturn because collective bargaining agreements are negotiated between the hotel managers and labor unions. We do not have the ability to control the outcome of these negotiations.

Our active management and operation of the Select Hotels and the hotel laundry business may expose us to potential liabilities beyond those traditionally associated with lodging REITs.

In addition to owning hotels and engaging a hotel manager to operate our hotels, we also will manage and operate the Select Hotels and, through a TRS, manage and operate the hotel laundry business. Managing and operating the Select Hotels and the hotel laundry business will require us to employ significantly more people than a REIT that does not operate a business of such type and scale. In addition, managing and operating a hotel and hotel laundry business exposes us to potential liabilities associated with the operation of those businesses. Such potential liabilities are not typically associated with lodging REITs and include potential liabilities for environmental violations, wage and hour violations, workplace injury and other employment violations. In the event that one or more of the potential liabilities associated with managing and operating a hotel and hotel laundry business materializes, such liabilities could damage our reputation, and could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations, possibly to a material degree.

 

43


Table of Contents

Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our international operations may increase costs, reduce profits, limit growth or subject us to broader liability.

Our business operations in countries outside the U.S. are subject to a number of laws and regulations, including restrictions imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), as well as trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). The FCPA is intended to prohibit bribery of foreign officials and requires us to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect our transactions. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals. Although we have policies in place designed to comply with applicable sanctions, rules and regulations, it is possible that hotels we own in the countries and territories in which we operate may provide services to persons subject to sanctions. In addition, some of our operations may be subject to the laws and regulations of non-U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.K.’s Bribery Act 2010, which contains significant prohibitions on bribery and other corrupt business activities, and other local anti-corruption laws in the countries and territories in which we conduct operations.

If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we could be exposed to claims for damages, financial penalties, reputational harm and incarceration of employees or restrictions on our operation or ownership of hotels and other properties, including the termination of ownership rights. In addition, in certain circumstances, the actions of parties affiliated with us (including Hilton, other hotel managers or franchisors, joint venture partners, and our and their respective employees and agents) may expose us to liability under the FCPA, U.S. sanctions or other laws. These restrictions could increase costs of operations, reduce profits or cause us to forgo development opportunities that would otherwise support growth.

In August 2012, Congress enacted the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (“ITRSHRA”), which expands the scope of U.S. sanctions against Iran and Syria. In particular, Section 219 of the ITRSHRA amended the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) to require SEC-reporting companies to disclose in their periodic reports specified dealings or transactions involving Iran or other individuals and entities targeted by certain OFAC sanctions engaged in by the reporting company or any of its affiliates. These companies are required to separately file with the SEC a notice that such activities have been disclosed in the relevant periodic report, and the SEC is required to post this notice of disclosure on its website and send the report to the U.S. President and certain U.S. Congressional committees. The U.S. President thereafter is required to initiate an investigation and, within 180 days of initiating such an investigation with respect to certain disclosed activities, to determine whether sanctions should be imposed.

Under ITRSHRA, we will be required to report if we or any of our “affiliates” knowingly engaged in certain specified activities during a period covered by one of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We may engage in activities that would require disclosure pursuant to Section 219 of ITRSHRA. In addition, because the SEC defines the term “affiliate” broadly, it includes any entity controlled by us as well as any person or entity that controls us or is under common control with us. Because we may be deemed to be a controlled affiliate of Blackstone, affiliates of Blackstone may also be considered our affiliates. Hilton and other affiliates of Blackstone have in the past and may in the future be required to make disclosures pursuant to ITRSHRA, including the activities discussed in the disclosures included on Exhibit 99.2 to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Disclosure of such activities, even if such activities are permissible under applicable law, and any sanctions imposed on us or our affiliates as a result of these activities could harm our reputation and brands and have a negative impact on our results of operations.

Governmental regulation may adversely affect the operation of our properties.

In many jurisdictions, the hotel industry is subject to extensive foreign or U.S. federal, state and local governmental regulations, including those relating to the service of alcoholic beverages, the preparation and sale of food and those relating to building and zoning requirements. We and our hotel managers are also subject to licensing and regulation by foreign or U.S. state and local departments relating to health, sanitation, fire and

 

44


Table of Contents

safety standards, and to laws governing our relationships with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions status and citizenship requirements. We and our hotel managers may be required to expend funds to meet foreign or U.S. federal, state and local regulations in connection with the continued operation or remodeling of certain of our properties. The failure to meet the requirements of applicable regulations and licensing requirements, or publicity resulting from actual or alleged failures, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Foreign or U.S. environmental laws and regulations may cause us to incur substantial costs or subject us to potential liabilities.

We are subject to certain compliance costs and potential liabilities under various foreign and U.S. federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern actions including air emissions, the use, storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic substances, and wastewater disposal. Our failure to comply with such laws, including any required permits or licenses, could result in substantial fines or possible revocation of our authority to conduct some of our operations. We could also be liable under such laws for the costs of investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at our currently or formerly owned or leased real property or at third-party locations in connection with our waste disposal operations, regardless of whether or not we knew of, or caused, the presence or release of such substances. From time to time, we may be required to remediate such substances or remove, abate or manage asbestos, mold, radon gas, lead or other hazardous conditions at our properties. The presence or release of such toxic or hazardous substances could result in third-party claims for personal injury, property or natural resource damages, business interruption or other losses. Such claims and the need to investigate, remediate or otherwise address hazardous, toxic or unsafe conditions could adversely affect our operations, the value of any affected real property, or our ability to sell, lease or assign our rights in any such property, or could otherwise harm our business or reputation. Environmental, health and safety requirements have also become increasingly stringent, and our costs may increase as a result. New or revised laws and regulations or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, such as those related to climate change, could affect the operation of our properties or result in significant additional expense and operating restrictions on us or our hotel managers.

The cost of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar legislation outside of the U.S. may be substantial.

We are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and similar legislation in certain jurisdictions outside of the U.S. Under the ADA, all public accommodations are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. These regulations apply to accommodations first occupied after January 26, 1993; public accommodations built before January 26, 1993 are required to remove architectural barriers to disabled access where such removal is “readily achievable.” The regulations also mandate certain operational requirements that hotel operators must observe. The failure of a property to comply with the ADA could result in injunctive relief, fines, an award of damages to private litigants or mandated capital expenditures to remedy such noncompliance. Any imposition of injunctive relief, fines, damage awards or capital expenditures could adversely impact our business or results of operations. If we fail to comply with the requirements of the ADA, we could be subject to fines, penalties, injunctive action, reputational harm and other business effects which could materially and negatively affect our performance and results of operations.

Adverse judgments or settlements resulting from legal proceedings in which we may be involved in the normal course of our business could reduce our profits or limit our ability to operate our business.

In the normal course of our business, we are involved in various legal proceedings. Hilton and other third-party hotel managers that we may engage in the future, whom we indemnify for legal costs resulting from management of our hotels, may also be involved in various legal proceedings relating to the management of our hotels. The outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted. If any of these proceedings were to be determined adversely to us or our third-party hotel managers or a settlement involving a payment of a material sum of money

 

45


Table of Contents

were to occur, it could materially and adversely affect our profits or ability to operate our business. Additionally, we could become the subject of future claims by third parties, including current or former third-party property owners, guests who use our properties, our employees, our investors or regulators. Any significant adverse judgments or settlements would reduce our profits and could limit our ability to operate our business. Further, we may incur costs related to claims for which we have appropriate third-party indemnity, but such third parties fail to fulfill their contractual obligations.

If the insurance that we carry does not sufficiently cover damage or other potential losses or liabilities to third parties involving our properties, our profits could be reduced.

We operate in certain areas where the risk of natural disaster or other catastrophic losses vary, and the occasional incidence of such an event could cause substantial damage to our properties or the surrounding area. We carry insurance from solvent insurance carriers that we believe is adequate for foreseeable first- and third-party losses and with terms and conditions that are reasonable and customary. Nevertheless, market forces beyond our control could limit the scope of the insurance coverage that we can obtain or may otherwise restrict our ability to buy insurance coverage at reasonable rates. In the event of a substantial loss, the insurance coverage that we carry may not be sufficient to pay the full value of our financial obligations, our liabilities or the replacement cost of any lost investment or property. Because certain types of losses are uncertain, they may be uninsurable or prohibitively expensive. In addition, there are other risks that may fall outside the general coverage terms and limits of our policies.

In some cases, these factors could result in certain losses being completely uninsured. As a result, we could lose some or all of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenues, profits, management fees or franchise fees from the property.

Terrorism insurance may not be available at commercially reasonable rates or at all.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area, Congress passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which established the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (the “Program”) to provide insurance capacity for terrorist acts. The Program expired at the end of 2014 but was reauthorized, with some adjustments to its provisions, in January 2015 for six years through December 31, 2020. We carry insurance from solvent insurance carriers to respond to both first-party and third-party liability losses related to terrorism. We purchase our first-party property damage and business interruption insurance from a stand-alone market in place of and to supplement insurance from government run pools. If the Program is not extended or renewed upon its expiration in 2020, or if there are changes to the Program that would negatively affect insurance carriers, premiums for terrorism insurance coverage will likely increase and/or the terms of such insurance may be materially amended to increase stated exclusions or to otherwise effectively decrease the scope of coverage available, perhaps to the point where it is effectively unavailable.

Terrorist attacks and military conflicts may adversely affect the lodging industry.

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 underscore the possibility that large public facilities or economically important assets could become the target of terrorist attacks in the future. In particular, properties that are well-known or are located in concentrated business sectors in major cities where our hotels are located may be subject to the risk of terrorist attacks.

The occurrence or the possibility of terrorist attacks or military conflicts could:

 

    cause damage to one or more of our properties that may not be fully covered by insurance to the value of the damages;

 

    cause all or portions of affected properties to be shut down for prolonged periods, resulting in a loss of income;

 

46


Table of Contents
    generally reduce travel to affected areas for tourism and business or adversely affect the willingness of customers to stay in or avail themselves of the services of the affected properties;

 

    expose us to a risk of monetary claims arising out of death, injury or damage to property caused by any such attacks; and

 

    result in higher costs for security and insurance premiums or diminish the availability of insurance coverage for losses related to terrorist attacks, particularly for properties in target areas, all of which could adversely affect our results.

The occurrence of a terrorist attack with respect to one of our properties could directly and materially adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, the loss of any of our well-known buildings could indirectly affect the value of the brands with which we are affiliated, which would in turn adversely affect our business prospects.

Changes to accounting rules or regulations may adversely affect our reported financial condition and results of operations.

New accounting rules or regulations and varying interpretations of existing accounting rules or regulations have occurred and may occur in the future. A change in accounting rules or regulations may require retrospective application and affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective, and future changes to accounting rules or regulations may adversely affect our reported financial condition and results of operations. See Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for a summary of accounting standards issued but not yet adopted.

Changes to estimates or projections used to assess the fair value of our assets, or operating results that are lower than our current estimates at certain locations, may cause us to incur impairment losses that could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our total assets include goodwill, intangible assets with finite useful lives and substantial amounts of long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, including hotel properties. We evaluate our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value is below the carrying value. We evaluate our intangible assets with finite useful lives and long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Our evaluation of impairment requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions including projections of future results. After performing our evaluation for impairment, including an analysis to determine the recoverability of long-lived assets, we will record an impairment loss when the carrying value of the underlying asset, asset group or reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If the estimates or assumptions used in our evaluation of impairment change, we may be required to record additional impairment losses on certain of these assets. If these impairment losses are significant, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

Exchange rate fluctuations and foreign exchange hedging arrangements could result in significant foreign currency gains and losses and affect our business results.

Conducting business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar subjects us to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could have a negative effect on our financial results. We earn revenues and incur expenses in foreign currencies as part of our operations outside of the U.S. As a result, fluctuations in currency exchange rates may significantly increase the amount of U.S. dollars required for foreign currency expenses or significantly decrease the U.S. dollars received from foreign currency revenues. We also have exposure to currency translation risk because, generally, the results of our business outside of the U.S. are reported in local currency and then translated to U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, changes between the foreign exchange rates and the U.S. dollar will affect the recorded amounts of our foreign assets, liabilities,

 

47


Table of Contents

revenues and expenses and could have a negative effect on our financial results. Our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations will grow if the relative contribution of our operations outside the U.S. increases.

To attempt to mitigate foreign currency exposure, we may enter into foreign exchange hedging agreements with financial institutions. However, these hedging agreements may not eliminate foreign currency risk entirely and involve costs and risks of their own in the form of transaction costs, credit requirements and counterparty risk.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

Our indebtedness and other contractual obligations could adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, our ability to operate our business, our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and our ability to pay our debts and could divert our cash flow from operations for debt payments.

As of December 31, 2015, our total indebtedness was $4.1 billion and the contractual debt maturities of our debt for the years ending December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, were $109 million, $62 million and $3,427 million. Our substantial debt and other contractual obligations could have important consequences, including:

 

    requiring a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures, distributions to stockholders and to pursue future business opportunities;

 

    increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, industry or competitive developments;

 

    exposing us to increased interest expense, as our degree of leverage may cause the interest rates of any future indebtedness (whether fixed or floating rate interest) to be higher than they would be otherwise;

 

    exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of our indebtedness is at variable rates of interest;

 

    making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants, could result in an event of default that accelerates our obligation to repay indebtedness;

 

    restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures;

 

    limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, satisfaction of debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and

 

    limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who may be better positioned to take advantage of opportunities that our leverage prevents us from exploiting.

Certain of our debt agreements impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries, which may prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities.

The debt agreements that govern our outstanding indebtedness impose, and we expect that the credit agreement that will govern our anticipated new senior revolving credit facility will impose, significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may limit our ability and/or the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:

 

    incur or guarantee additional debt or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock;

 

48


Table of Contents
    make certain investments;

 

    incur certain liens;

 

    enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

    merge or consolidate;

 

    enter into agreements that restrict the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make dividends or other payments to the issuers;

 

    designate restricted subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and

 

    transfer or sell assets.

In addition, we expect that the credit agreement that will govern our new senior revolving credit facility will contain certain affirmative covenants that will require us to be in compliance with certain leverage and financial ratios and the mortgage-backed loans of our subsidiaries also will require them to maintain certain debt service coverage ratios and minimum net worth requirements.

As a result of these restrictions, we are limited as to how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We may not be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, we may not be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.

Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above, as well as other terms of our other indebtedness and/or the terms of any future indebtedness from time to time, could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or are unable to refinance these borrowings, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Servicing our indebtedness will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate sufficient cash depends on many factors, some of which are not within our control.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness, to fund planned capital expenditures and to make distributions to our stockholders will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. To a certain extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt and meet our other commitments, we may need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, sell material assets or operations or raise additional debt or equity capital. We may not be able to effect any of these actions on a timely basis, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and these actions may not be sufficient to meet our capital requirements. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt arrangements may restrict us from effecting any of these alternatives. Finally, our ability to raise additional equity capital may be restricted because the issuance of our stock may cause the spin-off to be a taxable event for Hilton Parent under Section 355(e) of the Code, and under the Tax Matters Agreement, we could be required to indemnify Hilton Parent or HGV Parent for that tax and certain covenants may restrict issuances of our stock during the two-year period following the spin-off. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off—Tax Matters Agreement.”

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may be able to incur substantially more debt and enter into other transactions, which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness, including secured debt, in the future. Although we expect that the agreements that will govern substantially all of our indebtedness will contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and entering into certain types of other transactions, these restrictions

 

49


Table of Contents

will be subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions. Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also will not prevent us from incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt instruments. In addition, our organizational documents contain no limitation on the amount of debt we may incur, and our board of directors may change our financing policy at any time without stockholder notice or approval. To the extent new debt is added to our current debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described in the preceding three risk factors would increase.

The use of debt to finance future acquisitions could restrict operations, inhibit our ability to grow our business and revenues, and negatively affect our business and financial results.

We intend to incur additional debt in connection with future hotel acquisitions. We may, in some instances, borrow under our anticipated senior revolving credit facility or borrow new funds to acquire hotels. In addition, we may incur mortgage debt by obtaining loans secured by a portfolio of some or all of the hotels that we own or acquire. If necessary or advisable, we also may borrow funds to make distributions to our stockholders to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that we incur debt in the future and do not have sufficient funds to repay such debt at maturity, it may be necessary to refinance the debt through debt or equity financings, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all and which could be dilutive to our stockholders. If we are unable to refinance our debt on acceptable terms or at all, we may be forced to dispose of hotels at inopportune times or on disadvantageous terms, which could result in losses. To the extent we cannot meet our future debt service obligations, we will risk losing to foreclosure some or all of our hotels that may be pledged to secure our obligation.

For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our hotels would be treated as a sale of the hotel for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the hotel, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but we would not receive any cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code. In addition, we may give full or partial guarantees to lenders of mortgage debt on behalf of the entities that own our hotels. When we give a guarantee on behalf of an entity that owns one of our hotels, we will be responsible to the lender for satisfaction of the debt if it is not paid by such entity. If any of our hotels are foreclosed on due to a default, our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders will be limited.

Hedging against interest rate exposure may adversely affect us.

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we intend to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility by using interest rate hedging arrangements, such as cap agreements and swap agreements. These agreements involve the risks that these arrangements may fail to protect or adversely affect us because, among other things:

 

    interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates;

 

    available interest rate hedges may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;

 

    the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;

 

    the credit quality of the hedging counterparty owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and

 

    the hedging counterparty owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay.

As a result of any of the foregoing, our hedging transactions, which are intended to limit losses, could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, if we fail to maintain adequate hedging arrangements, an increase in interest rates would increase our interest expense on our floating rate debt, including our anticipated revolving

 

50


Table of Contents

credit facility, reducing our cash flow available for other corporate purposes, including investments and distributions to stockholders.

Covenants applicable to future debt could restrict our ability to make distributions to our stockholders, and as a result, we may be unable to make distributions necessary to qualify as a REIT, which could materially and adversely affect us and the market price of our common shares.

We intend to operate in a manner so as to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To qualify as a REIT, we generally are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain, each year to our stockholders. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under the Code. If, as a result of covenants applicable to our future debt, we are restricted from making distributions to our stockholders, we may be unable to make distributions necessary for us to avoid U.S. federal corporate income and excise taxes and to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT, which could materially and adversely affect us.

Risks Related to the Spin-Off

We may be responsible for U.S. federal income tax liabilities that relate to the distribution.

Unless waived by Hilton Parent, the completion of the spin-off is conditioned upon the absence of any withdrawal, invalidation or modification of the IRS Ruling in an adverse manner prior to the effective time of the spin-off. Although the IRS Ruling generally will be binding on the IRS, the continued validity of the IRS Ruling will be based upon and subject to the accuracy of factual statements and representations made to the IRS by Hilton Parent. In addition, there is a risk that the IRS could promulgate new administrative guidance prior to the spin-off that could adversely impact the tax-free treatment of the spin-off (even taking into account the receipt of the IRS Ruling). As a result of the IRS’s general ruling policy with respect to transactions under Section 355 of the Code, the IRS Ruling is limited to specified aspects of the spin-off under Section 355 of the Code and will not represent a determination by the IRS that all of the requirements necessary to obtain tax-free treatment to holders of Hilton Parent’s common stock and to Hilton Parent have been satisfied. Moreover, if any statement or representation upon which the IRS Ruling is based is incorrect or untrue in any material respect, or if the facts upon which the IRS Ruling is based are materially different from the facts that prevail at the time of the spin-off, the IRS Ruling could be invalidated. Additionally, recently enacted legislation denies tax-free treatment to a spin-off in which either the distributing corporation or the spun-off corporation is a REIT and prevents a distributing corporation or a spun-off corporation from electing REIT status for a 10-year period following a tax-free spin-off. Moreover, recently promulgated U.S. Treasury temporary regulations would require the recognition of taxable gain in connection with the spin-off of an entity that is a REIT or elects REIT status. Under effective date provisions, the legislation and temporary regulations do not apply to distributions described in a ruling request initially submitted to the IRS before December 7, 2015. Because the initial request for the IRS Ruling was submitted before that date and because we believe the distribution will be considered to have been described in that initial request, we believe the legislation and temporary regulations will not apply to the spin-off. However, no ruling will be obtained on that issue and thus no assurance can be given in that regard. In particular, the IRS or a court could disagree with our view regarding the effective date provisions based on any differences that exist between the description in the ruling request and the actual facts relating to the spin-off. If the effective date provisions did not apply to the spin-off, either the spin-off would not qualify for tax-free treatment or we would not be eligible to elect REIT status for a 10-year period following the spin-off.

In addition, the spin-off is conditioned on the receipt of an opinion of Spin-off Tax Counsel to the effect that the distributions of Park Parent and HGV Parent common stock should qualify as tax-free distributions under Section 355 of the Code. An opinion of Spin-off Tax Counsel is not binding on the IRS. Accordingly, the IRS may reach conclusions with respect to the spin-off that are different from the conclusions reached in the opinion. The opinion will be based on certain factual statements and representations, which, if incomplete or untrue in any material respect, could alter Spin-off Tax Counsel’s conclusions.

 

51


Table of Contents

Hilton Parent is not aware of any facts or circumstances that would cause any such factual statements or representations in the IRS Ruling or the opinion of Spin-off Tax Counsel to be incomplete or untrue or cause the facts on which the IRS Ruling and legal opinion are based to be materially different from the facts at the time of the spin-off.

If all or a portion of the spin-off does not qualify as a tax-free transaction for any reason, including because any of the factual statements or representations in the IRS Ruling or the legal opinion are incomplete or untrue, because the facts upon which the IRS Ruling is based are materially different from the facts at the time of the spin-off or because one or more sales of our common stock, Hilton Parent common stock or HGV Parent common stock by our respective stockholders, including Blackstone, after the spin-off cause the spin-off not to qualify as a tax-free transaction, we would recognize a substantial gain attributable to the management and franchising business and/or the Timeshare business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and Hilton Parent may recognize a substantial gain attributable to the Separated Real Estate business and/or Timeshare business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such case, under U.S. Treasury regulations, each member of the Hilton consolidated group at the time of the spin-off (including us and our subsidiaries) would be jointly and severally liable for the resulting entire amount of any U.S. federal income tax liability. Additionally, if the distribution of HGV Parent common stock and/or the distribution of Park Parent common stock do not qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, Hilton Parent stockholders will be treated as having received a taxable dividend to the extent of Hilton Parent’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and then would have a tax-free basis recovery up to the amount of their tax basis in their shares and then would have taxable gain from the sale or exchange of the shares to the extent of any excess.

Even if the spin-off otherwise qualifies as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution will be taxable to us and/or to Hilton Parent (but not to Hilton Parent stockholders) pursuant to Section 355(e) of the Code if there are (or have been) one or more acquisitions (including issuances) of our stock, the stock of HGV Parent or the stock of Hilton Parent, representing 50% or more, measured by vote or value, of the stock of any such corporation and the acquisition or acquisitions are deemed to be part of a plan or series of related transactions that include the distribution. Any acquisition of our common stock within two years before or after the distribution (with exceptions, including public trading by less-than-5% stockholders and certain compensatory stock issuances) generally will be presumed to be part of such a plan unless that presumption is rebutted. The resulting tax liability would be substantial, and under U.S. Treasury regulations, each member of the Hilton consolidated group at the time of the spin-off (including us and our subsidiaries) would be jointly and severally liable for the resulting U.S. federal income tax liability.

We will agree not to enter into certain transactions that could cause any portion of the spin-off to be taxable to Hilton Parent, including under Section 355(e) of the Code. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, we also will agree to indemnify Hilton Parent and HGV Parent for any tax liabilities resulting from such transactions or other actions we take, and Hilton Parent and HGV Parent will agree to indemnify us for any tax liabilities resulting from transactions entered into by Hilton Parent or HGV Parent. These obligations may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company. For additional detail, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off—Tax Matters Agreement.”

We may be unable to take certain actions after the spin-off because such actions could jeopardize the tax-free status of the spin-off, and such restrictions could be significant.

To preserve the tax-free treatment of the spin-off, for the initial two-year period following the spin-off, we are prohibited, except in limited circumstances, from taking or failing to take certain actions that would prevent the spin-off and related transactions from being tax-free, including: (1) entering into any transaction pursuant to which our stock would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise; (2) issuing any equity securities or securities that could possibly be converted into our equity securities (other than with respect to the Purging Distribution); or (3) repurchasing our equity securities.

 

52


Table of Contents

These restrictions may limit our ability to issue equity and to pursue strategic transactions or engage in new business or other transactions that may maximize the value of our business. In addition, if we take, or fail to take, actions that prevent the spin-off and related transactions from being tax-free, we could be liable for the adverse tax consequences resulting from such actions. For a more detailed description, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement.”

The spin-off and related transactions may expose us to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws and legal distribution requirements.

The spin-off could be challenged under various state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws. An unpaid creditor or an entity vested with the power of such creditor (such as a trustee or debtor-in-possession in a bankruptcy) could claim that Hilton Parent did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value in the spin-off, and that the spin-off left Hilton Parent insolvent or with unreasonably small capital or that Hilton Parent intended or believed it would incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature. If a court were to agree with such a plaintiff, then such court could void the spin-off as a fraudulent transfer and could impose a number of different remedies, including without limitation, returning our assets or your shares in our company to Hilton Parent or providing Hilton Parent with a claim for money damages against us in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration received by Hilton Parent and the fair market value of our company at the time of the spin-off.

In addition, the Purging Distribution by Park Parent, could similarly be challenged as a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. If a court were to find that the Purging Distribution was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, a court could void the Purging Distribution, require stockholders to return to us some or all of the Purging Distribution or require stockholders to pay as money damages an equivalent of the value of the Purging Distribution. Moreover, stockholders could be required to return any dividends previously paid by us.

The measure of insolvency for purposes of the fraudulent conveyance laws may vary depending on which jurisdiction’s law is applied. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if the fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount of its liabilities (including the probable amount of contingent liabilities), and such entity would be considered to have unreasonably small capital if it lacked adequate capital to conduct its business in the ordinary course and pay its liabilities as they become due. No assurance can be given as to what standard a court would apply to determine insolvency or that a court would determine that Hilton Parent were solvent at the time of or after giving effect to the spin-off, including the distribution of our common stock, or that Park Parent were solvent at the time of or after giving effect to the Purging Distribution.

We could be required to assume responsibility for obligations allocated to Hilton Parent or Hilton Grand Vacations under the Distribution Agreement.

Under the Distribution Agreement and related ancillary agreements, from and after the spin-off, each of Hilton Parent, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations will be generally responsible for the debts, liabilities and other obligations related to the business or businesses which they own and operate following the consummation of the spin-off. Although we do not expect to be liable for any obligations that are not allocated to us under the Distribution Agreement, a court could disregard the allocation agreed to between the parties, and require that we assume responsibility for obligations allocated to Hilton Parent or Hilton Grand Vacations (for example, tax and/or environmental liabilities), particularly if Hilton Parent or Hilton Grand Vacations were to refuse or were unable to pay or perform the allocated obligations. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off—Distribution Agreement.”

In addition, losses in respect of certain shared contingent liabilities, which generally are not specifically attributable to any of the Separated Real Estate business, the Timeshare business or the retained business of Hilton, will be apportioned among the parties according to fixed percentages set forth in the Distribution Agreement. Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, Hilton will generally be vested with the exclusive

 

53


Table of Contents

management and control of all matters pertaining to any such shared contingent liabilities, including the prosecution of any claim and the conduct of any defense. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off—Distribution Agreement.”

We do not have a recent operating history as an independent company and our historical financial information does not predict our future results.

The historical financial information we have included in this information statement has been derived from the consolidated financial statements of Hilton Parent and does not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations and cash flows would have been as a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented. Hilton Parent did not account for us, and we were not operated, as a single stand-alone entity for the periods presented. The costs and expenses reflected in our historical financial statements include an allocation for certain corporate functions historically provided by Hilton Parent. These allocations were based on what we and Hilton Parent considered to be reasonable reflections of the historical utilization levels of these services required in support of our business. The historical information does not necessarily indicate what our results of operations, financial position, cash flows or costs and expenses will be in the future. Our pro forma adjustments reflect changes that may occur in our funding and operations as a result of the separation. However, there can be no assurances that these adjustments will reflect our costs as a publicly traded, stand-alone company. For additional information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements” and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

We may incur greater costs as an independent company than we did when we were part of Hilton.

As part of Hilton, we can take advantage of its size and purchasing power in procuring certain goods and services such as insurance and health care benefits, and technology such as computer software licenses. We also rely on Hilton to provide various corporate functions. After the spin-off, as a separate, independent entity, we may be unable to obtain these goods, services and technologies at prices or on terms as favorable to us as those we obtained prior to the distribution. We may also incur costs for functions previously performed by Hilton that are higher than the amounts reflected in our historical financial statements, which could cause our profitability to decrease.

Our ability to meet our capital needs may be harmed by the loss of financial support from Hilton.

The loss of financial support from Hilton could harm our ability to meet our capital needs. Hilton can currently provide certain capital that may be needed in excess of the amounts generated by our operating activities and historically has provided financing to us at rates that we believe are not representative of the cost of financing that we will incur as a stand-alone company. After the spin-off, we expect to obtain any funds needed in excess of the amounts generated by our operating activities through the capital markets or bank financing, and not from Hilton. However, given the smaller relative size of our company, as compared to Hilton after the spin-off, we may incur higher debt servicing and other costs relating to new indebtedness than we would have otherwise incurred as a part of Hilton. As a stand-alone company, the cost of our financing also will depend on other factors such as our performance and financial market conditions generally. Further, we cannot guarantee you that we will be able to obtain capital market financing or credit on favorable terms, or at all, in the future. We cannot assure you that our ability to meet our capital needs, including servicing our own debt, will not be harmed by the loss of financial support from Hilton.

We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the spin-off.

As discussed under “The Spin-Off—Reasons for the Spin-Off,” we and Hilton believe that a tax-free spin-off will enhance our long-term value. However, by separating from Hilton, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we would have been were we still a part of Hilton. In addition,

 

54


Table of Contents

we may not be able to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as an independent company in the time we expect, if at all.

Our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject following the distribution, and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and the price of our common stock.

Our financial results previously were included within the consolidated results of Hilton Parent, and we believe that our financial reporting and internal controls were appropriate for a subsidiary of a public company. However, we were not directly subject to the reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. As a result of the distribution, we will be directly subject to reporting and other obligations under the Exchange Act. Beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2017, we will be required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) which will require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm as to whether we maintained, in all material respects, effective internal controls over financial reporting as of the last day of the year. These reporting and other obligations may place significant demands on our management, administrative and operational resources, including accounting systems and resources.

The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. To comply with these requirements, we may need to upgrade our systems; implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures; and hire additional accounting and finance staff. We expect to incur additional annual expenses for the purpose of addressing these requirements, and those expenses may be significant. If we are unable to upgrade our financial and management controls, reporting systems, information technology systems and procedures in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies under the Exchange Act could be impaired.

If, during periods we are required to assess the effectiveness of our internal controls, we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting or our independent public accounting firm is unwilling or unable to provide us with an unqualified report on the effectiveness of our internal controls as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, investors may lose confidence in our operating results, the price of our common stock could decline and we may be subject to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions, which would require additional financial and management resources. This could have a material adverse effect on our business and lead to a decline in the price of our common stock.

Following the spin-off, we will be dependent on Hilton Parent to provide certain services pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement.

Currently, we rely on Hilton Parent to provide certain corporate and administrative services such as certain information technology, financial and human resource services. We expect to develop the capability to provide all such services internally at Park Hotels & Resorts. However, to the extent that we are unable to develop such capabilities prior to the separation, we will rely on Hilton Parent to continue to provide certain services for a period of time pursuant to a Transition Services Agreement that we intend to enter in connection with the spin-off. If Hilton Parent is unable or unwilling to provide such services pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, or if the agreement is terminated prior to the end of its term, we may be unable to provide such services ourselves or we may have to incur additional expenditures to obtain such services from another provider.

 

55


Table of Contents

We may have been able to receive better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we receive in our agreements related to the spin-off.

We expect that the agreements related to the spin-off, including the Distribution Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Transition Services Agreements and any other agreements, will be negotiated in the context of our separation from Hilton while we are still part of Hilton. Accordingly, these agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties. The terms of the agreements being negotiated in the context of our separation are related to, among other things, allocations of assets and liabilities, rights and indemnification and other obligations among Hilton Parent, Hilton Grand Vacations and us. To the extent that certain terms of those agreements provide for rights and obligations that could have been procured from third parties, we may have received better terms from third parties because third parties may have competed with each other to win our business. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off.”

The spin-off may not be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, if at all.

We are actively engaged in planning for the spin-off. We expect to incur expenses in connection with the spin-off and any delays in the anticipated completion of the distribution may increase these expenses. Unanticipated developments could delay or negatively impact the distribution, including those related to the filing and effectiveness of appropriate filings with the SEC, the listing of our common stock on a trading market, obtaining the tax opinion regarding the tax-free nature of the spin-off and receiving any required regulatory approvals. In addition, Hilton Parent’s board of directors may, in its absolute and sole discretion, decide at any time prior to the consummation of the spin-off not to proceed with the spin-off. Therefore, we cannot assure that the spin-off will be completed. Until the consummation of the spin-off, Hilton Parent’s board of directors will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the spin-off, including the establishment of the record date and distribution date.

Risks Related to our REIT Status and Certain Other Tax Items

If we do not qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT, we will be subject to tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability.

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. We expect to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. However, qualification as a REIT involves the interpretation and application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which no or only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. Notwithstanding the availability of cure provisions in the Code, we could fail to meet various compliance requirements, which could jeopardize our REIT status. Furthermore, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, then:

 

    we would be taxed as a regular domestic corporation, which under current laws, among other things, means being unable to deduct distributions to stockholders in computing taxable income and being subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates;

 

    any resulting tax liability could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on our book value and financial condition;

 

    unless we were entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, we would be required to pay taxes, and thus, our cash available for distribution to stockholders would be reduced for each of the years during which we did not qualify as a REIT and for which we had taxable income; and

 

    we generally would not be eligible to requalify as a REIT for the subsequent four full taxable years.

 

56


Table of Contents

Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flows.

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. In addition, any of our domestic TRSs will be subject to regular corporate federal, state and local taxes. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distributions to stockholders.

Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification.

To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.

We have no operating history as a REIT, and our inexperience may impede our ability to successfully manage our business or implement effective internal controls.

We have no operating history as a REIT. We cannot assure you that our past experience will be sufficient to successfully operate our company as a REIT. Upon completion of the spin-off, we will be required to implement substantial control systems and procedures to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT. As a result, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we have not previously incurred, and our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to comply with these rules and regulations and establish the corporate infrastructure and controls demanded of a REIT. These costs and time commitments could be substantially more than we currently expect. Therefore, our historical combined consolidated and unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial statements may not be indicative of our future costs and performance as a REIT.

If the distribution is not considered grandfathered under new REIT legislation, we will not be eligible to elect REIT status for a 10-year period following the spin-off.

Recently enacted legislation denies tax-free treatment to a spin-off in which either the distributing corporation or the spun-off corporation is a REIT and prevents a distributing corporation or a spun-off corporation from electing REIT status for a 10-year period following a tax-free spin-off. Moreover, recently promulgated U.S. Treasury temporary regulations would require the recognition of taxable gain in connection with the spin-off of an entity that is a REIT or elects REIT status. Under effective date provisions, the legislation and temporary regulations do not apply to distributions described in a ruling request initially submitted to the IRS before December 7, 2015. Because the initial request for the IRS Ruling was submitted before that date and because we believe the distribution will be considered to have been described in that initial request, we believe the legislation will not apply to the spin-off. However, no ruling will be obtained on that issue and thus no assurance can be given in that regard. In particular, the IRS or a court could disagree with our view regarding the effective date provisions based on any differences that exist between the description in the ruling request and the actual facts relating to the spin-off. If the effective date provisions did not apply to the spin-off, either the spin-off would not qualify for tax-free treatment or we would not be eligible to elect REIT status for a 10-year period following the spin-off.

Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities and limit our expansion opportunities.

To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, our sources of income, the nature of our investments in real estate and related assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. We may also be required to make

 

57


Table of Contents

distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Thus, compliance with REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate or restructure otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify as a REIT, we must also ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets. The remainder of our investments in securities cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer unless we and such issuer jointly elect for such issuer to be treated as a TRS under the Code. The total value of all of our investments in TRSs cannot exceed 25% of the value of our total assets (and 20% in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017). No more than 5% of the value of our assets can consist of the securities of any one issuer other than a TRS. In addition, not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are “nonqualified” debt instruments. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we must dispose of a portion of our assets within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter to avoid losing our REIT status and suffering adverse tax consequences.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.

The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income from a hedging transaction we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets (each such hedge, a “Borrowings Hedge”), or to manage risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations with respect to any item of qualifying income (each such hedge, a “Currency Hedge”), if clearly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations, does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests that we must satisfy to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT. This exclusion from the 95% and 75% gross income tests also will apply if we previously entered into a Borrowings Hedge or a Currency Hedge, a portion of the hedged indebtedness or property is disposed of and in connection with such extinguishment or disposition, we enter into a new properly identified hedging transaction to offset the prior hedging position. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Park Parent.” As a result of these rules, we intend to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through one or more domestic TRSs. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRSs would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in any TRS generally will not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income in such TRS.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to borrow to make distributions to stockholders.

From time to time, our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders. If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we may be unable to distribute substantially all of our taxable income as required by the REIT provisions of the Code. Thus, we could be required to borrow funds, raise additional equity capital, sell a portion of our assets at disadvantageous prices or find another alternative. These options could increase our costs or reduce our equity.

The ownership of our TRSs (including our TRS lessees) increases our overall tax liability.

Our domestic TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income, which in the case of our TRS lessees, will consist of the revenues from the hotels leased by our TRS lessees, net of the operating expenses for such hotels and rent payments to us. Accordingly, although our ownership of our

 

58


Table of Contents

TRS lessees will allow us to participate in the operating income from our hotels in addition to receiving rent, that operating income will be fully subject to income tax. The after-tax net income of each TRS lessee is available for distribution to us.

Our TRS lessee structure subjects us to the risk of increased hotel operating expenses that could adversely affect our operating results and our ability to make distributions to stockholders.

Our leases with our TRS lessees require such TRS lessees to pay us rent based in part on revenues from our hotels. Our operating risks include decreases in hotel revenues and increases in hotel operating expenses, including but not limited to the increases in wage and benefit costs, repair and maintenance expenses, energy costs, property taxes, insurance costs and other operating expenses, which would adversely affect each TRS lessees’ ability to pay us rent due under the leases.

Increases in these operating expenses can have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, the market price of our common shares and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Our ownership of our TRSs, and any other TRSs we form, will be subject to limitations, and our transactions with our TRSs, and any other TRSs we form, will cause us to be subject to a 100% penalty tax on certain income or deductions if those transactions are not conducted on arm’s-length terms.

Overall, no more than 25% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs (and 20% in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017). In addition, the Code limits the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The Code also imposes a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. The 100% tax would apply, for example, to the extent that we were found to have charged our TRS lessees rent in excess of an arm’s-length rent. Furthermore, it is our policy to evaluate material intercompany transactions and to attempt to set the terms of such transactions so as to achieve substantially the same result as they believe would have been the case if they were unrelated parties. As a result, we believe that all material transactions between and among us and the entities in which we own a direct or indirect interest have been and will be negotiated and structured with the intention of achieving an arm’s-length result and that the potential application of the 100% excise tax will not have a material effect on us. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to comply with the TRS limitation or to avoid application of the 100% excise tax.

If the leases of our hotels to our TRS lessees are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.

To qualify as a REIT, we must annually satisfy two gross income tests, under which specified percentages of our gross income must be derived from certain sources, such as “rents from real property.” Rents paid to us by our TRS lessees pursuant to the leases of our hotels will constitute substantially all of our gross income. In order for such rent to qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the gross income tests, the leases must be respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not be treated as service contracts, financing arrangements, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. If our leases are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.

If Hilton or any other future third-party hotel managers do not qualify as “eligible independent contractors,” or if our hotels are not “qualified lodging facilities,” we will fail to qualify as a REIT.

Rent paid by a lessee that is a “related party tenant” of ours will not be qualifying income for purposes of the two gross income tests applicable to REITs. An exception is provided, however, for leases of “qualified lodging facilities” to a TRS so long as the hotels are managed by an “eligible independent contractor” and certain

 

59


Table of Contents

other requirements are satisfied. We expect to lease all or substantially all of our hotels to our TRS lessees and to engage third-party hotel managers (including Hilton, which manages nearly all of our hotels) that qualify as “eligible independent contractors.” Among other requirements, to qualify as an eligible independent contractor (i) the hotel manager and/or one or more actual or constructive owners of 10% or more of the hotel manager cannot own, actually or constructively, more than 35% of our outstanding shares, and (ii) one or more actual or constructive owners of more than 35% of the hotel manager cannot own 35% or more of our outstanding shares (determined by taking into account only the shares held by persons owning, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our outstanding shares because our shares will be regularly traded on an established securities market and, if the stock of the hotel manager is regularly traded on an established securities market, determined by taking into account only shares held by persons owning, actually or constructively, more than 5% of the publicly traded stock of the hotel manager). The ownership attribution rules that apply for purposes of these 35% thresholds are complex, and monitoring actual and constructive ownership of our shares by our hotel managers and their owners may not be practical. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that these ownership levels will not be exceeded, in particular, with respect to Hilton.

In addition, for a hotel management company to qualify as an eligible independent contractor, such company or a related person must be actively engaged in the trade or business of operating “qualified lodging facilities” (as defined below) for one or more persons not related to the REIT or its TRSs at each time that such company enters into a hotel management contract with a TRS or its TRS lessee. As of the date hereof, we believe Hilton operates qualified lodging facilities for certain persons who are not related to us or our TRSs. However, no assurances can be provided that any of our current and future hotel managers will in fact comply with this requirement. Failure to comply with this requirement would require us to find other hotel managers for future contracts, and, if we hired a management company without knowledge of the failure, it could jeopardize our status as a REIT.

Finally, each property with respect to which our TRS lessees pay rent must be a “qualified lodging facility.” A “qualified lodging facility” is a hotel, motel or other establishment more than one-half of the dwelling units in which are used on a transient basis, including customary amenities and facilities, provided that no wagering activities are conducted at or in connection with such facility by any person who is engaged in the business of accepting wagers and who is legally authorized to engage in such business at or in connection with such facility. As of the date hereof, we believe that the properties that are leased to our TRS lessees are qualified lodging facilities. Although we intend to monitor future acquisitions and improvements of properties, REIT provisions of the Code provide no or only limited guidance for making determinations under the requirements for qualified lodging facilities, and there can be no assurance that these requirements will be satisfied.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not permit any person to own more than 4.9% of our outstanding common stock or more than 4.9% of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock, and attempts to acquire our common stock or any class or series of our preferred stock in excess of these 4.9% limits would not be effective without an exemption from these limits by our board of directors.

For us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% of the value of our outstanding stock may be owned directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (including certain entities treated as individuals for this purpose) during the last half of a taxable year. In addition, for the rental income we receive on the hotels leased to our TRS lessees and managed by Hilton (or another hotel manager) to be qualifying REIT income, Hilton (or the other hotel manager) must qualify as an “eligible independent contractor.” For Hilton (or another hotel manager) to qualify as an “eligible independent contractor,” there cannot be 35% or more overlapping ownership between our stock and Hilton Parent stock (or the other hotel manager’s stock), counting, for this purpose, only persons owning more than 5% of our outstanding stock and more than 5% of the outstanding Hilton Parent stock (or other hotel manager’s stock), provided our stock and Hilton Parent stock (or other hotel manager’s stock) is regularly traded on an established securities market. For the purpose of assisting our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will prohibit beneficial or constructive ownership by any person (other than certain existing holders and certain

 

60


Table of Contents

transferees) of more than 4.9%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock or more than 4.9%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock, which we refer to as the “ownership limit.” We expect that, prior to the completion of the spin-off, our board of directors will grant an exemption from the ownership limit to Blackstone and its affiliates. The constructive ownership rules under the Code and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation are complex and may cause shares of the outstanding common stock or preferred stock owned by a group of related persons to be deemed to be constructively owned by one person. As a result, the acquisition of less than 4.9% of our outstanding common stock or any class or series of our preferred stock by a person could cause a person to own constructively in excess of 4.9% of our outstanding common stock or any class or series of our preferred stock, respectively, and thus violate the ownership limit. There can be no assurance that our board of directors, as permitted in the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, will not decrease this ownership limit in the future. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common stock or preferred stock in excess of the ownership limit without the consent of our board of directors will result either in the shares in excess of the limit being transferred by operation of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation to a charitable trust, and the person who attempted to acquire such excess shares will not have any rights in such excess shares, or in the transfer being void.

The ownership limit may have the effect of precluding a change in control of us by a third party, even if such change in control would be in the best interests of our stockholders or would result in receipt of a premium to the price of our common stock (and even if such change in control would not reasonably jeopardize our REIT status). The exemptions to the ownership limit granted to date may limit our board of directors’ power to increase the ownership limit or grant further exemptions in the future.

Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income payable to certain non-corporate U.S. stockholders has been reduced by legislation to 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Although this legislation does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause certain non-corporate investors to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our common stock.

We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could increase our tax liability, reduce our operating flexibility and reduce the price of our common stock.

In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made in the provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to investments similar to an investment in shares of our common stock. Additional changes to the tax laws are likely to continue to occur, and we cannot assure you that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of a stockholder. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our shares or on the market value or the resale potential of our assets. We urge you to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the impact of recent legislation on your investment in our shares and the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our shares. Although REITs generally receive certain tax advantages compared to entities taxed as regular corporations, it is possible that future legislation would result in a REIT having fewer tax advantages, and it could become more advantageous for a company that invests in real estate to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a corporation. As a result, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides our board of directors with the power, under certain circumstances, to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election and cause us to be taxed as a regular corporation, without the approval of our stockholders.

 

61


Table of Contents

Even if we qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT, we could be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in our assets held before electing to be treated as a REIT.

Following our REIT election, we will own appreciated assets that were held by a C corporation and will be acquired by us in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands will be determined by reference to the adjusted basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation. If we dispose of any such appreciated assets during the ten-year period following our intended qualification as a REIT, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that we became a REIT over the adjusted tax basis of such assets on such date, which are referred to as built-in gains. We would be subject to this tax liability even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT. Any recognized built-in gain will retain its character as ordinary income or capital gain and will be taken into account in determining REIT taxable income and our distribution requirement. Any tax on the recognized built-in gain will reduce REIT taxable income. We may choose not to sell in a taxable transaction appreciated assets we might otherwise sell during the ten-year period in which the built-in gain tax applies to avoid the built-in gain tax. However, there can be no assurances that such a taxable transaction will not occur. If we sell such assets in a taxable transaction, the amount of corporate tax that we will pay will vary depending on the actual amount of net built-in gain or loss present in those assets as of the time we became a REIT. The amount of tax could be significant.

There are uncertainties relating to the Purging Distribution.

Hilton Parent will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the spin-off between Hilton Parent, Hilton Grand Vacations and us in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Code. As a result of our intended election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we will declare a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to non-REIT years, including the earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year ending on the date of the spin-off. Failure to declare the Purging Distribution before          and pay it before          could result in our disqualification as a REIT. The amount of earnings and profits to be distributed is a complex factual and legal determination. We currently believe and intend that our Purging Distribution will satisfy the requirements relating to the distribution of our pre-REIT accumulated earnings and profits. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS will agree with our calculation or Hilton Parent’s allocation of earnings and profits to us. If the IRS is successful in asserting that we have additional amounts of pre-REIT earnings and profits, there are procedures generally available to cure any failure to distribute all of our pre-REIT earnings and profits, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement such procedures.

We will pay the Purging Distribution in a combination of common stock and cash and may pay other dividends on our common stock in a combination of common stock and cash. Our stockholders may sell shares of our common stock to pay tax on such dividends, placing downward pressure on the market price of our common stock.

We will pay the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and common stock. Each stockholder will be permitted to elect to receive the stockholder’s entire entitlement under the Purging Distribution in either cash or common stock, subject to the limitation on the amount of cash to be distributed in the aggregate to all of our stockholders (the “Cash Limitation”). The Cash Limitation will in no event be less than 20% of the Purging Distribution declaration (without regard to any cash that may be paid in lieu of fractional shares). If our stockholders elect to receive an amount of cash in excess of the Cash Limitation, each such electing stockholder will receive a pro rata amount of cash corresponding to the stockholder’s respective entitlement under the Purging Distribution declaration. In the Purging Distribution and any other distribution paid in a combination of cash and common stock, stockholders will be required to report dividend income as a result of such distribution even though we distributed no cash or only nominal amounts of cash to such stockholder.

 

62


Table of Contents

In addition, in connection with our qualification as a REIT, we are required to annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. To satisfy this requirement, we may make distributions that are payable in cash and/or shares of our common stock (which could account for a significant amount of such distributions) at the election of each stockholder. Taxable stockholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of such distributions as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, U.S. stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such distributions in excess of the cash portion of the distribution received. Accordingly, U.S. holders receiving a distribution of our shares may be required to sell shares received in such distribution or may be required to sell other stock or assets owned by them, at a time that may be disadvantageous, to satisfy any tax imposed on such distribution. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock that it receives as part of the distribution to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount it must include in income with respect to the distribution, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. holders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such distribution, including in respect of all or a portion of such distribution that is payable in stock, by withholding or disposing of part of the shares included in such distribution and using the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our common stock to pay taxes owed on dividend income, such sale may put downward pressure on the market price of our common stock.

Various tax aspects of such a taxable cash/stock distribution are uncertain and have not yet been addressed by the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not impose requirements in the future with respect to taxable cash/stock distributions, including on a retroactive basis, or assert that the requirements for such taxable cash/stock distributions have not been met.

If the total cash payable to stockholders in the Purging Distribution is limited, the amount of cash received by each stockholder is dependent on the election of other stockholders.

The total amount of cash payable in the Purging Distribution will be limited to no less than 20% of the total value of the Purging Distribution (without regard to any cash that may be paid in lieu of fractional shares). The balance of the Purging Distribution will be in the form of shares of our common stock. Each stockholder will be permitted to elect to receive the stockholder’s entire entitlement under the Purging Distribution in either cash or our common stock, subject to the Cash Limitation. If our stockholders elect to receive an amount of cash in excess of the Cash Limitation, or less than 20% of the total value of the Purging Distribution, each such electing stockholder will receive a pro rata amount of cash corresponding to the stockholder’s respective entitlement under the Purging Distribution declaration. Therefore, stockholders may not receive exactly the dividend that they elect and may receive a pro rata amount of the Cash Limitation and shares of our common stock.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

Upon consummation of the spin-off, approximately            % of the voting power in Park Parent will be controlled by Blackstone and its affiliates and their interests may conflict with ours or yours in the future.

Immediately following the spin-off, Blackstone and its affiliates will beneficially own approximately             % of our common stock, although less than a majority of the total voting power. We expect that              members of our initial board of directors will be Blackstone employees. Accordingly, for so long as Blackstone and its affiliates retain significant ownership of us, Blackstone will have significant influence with respect to our management, business plans and policies, including the appointment and removal of our officers. In particular, for so long as Blackstone and its affiliates continue to own a significant percentage of our stock, Blackstone may be able to cause or prevent a change of control of our company or a change in the composition of our board of directors and could preclude any unsolicited acquisition of our company. The concentration of ownership could

 

63


Table of Contents

deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your shares of common stock as part of a sale of our company and ultimately might affect the market price of our common stock.

Blackstone and its affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities, including investments in real estate generally and in the hospitality industry in particular. In the ordinary course of their business activities, Blackstone and its affiliates may engage in activities where their interests conflict with our interests or those of our stockholders. For example, all of the hotels that we own or lease as of the date of this information statement utilize brands licensed from Hilton, and each of these hotels, other than the Select Hotels, will be operated by Hilton under management agreements with Hilton. Blackstone and its affiliates own a significant portion of the outstanding stock of Hilton Parent and have significant influence with respect to the management, business plans and policies of Hilton Parent. In addition, Blackstone and its affiliates own interests in Extended Stay America, Inc. and La Quinta Holdings Inc., and certain other investments in the hotel industry and may pursue ventures that compete directly or indirectly with us. Moreover, affiliates of Blackstone may directly and indirectly own interests in other third-party hotel management companies and franchisors with whom we may engage in the future, may compete with us for investment opportunities and may enter into other transactions with us, including hotel development projects, that could result in their having interests that could conflict with ours. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that none of Blackstone, any of its affiliates or any director who is not employed by us (including any non-employee director who serves as one of our officers in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her affiliates will have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities or similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. Blackstone also may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may be unavailable to us. In addition, Blackstone may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to you.

Our board of directors may change significant corporate policies without stockholder approval.

Our investment, financing, borrowing and dividend policies and our policies with respect to all other activities, including growth, debt, capitalization and operations, will be determined by our board of directors. These policies may be amended or revised at any time and from time to time at the discretion of our board of directors without a vote of our stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also will provide that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. In addition, our board of directors may change our policies with respect to conflicts of interest provided that such changes are consistent with applicable legal requirements. A change in these policies or the termination of our REIT election could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, our results of operations, our cash flow, the per share trading price of our common stock and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law might discourage or delay acquisition attempts for us that you might consider favorable.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will contain provisions that may make the merger or acquisition of our company more difficult without the approval of our board of directors. Among other things:

 

    the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed under the caption “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” prevent any person from acquiring more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock without the approval of our board of directors;

 

   

although we do not have a stockholder rights plan, and would either submit any such plan to stockholders for ratification or cause such plan to expire within a year, these provisions would allow us

 

64


Table of Contents
 

to authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock in connection with a stockholder rights plan or otherwise, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval, and which may include super voting, special approval, dividend, or other rights or preferences superior to the rights of the holders of common stock;

 

    these provisions prohibit stockholder action by written consent from and after the date on which Blackstone and its affiliates cease to beneficially own at least 40 percent of the total voting power of all then outstanding shares of our capital stock unless such action is recommended by all directors then in office;

 

    these provisions provide that our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws and that our stockholders may only amend our bylaws with the approval of 80 percent or more of all the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote; and

 

    these provisions establish advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to our board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Further, as a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, which may impair a takeover attempt that our stockholders may find beneficial. These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions under Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company, including actions that our stockholders may deem advantageous, or negatively affect the trading price of our common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors of your choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions you desire.

There is no existing market for our common stock and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop for our common stock. In addition, once our common stock begins trading, the market price and trading volume of our common stock may fluctuate widely.

There is no current trading market for our common stock. Our common stock distributed in the spin-off will be trading publicly for the first time. We expect that a limited trading market for Park Parent common stock, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop at least two trading days prior to the record date for the distribution, and we expect “regular-way” trading of Park Parent common stock will begin the first trading day after the distribution date. However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will develop as a result of the spin-off or be sustained in the future. The lack of an active trading market may make it more difficult for you to sell your shares and could lead to our share price being depressed or more volatile.

For many reasons, including the risks identified in this information statement, the market price of our common stock following the spin-off may be more volatile than the market price of Hilton Parent common stock before the spin-off. These factors may result in short-term or long-term negative pressure on the value of our common stock.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade after the spin-off. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

 

    a shift in our investor base;

 

    our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of comparable companies;

 

    actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

 

    our ability to obtain financing as needed;

 

    changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;

 

65


Table of Contents
    changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

    announcements by us or our competitors of significant investments, acquisitions or dispositions;

 

    the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after the spin-off;

 

    changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

 

    the operating performance and stock price of comparable companies;

 

    overall market fluctuations;

 

    a decline in the real estate markets; and

 

    general economic conditions and other external factors.

Moreover, securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of shares without regard to our operating performance. For example, the trading prices of equity securities issued by REITs historically have been affected by changes in market interest rates. One of the factors that may influence the market price of our common stock is the annual yield from distributions on our common stock as compared to yields on other financial instruments. An increase in market interest rates, or a decrease in our distributions to stockholders, may lead prospective purchasers of shares of our common stock to demand a higher distribution rate or seek alternative investments. As a result, if interest rates rise, it is likely that the market price of our common stock will decrease as market rates on interest-bearing securities increase. In addition, our operating results could be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors, and in response the market price of our shares could decrease significantly. The market value of the equity securities of a REIT is also based upon the market’s perception of the REIT’s growth potential and its current and potential future cash distributions, whether from operations, sales or refinancings, and is secondarily based upon the real estate market value of the underlying assets. For that reason, our common stock may trade at prices that are higher or lower than our net asset value per share. To the extent we retain operating cash flow for investment purposes, working capital reserves or other purposes, these retained funds, while increasing the value of our underlying assets, may not correspondingly increase the market price of our common stock. Our failure to meet the market’s expectations with regard to future earnings and cash distributions likely would adversely affect the market price of our common stock and, in such instances, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

Future issuances of common stock by us, and the availability for resale of shares held by Blackstone and its affiliates, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could substantially decrease the market price of our common stock. Upon consummation of the spin-off, substantially all of the outstanding shares of our common stock will be available for resale in the public market. The market price of our common stock could drop significantly if the holders of these shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. In addition, Blackstone will pledge substantially all of the shares of our common stock held by it pursuant to a margin loan agreement and any foreclosure upon those shares could result in sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, which could substantially decrease the market price of our common stock.

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement that we will enter into in connection with the spin-off as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement,” we will grant Blackstone an unlimited number of “demand” registrations and customary “piggyback” registration rights. In addition, none of the shares outstanding upon consummation of the spin-off, including those held by Blackstone and its affiliates, will be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and will be freely tradable subject to certain restrictions in the case of shares held by persons deemed to be

 

66


Table of Contents

our affiliates. Accordingly, the market price of our stock could decline if Blackstone or its affiliates exercise their registration rights, sell their shares in the open market or otherwise or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them.

Upon consummation of the spin-off, we expect to have an aggregate of              shares of common stock issuable upon vesting or exercise of outstanding options and an aggregate of              shares of common stock available for future issuance under our Omnibus Incentive Plan. We will file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our Omnibus Incentive Plan. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statements will be available for sale in the open market.

In addition, we expect to declare the Purging Distribution in              and to make the Purging Distribution no later than             , as described in “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.” The Purging Distribution will be paid to our stockholders in a combination of cash and Park Parent common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. The Purging Distribution may result in dilution of your ownership of our common stock to the extent you elect and receive a greater portion of the Purging Distribution in cash than other participating stockholders.

The cash available for distribution to stockholders may not be sufficient to pay dividends at expected levels, nor can we assure you of our ability to make distributions in the future. We may use borrowed funds to make distributions.

We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. The Code generally requires that a REIT annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain, and imposes tax on any taxable income retained by a REIT, including capital gains. We anticipate making quarterly distributions to our stockholders. We expect that the cash required to fund our dividends will be covered by cash generated by operations. However, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders will depend upon the performance of our asset portfolio. If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow to allow us to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements, we may be required to fund distributions from working capital, borrow funds, raise additional equity capital, sell assets or reduce such distributions. If such cash available for distribution decreases in future periods from expected levels, our inability to make the expected distributions could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows us to issue preferred stock that could have a preference over our common stock as to distributions. See “Distribution Policy.” All distributions will be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our REIT qualification and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We may not be able to make distributions in the future. In addition, some of our distributions may include a return of capital. To the extent that we decide to make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in their shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it has the effect of reducing the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its investment. To the extent that distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares, they will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such stock. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.” If we borrow to fund distributions, our future interest costs would increase, thereby reducing our earnings and cash available for distribution from what they otherwise would have been.

The stock ownership limits imposed by the Code for REITs and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation restrict stock transfers and/or business combination opportunities, particularly if our management and board of directors do not favor a combination proposal.

In order for us to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in

 

67


Table of Contents

the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year following our first year. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, with certain exceptions, authorizes our board of directors to take the actions that are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Unless exempted by our board of directors, no person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) may directly or indirectly, beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 4.9%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock, or more than 4.9%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock.

Our board may, in its sole discretion, grant an exemption to the ownership limits, subject to certain conditions and the receipt by our board of certain representations and undertakings. In addition, our board of directors may change the share ownership limits. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also prohibits any person from: (1) beneficially or constructively owning, as determined by applying certain attribution rules of the Code, our stock if that would result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; (2) beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would cause any person, including Hilton Parent, to fail to qualify as our eligible independent contractor; (3) transferring stock if such transfer would result in our stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons; and (4) beneficially owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in our failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code. The stock ownership limits contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation key off the ownership at any time by any “person,” which term includes entities, and take into account direct and indirect ownership as determined under various ownership attribution rules in the Code. The stock ownership limits also might delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and shares of preferred stock may prevent a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock. In addition, our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase the aggregate number of our shares of common stock or the number of shares of any class or series of preferred stock that we have authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified stock. As a result, our board of directors may establish a series of common stock or preferred stock that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

68


Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This information statement contains forward-looking statements including in the sections entitled “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “The Spin-Off,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business and Properties,” that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources, the benefits resulting from our separation from Hilton, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations and other non-historical statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “projects,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this information statement. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we distribute this information statement.

The risk factors discussed in “Risk Factors” could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. Any such risks could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.

 

69


Table of Contents

THE SPIN-OFF

Background

On February 26, 2016, Hilton Parent announced its intention to implement the spin-off of Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations from Hilton, following which Park Parent and HGV Parent will be independent, publicly traded companies. As part of the spin-off, Hilton will effect an internal reorganization to properly align the appropriate businesses within each of Park Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Grand Vacations and Hilton Parent. We refer to such reorganization as the “internal reorganization.”

To complete the spin-off, Hilton Parent will, following the internal reorganization, distribute to its stockholders all of the outstanding shares of our common stock and the common stock of HGV Parent. The distribution will occur on the distribution date, which is expected to be                     , 2016. Each holder of Hilton Parent common stock will receive one share of our common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock held at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on                     , 2016, the record date. After completion of the spin-off:

 

    we will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded company (NYSE: PK), and will hold a portfolio of Hilton’s real estate assets and certain other assets and operations as described herein;

 

    HGV Parent will be an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: HGV), and will own and operate Hilton’s timeshare business; and

 

    Hilton will continue to be an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: HLT) and continue to own and operate its management and franchising business and will continue to hold certain real estate assets not transferred to Park Hotels & Resorts as part of the spin-off.

Each holder of Hilton Parent common stock will continue to hold his, her or its shares in Hilton Parent. No vote of Hilton Parent stockholders is required or is being sought in connection with the spin-off, including the internal reorganization, and Hilton Parent stockholders will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the spin-off.

The distribution of our common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. In addition, Hilton has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of Hilton Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not then in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, that a sale or other alternative is in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents or that it is not advisable for us to separate from Hilton at that time. See “—Conditions to the Spin-Off.”

We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution.

As a result of our intended election to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we will make the Purging Distribution by declaring a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years, including the earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year ending on the date of the spin-off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to Park Parent stockholders in a combination of cash and Park Parent common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in Park Parent common stock. Additionally, we expect to declare the Purging Distribution in              and to make the Purging Distribution no later than                      . We currently expect the aggregate amount of the Purging Distribution will be between $         million and $         million. See “—The Purging Distribution.”

 

70


Table of Contents

Reasons for the Spin-Off

Hilton Parent’s board of directors has determined that the spin-off is in the best interests of Hilton Parent and its stockholders because the spin-off will provide the following key benefits:

 

    Direct and Differentiated Access to Capital Resources to Pursue Tailored Growth Strategies . Following the spin-off, Park Parent will be free to allocate capital with a focus on optimizing the value of our portfolio without having to balance the countervailing economic imperatives of a capital-light management and franchising business. As a pure-play real estate company with direct access to capital and independent financial resources, we believe our enhanced ability to execute compelling return on investment initiatives within our portfolio represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. Moreover, the anticipated liquidity of our stock should enhance our ability to pursue single-asset and portfolio acquisition opportunities. Similarly, as a pure-play hotel management and franchising company, Hilton Parent expects to benefit from alignment with a dedicated investor base, resulting in enhanced and more efficient access to capital to pursue a growth strategy best suited for its core, capital-light fee business.

 

    Enhanced Investor Choices by Offering Investment Opportunities in Separate Entities. Hilton’s management and franchising and real estate businesses exhibit different financial and operating characteristics and appeal to different types of investors with different investment goals and risk profiles. Finding investors who want to invest in the businesses together is more challenging than finding investors for each business individually. After the spin-off, investors should be better able to evaluate the financial performance of each company, as well as its strategy within the context of its particular market, thereby enhancing the likelihood that each company will achieve an appropriate market valuation.

 

    Dedicated Management Team with Enhanced Strategic Focus . Following the spin-off, Hilton’s management and franchising and real estate businesses will no longer compete for the attention and resources of a single management team and will benefit from dedicated management teams focused on designing and implementing tailored strategies to achieve the distinct goals and opportunities of each business. Moreover, free from constraints that arise from being part of a larger hotel management business, Park Parent’s dedicated management team will be able to more effectively and independently oversee the management of our properties to ensure optimal results are achieved and will be able to pursue separate and optimal business strategies.

 

    Improved Management Incentive Tools . We expect to use equity-based and other incentive awards to compensate current and future employees. In multi-business companies such as Hilton, it is difficult to structure incentives that reward employees in a manner directly related to the performance of their respective business units. By granting awards linked to the performance of a pure-play business, the compensation arrangements of each company should provide enhanced incentives for employee performance and improve the ability of each company to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.

 

    Tax-Efficient Structure. The spin-off will allow Hilton Parent’s stockholders to hold their interest in the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio, comprising most of Hilton Parent’s ownership segment, through an entity that will elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe this will result in Hilton Parent’s stockholders realizing significant tax savings on the earnings from the portfolio of Park Hotels & Resorts.

Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off

The general terms and conditions relating to the spin-off will be set forth in a Distribution Agreement among us, Hilton Parent and HGV Parent.

 

71


Table of Contents

Internal Reorganization

As part of the spin-off, Hilton will undergo an internal reorganization, which we refer to as the “internal reorganization,” pursuant to which, among other things and subject to limited exceptions: (i) all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) associated with the Separated Real Estate business will be retained by or transferred to us or our subsidiaries; (ii) all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) associated with the Timeshare business will be retained by or transferred to HGV Parent or its subsidiaries; (iii) all other assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) of Hilton will be retained by or transferred to Hilton Parent or its subsidiaries (other than us, HGV Parent and our respective subsidiaries); and (iv) Park Parent will distribute all of the stock of HGV Parent and Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. to Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, a subsidiary of Hilton Parent, in distributions intended to qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code.

Distribution of Shares of Our Common Stock

Under the Distribution Agreement, the distribution will be effective as of                 , Eastern time, on                     , 2016, the distribution date. As a result of the spin-off, on the distribution date, each holder of Hilton Parent common stock will receive one share of our common stock for every              shares of Hilton Parent common stock that he, she or it owns as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, on                 , 2016, the record date. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined based on the number of shares of Hilton Parent common stock expected to be outstanding as of the record date and will be reduced to the extent that cash payments are to be made in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Park Parent. The actual number of shares of Park Parent common stock to be distributed will be calculated on the record date. The shares of Park Parent common stock to be distributed by Hilton Parent will constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of Park Parent common stock immediately prior to the distribution.

On the distribution date, Hilton Parent will release the shares of our common stock to our distribution agent to distribute to Hilton Parent stockholders. For most Hilton Parent stockholders, our distribution agent will credit their shares of our common stock to book-entry accounts established to hold their shares of our common stock. Our distribution agent will send these stockholders a statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock. Book-entry refers to a method of recording stock ownership in our records in which no physical certificates are issued. For stockholders who own Hilton Parent common stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of our common stock will be credited to these stockholders’ accounts by the broker or other nominee. It may take the distribution agent up to two weeks to issue shares of our common stock to Hilton Parent stockholders or to their bank or brokerage firm electronically by way of direct registration in book-entry form. Trading of our stock will not be affected by this delay in issuance by the distribution agent. As further discussed below, we will not issue fractional shares of our common stock in the distribution.

Hilton Parent stockholders will not be required to make any payment or surrender or exchange their shares of Hilton Parent common stock or take any other action to receive their shares of our common stock. No vote of Hilton Parent stockholders is required or sought in connection with the spin-off, including the internal reorganization, and Hilton Parent stockholders have no appraisal rights in connection with the spin-off.

Transaction Costs

One-time costs related to the spin-offs of Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations are expected to be approximately $450 million, consisting of approximately $250 million of estimated transaction costs, including debt issuance costs, legal, accounting and capital markets fees and expenses, certain tax and other costs relating to the internal reorganization, and approximately $200 million for the acceleration of taxes associated with certain cancellation of debt income related to the financing transactions. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, these costs and expenses are to be borne by                             .

 

72


Table of Contents

Organizational Structure

The simplified diagrams below (which omit certain wholly owned intermediate holding companies) depict the organizational structure of Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations before and after giving effect to the spin-offs.

Current Hilton Organizational Structure

 

LOGO

Organizational Structure Following the Spin-Offs

 

LOGO

 

73


Table of Contents

Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards

It is expected that, with respect to Hilton Parent equity-based awards outstanding under the Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Hilton Parent Incentive Plan”) on the distribution date held by current and former employees (the “Hilton Parent Employees”), non-employee directors of Hilton Parent or employees of ours who serve as General Managers at our properties outside of the United States (“Park GMs”) as of the separation, the number of Hilton Parent shares subject to such awards will be adjusted to reflect the distribution and any reverse stock split of shares of Hilton Parent effected in connection with the separation, but will otherwise remain outstanding and subject to unchanged terms and conditions. Awards held by any individual who is employed by Park Hotels & Resorts as of the separation (each, a “Park Hotels Employee”), other than those Park Hotels Employees who are Park GMs, will be converted into awards that will settle in shares of Park Parent common stock and adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the intrinsic value of the award.

Stock Options. It is expected that each outstanding option to purchase shares of Hilton Parent common stock held by a Park Hotels Employee on the distribution date, whether vested or unvested, will be converted into an option to purchase shares of Park Parent common stock, without any changes to the original terms and conditions of such Hilton Parent stock option, except for appropriate adjustments to the number of shares subject to the option and the exercise price payable per share in order to preserve its intrinsic value immediately following the separation. Hilton Parent stock options held by Hilton Parent Employees will be adjusted with respect to the number of shares subject to each such option and the exercise price payable per share in order to preserve the intrinsic value immediately following the separation.

Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Units.  It is expected that outstanding restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that will settle in shares of Hilton Parent common stock held by Park Hotels Employees, other than Park GMs, on the distribution date and that are subject to time-based vesting will be converted into RSUs that will settle in Park Parent common stock, without any changes to the original terms and conditions of such Hilton Parent RSUs, except for appropriate adjustments to the number of shares subject to such RSUs in order to preserve their value immediately following the separation. As discussed above, it is not expected that any changes will be made with respect to RSUs held by Hilton Parent Employees other than appropriate adjustments to the number of Hilton Parent shares subject to the RSUs in order to preserve the value of the award immediately following the separation.

Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Shares.  It is expected that the applicable performance period for each of the currently outstanding performance-vesting restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and performance-vesting restricted stock (“Performance Shares”) that will be settled in shares of Hilton Parent common stock that were granted in 2014, which performance period was originally scheduled to end on December 31, 2016, will instead be deemed to end as of a date prior to the record date for the distribution. The Hilton Parent Compensation Committee will determine and certify the extent to which such awards have vested based on actual performance through such earlier date. Such PSUs and Performance Shares will then vest and be settled in shares of Hilton Parent common stock prior to the separation.

It is expected that outstanding PSUs and Performance Shares that will settle in shares of Hilton Parent common stock that were granted in 2015 and 2016 and are held by Hilton Parent Employees and Park Hotels Employees on the distribution date will be converted into time-vesting RSUs or restricted shares that will settle in shares of Hilton Parent or Park Parent common stock, as applicable, based on a performance level to be determined by the Hilton Parent Compensation Committee prior to the distribution date. The number of shares of Hilton Parent or Park Parent common stock, as applicable, subject to each award will be adjusted in order to preserve the value of the award immediately following the separation (the “Converted PSUs” or “Converted Performance Shares”). Subject to each such holder’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date, the Converted PSUs and Converted Performance Shares will vest on the date that the performance period applicable to the Converted PSUs or Converted Performance Shares, as applicable, prior to their conversion would have otherwise ended and settle in shares of either Hilton Parent or Park Parent common stock, as applicable.

 

74


Table of Contents

Director-Held Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Units. It is expected that outstanding unvested time-vesting RSUs that will settle in shares of Hilton Parent common stock that are held by non-employee directors will vest and be settled as of a date prior to the record date of the distribution, and such non-employee directors will receive shares of HGV Parent and Park Parent common stock in connection with the distribution on the same terms as other holders of Hilton Parent common stock.

Continued Vesting. It is expected that the service-vesting requirements in effect for each equity-based award will remain unchanged in connection with the separation, and Park Hotels Employees will be given credit for service prior to the separation with Hilton Parent and continued service with Park Parent after the separation.

Treatment of Fractional Shares

The distribution agent will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to Hilton Parent stockholders. Instead, as soon as practicable on or after the distribution date, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional shares of our common stock to which Hilton Parent stockholders of record would otherwise be entitled into whole shares, sell them in the open market at the prevailing market prices and then distribute the aggregate net sale proceeds ratably to Hilton Parent stockholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional shares of our common stock. The amount of this payment will depend on the prices at which the distribution agent sells the aggregated fractional shares of our common stock in the open market shortly after the distribution date and will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld for tax purposes and any brokerage fees and other expenses incurred in connection with these sales of fractional shares. Receipt of the proceeds from these sales generally will result in a taxable gain or loss to those Hilton Parent stockholders. Each stockholder entitled to receive cash proceeds from these shares should consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to the stockholder’s particular circumstances. The tax consequences of the distribution are described in more detail under “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

The Purging Distribution

Hilton Parent will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the spin-off between Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and Park Parent in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Code. As a result of our intended election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we intend to declare a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years, including the earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year ending on the date of the spin-off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to our stockholders in a combination of cash and our common stock, subject to a limitation on the amount of cash to be distributed in the aggregate to all of our stockholders (the “Cash Limitation”). The Cash Limitation will in no event be less than 20% of the Purging Distribution declaration (without regard to any cash that may be paid in lieu of fractional shares). We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in our common stock. Additionally, we expect to declare the Purging Distribution in              and to make the Purging Distribution no later than             . We currently expect the amount of the Purging Distribution will be between approximately $         million and $         million. The expected Purging Distribution range was based upon an assumption of relative valuations and an accumulated earnings and profit analysis, using historic tax returns through the tax year ended 2015 and estimates for the tax year ended 2016. The amount of earnings and profits to be distributed is a complex factual and legal determination. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our REIT Status and Certain Other Tax Items—There are uncertainties relating to the Purging Distribution.”

If our stockholders elect to receive an amount of cash in excess of the Cash Limitation, each such electing stockholder will receive a pro rata amount of cash corresponding to the stockholder’s respective entitlement under the Purging Distribution declaration. Hilton Parent has received the IRS Ruling, which, in addition to addressing issues relevant to the tax-free treatment of the spin-off, addresses certain issues related to our payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our stock. In general, the IRS Ruling with respect to the

 

75


Table of Contents

Purging Distribution provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) any and all of the cash and stock distributed by us to our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be treated as a taxable distribution of property with respect to our stock and (2) the amount of any distribution of stock received by any of our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead. In the Purging Distribution, a holder of our common stock will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if we distribute no cash or only nominal amounts of cash to such stockholder.

We urge you to consult with your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Purging Distribution to you, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the holders of shares of Hilton Parent common stock in connection with the spin-off. This summary is based on the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this information statement and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and may change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the tax consequences described below. This summary assumes that the spin-off will be consummated in accordance with the Distribution Agreement and as described in this information statement.

Except as specifically described below, this summary is limited to holders of shares of Hilton Parent common stock that are U.S. Holders, as defined immediately below. For purposes of this summary, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of Hilton Parent common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

    a trust (1) with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (2) that has a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

This summary does not discuss all tax considerations that may be relevant to stockholders in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address the consequences to stockholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

 

    persons acting as nominees or otherwise not as beneficial owners;

 

    dealers or traders in securities or currencies;

 

    broker-dealers

 

    traders in securities that elect to use the mark to market method of accounting;

 

    tax-exempt entities;

 

    cooperatives;

 

    banks, trusts, financial institutions or insurance companies;

 

    persons who acquired shares of Hilton Parent common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

 

76


Table of Contents
    stockholders who own, or are deemed to own, at least 10% or more, by voting power or value, of Hilton Parent equity;

 

    holders owning Hilton Parent common stock as part of a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, conversion, constructive sale, synthetic security, integrated investment, or other risk reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

    regulated investment companies;

 

    REITs;

 

    former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States;

 

    holders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

    pass-through entities (such as entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes); or

 

    persons that own Hilton Parent common stock through partnerships or other pass-through entities.

This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to Hilton Parent stockholders who do not hold shares of Hilton Parent common stock as a capital asset. Moreover, this summary does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences or any estate or gift tax consequences or tax consequences other than U.S. federal income tax consequences.

If a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of Hilton Parent common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the spin-off.

YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN LAW THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.

Treatment of the Spin-Off

Hilton has received the IRS Ruling on certain specific issues relevant to the qualification of the spin-off as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, based on certain facts and representations set forth in its request for the IRS Ruling. The IRS Ruling does not address all of the requirements for tax-free treatment of the spin-off, and Hilton Parent expects to receive an opinion from Spin-off Tax Counsel to the effect that the distributions of Park Parent and HGV Parent common stock should qualify as tax-free distributions under Section 355 of the Code. An opinion from tax counsel is not binding on the IRS. Accordingly, the IRS may reach conclusions with respect to the spin-off that are different from the conclusions reached in the opinion. The opinion will be based on certain factual statements and representations, which, if incomplete or untrue in any material respect, could alter the Spin-off Tax Counsel’s conclusions.

Assuming the distributions of our common stock and HGV Parent common stock qualifies as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    no gain or loss will be recognized by Hilton Parent as a result of the spin-off;

 

    no gain or loss will be recognized by, or be includible in the income of, a holder of Hilton Parent common stock solely as a result of the receipt of our common stock in the spin-off;

 

   

the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Hilton Parent common stock, shares of HGV Parent common stock and shares of our common stock, including any fractional share deemed received, in the hands of

 

77


Table of Contents
 

each Hilton Parent stockholder immediately after the spin-off will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Hilton Parent common stock held by such holder immediately before the spin-off, allocated between the shares of Hilton Parent common stock, shares of HGV Parent common stock and shares of our common stock, including any fractional share deemed received, in proportion to their relative fair market values immediately following the spin-off;

 

    the holding period with respect to shares of our common stock received by Hilton Parent stockholders will include the holding period of their shares of Hilton Parent common stock, provided that such shares of Hilton Parent common stock are held as capital assets immediately following the spin-off; and

 

    a holder of Hilton Parent common stock who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock in the spin-off will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the tax basis of the fractional share deemed to be received, as determined above, and the amount of cash received.

Hilton Parent stockholders that have acquired different blocks of Hilton Parent common stock at different times or at different prices are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of their aggregate adjusted basis among, and their holding period of, our common stock, HGV Parent common stock and Hilton common stock.

Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, the IRS Ruling will be based on certain facts and representations and undertakings, from Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and us that certain necessary conditions to obtain tax-free treatment under the Code have been satisfied. Furthermore, as a result of the IRS’s general ruling policy with respect to distributions under Section 355 of the Code, the IRS will only rule on significant issues relevant to the tax-free treatment of such a distribution. Accordingly, the spin-off is conditioned upon the receipt by Hilton Parent of an opinion from Spin-off Tax Counsel, in which such Spin-off Tax Counsel is expected to conclude that the distributions of Park Parent and HGV Parent common stock should qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code.

The opinion will rely on the IRS Ruling as to matters covered by such ruling. The opinion will be based on, among other things, current law and certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters made by Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and us. Any change in currently applicable law, which may or may not be retroactive, or the failure of any factual representation or assumption to be true, correct and complete in all material respects, could adversely affect the conclusions reached by Spin-off Tax Counsel in the opinion. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the courts may not agree with the opinion. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods. As a result, the opinion is not expected to be issued until after the date of this information statement. The opinion will represent Spin-off Tax Counsel’s best legal judgment based on current law and is not binding on the IRS or any court. We cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with the conclusions expected to be set forth in the opinion, and it is possible that the IRS or another tax authority could adopt a position contrary to one or all of those conclusions and that a court could sustain that contrary position. If any of the facts, representations, assumptions, or undertakings described or made in connection with the IRS Ruling or the opinion are not correct, are incomplete or have been violated, the IRS Ruling could be revoked retroactively or modified by the IRS, and our ability to rely on the opinion could be jeopardized. We are not aware of any facts or circumstances, however, that would cause these facts, representations, or assumptions to be untrue or incomplete, or that would cause any of these undertakings to fail to be complied with, in any material respect.

Recently enacted legislation denies tax-free treatment to a spin-off in which either the distributing corporation or the spun-off corporation is a REIT and prevents a distributing corporation or a spun-off corporation from electing REIT status for a 10-year period following a tax-free spin-off. Moreover, recently promulgated U.S. Treasury temporary regulations would require the recognition of taxable gain in connection with the spin-off of an entity that is a REIT or elects REIT status. Under effective date provisions, the legislation

 

78


Table of Contents

and temporary regulations do not apply to distributions described in a ruling request initially submitted to the IRS before December 7, 2015. Because the initial request for the IRS Ruling was submitted before that date and because we believe the distribution will be considered to have been described in that initial request, we believe the legislation and temporary regulations will not apply to the spin-off. However, no ruling will be obtained on that issue and thus no assurance can be given in that regard. In particular, the IRS or a court could disagree with our view regarding the effective date provisions based on any differences that exist between the description in the ruling request and the actual facts relating to the spin-off. If the effective date provisions do not apply to the spin-off, either the spin-off would not qualify for tax-free treatment or we would not be eligible to elect REIT status for a 10-year period following the spin-off.

If, notwithstanding the conclusions included in the IRS Ruling and the opinion, it is ultimately determined that the distribution of Park Parent common stock, the distribution of HGV Parent common stock and/or certain internal reorganization transactions and distributions do not qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we could recognize taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of HGV Parent common stock and/or shares of certain entities holding the management and franchising business, in each case held by us over our tax basis in such shares. Hilton Parent may recognize incremental gain, if any, equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of our common stock held by Hilton Parent over its tax basis in such shares. In addition, if the distribution of HGV Parent common stock and/or the distribution of Park Parent common stock do not qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, each Hilton Parent stockholder that receives shares of HGV Parent common stock and shares of our common stock in the spin-off would be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of HGV Parent common stock and/or the fair market value of our common stock that was distributed to the stockholder, which would generally be taxed as a dividend to the extent of the stockholder’s pro rata share of Hilton Parent’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, including Hilton Parent’s taxable gain, if any, on the spin-off, then treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s basis in the Hilton Parent stock and thereafter treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of Hilton Parent stock. Additionally, certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts would be required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on “net investment income,” (or, in the case of an estate or trust, on “undistributed net investment income”) which includes, among other things, any amounts treated as a dividend on or gain from the sale or exchange of Hilton Parent stock. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding this tax on net investment income

Even if the spin-off otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code, the spin-off may result in corporate level taxable gain to us and/or to Hilton Parent under Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more, by vote or value, of Hilton Parent’s stock, HGV Parent’s stock or our stock is treated as acquired or issued as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the spin-off (including as a result of transactions occurring before the spin-off). If an acquisition or issuance of Hilton’s stock, HGV Parent’s stock or our stock triggers the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, we and/or Hilton Parent would recognize taxable gain as described above, but the distribution would generally be tax-free to each of Hilton Parent’s stockholders, as described above.

Treasury regulations require each U.S. Holder that owns at least 5% of the total outstanding common stock of Hilton Parent to attach to their U.S. federal income tax returns for the year in which the spin-off occurs a statement setting forth certain information with respect to the transaction. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine whether they are required to provide the foregoing statement and the contents thereof.

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of our common stock will be distributed to Hilton Parent stockholders in connection with the spin-off. All such fractional shares resulting from the spin-off will be aggregated and sold by the transfer agent, and the proceeds, if any, less any brokerage commissions or other fees, will be distributed to Hilton Parent stockholders in accordance with their fractional interest in the aggregate number of shares sold. A holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock as a part of the spin-off generally will recognize

 

79


Table of Contents

capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for such fractional share and the holder’s tax basis in the fractional share determined as described above. Any such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a Hilton Parent stockholder held such stock for more than one year at the completion of the spin-off. Long-term capital gains generally are subject to preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax for certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

Results of the Spin-Off

After the spin-off, we will be an independent, self-administered, publicly traded lodging REIT. Immediately following the spin-off, we expect to have approximately              record holders of shares of our common stock and approximately              shares of our common stock outstanding, based on the number of stockholders and outstanding shares of Hilton Parent common stock on                     , 2016 and the distribution ratio. The figures exclude shares of Hilton Parent common stock held directly or indirectly by Hilton Parent, if any. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined on the record date and will reflect any repurchases of shares of Hilton Parent common stock and issuances of shares of Hilton Parent common stock in respect of awards under Hilton Parent equity-based incentive plans between the date the Hilton Parent board of directors declares the dividend for the distribution and the record date for the distribution.

For information regarding equity awards settleable in shares of our common stock that will be outstanding after the distribution, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off—Employee Matters Agreement” and “Management.”

Before the spin-off, we will enter into several agreements with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent to effect the spin-off and provide a framework for our relationship with Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations after the spin-off. These agreements will govern the relationship among us, Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations after completion of the spin-off and provide for the allocation among us, Hilton Grand Vacations and Hilton of the assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of Hilton. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off.”

Trading Prior to the Distribution Date

It is anticipated that, at least two trading days prior to the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, there will be a “when-issued” market in our common stock. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The when-issued trading market will be a market for shares of our common stock that will be distributed to Hilton Parent stockholders on the distribution date. Any Hilton Parent stockholder who owns shares of Hilton Parent common stock at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the record date will be entitled to shares of our common stock distributed in the spin-off. Hilton Parent stockholders may trade this entitlement to shares of our common stock, without the shares of Hilton Parent common stock they own, on the when-issued market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, we expect when-issued trading with respect to our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin. See “Trading Market.”

Following the distribution date, we expect shares of our common stock to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PK”. We will announce the when-issued ticker symbol when and if it becomes available.

It is also anticipated that, at least two trading days prior to the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, there will be two markets in Hilton Parent common stock: a “regular-way” market; and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of Hilton Parent common stock that trade on the regular-way market will trade with an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to shares of our common stock

 

80


Table of Contents

distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if shares of Hilton Parent common stock are sold in the regular-way market up to and including the distribution date, the selling stockholder’s right to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution will be sold as well. However, if Hilton Parent stockholders own shares of Hilton Parent common stock as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the record date and sell those shares on the ex-distribution market up to and including the distribution date, the selling stockholders will still receive the shares of our common stock that they would otherwise receive pursuant to the distribution. See “Trading Market.”

Financing Transactions

Subject to market conditions, Park Hotels & Resorts expects to complete one or more financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain of its existing indebtedness, which we expect will result in an estimated net reduction from its outstanding indebtedness at June 30, 2016 of between $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion. We have not yet identified the specific indebtedness to be repaid or refinanced or specific sources of funds. There can be no assurances that any such financing transactions will be completed in the timeframe or size indicated or at all.

In addition, we anticipate that prior to the completion of the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts will enter into a senior revolving facility permitting borrowings of up to $         , which is expected to be undrawn on completion of the spin-off.              The financing transactions will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

Conditions to the Spin-Off

We expect that the spin-off will be effective as of 5:31 p.m., Eastern time, on                     , 2016, the distribution date, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived by Hilton:

 

    the final approval by the board of directors of Hilton Parent of the spin-off and all related transactions and the determination of the record date, which approval may be given or withheld at its absolute and sole discretion;

 

    our Registration Statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, shall have been declared effective by the SEC, no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall be in effect, no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC, and this information statement, or a notice of internet availability thereof, shall have been mailed to the Hilton Parent stockholders;

 

    Park Parent common stock shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of distribution;

 

    Hilton Parent shall have obtained an opinion from Spin-off Tax Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to Hilton Parent, to the effect that the distributions of Park Parent common stock and HGV Parent common stock should qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code;

 

    the IRS Ruling shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect;

 

    the receipt by Park Parent of a tax opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Park Parent, to the effect that, commencing with Park Parent’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2016, Park Parent should be considered to be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation should enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;

 

    prior to the distribution date, the Hilton Parent board of directors shall have obtained opinions from a nationally recognized valuation firm, in form and substance satisfactory to Hilton, with respect to the capital adequacy and solvency of each of Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations after giving effect to the spin-off;

 

81


Table of Contents
    any material governmental approvals and other consents necessary to consummate the spin-off shall have been received;

 

    no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of all or any portion of the spin-off shall be pending, threatened, issued or in effect, and no other event shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of all or any portion of the spin-off;

 

    no other events or developments shall have occurred or failed to occur that, in the judgment of the board of directors of Hilton Parent, would result in the distribution having a material adverse effect on Hilton or its stockholders;

 

    the internal reorganization shall have been completed, except for such steps as Hilton Parent in its sole discretion shall have determined may be completed after the distribution date;

 

    all necessary actions shall have been taken to cause the board of directors of Park Parent to consist of the individuals identified in this information statement as directors of Park Parent;

 

    all necessary actions shall have been taken to cause the officers of Park Parent to be the individuals identified as such in this information statement;

 

    all necessary actions shall have been taken to adopt the form of amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws filed by Park Parent with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part; and

 

    each of the Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement shall have been executed by each party.

Completion of the spin-off of Hilton Grand Vacations will be subject to similar conditions as those listed above. The fulfillment of the foregoing conditions will not create any obligation on the part of Hilton to effect the spin-off. We are not aware of any material federal, foreign or state regulatory requirements that must be complied with or any material approvals that must be obtained, other than compliance with SEC rules and regulations, approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, by the SEC, in connection with the distribution. Hilton has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of Hilton Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not then in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, that a sale or other alternative is in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents or that it is not advisable for Park Hotels & Resorts to separate from Hilton at that time.

Reasons for Furnishing this Information Statement

This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to Hilton Parent stockholders that are entitled to receive shares of our common stock in the spin-off. This information statement is not, and is not to be construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy, hold or sell any of our securities or any securities of Hilton. We believe that the information in this information statement is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes may occur after that date and neither Hilton nor we undertake any obligation to update the information except in the normal course of our respective public disclosure obligations.

 

82


Table of Contents

TRADING MARKET

Market for Our Common Stock

There is currently no public market for our common stock, and an active trading market may not develop or may not be sustained. We anticipate that trading of our common stock will commence on a “when-issued” basis at least two trading days prior to the record date and continue through the distribution date. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. When-issued trades generally settle within four trading days after the distribution date. If you own shares of Hilton Parent common stock as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern time on the record date, you will be entitled to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the spin-off. You may trade this entitlement to shares of our common stock, without the shares of Hilton Parent common stock you own, on the when-issued market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, any when-issued trading with respect to our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin. We intend to list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PK”. We will announce our when-issued trading symbol when and if it becomes available.

It is also anticipated that, at least two trading days prior to the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, there will be two markets in Hilton Parent common stock: (i) a “regular-way” market; and (ii) an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of Hilton Parent common stock that trade on the regular-way market will trade with an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of Hilton Parent common stock in the regular-way market up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. However, if you own shares of Hilton Parent common stock as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the record date and sell those shares on the ex-distribution market up to and including the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of our common stock that you would otherwise receive pursuant to the distribution.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade before the spin-off on a “when-issued” basis or after the spin-off. Those prices will be determined by the marketplace. Prices at which trading in our common stock occurs may fluctuate significantly. Those prices may be influenced by many factors, including anticipated or actual fluctuations in our operating results or those of other companies in our industry, investor perception of our company and the lodging industry, market fluctuations and general economic conditions. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the performance of many stocks and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These are just some factors that may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock” for further discussion of risks relating to the trading prices of our common stock.

Transferability of Shares of Our Common Stock

On                     , 2016, Hilton Parent had approximately          million shares of its common stock issued and outstanding. Based on this number, we expect that upon completion of the spin-off, we will have approximately          million shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Subject to the ownership limits set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and described under “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer,” the shares of our common stock that you will receive in the distribution will be freely transferable, unless you are considered an “affiliate” of ours under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Persons who can be considered our affiliates after the spin-off generally include individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, us, and may include certain of our officers and directors. As of the distribution date, we estimate that our directors and officers will beneficially own in the aggregate less than              percent of our shares. In

 

83


Table of Contents

addition, individuals who are affiliates of Hilton Parent on the distribution date may be deemed to be affiliates of ours. Our affiliates may sell shares of our common stock received in the distribution only:

 

    under a registration statement that the SEC has declared effective under the Securities Act; or

 

    under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144.

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, an affiliate will be entitled to sell, within any three-month period commencing 90 days after the date that the registration statement of which this information statement is a part is declared effective, a number of shares of our common stock that does not exceed the greater of:

 

    1.0% of our common stock then outstanding; or

 

    the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to restrictions relating to manner of sale and the availability of current public information about us.

In the future, we may adopt new equity-based compensation plans and issue stock-based awards. We currently expect to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to register shares to be issued under these equity plans. Shares issued pursuant to awards after the effective date of that registration statement, other than shares issued to affiliates, generally will be freely tradable without further registration under the Securities Act.

Except for our common stock distributed in the distribution and employee-based equity awards, none of our equity securities will be outstanding immediately after the spin-off.

As of the date of this information statement, Blackstone entities have pledged, hypothecated or granted security interests in substantially all of the shares of Hilton Parent common stock held by them pursuant to a margin loan agreement with customary default provisions. We anticipate that shares of our common stock received by Blackstone in the spin-off in respect of such pledged Hilton Parent shares would similarly be subject to the lien of such margin loan agreement. Accordingly, in the event of a default under the margin loan agreement, the secured parties may foreclose upon any and all shares of common stock pledged to them and may seek recourse against the borrower.

 

84


Table of Contents

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. The Code generally requires that a REIT annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain, and imposes tax on any taxable income retained by a REIT, including capital gains. To satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and to avoid paying tax on our income, we intend to make quarterly distributions of all, or substantially all, of our REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to our stockholders.

In addition, as a result of our intended election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we intend to declare the Purging Distribution as described under “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.” The Purging Distribution will be paid to our stockholders in a combination of cash and our common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in our common stock. Additionally, we expect to declare the Purging Distribution in              and to make the Purging Distribution no later than                     . We currently expect the aggregate amount of the Purging Distribution will be between approximately $         million and $         million. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.”

Our future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors. When determining the amount of future distributions, we expect that our board of directors will consider, among other factors, (1) the amount required to be distributed to qualify and maintain our status as a REIT and to reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, (2) the amount of cash generated from our operating activities, (3) our expectations of future cash flows, (4) our determination of near-term cash needs for debt repayments, existing or future share repurchases, and selective acquisitions of new properties, (5) the timing of significant capital investments and expenditures and the establishment of any cash reserves, (6) our ability to continue to access additional sources of capital, (7) any limitations on our distributions contained in our debt agreements, including, without limitation, in our anticipated revolving credit facility, and (8) the sufficiency of legally available assets.

We expect that the cash required to fund our dividends will be covered by cash generated by operations. However, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders will depend upon the performance of our asset portfolio. To the extent we are prevented by provisions of our financing arrangements or otherwise from distributing 100% of our REIT taxable income or otherwise do not distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to income tax, and potentially excise tax, on the retained amounts. If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow to allow us to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements, we may be required to fund distributions from working capital, borrow funds, raise additional equity capital, sell assets or reduce such distributions. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows us to issue preferred stock that could have a preference over our common stock as to distributions. The distribution preference on any preferred stock that we may issue in the future could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our common stock. In addition, our board of directors could change our distribution policy in the future. See “Risk Factors.”

Distributions to our stockholders will be generally taxable to them as ordinary income, although a portion of our distributions may be designated by us as capital gain or qualified dividend income or may constitute a return of capital or taxable gain. We will furnish annually to each of our stockholders a statement setting forth distributions paid during the preceding year and their characterization as ordinary income, return of capital, qualified dividend income or capital gain. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

85


Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and capitalization as of June 30, 2016 on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Spin-Off and the related transactions, as if they occurred on June 30, 2016. Explanation of the pro forma adjustments made to the historical combined consolidated financial statements can be found under “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.” The following table should be reviewed in conjunction with “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

    As of June 30, 2016  
        Actual           Pro Forma (1)  
    (in millions)  

Cash and cash equivalents

     $              198          $                        

Restricted cash

    90      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $              288          $                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Debt

     $           4,062          $                        

Equity

   

Common stock, $0.01 par value;              shares authorized,              shares issued and              outstanding, pro forma

     $                —          $                        

Additional paid-in capital

    —      

Net Parent investment

    2,985      

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (54)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to the Company

    2,931      

Noncontrolling interests

    (24)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    2,907      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

     $           6,969          $                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

86


Table of Contents

SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected historical combined consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the selected historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are derived from our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. The selected historical combined consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the selected historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are derived from our unaudited combined consolidated financial statements which are not included in this information statement. We derived the selected historical combined consolidated statement of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and the selected historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2016 from our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

This selected financial data is not necessarily indicative of our future performance and does not necessarily reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had we been operating as an independent, publicly traded company during the periods presented, including changes that will occur in our operations and capitalization as a result of the spin-off from Hilton. For example, our historical combined consolidated financial statements include allocations of certain expenses from Hilton, including expenses for costs related to functions such as information technology support, systems maintenance, financial services, human resources and other shared services. These costs may not be representative of the future costs we will incur, either positively or negatively, as an independent, public company. Our historical combined consolidated financial statements also include allocations of debt and related amounts as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 related to debt entered into by Hilton, which was secured by our assets.

The selected combined consolidated financial data below should be read together with the audited combined consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements, including the related notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

87


Table of Contents
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
         2016               2015               2015               2014               2013               2012               2011       
    (in millions)  

Statement of Operations Data:

             

Revenues

             

Rooms

  $ 901       $ 870       $ 1,783       $ 1,679       $ 1,556       $ 1,467       $ 1,385    

Food and beverage

    380         357         691         644         607         577         578    

Other

    105         105         214         190         170         146         138    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    1,386         1,332         2,688         2,513         2,333         2,190         2,101    

Expenses

             

Rooms

    232         225         456         457         422         406         392    

Food and beverage

    258         246         487         454         437         432         437    

Other departmental and support

    335         320         650         592         556         554         543    

Other property-level

    92         89         180         178         178         174         161    

Management fees

    51         47         89         77         61         56         53    

Impairment losses

    15         —         —         —         —         23           

Depreciation and amortization

    147         139         287         248         246         228         239    

Corporate and other

    35         63         96         67         103         64         54    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,165         1,129         2,245         2,073         2,003         1,937         1,884    

Operating income

    222         347         586         440         330         253         217    

Net income (loss) attributable to Parent

    82         192         292         176         144         56         (46)    

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
         2016               2015               2014               2013               2012               2011       
    (in millions)  

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

           

Total assets

  $ 9,879      $ 9,787      $ 9,714      $ 9,792      $ 9,815      $ 9,732   

Debt

    4,062        4,057        4,246        4,174        4,762        4,807   

Total equity

    2,907        2,797        2,593        2,868        2,331        2,108   

 

88


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma combined consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2016 and unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and year ended December 31, 2015 have been prepared to reflect the spin-off and related transactions if they had occurred on June 30, 2016 for the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated balance sheet and January 1, 2015 for the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statements of operations.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on preliminary estimates, accounting judgments and currently available information and assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled “Business and Properties,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our combined consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this information statement.

Our historical combined consolidated financial statements include allocations of certain expenses from Hilton, including expenses for costs related to functions such as information technology support, systems maintenance, financial services, human resources, and other shared services. These costs may not be representative, either positively or negatively, of the future costs we will incur as an independent, public company. Effective with the spin-off, we will assume responsibility for all of these functions and related costs. Certain of these activities will continue to be performed by Hilton under transition service agreements for a limited period of time. We will incur incremental costs as an independent public company, including costs to replace services previously provided by Hilton, as well as other stand-alone costs. Due to the scope and complexity of these activities, the amount and timing of these incremental costs could vary and, therefore, are not included as adjustments within the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements.

We currently estimate that the separation costs we will incur during our transition to being a stand-alone public company will range from approximately $         million to $         million. We have not adjusted the accompanying unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statement of operations for these estimated separation costs as the costs are not expected to have an ongoing effect on our operating results. We anticipate that substantially all of these costs will be incurred within          months of the distribution. These costs relate to the following:

 

    accounting, tax and other professional costs pertaining to the spin-off and establishing us as a stand-alone public company;

 

    compensation, such as modifications to certain bonus awards, upon completion of the spin-off;

 

    recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel new to our company;

 

    costs related to establishing our new brand in the marketplace;

 

    costs to separate our information systems from Hilton; and

 

    other separation costs.

Due to the scope and complexity of these activities, the amount of these costs could increase or decrease materially and the timing of incurrence could change.

We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. As a result of our intended election to be treated as a REIT, and in order to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we intend to declare the Purging Distribution to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year

 

89


Table of Contents

ending on the date of the spin-off. The Purging Distribution is not reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements. The Purging Distribution will be paid to our stockholders in a combination of cash and Park Parent common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in Park Parent common stock. We expect to declare the Purging Distribution in                      and to make the Purging Distribution no later than                     . We currently expect the amount of the Purging Distribution will be between approximately $         million and $         million. See “The Spin-Off-The Purging Distribution.”

The pro forma financial results assume that 100% of taxable income has been distributed and that all relevant REIT qualification requirements were met for the entire periods presented herein.

The unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements have been prepared for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of our financial position or results of operations had the transactions described above for which we are giving pro forma effect actually occurred on the dates or for the periods indicated, nor is such unaudited pro forma financial information indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. A number of factors may affect our results. See “Risk Factors” and “Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements”.

 

90


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As of June 30, 2016

(in millions)

 

                  Pro Forma Adjustments (1)                       
        Historical         Financing
   Transactions   
        Spin-Off
   Adjustments   
               Pro Forma       

ASSETS

           

Property and equipment, net

   $ 8,612        $           $           $     

Investments in affiliates

    99              

Goodwill

    615              

Intangibles, net

    47              

Cash and cash equivalents

    198         (a)      

Restricted cash

    90         (a)      

Accounts receivable, net

    155              

Prepaid expenses

    43              

Other assets

    20         (a)       (e)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 9,879        $                      $                     $                
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

           

Liabilities

           

Debt

   $ 4,062       $        (a)    $           $     

Accounts payable and accrued     expenses

    189              

Due to hotel manager

    99              

Due to Hilton affiliates

    52              

Deferred income tax liabilities

    2,470               (e)     

Other liabilities

    100              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,972              

Equity

           

Common stock, $0.01 par value

    —               (d)     

Additional paid-in capital

    —               (d)     

Net Parent investment

    2,985               (d)     
            (e)     

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (54)             
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Equity attributable to the Company

    2,931              

Noncontrolling interests

    (24)             
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total equity

    2,907              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 9,879        $           $           $     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)   For details of the adjustments referenced, see Note 4: “Pro Forma Adjustments.”

See notes to unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements.

 

91


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

(in millions, except per share data)

 

                  Pro Forma Adjustments(1)                    
        Historical         Financing
   Transactions   
        Spin-Off
   Adjustments   
             Pro Forma       

Revenues

           

Rooms

   $ 901        $           $           $     

Food and beverage

    380              

Other

    105              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total revenues

    1,386              

Expenses

           

Rooms

    232              

Food and beverage

    258              

Other departmental and support

    335             (1)      (b)  

Other property-level

    92              

Management fees

    51             21       (b)  

Impairment loss

    15              

Depreciation and amortization

    147              

Corporate and other

    35             (c)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,165              

Operating income

    222              

Interest income

                

Interest expense

    (92)        (a)      

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

    10              

Other gain (loss), net

    (2)             
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    138              

Income tax benefit (expense)

    (53)        (a)          (f)  

Net income

    85              

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (3)             
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Parent

    $ 82        $           $           $     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings per share:

           

Basic and diluted

          (g)    $     
           

 

 

 

Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding:

           

Basic and diluted

          (g)  
           

 

 

 

 

(1) For details of the adjustments referenced, see Note 4: “Pro Forma Adjustments.”

 

92


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(in millions, except per share data)

 

                   Pro Forma Adjustments (1)                      
       Historical        Financing
  Transactions   
        Spin-Off
   Adjustments   
           Pro Forma     

Revenues

           

Rooms

   $ 1,783        $                      $                      $                

Food and beverage

    691              

Other

    214              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total revenues

    2,688              

Expenses

           

Rooms

    456              

Food and beverage

    487              

Other departmental and support

    650             (3)      (b)  

Other property-level

    180              

Management fees

    89             49       (b)  

Depreciation and amortization

    287              

Corporate and other

    96             (c)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,245              

Gain on sale of assets, net

    143              

Operating income

    586              

Interest income

                

Interest expense

    (186)        (a)      

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

    22              

Other loss, net

    (6)             
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    417              

Income tax benefit (expense)

    (118)        (a)     18       (f)  

Net income

    299              

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (7)             
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Parent

   $ 292        $           $           $     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings per share:

           

Basic and diluted

          (g)    $     
           

 

 

 

Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding:

           

Basic and diluted

          (g)  
           

 

 

 

 

(1)   For details of the adjustments referenced, see Note 4: “Pro Forma Adjustments.”

See notes to unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements.

 

93


Table of Contents

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

On February 26, 2016, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Parent,” together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton”) announced a plan to spin-off a substantial portion of Hilton’s ownership business to stockholders as a separate, publicly traded company, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. The spin-off transaction, which is expected to be tax-free to Hilton stockholders, will be effected through a pro rata distribution of our stock to existing Hilton stockholders. Immediately following completion of the spin-off, Hilton stockholders will own 100 percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock. After the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. will operate as an independent, publicly traded company. Unless otherwise indicated or except where the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. after giving effect to the transfer of the assets and liabilities from Hilton.

The unaudited pro forma financial statements are based on our historical combined consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this information statement, and have been prepared to reflect the spin-off and related transactions.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on preliminary estimates, accounting judgments and currently available information and assumptions that management believes are reasonable. These adjustments are included only to the extent they are directly attributable to the spin-off and related transactions and the appropriate information is known and factually supportable. Pro forma adjustments reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statement of operations are expected to have a continuing effect on us. As a result, the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statement of operations excludes gains and losses related to the transactions described in Note 2: “Financing Transactions” below that will not have a continuing effect on us, although these items are reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated balance sheet.

Note 2: Financing Transactions

Subject to market conditions, we expect to complete one or more financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain of existing indebtedness, which we expect will result in an estimated net reduction of our outstanding indebtedness as of June 30, 2016 of between $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion. We have not yet identified the specific indebtedness to be repaid or refinanced or specific sources of funds. There can be no assurances that any such financing transactions will be completed in the time frame or size indicated or at all.

In addition, we anticipate that prior to the completion of the spin-off, we will enter into a senior revolving facility permitting borrowings of up to $         million, which is expected to be undrawn on completion of the spin-off. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

Note 3: Spin-Off Adjustments

In order to qualify as a REIT, we will not directly or indirectly operate any of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels. Upon consummation of the spin-off, we will engage Hilton to manage our hotels, other than the Select Hotels, pursuant to management agreements. We will operate the Select Hotels pursuant to franchise agreements with Hilton. For more information regarding these agreements, see “Business and Properties—Our Principal Agreements—Management Agreements” and “—Franchise Agreements.”

As a stand-alone public company, we expect to incur incremental expenses for the services previously provided by Hilton as well as for additional public company expenses that did not apply to us historically. We estimate these incremental expenses to be $         million and $         million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015. These incremental costs were determined principally based on various agreements we intend to enter into with Hilton prior to completing this offering to

 

94


Table of Contents

cover the services that Hilton will be providing to us. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” as well as employment agreements for new senior executives.

We expect to qualify as a REIT and thereby generally be exempt from U.S. federal income taxes as a result of our eligibility for a deduction for dividends that we will pay, beginning with our short taxable year following the spin-off. As a standalone company, we expect to be subject to certain U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other taxes, as well as subject to tax on taxable income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiary. The tax provision as a standalone company has been estimated using statutory rates applied to forecasted pre-tax income generated by each tax-paying entity.

Note 4: Pro Forma Adjustments

Adjustments included under the heading “Pro Forma Adjustments—Financing Transactions” represent the following:

(a) Reflects the adjustment to our historical debt and related balances and interest expense to give net effect to certain financing transactions that we anticipate will be completed on or prior to the completion of the spin-off. Also reflects the adjustment to historical income tax expense to give effect to the change in interest expense from the pro forma financing transactions that result in changes to income before income taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on the estimated statutory tax rate of         %. Expenses related to entering into senior revolving facility will be capitalized and amortized over the term of the debt facility.

A 0.125% change in the weighted average interest rate on our total pro forma indebtedness would change our pro forma annual interest expense by approximately $             million.

Adjustments included under the heading “Pro Forma Adjustments—Spin-Off Adjustments” represent the following:

(b) Reflects the change in fee expense related to the management and franchise agreements we will enter into with Hilton upon completion of the spin-off pursuant to which Hilton and its affiliates will provide to us for an agreed upon charge, various services to support the operations of our hotels, and which are anticipated to be on different terms from the existing management agreements reflected in our historical financial statements.

(c) Reflects the incremental expense related to general and administrative expenses of $             million and $             million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015, which include the employment of our executive officers, accounting outsourcing fees and external audit fees, and the removal of non-recurring separation expenses included in our historical financial statements of $             million and $             million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015.

(d) Reflects the pro forma recapitalization of our equity. As of the distribution date, Net Parent investment will be redesignated as our stockholders’ equity and will be allocated between common stock and additional paid-in capital based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding at the distribution date. Hilton stockholders will receive shares based on a distribution ratio of              shares of our common stock for each Hilton common share outstanding as of the record date for the distribution.

(e) Reflects adjustments to deferred tax assets and liabilities related to our election to be taxed as a REIT.

(f) Reflects adjustments to the income tax provision related to our election to be taxed as a REIT and giving effect to other pro forma adjustments with an effect on taxable income. The provision for income taxes related to taxable income associated with our taxable REIT subsidiaries is based on the estimated statutory tax rate of         %.

(g) The number of shares of our common stock used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and year ended December 31, 2015 is based on the number of Hilton

 

95


Table of Contents

common shares outstanding on June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, assuming a distribution ratio of              shares of our common stock for each Hilton common share outstanding. The number of Hilton shares used to determine the assumed distribution reflects Hilton shares outstanding as of the balance sheet date, which is the most current information as of the date of that financial statement.

We will incur additional incremental costs as an independent public company, not reflected in this adjustment, including costs to replace services previously provided by Hilton, as well as other stand-alone costs. Due to the scope and complexity of these activities, the amount and timing of these incremental costs could vary and, therefore, are not included as adjustments within the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements.

 

96


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Summary-Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements” and our historical combined consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this information statement. In addition to historical combined consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this information statement, particularly in “Risk Factors.”

Overview

We are a leading lodging real estate company with a diverse global portfolio of iconic and market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value. We hold investments in entities that have ownership or leasehold interests in 69 properties, consisting of premium-branded hotels and resorts with nearly 36,000 rooms, of which over 85% are luxury and upper upscale and nearly 90% are located in the U.S. Our high-quality portfolio includes hotels in major urban and convention areas, such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco and London; premier resorts in key leisure destinations, including Hawaii, Orlando and Key West; and a number of properties adjacent to major gateway airports, such as Los Angeles International, Chicago O’Hare, Boston Logan and Miami Airport, and select suburban locations.

We operate our business through one operating segment, our ownership segment, which includes all of our consolidated hotel properties. Our segment revenues, also referred to as Total Hotel Revenue, includes rooms, food and beverage and other revenue, excluding revenue from our laundry business, from both our comparable and non-comparable consolidated hotels.

Spin-Off from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

On February 26, 2016, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Parent,” together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton”) announced a plan to spin-off a substantial portion of Hilton’s ownership business to stockholders as a separate, publicly traded company, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Consummation of the spin-off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. In addition, Hilton has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of Hilton determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not then in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, that a sale or other alternative is in the best interests of Hilton or its stockholders or other constituents, or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that it is not advisable at that time to separate Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. from Hilton. See “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” Immediately following the distribution, Hilton will not own any shares of any class of our outstanding common stock, and we will have entered into a Distribution Agreement and will enter into several other agreements with Hilton. These agreements will set forth the principal transactions required to effect our separation from Hilton and provide for the allocation between us and Hilton of various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations (including employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) and govern the relationship between us and Hilton after completion of the spin-off. These agreements will also include arrangements with respect to transitional services to be provided by Hilton to us.

In addition, in connection with the spin-off, we will enter into agreements, including long-term hotel management and franchise agreements, with Hilton and other third parties that have either not existed historically, or that may be on different terms than the terms of the arrangement or agreements that existed prior

 

97


Table of Contents

to the spin-off. The historical combined consolidated financial statements do not reflect the effect of these new or revised agreements and our historical expenses, including corporate and other expense and management fee expense, may not be reflective of our combined consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods discussed in our “Results of Operations” section.

We intend to make a tax election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution, and expect to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on net taxable income that we distribute annually to our stockholders. In order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the real estate qualification of sources of our income, the composition and values of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the diversity of ownership of our stock. In order to comply with REIT requirements, we may need to forego otherwise attractive opportunities and limit our expansion opportunities and the manner in which we conduct our operations.

Following the spin-off, we expect to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders in amounts that meet or exceed the requirements to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT and to avoid corporate level taxation. Prior to making any distributions for U.S. federal tax purposes or otherwise, we must first satisfy our operating and debt service obligations. Although we currently anticipate that our estimated cash available for distribution will exceed the annual distribution requirements applicable to REITs to avoid corporate level taxation, it is possible that it would be necessary to utilize cash reserves, liquidate assets at unfavorable prices or incur additional indebtedness in order to make required distributions.

Basis of Presentation

The discussion below relates to the financial position and results of operations of a combination of entities under common control that have been “carved out” of Hilton’s consolidated financial statements and reflect significant assumptions and allocations. The historical combined consolidated financial statements reflect our historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Refer to Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Principal Components of and Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Revenues

Revenues from our properties are primarily derived from two categories of customers: transient and group, which account for approximately two thirds and one third, respectively, of our rooms revenue. Transient guests are individual travelers who are traveling for business or leisure. Group guests are traveling for group events that reserve rooms for meetings, conferences or social functions sponsored by associations, corporate, social, military, educational, religious or other organizations. Group business usually includes a block of room accommodations, as well as other ancillary services, such as meeting facilities, catering and banquet services. A majority of our food and beverage sales and other ancillary services are provided to customers who also are occupying rooms at our properties. As a result, occupancy affects all components of revenues from our properties.

Principal Components

Rooms. Represents the sale of room rentals at our properties and accounts for a substantial majority of our total revenue.

Food and beverage. Represents revenue from group functions, which may include both banquet revenue and audio and visual revenue, as well as revenue from outlets such as restaurants and lounges at our properties.

 

98


Table of Contents

Other. Represents ancillary revenue for guest services provided at our properties, including parking, telecommunications, golf course and spa. Also includes tenant leases and other rental revenue, as well as revenue from our laundry business.

Factors Affecting our Revenues

Consumer demand. Consumer demand for our products and services is closely linked to the performance of the general economy and is sensitive to business and personal discretionary spending levels. Leading indicators of demand include gross domestic product, non-residential fixed investment and the consumer price index. Declines in consumer demand due to adverse general economic conditions, reductions in travel patterns, lower consumer confidence and adverse political conditions can lower the revenues and profitability of our properties. Further, competition for guests and the supply of services at our properties affect our ability to sustain or increase rates charged to customers at our properties. As a result, changes in consumer demand and general business cycles have historically subjected and could in the future subject our revenues to significant volatility. In addition, leisure travelers make up the majority of our transient demand. Therefore, we will be significantly more affected by trends in leisure travel than trends in business travel.

Supply. New room supply is an important factor that can affect the lodging industry’s performance. Room rates and occupancy, and thus RevPAR, tend to increase when demand growth exceeds supply growth. The addition of new competitive hotels and resorts affects the ability of existing hotels and resorts to sustain or grow RevPAR, and thus profits. New development is determined largely by construction costs, the availability of financing and expected performance of existing hotels and resorts.

Expenses

Principal Components

Rooms. These costs include housekeeping, reservation systems, room supplies, laundry services at our properties and front desk costs.

Food and beverage. These costs primarily include food, beverage and the associated labor and will correlate closely with food and beverage revenues.

Other departmental and support. These costs include labor and other costs associated with other ancillary revenue, such as parking, telephone and other guest services, tenant leases, and other rental revenue, as well as labor and other costs associated with administrative departments, sales and marketing, repairs and minor maintenance and utility costs.

Other property-level. These costs consist primarily of real and personal property taxes, ground rent, equipment rent and property insurance.

Management fees. Base management fees are computed as a percentage of gross revenue. Incentive management fees generally are paid if specified financial performance targets are achieved. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements” and the accompanying notes for discussion of the change in expenses related to the management and franchise agreements we will enter into with Hilton upon completion of the spin-off.

Depreciation and amortization. These are non-cash expenses that primarily consist of depreciation of fixed assets such as buildings, furniture, fixtures and equipment at our properties and certain assets from our laundry facilities, as well as amortization of finite lived intangible assets.

Corporate and other. These costs includes general and administrative expenses, expenses for our laundry business and transaction costs arising from acquisitions of properties. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation expense for our corporate staff and personnel supporting our business, professional fees, travel and entertainment expenses, and office administrative and related

 

99


Table of Contents

expenses. Hilton allocated these general and administrative expenses to us on the basis of financial and operating metrics that were historically used by Hilton to allocate resources and evaluate performance against its strategic objectives. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements” and the accompanying notes for discussion of the incremental expense related to general and administrative expenses we expect to incur upon completion of the spin-off.

Factors Affecting our Costs and Expenses

Variable expenses. Expenses associated with our room expense and food and beverage expense are mainly affected by occupancy and correlate closely with their respective revenues. These expenses can increase based on increases in salaries and wages, as well as on the level of service and amenities that are provided. Additionally, food and beverage expense is affected by the mix of business between banquet and catering and outlet sales.

Fixed expenses . Many of the other expenses associated with our properties are relatively fixed. These expenses include portions of rent expense, property taxes, insurance and utilities. Since we generally are unable to decrease these costs significantly or rapidly when demand for our properties decreases, any resulting decline in our revenues can have a greater adverse effect on our net cash flow, margins and profits. This effect can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or slow economic growth. The effectiveness of any cost-cutting efforts is limited by the amount of fixed costs inherent in our business. As a result, we may not be able to successfully offset revenue reductions through cost cutting. The individuals employed at certain of our properties are party to collective bargaining agreements that may also limit the manager’s ability to make timely staffing or labor changes in response to declining revenues. In addition, any efforts to reduce costs, or to defer or cancel capital improvements, could adversely affect the economic value of our properties. We have taken steps to reduce our fixed costs to levels we believe are appropriate to maximize profitability and respond to market conditions without jeopardizing the overall customer experience or the value of our properties.

Changes in depreciation and amortization expense. Changes in depreciation expense are due to renovations of existing properties, acquisition or development of new properties, the disposition of existing properties through sale or closure or changes in estimates of the useful lives of our assets. As we place new assets into service, we will be required to recognize additional depreciation expense on those assets.

Other items

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations

Certain of our properties operations are conducted in functional currencies other than our reporting currency, which is the United States (“U.S.”) dollar (“USD”), and we have assets and liabilities denominated in a variety of foreign currencies. As a result, we are required to translate those results, assets and liabilities from the functional currency into USD at market based exchange rates for each reporting period. When comparing our results of operations between periods, there may be material portions of the changes in our revenues or expenses that are derived from fluctuations in exchange rates experienced between those periods.

Seasonality

The lodging industry is seasonal in nature. However, the periods during which our properties experience higher or lower levels of demand vary from property to property and depend upon location, type of property and competitive mix within the specific location.

 

100


Table of Contents

Key Business Metrics Used by Management

Comparable Hotels Data

We present certain data for our properties on a comparable hotel basis as supplemental information for investors. We define our comparable hotels as those that: (i) were active and operating in our system since January 1st of the previous year; and (ii) have not sustained substantial property damage, business interruption, undergone large-scale capital projects or for which comparable results are not available. We present comparable hotel results to help us and our investors evaluate the ongoing operating performance of our comparable hotels.

Of our 60 properties that we consolidated as of June 30, 2016, 51 properties have been classified as comparable hotels. Of our 59 and 54 properties that we consolidated as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, 48 and 46 properties, respectively, have been classified as comparable hotels. Our non-comparable hotels were removed from the comparable group in the periods above because they were acquired, sold or underwent large-scale capital projects during the current or prior year.

Occupancy

Occupancy represents the total number of room nights sold divided by the total number of room nights available at a property or group of properties. Occupancy measures the utilization of our properties’ available capacity. Management uses occupancy to gauge demand at a specific property or group of properties in a given period. Occupancy levels also help us determine achievable ADR levels as demand for rooms increases or decreases.

Average Daily Rate

Average Daily Rate (“ADR”) represents room revenue divided by total number of room nights sold in a given period. ADR measures average room price attained by a property and ADR trends provide useful information concerning the pricing environment and the nature of the customer base of a property or group of properties. ADR is a commonly used performance measure in the industry, and we use ADR to assess pricing levels that we are able to generate by type of customer, as changes in rates have a more pronounced effect on overall revenues and incremental profitability than changes in occupancy, as described above.

Revenue per Available Room

We calculate Revenue per Available Room (“RevPAR”) by dividing room revenue by total number of room nights available to guests for a given period. We consider RevPAR to be a meaningful indicator of our performance as it provides a metric correlated to two primary and key factors of operations at a property or group of properties: occupancy and ADR. RevPAR is also a useful indicator in measuring performance over comparable periods for comparable hotels.

References to RevPAR, ADR and occupancy are presented on a comparable basis and references to RevPAR and ADR are presented on a currency neutral basis (all periods use the same exchange rates), unless otherwise noted.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We also evaluate the performance of our business through certain other financial measures that are not recognized under U.S. GAAP. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered by investors as supplemental measures to GAAP performance measures such as total revenues, operating profit and net income.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

EBITDA, presented herein, reflects net income excluding interest expense, a provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. We consider EBITDA to be a useful measure for investors in evaluating and

 

101


Table of Contents

facilitating comparisons of our operating performance between periods and between REITs by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest expense) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA, presented herein, is calculated as EBITDA, as previously defined, further adjusted to exclude gains, losses and expenses in connection with: (i) asset dispositions for both consolidated and unconsolidated investments; (ii) foreign currency transactions; (iii) debt restructurings/retirements; (iv) non-cash impairment losses; (v) furniture, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”) replacement reserves required by certain lease agreements; (vi) reorganization costs; (vii) share-based and certain other compensation expenses; (viii) severance, relocation and other expenses; and (ix) other items.

Consolidated Hotel Adjusted EBITDA (“Hotel Adjusted EBITDA”) measures property-level results before debt service, depreciation and corporate expenses for our consolidated properties, including both comparable and non-comparable hotels but excluding properties owned by unconsolidated affiliates, and is a key measure of our profitability. We present Hotel Adjusted EBITDA to help us and our investors evaluate the ongoing operating performance of our consolidated properties.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) or other measures of financial performance or liquidity derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our definitions of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin provide useful information to investors about us and our financial condition and results of operations for the following reasons: (i) EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are among the measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance and make day-to-day operating decisions; and (ii) EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common performance measure to compare results or estimate valuations across companies in our industry.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered either in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) or other methods of analyzing our operating performance and results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our interest expense;

 

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our tax expense;

 

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the effect on earnings or changes resulting from matters that we consider not to be indicative of our future operations; and

 

    other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

We do not use or present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin as measures of our liquidity or cash flow. These measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered either in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow or other methods of analyzing our cash flows and liquidity as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our indebtedness;

 

102


Table of Contents
    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash requirements to pay our taxes;

 

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect historical cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; and

 

    although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.

Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business or as measures of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations.

The following table provides the components of Hotel Adjusted EBITDA:

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016 (1)     2015 (1)     2015 (2)     2014 (2)     2014 (3)     2013 (3)  
    (in millions)  

Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

  $         334       $         341       $         684       $         676       $         731       $         664    

Non-comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

    80         60         131         71         16           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

  $             414       $             401       $             815       $             747       $             747       $             670    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   Based on our 2016 comparable hotels as of June 30, 2016.
(2)   Based on our 2015 comparable hotels as of December 31, 2015.
(3)   Based on our 2014 comparable hotels as of December 31, 2014.

 

103


Table of Contents

The following table provides a reconciliation of Hotel Adjusted EBITDA to net income:

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2015     2014     2013  
    (in millions)  

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

    $            414         $            401         $            815         $            747         $            670    

Adjusted EBITDA from investments in affiliates

    23         25         47         49         50    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ownership segment Adjusted EBITDA

    437         426         862         796         720    

All other (1)

    (22)        (23)        (45)        (42)        (39)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

    415         403         817         754         681    

  Gain on sales of assets, net

           144         143         —         —    

  Gain on foreign currency transactions

    (1)        —         —                —    

  FF&E replacement reserve

    (2)        (2)        (2)        (2)        (1)   

  Gain on debt extinguishment

    —         —         —         —         68   

  Impairment loss

    (15)        —         —         —         —    

  Other gain (loss), net

    (2)        (5)        (6)        25         —    

  Other adjustment items (2)

    (7)        (34)        (38)        (15)        (54)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    389         506         907         759         691   

  Interest income

           —                         

  Interest expense

    (92)        (92)        (186)        (186)        (162)   

  Income tax expense

    (53)        (68)        (118)        (117)        (104)   

  Depreciation and amortization expense

    (147)        (139)        (287)        (248)        (246)   

Interest expense, income tax and depreciation and amortization included in equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

    (13)        (13)        (25)        (33)        (37)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    $              85         $            194         $            299         $            181         $            147    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   Includes revenue from our laundry business of $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and $13 million, $10 million, and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, includes corporate and other expense excluding certain other adjustment items.
(2)   For the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily relates to general and administrative expenses allocated to us in connection with our Parent’s initial public offering.

NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent and Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent

We present NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent as a non-GAAP measure of our performance. We calculate NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent (defined as set forth below) for a given operating period in accordance with NAREIT guidelines. NAREIT defines FFO as net income (loss) (calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP), excluding gains (losses) from sales of real estate, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, real estate-related depreciation, amortization and impairments and adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures are calculated to reflect our pro rata share of the FFO of those entities on the same basis. As noted by NAREIT in its April 2002 “White Paper on Funds From Operations,” since real estate values historically have risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be

 

104


Table of Contents

insufficient by themselves. For these reasons, NAREIT adopted the FFO metric in order to promote an industry-wide measure of REIT operating performance.

We also present Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent when evaluating our performance because management believes that the exclusion of certain additional items described below provides useful supplemental information to investors regarding our ongoing operating performance. Management historically has made the adjustments detailed below in evaluating our performance, in our annual budget process and for our compensation programs. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted FFO provides useful supplemental information that is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We adjust NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent for the following items, which may occur in any period, and refer to this measure as Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent:

 

    Gain on debt extinguishment . We exclude the effect of finance charges and premiums associated with the extinguishment of debt, including the acceleration of the write off of deferred financing costs from the original issuance of the debt being redeemed or retired.

 

    Foreign currency (gain) loss . We exclude the effects of foreign currency (gain) loss as they are not reflective of our ongoing operations.

 

    Acquisition Costs. Under U.S. GAAP, costs associated with completed property acquisitions are expensed in the year incurred and affect our net income. We exclude the effect of these costs in presenting FFO because we believe they are not reflective of our ongoing performance.

 

    Litigation Gains and Losses. We exclude the effect of gains or losses associated with litigation recorded under U.S. GAAP that we consider outside the ordinary course of business. We believe that including these items is not consistent with our ongoing operating performance.

In unusual circumstances, we may also adjust NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent for additional gains or losses that management believes are not representative of our current operating performance.

 

105


Table of Contents

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to Parent to NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent and Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent:

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2015     2014     2013  
    (in millions)  

Net income attributable to Parent

  $               82       $             192       $             292       $             176       $             144    

Depreciation and amortization expense

    147         139         287         248         246    

Impairment loss

    15         —         —         —         —    

Gain on sales of assets, net

    (1)        (144)        (143)        —         —    

Gain on sale of investments in affiliates

    —         —         —         (24)        —    

Equity investment adjustments:

         

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

    (10)        (12)        (22)        (16)        (13)   

Pro rata FFO of equity investments

    19         20         40         40         39    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NAREIT FFO attributable to Parent

    252         195         454         424         416    

Gain on debt extinguishment

    —         —         —         —         (68)   

Gain on foreign currency transactions

    (1)        —         —         (2)        —    

Acquisition costs

    —         26         26                —    

Litigation losses

    —         —         —                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted FFO attributable to Parent

    $            251         $              221         $            480         $            427         $            349    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comparable Hotel Data

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

The following table sets forth data for our 2016 comparable hotels by geographic market as of June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

    As of June 30, 2016     Six Months Ended June 30, 2016     Six Months Ended June 30, 2015        

Market

  No. of
Properties
    No. of
Rooms
    ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     Percent
Change in
RevPAR
 

New York (1)

           2,235         266.93         82.2%        219.31         275.18         83.2%        228.85         (4.2)%   

Washington, D.C.

           1,085         169.72         80.9%        137.37         163.01         77.2%        125.77         9.2%   

Florida

           1,322         162.95         86.8%        141.45         156.36         90.7%        141.81         (0.3)%   

New Orleans

           1,939         192.53         78.6%        151.33         181.82         82.5%        150.04         0.9%   

Chicago

           2,743         171.68         71.4%        122.51         176.04         77.4%        136.26         (10.1)%   

Northern California

           3,264         235.37         84.6%        199.16         217.50         83.1%        180.72         10.2%   

Southern California

           1,304         161.95         87.0%        140.83         159.30         84.8%        135.10         4.2%   

Hawaii

           4,101         238.37         87.8%        209.31         227.29         86.8%        197.32         6.1%   

Other

    15         5,499         152.93         80.0%        122.27         149.49         80.5%        120.39         1.6%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Domestic

    38         23,492         198.59         81.9%        162.62         192.40         82.7%        159.09         2.2%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

United Kingdom

           1,587         127.53         74.3%        94.80         126.24         75.6%        95.46         (0.7)%   

Other

           1,656         181.56         75.4%        136.87         176.49         75.1%        132.47         3.3%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International

    13         3,243                 154.49         74.9%                115.64                 151.05             75.3%                113.80         1.6%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    All Markets

          51                 26,735       $ 193.77                 81.1%       $ 157.07        $ 187.90         81.8%      $ 153.73                 2.2%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

               

 

(1)   New York market information includes the 304 room Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey.

 

106


Table of Contents

Our domestic properties experienced RevPAR growth of 2.2% attributable to an increase in ADR of 3.2%, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy of 80 basis points. Our San Francisco and Washington, D.C. properties led RevPAR growth with San Francisco showing an increase in ADR of 6.5% and a significant increase in occupancy resulting from increases in group business as well as transient demand from the Super Bowl, while Washington, D.C. also benefited from increased demand from government and corporate group business. Our Chicago and New York properties experienced a decline in comparable RevPAR, primarily attributable to a decrease in city-wide room nights in Chicago and a decrease in transient business in New York.

On a currency neutral basis, our international properties experienced RevPAR growth led by our European properties due to strong sales performance, partially offset by a decrease in group business in the U.K. and decreased travel in Puerto Rico related to the Zika virus.

The following table sets forth data for our 2016 comparable hotels by property type as of June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

    As of June 30, 2016     Six Months Ended June 30, 2016     Six Months Ended June 30, 2015        

Property Type

  No. of
Properties
    No. of
Rooms
    ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     Percent
Change in
RevPAR
 

Urban

    16         10,790         $    214.33         78.6%        $    168.54         $    210.29         79.7%        $    167.69         0.5%   

Resort

           6,271         218.00         84.6%        184.36         207.82         84.9%        176.44         4.5%   

Airport

    13         6,355         156.32         84.3%        131.84         151.44         85.6%        129.70         1.6%   

Suburban

    15         3,319         153.79         75.9%        116.77         148.49         75.3%        111.88         4.4%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    All Types

                    51                   26,735         $    193.77                 81.1%        $    157.07         $    187.90                 81.8%        $    153.73                2.2%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

               

Our resort properties led the portfolio with RevPAR growth primarily attributable to group business at our Hawaii properties, which had RevPAR growth of 6.1% when compared to the same period in 2015. RevPAR growth at our suburban properties was led by our domestic and European properties. RevPAR at our urban properties was flat benefiting from an increase in ADR of 6.5% in San Francisco partially offset by decreases in occupancy in both Chicago and New York. Our airport properties RevPAR growth was primarily attributable to an increase in ADR of 6.6% at our Washington, D.C. and California properties, partially offset by decreased demand in Chicago.

 

107


Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014

The following table sets forth data for our 2015 comparable hotels by geographic market as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    As of December 31, 2015     Year Ended December 31, 2015     Year Ended December 31, 2014        

Market

  No. of
  Properties  
    No. of
Rooms
    ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     Percent
Change in
RevPAR
 

New York (1)

           2,289        $ 296.45         88.4%       $ 262.03        $ 300.60         89.1%       $ 267.92         (2.2)%   

Washington, D.C.

           1,403         171.53         77.7%        133.26         164.95         78.0%       $ 128.73         3.5%   

Florida

           1,322         147.74         88.0%        129.95         140.08         88.4%        123.86         4.9%   

New Orleans

           1,939         170.35         78.0%        132.79         168.24         77.5%        130.38         1.8%   

Chicago

           2,743         181.71         78.7%        143.00         177.65         75.7%        134.47         6.3%   

Northern California

           3,029         225.01         84.3%        189.70         209.23         83.3%        174.32         8.8%   

Southern California

           1,304         164.09         84.7%        138.91         158.45         83.3%        132.03         5.2%   

Hawaii

           4,101         234.15         86.1%        201.72         233.10         83.8%        195.29         3.3%   

Other

    11         4,519         151.74         80.6%        122.31         142.58         79.1%        112.72         8.5%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Domestic

    34         22,649         199.12         82.9%        165.07         194.01         81.7%        158.48         4.2%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

United Kingdom

    9        1,589        138.92        79.0%        109.74        134.28        77.3%        103.81        5.7%   

Other

    5        2,148        161.72        71.6%        115.81        155.01        70.7%        109.57        5.7%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International

    14         3,737         151.47         74.7%        113.22         145.74         73.5%        107.12         5.7%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    All Markets

              48                 26,386       $       192.94                 81.7%      $         157.71       $         187.77                 80.5%       $         151.20                 4.3%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

               

 

(1)   New York market information includes the 304 room Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey.

Our domestic properties experienced RevPAR growth of 4.2%, primarily attributable to a combination of an increase in ADR of 2.6% and an increase in occupancy of 120 basis points. Our west coast properties led RevPAR growth at our domestic properties as they benefited from high levels of demand allowing for significant rate improvements for both group and transient business. Our Phoenix and Atlanta properties outperformed the portfolio with RevPAR growth of 12.6% and 9.0%, respectively, as a result of a rate improvement of 10.4% at our Phoenix properties and an increase in occupancy of 450 basis points at our Atlanta property. The RevPAR growth at our domestic properties was partially offset by decreased RevPAR in New York as a result of a significant rooms renovation, timeshare conversion project and construction of new retail space at one of our properties.

On a currency neutral basis, our international properties experienced RevPAR growth of 5.7%, led by our European properties. International RevPAR growth was limited due to declines in Brazil because of a deepening economic recession, a weakening currency and the positive effect of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on RevPAR for the prior year ended December 31, 2014. Overall international RevPAR growth was primarily due to an increase in occupancy of 120 basis points.

The following table sets forth data for our 2015 comparable hotels by property type as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    As of December 31, 2015     Year Ended December 31, 2015     Year Ended December 31, 2014        

Property Type

  No. of
Properties
    No. of
Rooms
    ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     Percent
Change in
RevPAR
 

Urban

    17         11,390         $    214.36         80.3%        $    172.18         $    210.98         79.0%        $    166.77         3.2%   

Resort

           6,271         211.44         84.0%        177.67         207.39         82.4%        170.95         3.9%   

Airport

    13         6,355         152.46         83.9%        127.97         142.96         83.4%        119.16         7.4%   

Suburban

    11         2,370         150.81         76.6%        115.54         146.80         75.0%        110.12         4.9%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    All Types

                    48                   26,386         $    192.94                 81.7%        $    157.71         $    187.77                 80.5%        $    151.20                 4.3%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

               

 

108


Table of Contents

Our airport properties led the portfolio with RevPAR growth of 7.4%. The ADR growth of 6.6% was primarily attributed to our west coast airport properties. The RevPAR improvement at our urban properties of 3.2% was a result of an improvement in occupancy of 130 basis points. The RevPAR growth of 3.9% at our resort properties was due to a strong group business at our Hawaiian properties. Our suburban properties experienced RevPAR growth of 4.9%, led by high occupancy and average room rate at our Washington, D.C. properties due to transient business.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013

The following table sets forth data for our 2014 comparable hotels by geographic market as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

    As of December 31, 2014     Year Ended December 31, 2014     Year Ended December 31, 2013        

Market

  No. of
Properties
    No. of
Rooms
    ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     Percent
Change in
RevPAR
 

New York (1)

           3,702         $    334.60         89.9%        $    300.69         $    323.90         91.0%        $    294.89         2.0%   

Washington, D.C.

           1,407         164.95         78.0%        128.73         164.17         74.4%        122.19         5.4%   

Florida

           1,322         140.08         88.4%        123.86         133.30         85.8%        114.40         8.3%   

New Orleans

           1,939         168.24         77.5%        130.38         168.59         72.0%        121.36         7.4%   

Chicago

           2,743         177.65         75.7%        134.47         168.41         73.9%        124.43         8.1%   

Northern California

           3,024         209.23         83.3%        174.32         186.22         83.1%        154.68         12.7%   

Southern California

           1,304         158.45         83.3%        132.03         148.83         78.2%        116.38         13.4%   

Hawaii

           4,101         233.10         83.8%        195.29         226.95         82.5%        187.29         4.3%   

Other

    11         4,519         142.58         79.1%        112.72         132.72         76.8%        101.97         10.5%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Domestic

    35         24,061         206.66         82.2%        169.95         198.30         80.5%        159.57         6.5%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

United Kingdom

    7        1,224        130.97        77.9%        102.07        117.39        77.4%        90.82        12.4%   

Other

    4        1,996        184.65        70.5%        130.15        152.93        70.5%        107.87        20.7%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International

    11         3,220             162.98                 73.3%            119.48             138.64                 73.1%            101.39                 17.8%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    All Markets

                    46                   27,281         $    202.00         81.2%        $    163.99         $    191.83         79.6%        $    152.70         7.4%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

               

 

(1)   New York market information includes the 304 room Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey.

Our domestic properties had RevPAR growth of 6.5%, as a result of an increase in ADR of 4.2% and an increase in occupancy of 170 basis points. Our domestic properties RevPAR growth was led by our west coast properties that benefited from both strong transient demand as well as accelerating growth in group business. Our east coast properties, led by our Boston property, had strong demand which allowed for a focus towards the higher-rated group and transient business, leading to a 12.0% improvement in ADR. Atlanta led our south and central properties with a RevPAR growth of 10.0%, as a result of a mix of strong group demand. Our Hawaiian properties experienced increased group business, which led to a overall RevPAR increase of 4.3%.

On a currency neutral basis, our international markets experienced RevPAR growth of 17.8%, led by our Brazilian property which benefited from increased demand in 2014 as compared to the prior year due to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. RevPAR growth was due to a combination of rate growth of 17.6% and an increase in occupancy of 20 basis points.

 

109


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth data for our 2014 comparable hotels by property type as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

    As of December 31, 2014     Year Ended December 31, 2014     Year Ended December 31, 2013        

Property Type

  No. of
Properties
    No. of
Rooms
    ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     ADR     Occupancy     RevPAR     Percent
Change in
RevPAR
 

Urban

    17         12,609         $      237.63         80.3%        $      190.91         $      224.22         79.9%        $      179.25         6.5%   

Resort

           6,271         207.69         82.4%        171.20         201.12         80.5%        161.83         5.8%   

Airport

    13         6,358         142.96         83.4%        119.16         132.06         80.2%        105.86         12.6%   

Suburban

           2,043                 151.98                 75.8%                115.22                 146.06                 73.2%                106.86                 7.8%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    All Types

                    46                   27,281         $      202.00         81.2%        $      163.99         $      191.83         79.6%        $      152.70         7.4%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

               

Our airport properties experienced RevPAR growth of 12.6%, primarily attributable to increased ADR growth in our west coast and east coast markets. Our urban properties experienced a RevPAR growth of 6.5%, led by our international properties, primarily our Brazilian property, which was slightly offset due to increased supply in transient business at the more concentrated urban markets, such as in New York and Washington, D.C. The RevPAR growth in our resort properties was 5.8% in 2014 as a result of the increase in RevPAR at our Hawaiian, international and Southern California properties. The RevPAR improvement at our suburban properties of 7.8%, was led by our domestic properties, as a result of a 4.1% increase in ADR and an improvement in occupancy of 260 basis points.

Results of Operations

The following items have had a significant effect on the year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter comparability of our operations and are further discussed in the sections below:

 

  In the first half of 2015, we added six properties to our portfolio on a net basis as a result of a tax deferred exchange and in the second half of 2014 we added five properties to our portfolio as a result of an equity investments exchange. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” and Note 4: “Disposals” in our historical combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information. The results of properties added to our portfolio on a net basis in the comparable periods are collectively referred to as our “Recent Acquisitions and Dispositions.”

 

  For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and year ended December 31, 2014 our results were more significantly affected by disruptive renovations than in typical years, which reduced growth in net income and Adjusted EBITDA when compared to the same period in 2015.

 

  For international properties, we are exposed to currency exchange risks in the normal course of business; therefore, changes in operating results discussed in “—Revenue” and “—Operating Expenses” are explained on a currency neutral basis.

 

  We have adopted the 11th Edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (“USALI”), which became effective on January 1, 2015 and modified the presentation of certain property-level revenue and expense line items. These changes include, among other items, certain service charges, which are now reflected on a gross basis and result in an increase to food and beverage revenue with a corresponding increase to food and beverage expense. The adoption of USALI did not affect operating income, net income, or Hotel Adjusted EBITDA. The years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 results were not restated for the adoption of USALI.

 

110


Table of Contents

The following tables reflect certain significant operating results:

Hotel operating results:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,      Percent Change  
              2016                        2015                  2016 vs. 2015     
     (in millions)         

Total Hotel Revenue

     $        1,380            $        1,326                    4.1%   

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

     $           414            $           401            3.2%   

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin (1)

     30.0%         30.2%         (20bps)   

 

    Year Ended December 31,     Percent Change  
    2015     2014     2013      2015 vs. 2014      2014 vs. 2013  
    (in millions)              

Total Hotel Revenue

    $         2,675           $          2,503           $         2,323                   6.9%                7.7%   

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

    $            815           $             747           $            670                   9.1%        11.5%   

Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin (1)

    30.5%        29.8%        28.8%        70 bps         100 bps    

 

 

(1)   Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as Hotel Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total Hotel Revenue

Comparable hotel operating results:

 

     2016 Comparable Hotels  
     2016      2015      2016 vs. 2015  
     (in millions)         

Comparable Total Hotel Revenue

     $        1,160            $        1,139                    1.8%   

Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

     $           334            $           341            (2.1)%   

Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin (1)

     28.8%         29.9%         (110bps)   

 

(1)   Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA divided by comparable Total Hotel Revenue

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 110 basis points compared to the same period for 2015, as a result of increased operating expenses outpacing RevPAR growth at the majority of our comparable hotels. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to incremental wages and benefits as a result of additional benefits provided at the beginning of 2016 that were not previously provided in 2015.

 

    2015 Comparable Hotels     2014 Comparable Hotels  
    2015     2014     2015 vs.
2014
    2014     2013     2014 vs.
2013
 
    (in millions)           (in millions)        

Comparable Total Hotel Revenue

     $    2,281           $    2,190                   4.2%        $    2,444           $    2,295                   6.5%   

Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA

     $       684           $      676           1.2%        $       731           $       664           10.1%   

Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin (1)

    30.0%        30.9%        (90bps)        29.9%        28.9%        100bps    

 

(1)   Comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA divided by comparable Total Hotel Revenue.

In 2015, comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 90 basis points compared to 2014, primarily as a result of the adoption of USALI, which caused a decrease in Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin of 60 basis points. Additionally, disruption at the Hilton New York due to a significant rooms renovation, the conversion of certain rooms into timeshare units and construction of new retail space around the entrance to the

 

111


Table of Contents

hotel further decreased comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin by 60 basis points. Excluding the adoption of USALI and the results of the Hilton New York, comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 30 basis points in 2015.

The increase of 100 basis points in our comparable hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin in 2014 compared to 2013 was the result of both an increase in revenue and a reduction of expenses at our properties due to our asset management and operational effectiveness initiatives aimed at maximizing profitability. Refer to “—Revenue” and “—Operating Expenses” for discussion on the increase in revenues and decrease in expenses in 2014 compared to 2013.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

Revenue

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,      Percent Change  
             2016                      2015              2016 vs. 2015  
     (in millions)         

Rooms

     $        901          $        870                        3.6%   

Food and beverage

     380          357          6.4%   

Other (1)

     105          105          —%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

    Total revenue

     $     1,386          $     1,332          4.1%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) Includes revenue from our laundry business of $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

The following table details the changes in total revenue:

 

     2016 vs. 2015  
     (in millions)  

Total increase

     $            54     

Net decrease due to foreign currency changes

     7     

Net increase from non-comparable hotels (1)

     (34)    
  

 

 

 

    Adjusted increase from total comparable hotels

     $            27     
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Increases of $16 million, $14 million and $4 million in rooms revenue, food and beverage revenue and other revenue, respectively, primarily related to our Recent Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Rooms. Comparable rooms revenue increased $20 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily as a result of RevPAR growth of 2.2%. For a discussion of comparable hotel RevPAR see “—Comparable Hotel Data.”

Food and beverage. Comparable food and beverage revenue increased $11 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily as a result of increases in catering and banquet revenue from group business.

 

112


Table of Contents

Operating Expenses

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,      Percent Change  
             2016                      2015              2016 to 2015  
     (in millions)         

Rooms

      $           232           $           225                          3.1%   

Food and beverage

     258          246          4.9%   

Other departmental and support

     335          320          4.7%   

Other property-level

     92          89          3.4%   

Management fees

     51          47          8.5%   

Impairment loss

     15          —          NM (1)   

Depreciation and amortization

                 147                      139          5.8%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total operating expenses

      $        1,130           $        1,066          6.0%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.

The following table details the changes in total operating expenses:

 

     2016 vs. 2015  
     (in millions)  

Total increase

     $            64     

Net decrease due to foreign currency changes

     3     

Net increase from non-comparable hotels (1)

     (23)    

Net increase due to impairment loss

     (15)    
  

 

 

 

    Adjusted increase from total comparable hotels

     $            29     
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Increases of $4 million, $9 million and $7 million in food and beverage expense, other departmental and support expense and depreciation and amortization expense, respectively, primarily related to acquisitions and dispositions that occurred in the first quarter of 2015. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” and Note 4: “Disposals” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Rooms. Comparable rooms expense increased $7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily as a result of increases in wages and benefits.

Food and beverage. Food and beverage expense at our comparable hotels increased $9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily as a result of increases in our catering and banquet business.

Other departmental and support. Other departmental and support expense at our comparable hotels increased $8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily as a result of increases in wages and benefits, partially offset by decreases in utilities.

Management fees. Management fees at our comparable hotels increased $3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily attributable to an increase in our incentive management fees due to both an increase in profitability at certain properties and the number of properties paying incentive fees.

 

113


Table of Contents

Impairment loss . During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded an impairment of $15 million for certain hotel assets resulting from a significant decline in market value of those assets. See Note 8: “Fair Value Measurements” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Corporate and other

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,      Percent Change  
             2016                      2015              2016 to 2015  
     (in millions)         

General and administrative expenses (2)

      $            28           $            31          (9.7)%   

Acquisition costs

     —          26          NM (1)   

Laundry expenses

                     16.7%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
      $            35           $            63                  (44.4)%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.
(2) Includes allocations of costs from certain corporate and shared functions provided to us by Parent of $27 million and $31 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The decrease in corporate and other expense in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was primarily due to $26 million of property acquisition costs incurred in 2015 as a result of the acquisition of five properties in connection with a tax deferred exchange. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Gain on sale of assets, net . In the first quarter of 2015, we completed the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and recognized a gain of $144 million. See Note 4: “Disposals” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Non-operating Income and Expenses

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,      Percent Change  
             2016                      2015              2016 to 2015  
     (in millions)         

Interest income

      $            1           $            —          NM (1)   

Interest expense

     (92)         (92)         —%   

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     10          12          (16.7)%   

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     (1)         —          NM (1)   

Other loss, net

     (2)         (5)         (60.0)%   

Income tax expense

     (53)         (68)                     (22.1)%   

 

(1) Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.

Interest expense. Interest expense remained unchanged for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Our overall borrowing rate increased as a result of the debt assumed in our acquisition in February 2015; however, we have reduced our outstanding borrowings since June 30, 2015.

Other loss, net. Other loss, net of $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was a result of the recognition of remaining deferred financing costs associated with a debt payoff in conjunction with the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York; see Note 4: “Disposals” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

 

114


Table of Contents

Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased compared to the same period in 2015 primarily as a result of a decrease in pre-tax book income offset by a net tax benefit of $6 million in 2015 related to the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and the related tax deferred exchange of real property.

Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

Revenue

 

     Year ended December 31,      Percent Change  
     2015      2014      2013      2015 vs. 2014      2014 vs. 2013  
     (in millions)                

Rooms

     $        1,783          $    1,679          $    1,556                        6.2%                       7.9%   

Food and beverage

     691          644          607          7.3%         6.1%   

Other (1)

     214          190          170          12.6%         11.8%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

    Total revenue

     $        2,688          $    2,513          $    2,333          7.0%         7.7%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

(1)   Includes revenue from our laundry business of $13 million, $10 million, and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table details the changes in total revenue:

 

     2015 vs. 2014      2014 vs. 2013  
     (in millions)  

Total increase

     $                175          $                180    

Net decrease due to foreign currency changes

     28            

Net increase from non-comparable hotels

     (84)         (28)   

Net increase due to USALI adoption at our comparable hotels

     (43)         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

    Adjusted increase from total comparable hotels

     $                  76          $                154    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Rooms. Comparable rooms revenue increased $61 million in 2015 and $97 million in 2014 primarily as a result of an increase in comparable hotel RevPAR of 4.3% and 7.4% respectively. For a discussion of comparable hotel RevPAR see “—Comparable Hotel Data.” Non-comparable rooms revenue increased $64 million and $27 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of our Recent Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Food and beverage. Comparable food and beverage revenue increased $53 million and $35 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Increases in food and beverage revenue at our comparable hotels was primarily attributable to increases in catering and banquet revenue. Of the $53 million increase in 2015 at our comparable hotels, $45 million was a result of the USALI adoption. Food and beverage revenue at our non-comparable hotels was flat in 2015 compared to 2014 and increased $3 million in 2014 compared to 2013.

Other. Other revenue increased $5 million at our comparable hotels in 2015 primarily attributable to slight increases in both resort charges and parking revenue. These increases were partially offset by a slight decrease in telecommunications revenue resulting from Hilton offering their loyalty program members complimentary internet access in 2015 for reservations made through certain distribution channels. Other revenue increased $22 million at our comparable hotels in 2014, primarily as a result of an increase in resort fees. Non-comparable other revenue increased $20 million and decreased $2 million in 2015 and 2014, primarily as a result of our Recent Acquisitions and Dispositions.

 

115


Table of Contents

Operating Expenses

 

    Year ended December 31,     Percent Change  
    2015     2014     2013     2015 vs. 2014     2014 vs. 2013  
    (in millions)              

Rooms

    $              456        $              457        $             422        (0.2)%        8.3%   

Food and beverage

    487        454        437        7.3%        3.9%   

Other departmental and support

    650        592        556        9.8%        6.5%   

Other property-level

    180        178        178        1.1%        —%   

Management fees

    89        77        61        15.6%        26.2%   

Depreciation and amortization

    287        248        246        15.7%        0.8%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total operating expenses

    $          2,149        $          2,006        $          1,900                    7.1%                        5.6%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

The following table details the changes in total operating expenses:

 

     2015 vs. 2014      2014 vs. 2013  
     (in millions)  

Total increase

     $                143          $                106    

Net decrease due to foreign currency changes

     19          —    

Net increase from non-comparable hotels

     (57)         (19)   

Net increase due to USALI adoption at our comparable hotels

     (43)         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

    Adjusted increase from total comparable hotels

     $                  62          $                  87    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Rooms. Rooms expense increased $5 million at our comparable hotels in 2015, primarily resulting from higher variable operating costs due to increased occupancy. Comparable rooms expense increased $25 million during 2014 primarily due to increases in wages and benefits and travel agent commissions as a result of the increase in occupancy during 2014. Non-comparable rooms expense decreased $3 million in 2015 and increased $10 million in 2014.

Food and beverage. Food and beverage expense at our comparable hotels increased $48 million and $15 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily a result of increases in our catering and banquet business. Of the $48 million increase in 2015 at our comparable hotels, $45 million was a result of the USALI adoption. Non-comparable food and beverage expense decreased $10 million in 2015 and increased $2 million in 2014.

Other departmental and support. Other departmental and support expense increased $33 million and $28 million at our comparable hotels in 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of increases in wages and benefits, credit card fees and sales and marketing costs. Our non-comparable hotel other departmental and support expense increased $32 million and $8 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of our Recent Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Other property-level. Other property-level expenses at our comparable hotels increased $6 million in 2015 due to slight increases in our rent expense and property taxes, offset by a slight decline in insurance expense. Non-comparable hotel property-level expenses decreased $3 million in 2015. In 2014, other property-level expenses at our comparable hotels increased $3 million as a result of increases in our rent expense offset by a $3 million decrease in our non-comparable hotels.

Management fees. Management fees at our comparable hotels increased $10 million in 2015. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in our incentive management fees due to an increase in profitability and the number of properties paying incentive fees. In 2014, management fees at our comparable hotels increased

 

116


Table of Contents

$15 million as a result of increases in base management fees due to an increase in property level revenues. In addition, certain of our comparable hotels began paying an incentive fee in October 2013 based on amended management agreements that resulted in an increase in management fees of $4 million in 2014. Non-comparable hotel management fees increased $3 million and $1 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense in 2015 and 2014 primarily resulted from an increase in depreciation and amortization expense from our non-comparable hotels of $38 million and $1 million, respectively, related to assets acquired in those respective periods. Depreciation and amortization expense at our comparable hotels increased $3 million and $1 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively as a result of additional capital expenditures due to normal maintenance.

Corporate and other

 

     Year ended December 31,      Percent Change  
     2015      2014      2013      2015 to
2014
     2014 to
2013
 
     (in millions)                

General and administrative expenses (2)

     $            57          $            55          $              92          3.6%         (40.2)%   

Acquisition costs

     26                  —                  NM (1)                 NM (1)   

Laundry expenses

     13          11          11          18.2%         —%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       
     $            96          $            67          $            103          43.3%         (35.0)%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

(1)   Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.
(2)   Includes allocations of costs from certain corporate and shared functions provided to us by Parent of $56 million, $52 million, and $79 million, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The increase in 2015 was primarily due to $26 million of property acquisition costs incurred for the year ended December 31, 2015 incurred as a result of the acquisition of six properties in connection with a tax deferred exchange, compared to $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

The decrease in 2014 was primarily attributable to a decrease in our allocation of Hilton’s corporate costs. Allocated costs were higher in 2013 as a result of costs in connection with Hilton’s initial public offering that were allocated to us.

Gain on sale of assets, net . In 2015, we completed the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and recognized a gain of $143 million. See Note 4: “Disposals” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

 

117


Table of Contents

Non-operating Income and Expenses

 

     Year ended December 31,      Percent Change  
     2015      2014      2013      2015 to 2014      2014 to 2013  
     (in millions)                

Interest income

     $            1          $            1          $            2          —            (50.0)%   

Interest expense

     (186)         (186)         (162)         —            14.8 %   

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     22          16          13          37.5%         23.1 %   

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

     —                  —                  NM (1)                 NM (1)   

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —          —          68          —            NM (1)   

Other gain (loss), net

     (6)         25          —          NM (1)         NM (1)   

Income tax expense

     (118)         (117)         (104)         0.9%         12.5 %   

 

(1)   Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $24 million in 2014. The increase was due to an increase in our overall borrowing rate based on Hilton’s refinancing transactions occurring in October 2013. See Note 8: “Debt” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates. The increases in 2015 and 2014 were primarily due to improved performance at our unconsolidated properties. Additionally, the increase in 2015 was partially offset by $3 million in equity in earnings included in the year ended December 31, 2014 from affiliates that were involved in an equity investments exchange and were no longer included in equity in earnings from investments in affiliates after July 2014; see Note 3: “Acquisitions” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Gain on extinguishment of debt . The gain on debt extinguishment in 2013 was the result of our allocated portion of Hilton’s gain on debt extinguishment from refinancing transactions which occurred in October 2013. See Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Other gain (loss), net. The $6 million of other loss, net for the year ended December 31, 2015 was a result of the recognition of remaining deferred financing costs associated with a debt payoff in conjunction with the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York; see Note 4: “Disposals” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

The other gain, net for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily related to a pre-tax gain of $24 million resulting from an equity investments exchange; see Note 3: “Acquisitions” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Income tax expense. The increases in 2015 and 2014 were primarily a result of increases in our income before income taxes. In 2015, the increase in our income tax expense was offset by $34 million of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets associated with assets and liabilities distributed from liquidated controlled foreign corporations and the net tax benefit related to the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York. Refer to Note 12: “Income Taxes” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

 

118


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

As of June 30, 2016, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $288 million, including $90 million of restricted cash. The majority of our restricted cash balance relates to cash restricted under our debt agreements.

Our known short-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for operating expenses and other expenditures, including reimbursements to the hotel manager for payroll and related benefits, legal costs, operating costs associated with the operation of our properties, interest and scheduled principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness, and capital expenditures for renovations and maintenance at our properties, and dividends to our stockholders. Our long-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for scheduled debt maturities, capital improvements at our properties, and costs associated with potential acquisitions.

Our capital expenditures for property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were approximately $226 million, $171 million, $184 million, $318 million and $288 million, respectively. Our commitments to fund capital expenditures for renovations and maintenance at our properties in 2016 will be funded by cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash to the extent permitted by our lending agreements and cash flow from operations. Following the spin-off, we expect to establish reserves for capital expenditures in accordance with the management agreements to be entered into with Hilton.

As a REIT, the Company is required to distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its taxable income, excluding net capital gain, on an annual basis. Therefore, as a general matter, it is unlikely that we will be able to retain substantial cash balances that could be used to meet our liquidity needs from our annual taxable income. Instead, we will need to meet these needs from external sources of capital and amounts, if any, by which our cash flow generated from operations exceeds taxable income.

We finance our business activities primarily with existing cash and cash generated from our operations. We believe that this cash will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for operating expenses and other expenditures, including payroll and related benefits, legal costs and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. The objectives of our cash management policy are to maintain the availability of liquidity, minimize operational costs, make debt payments and fund our capital expenditure programs and future acquisitions. Further, we have an investment policy that is focused on the preservation of capital and maximizing the return on new and existing investments.

Sources and Uses of Our Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following tables summarize our net cash flows and key metrics related to our liquidity:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Percent
Change
 
     2016      2015      2016 vs. 2015  
     (in millions)         

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $         219        $         209          4.8

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (112)         339          NM (1)  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     17          (534)         NM (1)  

 

119


Table of Contents
    Year ended December 31,     Percent Change  
    2015     2014     2013     2015 vs. 2014     2014 vs. 2013  
    (in millions)              

Net cash provided by operating activities

    $        519         $        516         $        440         0.6%        17.3%   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    230         (120)        (200)        NM 1        (40.0)%   

Net cash used in financing activities

    (715)        (401)        (215)                78.3%                86.5%   

 

(1)   Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.

Operating Activities

Cash flow from operating activities is primarily generated from operating income from our properties. In a recessionary market, we may experience significant declines in travel and, thus, declines in demand for our rooms. A decline in demand could have a material effect on our cash flow from operating activities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Contraction in the global economy or low levels of economic growth could adversely affect our revenues and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.”

The $10 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to acquisition transaction costs of $26 million incurred in the first half of 2015 related to the acquisition of certain properties in a tax deferred exchange. There were no such costs incurred in the first half of 2016.

The $3 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to an increase in operating income attributable to improved operating results at our properties, partially offset by acquisition transaction costs of $26 million in 2015.

The $76 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 was a result of an increase in operating income attributable to improved operating results at our properties.

Investing Activities

The $451 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was primarily attributable to net proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York of $1,869 million, partially offset by $1,410 million used for the acquisitions of certain properties in a tax deferred exchange during the six months ended June 30, 2015. Refer to Note 3: “Acquisitions” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

The $350 million increase in net cash provided by investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to net proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York, partially offset by $1,410 million used in the acquisitions of properties in a tax deferred exchange in 2015 and a $55 million increase in capital expenditures for property and equipment. Refer to Note 3: “Acquisitions” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

The $80 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 was primarily attributable to a combination of an increase in distributions from investments in affiliates of $13 million and a decrease in capital expenditures for property and

 

120


Table of Contents

equipment of $13 million. Additionally, in the year ended December 31, 2014 we acquired a parcel of land for $28 million, which we previously leased under a long-term ground lease.

Financing Activities

The $551 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily attributable to a decrease in repayments of debt due to the repayment of the Waldorf Astoria Loan of $525 million in 2015.

The $314 million increase in net cash used in financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to an increase in repayment of debt of $869 million, partially offset by a decrease in cash dividends paid to Parent and a decrease in net transfers to Parent of $270 million and $87 million, respectively. The changes in borrowings and repayments of debt were primarily due to the repayment of the Waldorf Astoria Loan of $525 million in connection with the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York as well as a $69 million paydown of the CMBS loan and a $64 million payoff of a mortgage loan assumed in conjunction with the equity investment exchange that occurred in 2015.

Net cash used in financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $186 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily due to an increase in our cash dividends paid to Parent of $248 million in 2014, offset by a decrease in the change in restricted cash.

Debt

As of June 30, 2016, our total indebtedness was approximately $4 billion, excluding approximately $214 million of our share of debt of investments in affiliates. Substantially all of the debt of such affiliates is secured solely by the affiliates’ assets or is guaranteed by other partners without recourse to us. For further information on our total indebtedness and debt repayments refer to Note 7: “Debt” in our unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement.

Distribution Policy

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. We expect to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy this requirement. Prior to making any distributions for U.S. federal tax purposes or otherwise, we must first satisfy our operating and debt service obligations. It is possible that it would be necessary to utilize cash reserves, liquidate assets at unfavorable prices or incur additional indebtedness in order to make required distributions. It is also possible that our board of directors could decide to make required distributions in part by using shares of our common stock.

In addition, as a result of our intended election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and in order to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, we intend to declare the Purging Distribution to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to us in connection with the spin-off and the earnings and profits generated by us in our taxable year ending on the date of the spin-off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to our stockholders in a combination of cash and our common stock, with the cash portion constituting at least 20% of the total amount of the Purging Distribution. We expect to pay the majority of the Purging Distribution in Park Parent common stock. We expect to declare the Purging Distribution in                      and to make the Purging Distribution no later than                      . We currently expect the amount of the Purging Distribution will be between approximately $         million and $         million. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.”

 

121


Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2015:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 
     (in millions)  

Debt (1)(2)

   $         4,485        $         259        $         3,755        $         441        $             30    

Capital lease obligations (2)

     93                                  88    

Operating leases (3)

     411          26          52          46          287    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

    Total contractual obligations

   $ 4,989        $ 286        $ 3,809        $ 489        $ 405    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   We have assumed the exercise of all extensions, that are exercisable solely at our option.
(2)   Includes principal, as well as estimated interest payments. For our variable-rate debt we have assumed a constant 30-day LIBOR rate of 0.36 percent as of December 31, 2015.
(3)   Only includes our future minimum lease payments, see Note 11: “Leases” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 was $6 million. These amounts are excluded from the table above because they are uncertain and subject to the findings of the taxing authorities in the jurisdictions where we are subject to tax. It is possible that the amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits could change during the next year. Refer to Note 12: “Income Taxes” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2015, after giving pro forma effect to the financing transactions described in “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements” and the accompanying notes:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 
     (in millions)  

Debt (1)(2)

   $                         $                         $                         $                         $                     

Capital lease obligations (2)

              

Operating leases (3)

              
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

    Total contractual obligations

   $         $         $         $         $     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   We have assumed the exercise of all extensions that are exercisable solely at our option.
(2)   Includes principal, as well as estimated interest payments.
(3)   Only includes our future minimum lease payments, see Note 11: “Leases” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2016 included construction contract commitments of approximately $67 million for capital expenditures at our properties. Our contracts contain clauses that allow us to cancel all or some portion of the work. If cancellation of a contract occurred, our commitment would be any costs incurred up to the cancellation date, in addition to any costs associated with the discharge of the contract.

 

122


Table of Contents

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our historical combined consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the historical combined consolidated financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods and the related disclosures in the historical combined consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement, the following accounting policies are critical because they involve a higher degree of judgment, and the estimates required to be made were based on assumptions that are inherently uncertain. As a result, these accounting policies could materially affect our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates and judgments based on historical experiences and various other factors that are believed to reflect the current circumstances. While we believe our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based on information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates due to changes in judgments, assumptions and conditions as a result of unforeseen events or otherwise, which could have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets with Finite Lives

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows to the net book value of the assets if we determine there are indicators of potential impairment. If it is determined that the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the assets, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is recorded in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income as an impairment loss.

As part of the process described above, we exercise judgment to:

 

    determine if there are indicators of impairment present. Factors we consider when making this determination include assessing the overall effect of trends in the hospitality industry and the general economy, historical experience, capital costs and other asset-specific information;

 

    determine the projected undiscounted future cash flows when indicators of impairment are present. Judgment is required when developing projections of future revenues and expenses based on estimated growth rates over the expected useful life of the asset group. These estimated growth rates are based on historical operating results, as well as various internal projections and external sources; and

 

    determine the asset fair value when required. In determining the fair value, we often use internally-developed discounted cash flow models. Assumptions used in the discounted cash flow models include estimating cash flows, which may require us to adjust for specific market conditions, as well as capitalization rates, which are based on location, property or asset type, market-specific dynamics and overall economic performance. The discount rate takes into account our weighted average cost of capital according to our capital structure and other market specific considerations.

Changes in estimates and assumptions used in our impairment testing of property and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives could result in future impairment losses, which could be material.

In conjunction with our regular assessment of impairment, we did not identify any property and equipment with indicators of impairment for which a 10 percent reduction in our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows would result in impairment losses. We did not identify any intangible assets with finite lives for which a 10 percent reduction in our estimates of undiscounted future cash flows, projected operating results or other significant assumptions would result in impairment losses.

 

123


Table of Contents

Investments in Affiliates

We evaluate our investments in affiliates for impairment when there are indicators that the fair value of our investment may be less than our carrying value. We record an impairment loss when we determine there has been an “other-than-temporary” decline in the investment’s fair value. If an identified event or change in circumstances requires an evaluation to determine if the value of an investment may have an other-than-temporary decline, we assess the fair value of the investment based on the accepted valuation methods, which include discounted cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds and external appraisals. If an investment’s fair value is below its carrying value and the decline is considered to be other-than-temporary, we will recognize an impairment loss in equity in earnings (losses) from investments in affiliates for equity method investments in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Our investments in affiliates consist primarily of our interests in entities that own or lease properties. As such, the factors we consider when determining if there are indicators of potential impairment are similar to property and equipment discussed above. If there are indicators of potential impairment, we estimate the fair value of our equity method and cost method investments by internally developed discounted cash flow models. The principal factors used in our discounted cash flow models that require judgment are the same as the items discussed in property and equipment above.

Changes in estimates and assumptions used in our impairment testing of investments in affiliates could result in future impairment losses, which could be material.

In conjunction with our regular assessment of impairment, we did not identify any investments in affiliates with indicators of impairment for which a 10 percent change in our estimates of future cash flows or other significant assumptions would result in material impairment losses.

Business Combinations

Property and equipment are recorded at fair value and allocated to land, buildings and leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment and other identifiable assets using appraisals and valuations performed by management and independent third parties. Fair values are based on the exit price (i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date). We evaluate several factors, including market data for similar assets, expected future cash flows discounted at risk adjusted rates and replacement cost for the assets to determine an appropriate exit price when evaluating the fair value of our assets. Changes to these factors could affect the measurement and allocation of fair value. Other assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are recorded based on the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at acquisition date.

Goodwill

We review the carrying value of our goodwill by comparing the carrying value of our reporting unit to the fair value. Our reporting unit is the same as our operating segment as described in Note 15: “Geographic and Business Segment Information” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement. We perform this evaluation annually or at an interim date if indicators of impairment exist. In any given year we may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the two-step quantitative process. In the first step, we evaluate the fair value of our reporting unit quantitatively. When determining fair value, we utilize discounted future cash flow models, as well as market conditions relative to the operations of our reporting unit. When using a discounted cash flow approach, we utilize various assumptions that require judgment, including projections of revenues and expenses based on estimated long-term growth rates, and discount rates based on weighted average cost of capital. Our estimates of long-term growth and costs are based on historical data, as well as various internal projections and external sources. The weighted average cost of capital is estimated based on the reporting units’ cost of debt and equity and a selected capital structure. The selected capital

 

124


Table of Contents

structure for the reporting unit is based on consideration of capital structures of comparable publicly traded REITs. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step must be performed. In the second step, we estimate the implied fair value of goodwill, which is determined by taking the fair value of the reporting unit and allocating it to all of its assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination.

Changes in the estimates and assumptions used in our goodwill impairment testing could result in future impairment losses, which could be material. A change in our estimates and assumptions that would reduce the fair value of the reporting unit by 10 percent would not result in an impairment of our reporting unit. Additionally, when a portion of the reporting unit is disposed, goodwill is allocated to the gain or loss on disposition based on the relative fair values of the business or businesses disposed and the portion of the reporting unit that is retained, we use estimates and assumptions similar to that of those used in our impairment analysis.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. We regularly review our deferred tax assets to assess their potential realization and establish a valuation allowance for portions of such assets that we believe will not be ultimately realized. In performing this review, we make estimates and assumptions regarding projected future taxable income, the expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies. A change in these assumptions may increase or decrease our valuation allowance resulting in an increase or decrease in our effective tax rate, which could materially affect our historical combined consolidated financial statements.

We use a prescribed more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return if there is uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements. Assumptions and estimates are used to determine the more-likely-than-not designation. Changes to these assumptions and estimates can lead to an additional income tax expense (benefit), which can materially change our combined consolidated financial statements.

Legal Contingencies

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. An estimated loss from a loss contingency should be accrued by a charge to income if it is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required when we evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially affect our combined consolidated financial statements.

Consolidations

We use judgment when evaluating whether we have a controlling financial interest in an entity, including the assessment of the importance of rights and privileges of the partners based on voting rights, as well as financial interests in an entity that are not controllable through voting interests. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, we use judgment determining whether we are the primary beneficiary, and then consolidate those VIEs for which we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. If the entity in which we hold an interest does not meet the definition of a VIE, we evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest through our voting interest in the entity. Changes to judgments used in evaluating our partnerships and other investments could materially affect our combined consolidated financial statements.

 

125


Table of Contents

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which may affect future income, cash flows and fair value of the Company, depending on changes to interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates. In certain situations, we may seek to reduce cash flow volatility associated with changes in interest rates by entering into financial arrangements intended to provide a hedge against a portion of the risks associated with such volatility. We continue to have exposure to such risks to the extent they are not hedged. We enter into derivative financial arrangements to the extent they meet the objective described above, and we do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk on our variable-rate debt. Interest rates on our variable-rate debt discussed below are based on one-month and three-month LIBOR, so we are most vulnerable to changes in this rate.

Under the terms of the CMBS Loan, we are required to hedge interest rate risk using derivative instruments. As such, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement in the notional amount of the variable-rate component, or $862 million, which caps one-month LIBOR at 6.9 percent and expires in November 2016. In conjunction with the Bonnet Creek Loan, we entered into one interest rate cap in the notional amount of $338 million that expires in May 2017 and caps one-month LIBOR at 3.0 percent. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of these interest rate caps was immaterial to our audited combined consolidated balance sheet.

Refer to Note 9: “Derivative Instruments” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information.

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities and the total fair values as of December 31, 2015 for our financial instruments that are materially affected by interest rate risk:

 

    Maturities by Period               
    2016     2017     2018     2019     2020     Thereafter     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
 
    (in millions, excluding average interest rate)  

Liabilities:

                

Fixed-rate debt (1)

     $        104         $        54         $        2,625         $        —         $        12         $        —         $        2,795             $        2,834   

Average interest rate

                4.57%      

Variable-rate debt

     $            6         $          8         $           802         $      429         $        —         $        30         $        1,274             $        1,281   

Average interest rate

                3.20%      

 

(1)   Excludes capital lease obligations with a carrying value of $17 million as of December 31, 2015.

Refer to Note 8: “Debt” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We conduct business in various currencies and are exposed to earnings and cash flow volatility associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our principal exposure results from revenues from our international properties, partially offset by foreign operating expenses and capital expenditures, the value of which could change materially in reference to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. As of December 31, 2015, our largest net exposures were to the Euro and British pound.

 

126


Table of Contents

MARKET OPPORTUNITY

The U.S. lodging industry is highly fragmented. The publicly traded lodging REIT universe, composed of 22 companies as of December 31, 2015, collectively comprises over 340,000 rooms and over 1,650 hotels, which in total generated approximately $21 billion in total revenues during the 2015 fiscal year. With 36,062 rooms and 69 hotels as of December 31, 2015 and $2.7 billion in total revenues for the 2015 fiscal year, we will be the second-largest publicly traded lodging REIT, more than 55% larger than our next largest competitor based on number of rooms and nearly twice as large as our next largest competitor based on 2015 revenues. Given our scale advantage, we will look to be an active consolidator of hotel assets to utilize efficiencies achieved through owning a broad portfolio of assets.

Total rooms as of 12/31/2015 for publicly traded upper upscale lodging REITS

 

 

LOGO

Source: Company filings

Total revenues for the fiscal year 2015 for publicly traded upper upscale lodging REITS

 

 

LOGO

Source: Company filings

 

127


Table of Contents

BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

We are a leading lodging real estate company with a diverse portfolio of iconic and market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value. Our portfolio consists of 69 premium-branded hotels and resorts with nearly 36,000 rooms located in prime U.S. and international markets with high barriers to entry. Over 85% of our rooms are luxury and upper upscale and nearly 90% are located in the United States, including 14 of the top 25 markets as defined by Smith Travel Research (STR). Over 70% of our rooms are located in the central business districts of major cities and resort/conference destinations. We have a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship with Hilton, one of the world’s leading hotel branding and management companies. We are focused on driving premium long-term total returns by continuing to enhance the value of our existing properties and utilizing our scale to efficiently allocate capital to drive growth while maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet. With $2.7 billion of revenue, $817 million of Adjusted EBITDA and $299 million of net income in 2015, we will be one of the largest lodging REITs and expect to have significant liquidity.

Our portfolio is anchored by a collection of iconic properties located in gateway cities and premium resort destinations. Our top 10 properties contributed more than 60% of our Hotel Adjusted EBITDA in 2015 and achieved an average RevPAR of $201.78.

 

Top 10 Properties

 

 

•  Hilton Hawaiian Village

 

•  Hilton Waikoloa Village

 

•  Hilton San Francisco Union Square

 

•  Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco

 

•  Hilton New York Midtown

  

•  Hilton New Orleans Riverside

 

•  Hilton Chicago

 

•  Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek Orlando

 

•  Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

 

•  Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina Resort Key West

We believe these premier properties, which average more than 1,400 rooms and 120,000 square feet of meeting space, are relatively insulated from incremental competition as a result of high replacement costs, long-lead times for new development and irreplaceable locations in prime city center and resort/convention destinations.

Our portfolio is competitively positioned and well-maintained. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $1.2 billion, or nearly $40 thousand per room and 10% of revenues, in our consolidated properties with a focus on enhancing the overall guest experience with updated guestroom design, open and activated lobby areas, food and beverage and public spaces, and modernized meeting space. Approximately 80% of this investment was made in guest rooms, lobbies and other guest-facing areas. We also have enhanced the offerings and amenities of our hotels and resorts by repositioning food and beverage outlets, optimizing retail platforms, and redeveloping under-utilized space, thus generating incremental returns. We believe our portfolio continues to present significant opportunities for strategic value-enhancing investment over time.

As an independent company, our dedicated management team will focus on diligent asset management and strategic capital allocation to maximize performance, growth and value creation over time. As a pure-play real estate company with direct access to capital and independent financial resources, we believe our enhanced ability to implement compelling return on investment (ROI) initiatives within our portfolio represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. Finally, given our scale and investment expertise, we believe we will be able to successfully execute single-asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions to further enhance the value and diversification of our assets throughout the lodging cycle, including potentially taking advantage of the economies of scale that could come from consolidation in the lodging REIT industry.

 

128


Table of Contents

We enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with Hilton. Hilton’s diverse collection of powerful brands creates a network effect that drives industry-leading revenue premiums. Hilton’s award-winning HHonors customer loyalty program, with over 55 million members as of June 30, 2016, provides our hotels and resorts with a large and growing base of loyal guests, representing nearly half of our rooms sold in 2015. Hilton has the expertise and track record to effectively manage our large-scale properties, and its robust sales and marketing platform drives strong group business, which enhances the stability and predictability of our revenues throughout the lodging cycle. As Hilton’s largest property owner, with six of the 10 largest properties in their global system by room count, we accounted for more than 13% of Hilton’s total group revenue and approximately 41% of Hilton-operated domestic group revenue in 2015.

We intend to elect and qualify to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” We believe our election of REIT status combined with the strong income generation of our assets will enhance our ability to pay an attractive dividend, offering a compelling value proposition for investors seeking current income as well as long-term growth.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following strengths distinguish us from other lodging real estate companies and effectively position us to execute on our business plan and growth strategies:

 

    Premium Assets with Significant Underlying Real Estate Value. Our portfolio includes iconic and market-leading properties with significant scale and embedded asset value. Our top 10 properties contributed more than 60% of our Hotel Adjusted EBITDA and generated an average RevPAR of $201.78 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Top 10 Properties

 

Hotel

 

 

Rooms

 

 

 

Meeting Space (sq. ft.)                                 Description

 

 Hilton Hawaiian Village

  Honolulu, Hawaii  

  2,860    96,000    

 

• ~22-acre oceanfront resort along Waikiki Beach, with nearly 145,000 sq. ft. of retail space

 Hilton Waikoloa Village

  Waikoloa Village, Hawaii  

  1,241 (1)     57,000    

 

• 62-acre oceanfront resort on Hawaii Island

 Hilton San Francisco Union

 Square

 Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco

  San Francisco, California  

 

1,919 

 

1,024 

 

136,000 

 

32,000 

  

 

• Two adjacent convention hotels together comprising 2,943 rooms with 168,000 square feet of meeting space spanning two city blocks in downtown San Francisco

 Hilton New York Midtown

  New York, New York  

  1,931 (2)     150,000    

 

• One of the largest hotels in New York City in the heart of midtown Manhattan

 Hilton New Orleans Riverside

  New Orleans, Louisiana  

  1,622    143,000    

 

• Overlooks the Mississippi River, adjacent to one of the largest U.S. convention centers

 Hilton Chicago

  Chicago, Illinois  

  1,544    190,000    

 

• Convention hotel that covers a full city block in downtown Chicago

 Waldorf Astoria Orlando

 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

  Orlando, Florida  

 

498 

1,001 

 

34,000 

113,000 

  

 

•   Together comprising a 482-acre resort complex near Walt Disney World ® with an 18-hole golf course and surrounded by private nature preserve

 Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina

 Resort Key West

 Key West, Florida

  311    11,000    

 

• Landmark luxury beach resort in Key West overlooking nearly a quarter mile of private beachfront

 

129


Table of Contents

 

(1)   Includes approximately 600 rooms that will become part of Hilton Grand Vacations prior to the completion of the spin-offs.
(2)   Includes approximately 25 rooms that will become part of Hilton Grand Vacations prior to the completion of the spin-offs.

We believe these premier properties, which average 1,400 rooms and 120,000 square feet of meeting space, are relatively insulated from incremental competition as a result of high replacement costs, long-lead times for new development and irreplaceable locations in prime city center and resort/convention destinations.

 

    Scaled Platform with Strong Growth Potential. With nearly 36,000 rooms and $817 million of Adjusted EBITDA in 2015, we will be the second-largest publicly traded lodging REIT, more than 55% larger than our next-largest competitor based on number of rooms, and more than twice as large as our next largest competitor based on 2015 Adjusted EBITDA. Our significant scale and expected liquidity will allow us to create value throughout all phases of the lodging cycle through disciplined capital allocation and portfolio management. We believe we will have a competitive advantage in competing for large-scale opportunities to invest in properties and portfolios, both as a result of superior access to capital and our expertise as an owner of complex lodging properties. Additionally, our diverse portfolio enables us to opportunistically sell assets and recycle capital accretively. Finally, we believe we can expand our operating margins through proactive asset management and by leveraging our modest corporate overhead across a large and growing asset base.

 

    Diversified Exposure to Attractive Markets . We will be one of the most geographically diversified lodging REITs, with hotels and resorts in 14 of the top 25 markets in the United States, as well as select international markets. We are focused on enhancing our exposure to attractive, high barrier-to-entry markets. The following charts illustrate our concentration by market and property type by portfolio room-count:

 

Percentage of Total Rooms by Market

 

  

Percentage of Total Rooms by Property Type

 

LOGO

   LOGO

 

  (1)   New York market information includes the 304 room Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey.

In our top five markets, which represented 52% of our 2015 Hotel Adjusted EBITDA, average demand growth is projected to exceed supply growth over the next several years, based on CBRE forecasts. Additionally, average RevPAR for our top five markets is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% over the next three years, outpacing the U.S. industry average by roughly 70 basis points.

 

   

Leading Group Platform. With 26 properties with over 25,000 square feet of meeting space and six properties with over 125,000 square feet of meeting space in top convention markets, our portfolio generates robust corporate meeting and group business, which represented approximately one-third of bookings at our comparable hotels in 2015. We believe the strong group positioning of our portfolio increases our visibility into forward bookings and reduces operating volatility by enhancing the stability and predictability of our revenue throughout the lodging cycle. For example, our portfolio revenue declined on a percentage basis approximately 400 basis points less than peers in 2009.

 

130


Table of Contents
 

Additionally, we entered 2016 with over 75% of anticipated annual group business on the books, which equated to 20% of total expected portfolio bookings for the year, lowering our dependency on in-the-year for-the-year business and enabling more effective revenue management. Moreover, we expect new supply of hotels with over 500 rooms and significant meeting space to continue to be very limited in the near to intermediate term based on STR forecasts, creating a favorable macro environment for our large convention hotels to continue to capture strong market share in group business.

 

    Beneficial Relationship with Hilton . We enjoy a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Hilton. Hilton’s diverse collection of powerful brands creates a network effect that drives industry-leading revenue premiums. Hilton’s award-winning HHonors customer loyalty program, with over 55 million members as of June 30, 2016, provides our hotels and resorts with a large and growing base of loyal guests, representing nearly half of our rooms sold in 2015. As an independent company, we will be Hilton’s largest property owner and our portfolio will include six of the 10 largest properties in Hilton’s global system by room count. We believe this relationship will continue to drive significant benefits and mutual alignment of strategic interests. Hilton has the experience and expertise to manage the complexities of large-scale, multi-use hotels and resorts, and its robust commercial services platform drives significant levels of demand and premium pricing that enhances the performance of our properties. For example, Hilton’s global sales team, with approximately 500 sales professionals in 90 offices around the world, drives significant group business to our large convention and resort properties through preferred relationships with direct customers, group meeting planners and other distribution partners. We accounted for more than 13% of total group business for the Hilton system and 41% for Hilton-operated domestic properties in 2015.

 

    Experienced Senior Leadership . Our senior management team will be led by Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., who will serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Sean M. Dell’Orto, who will serve as our Chief Financial Officer. Our senior management team are proven lodging industry operators, with an average of                      years of experience in the real estate and lodging industries. Our senior management team has extensive and long-standing business relationships with leading hotel management companies, major franchisors, lenders, brokers and institutional investors, established through many years of industry experience, as well as significant expertise in asset management, acquisitions, dispositions, financing and renovations and repositioning of hotel properties over multiple lodging cycles. They lead a highly skilled team of asset management professionals that have a long history with our portfolio and have managed hotel portfolios through a number of lodging cycles, and that possess an intimate knowledge of our properties, markets and potential investment opportunities. We believe that the extensive operating expertise of our team enables us to achieve superior operational efficiency and pursue innovative asset management strategies.

Our Business and Growth Strategies

Our objective is to be the preeminent lodging REIT and to generate premium long-term total returns for our stockholders through proactive and sophisticated asset management, value-enhancing investment and disciplined capital allocation. We intend to pursue this objective through the following strategies:

 

    Maximizing Hotel Profitability through Proactive and Sophisticated Asset Management . We are focused on continually improving the operating performance and profitability of each of our hotels and resorts through our proactive asset management efforts. We will continue to identify opportunities to increase market share, drive cost efficiencies and thereby maximize the operating performance, cash flow and value of each property. We have a demonstrated record of improving profitability, increasing Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margins more than 600 basis points in the last five years to 30.5% in 2015, and believe that further opportunities exist to improve operating results in our portfolio. Following the spin-off, we will be even better positioned to provide independent oversight of our properties to ensure optimal results are achieved.

 

131


Table of Contents
    Identifying and Executing Value Enhancement Opportunities . We have a demonstrated record of executing on strategic plans for our properties to generate strong unlevered returns on investment, which we target to significantly exceed our weighted average cost of capital on a risk-adjusted basis. As a pure-play lodging real estate company with significant financial resources and an extensive portfolio of large, multi-use assets, including 27 hotels with 400 rooms or more, we believe our ability to continue to implement compelling ROI initiatives represents a significant embedded growth opportunity. These may include the expansion of meeting platforms in convention and resort markets; the upgrade or redevelopment of existing amenities, including retail platforms, food and beverage outlets, pools and other facilities; the development of vacant land into income-generating uses, including retail or mixed-use properties; or the redevelopment or optimization of underutilized spaces. We also may create value through repositioning select hotels across brands or chain scale segments and exploring adaptive reuse opportunities to ensure our assets achieve their highest and best use. Finally, we are focused on maintaining the competitive strength of our properties and adapting to evolving customer preferences by renovating properties to provide updated guestroom design, open and activated lobby areas, food and beverage and public spaces, and modernized meeting space.

 

    Pursuing Growth and Diversification through Disciplined Capital Allocation . We intend to leverage our scale, expected liquidity and mergers and acquisitions expertise to create value throughout all phases of the lodging cycle through opportunistic acquisitions, dispositions and/or corporate transactions. We believe this platform also will enable us to further diversify our portfolio. For example, our portfolio includes six properties located in high-growth markets we acquired in February 2015 with the proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property that was significantly accretive to Adjusted EBITDA. We will continue to opportunistically seek to expand our presence in target markets and further diversify over time, including by acquiring hotels that are affiliated with other leading hotel brands and operators.

 

    Maintaining a Strong and Flexible Balance Sheet . We intend to maintain a strong and flexible balance sheet with continued focus on optimizing our cost of capital by targeting modest leverage levels, which we will target to be approximately three- to five-times Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA throughout the lodging cycle. We also will focus on maintaining sufficient liquidity with minimal short-dated maturities, and intend to have a mix of debt that will provide us with the flexibility to prepay when desired, dispose of assets, pursue our value enhancement strategies within our existing portfolio, and support acquisition activity. Additionally, we expect to reduce our level of secured debt over time, which will provide additional balance sheet flexibility. Our senior management team has extensive experience managing capital structures over multiple lodging cycles and has extensive and long-standing relationships with numerous lending institutions and financial advisors to address our capital needs.

Our Properties

Overview

Our portfolio consists of 69 hotels totaling 35,717 rooms, including 60 consolidated hotels and 9 hotels owned or leased by unconsolidated joint ventures in which we hold an interest. During 2015, the average occupancy rate for our hotels was 81.6%, and the ADR and RevPAR of our hotels were $195.52 and $159.47, respectively.

 

132


Table of Contents

The following table provides summary information regarding our portfolio:

Portfolio Summary

 

Hotel count

    

 

69     

 

  

 

Consolidated hotels

     60         

Unconsolidated joint ventures

    

 

9      

 

  

 

Room count (1)

     35,717        

U.S. exposure (2)

     88%     

Chain scale: Luxury and upper upscale exposure (2)

     87%     

Location: Urban and resort exposure (2)

     72%     

Average RevPAR (3) :

   $

 

159.47     

 

  

 

(1)   Includes an aggregate of 5,082 rooms at hotels owned by unconsolidated joint ventures.
(2)   As a percentage of room count.
(3)   For the year ended December 31, 2015.

Brand Affiliations

Each of our hotels currently operates under one of Hilton’s market-leading brands. We believe our properties derive significant value from their affiliation with Hilton’s brands and benefit from the operational expertise, extensive distribution network, strong commercial engines and additional resources of one of the world’s leading hotel management companies and franchisors.

The following table sets forth the brand affiliations of our portfolio, as of June 30, 2016:

 

 Brand

 

  

Number of Properties

 

    

Total Rooms

 

 

 Conrad Hotels & Resorts

     1             191   

 DoubleTree by Hilton

     11             4,264   

 Embassy Suites by Hilton

     10             2,402   

 Hampton by Hilton

     1             130   

 Hilton Hotels & Resorts

     40             27,257   

 Hilton Garden Inn

     2             290   

 Curio - A Collection by Hilton

     1             224   

 Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

     3             959   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Total

     69             35,717   

 

133


Table of Contents

Geographic Diversification

We hold a diverse global portfolio of owned and leased hotels in strategically selected markets, including major urban and convention areas with high barriers to entry, top resort destinations and strategic airport and select suburban locations.

The following chart sets forth our portfolio by geographic market, as of June 30, 2016:

Percentage of Total Rooms by Market

 

 

LOGO

 

(1)   New York market information includes the 304 room Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Comparable Hotels Data” for certain operating information of our comparable hotels by geographic market.” See Note 15: “Geographic and Business Segment Information” in our combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information regarding our U.S. and international revenue for the three years ended December 31, 2015.

Chain Scale

We own and lease hotels and resorts primarily in the upper upscale chain scale segment. The following table sets forth our portfolio by chain scale segment, as of June 30, 2016:

 

 Chain Scale

 

  

Number of Properties

 

    

Total Rooms

 

 

 Luxury

     4             1,150   

 Upper Upscale

     51             29,883   

 Upscale

     13             4,554   

 Upper Midscale

     1             130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Total

     69             35,717   

 

134


Table of Contents

Type of Property Interest

The following table sets forth our properties according to the nature of our real estate interest as of June 30, 2016:

 

 Type of Interest    Number of Properties      Total Rooms  

  Consolidated Portfolio

     

 Fee Simple (1)

     43             24,205       

 Ground Lease

     17             6,430       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     60             30,635       

  Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (2)

     

 Fee Simple

     6             3,237       

 Ground Lease

     3             1,845       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9             5,082       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Total

     69             35,717       

 

(1)   Includes certain properties that, while primarily owned fee simple, are subject to ground lease in respect of certain portions of land or facilities. See “—Our Hotels,” “—Ground Leases” and Note 11: “Leases” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.
(2)   As of June 30, 2016, nine of our hotels were owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which we hold an interest. See “—Our Hotels” for the percentage ownership in such unconsolidated joint ventures.

Our Hotels

The following table provides a list of our portfolio, as of June 30, 2016:

 

Location

 

  

Type (1)

 

    

Rooms

 

 

  Arizona

     

 Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort

     FS         563   

 Embassy Suites Phoenix – Airport at 24th Street

     GL         182   

  California

     

 Hilton San Francisco Union Square

     FS         1,919   

 Hilton San Diego Bayfront (2)

     JV, GL         1,190   

 Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco

     FS         1,024   

 DoubleTree Hotel San Jose

     FS         505   

 DoubleTree Hotel Ontario Airport

     FS         482   

 Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines (3)

     JV, GL         394   

 Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort Santa Barbara

     FS         360   

 Hilton Oakland Airport

     GL         360   

 DoubleTree Hotel San Diego – Mission Valley

     GL         300   

 DoubleTree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country

     GL         245   

 Embassy Suites San Rafael – Marin County

     FS         235   

 Juniper Cupertino

     FS         224   

 Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo

     FS         162   

  Colorado

     

 DoubleTree Hotel Durango

     GL         159   

  District of Columbia

     

 Capital Hilton (4)

     JV         550   

 Embassy Suites Washington, D.C.

     FS         197   

 

135


Table of Contents

Location

 

  

Type (1)

 

   

Rooms

 

 

  Florida

    

 Hilton Orlando – Orange County Convention Ctr. (5)

     JV        1,417   

 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

     FS        1,001   

 Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

     GL        814   

 Hilton Miami Airport

     FS        508   

 Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek Orlando

     FS        498   

 Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina Resort Key West

     FS (11)        311   

 Waldorf Astoria Reach Resort Key West

     FS (11)        150   

  Georgia

    

 Hilton Atlanta Airport

     FS        507   

 Embassy Suites Atlanta – Perimeter Center

     FS        241   

  Hawaii

    

 Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort

     FS (11)        2,860   

 Hilton Waikoloa Village

     FS (11)        1,241 (12)  

  Illinois

    

 Hilton Chicago

     FS        1,544   

 Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport

     GL        860   

 Hilton Suites Chicago/Oak Brook

     FS        211   

 Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Oak Brook

     FS        128   

  Kansas

    

 Embassy Suites Kansas City – Overland Park

     FS        199   

  Louisiana

    

 Hilton New Orleans Riverside

     FS (11)        1,622   

 Hilton New Orleans Airport

     FS        317   

  Massachusetts

    

 Hilton Boston Logan Airport

     GL        599   

 Missouri

    

 Embassy Suites Kansas City – Plaza

     GL        266   

  Montana

    

 DoubleTree Hotel Missoula/Edgewater

     FS        171   

  Nevada

    

 DoubleTree Las Vegas Airport (6)

     JV (11)        190   

  New Jersey

    

 Hilton Short Hills

     FS        304   

 Embassy Suites Parsippany

     FS        274   

 Embassy Suites Secaucus – Meadowlands (7)

     JV, GL        261   

  New York

    

 Hilton New York Midtown

     FS (11)        1,931 (13)  

  Puerto Rico

    

 Caribe Hilton

     FS (11)        747   

  Tennessee

    

 Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis – Shady Grove

     FS        130   

  Texas

    

 Embassy Suites Austin – Downtown/Town Lake

     GL        259   

  Utah

    

 Hilton Salt Lake City

     GL        499   

 

136


Table of Contents

Location

 

  

Type (1)

 

 

Rooms

 

 

  Virginia

    

 DoubleTree Hotel Crystal City

   FS     627   

 Hilton McLean Tysons Corner

   FS     458   

 Embassy Suites Alexandria – Old Town (8)

   JV (11)     288   

  Washington

    

 DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport

   GL     850   

 Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center

   GL     396   

 DoubleTree Spokane – City Center

   FS     375   

  Brazil

    

 Hilton São Paulo Morumbi

   FS     503   

  Germany

    

 Hilton Berlin (9)

   JV     601   

 Hilton Nuremberg

   GL     152   

  Ireland

    

 Conrad Dublin (10)

   JV     191   

  Netherlands

    

 Hilton Rotterdam

   FS     254   

  South Africa

    

 Hilton Durban

   FS     324   

  United Kingdom

    

 Hilton Blackpool

   FS     274   

 Hilton Belfast

   FS     198   

 Hilton London Islington

   GL     188   

 Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor

   FS (11)     184   

 Hilton Coylumbridge

   FS     175   

 Hilton Bath City

   GL     173   

 Hilton Milton Keynes

   FS     138   

 Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club

   FS (11)     129   

 Hilton Sheffield

   GL     128   

 

(1) “FS” refers to fee simple ownership interest; “GL” refers to ground lease; “JV” refers to unconsolidated joint venture.
(2) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 25% interest.
(3) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 25% interest.
(4) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 25% interest.
(5) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 20% interest.
(6) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 50% interest.
(7) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 50% interest.
(8) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 50% interest.
(9) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 40% interest.
(10) This property is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 48% interest.
(11)   Certain portions of land or facilities are subject to lease. See “—Ground Leases.”
(12)   Includes approximately 600 rooms that will become part of Hilton Grand Vacations prior to the completion of the spin-offs.
(13) Includes approximately 25 rooms that will become part of Hilton Grand Vacations prior to the completion of the spin-offs.

 

137


Table of Contents

Hotel Laundry Operations

As of June 30, 2016, we own and operate three commercial laundry facilities located in Piscataway, New Jersey, Portage, Indiana, and Portland, Oregon that service approximately 30 hotels, including six of our owned hotels, and employ more than 200 full-time employees. Revenue from our hotel laundry operations accounted for less than half a percent of our consolidated revenue in each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Sustainability

We incorporate sustainability into our investment and asset management strategies, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. During the acquisition of new properties, we assess both sustainability opportunities and climate change-related risks as part of our due diligence process. During the ownership of our properties, we seek to invest in proven sustainability practices in our redevelopment projects that can enhance asset value, while also improving environmental performance. In such projects, we target specific environmental efficiency enhancements, equipment upgrades and replacements that reduce energy and water consumption and offer appropriate returns on investment. As part of our asset management strategy, we also work with Hilton Parent to monitor environmental performance and support implementation of operational best practices. We are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and minimizing our impact on the environment. Our approach to corporate citizenship is reinforced by periodic engagement with key stakeholders to understand their corporate responsibility priorities.

Our Principal Agreements

Upon consummation of the spin-off, we will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of four of the hotels in our portfolio: the Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo in El Segundo, California; the Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis—Shady Grove in Memphis, Tennessee, the Hilton Suites Chicago/Oak Brook in Chicago, Illinois and the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Oak Brook in Chicago, Illinois, which we refer to as the “Select Hotels.”

To qualify as a REIT, we will not directly or indirectly operate any of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels. We will lease each of our hotels (other than the Select Hotels) to our TRS lessees, which, in turn, will engage Hilton to manage these hotels pursuant to management agreements. We will operate the Select Hotels pursuant to franchise agreements with Hilton. We may, in the future, re-flag existing properties, acquire properties that operate under other brands and/or engage other third-party hotel managers and franchisors.

Below is a general overview of the management and franchise agreements that we and Hilton will enter into in connection with the spin-off in respect of our wholly owned properties.

Management Agreements

Hilton will control the day-to-day operations of each of our hotels that is subject to a management agreement. We will be granted consultative and specified approval rights with respect to certain actions of Hilton, including entering into long-term or high value contracts, engaging in certain actions relating to legal proceedings, approving the operating budget, making certain capital expenditures and the hiring of certain management personnel.

As in our franchise agreements described below, we will be provided with a variety of services and benefits under our management agreements with Hilton, including the benefit of the name, marks and system of operation of the Hilton brand, as well as centralized reservation systems, participation in the Hilton HHonors customer loyalty program, national advertising, marketing programs and publicity designed to increase brand awareness, as well as training of personnel and payroll and accounting services.

 

138


Table of Contents

Term

The management agreements will have an initial term ranging from 20 to 30 years and allow for one or more renewal periods at the option of Hilton. Assuming all renewal periods are exercised by Hilton, the total term of our management agreements will range from 30 to 70 years.

Fees

Our management agreements generally will contain a two-tiered fee structure, where Hilton receives a base management fee and an incentive management fee. The base management fee is 3% of gross hotel revenues or receipts. The incentive management fee will generally be 6% of a specified measure of hotel earnings calculated in accordance with the management agreement. We also will pay certain service fees to Hilton and generally will reimburse Hilton for salaries and wages of its employees at our U.S. hotels, as well as for other certain expenses incurred in connection with the operation of the hotel.

Termination Events

Subject to certain qualifications, notice requirements and applicable cure periods, the management agreements generally will be terminable by either party upon a material casualty or condemnation of the hotel or the occurrence of certain customary events of default, including, among others: the bankruptcy or insolvency of either party; the failure of either party to make a payment when due, and failure to cure such non-payment after due notice; or breach by either party of covenants or obligations under the management agreement.

Additionally, Hilton generally will have the right to terminate the management agreement in certain situations, including the occurrence of certain actions with respect to the mortgage or our failing to complete or commence required repair after damage or destruction to the hotel, or our failure to meet minimum brand standards. For certain properties, our management agreements with Hilton may also allow early termination, subject to entering into a franchise agreement with a Hilton brand. If Hilton terminates due to our default, Hilton may exercise all of its rights and remedies at law or in equity.

Sale of a Hotel

Our management agreements generally will provide that we cannot sell a hotel to a person who (i) does not have sufficient financial resources, (ii) is of bad moral character, (iii) is a competitor of Hilton’s, or (iv) is a specially designated national or blocked person, as set forth in the applicable management agreement. It is generally an event of default if we proceed with a sale and the assignment of the hotel’s management agreement without Hilton’s consent.

Franchise Agreements

In connection with the spin-off, we will enter into franchise agreements with Hilton pursuant to which we will operate the Select Hotels. Pursuant to the franchise agreements, we will be granted a limited, non-exclusive license to use the Hilton name, marks and system in the operation of the Select Hotels. Hilton also may provide us with a variety of services and benefits, including centralized reservation systems, participation in the Hilton HHonors customer loyalty program, national advertising, marketing programs and publicity designed to increase brand awareness, as well as training of personnel. In return, we are required to operate franchised hotels consistent with the applicable brand standards. The franchise agreements will specify operational, record-keeping, accounting, reporting and marketing standards and procedures with which we must comply, and will promote consistency across the brand by outlining standards for guest services, products, signage and furniture, fixtures and equipment, among other things. To monitor our compliance, the franchise agreements specify that we must make the hotel available for quality inspections by the Hilton.

 

139


Table of Contents

Term

The franchise agreements contain an initial term of 20 years and cannot be extended without Hilton’s consent.

Fees

Our franchise agreements will require that we pay a royalty fee on gross rooms revenue at current rates, currently ranging from 5% to 6%, plus 3% of food and beverage revenue where applicable. We must also pay certain marketing, reservation, program and other customary fees. In addition, Hilton will have the right to require that we renovate guest rooms and public facilities from time to time to comply with then-current brand standards.

Termination Events

Our franchise agreements will provide for termination at Hilton’s option upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others: the failure to maintain brand standards; the failure to pay royalties and fees or to perform other obligations under the franchise license; bankruptcy; and abandonment of the franchise or a change of control, and in the event of such termination, we are required to pay liquidated damages.

TRS Leases

In order for us to qualify as a REIT, we will not directly or indirectly operate our hotels (other than the Select Hotels). Our hotel owning subsidiaries, as lessors, will lease each of our hotels (other than the Select Hotels) to our TRS lessees, which, in turn, will enter into the hotel management agreements with Hilton for each of these hotels.

 

140


Table of Contents

Ground Leases

The following table summarizes the remaining primary term, renewal rights, purchase rights and monthly base rent as of June 30, 2016, associated with land underlying our hotels and meeting facilities that we lease from third parties:

 

Property

 

 

Current Lease

Term Expiration

 

 

Renewal
Rights /
Purchase
Rights

 

 

Current Monthly
Minimum or Base
Rent

 

   

Base Rent
Increases at
Renewal

 

 

Lease Type

 

Leases of U.S. Properties (Excluding Properties Leased by Joint Ventures)

 

Hilton Boston Logan Airport   September 30, 2044   2 x 20 years     $296,054 (1)     None   Triple Net
DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport – land   January 31, 2044   Purchase
Rights (3)
    $29,989      Not Applicable   Triple Net
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista   October 14, 2037   1 x 25 years     $19,244 (2)     None   Triple Net

Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel

& Conference Center

  September 30, 2034   Purchase
Rights; (3)

Renewal
Rights

2 x 10 years;

1 x 5 years

    $70,935 (4)     Not Applicable   Triple Net
Hilton Oakland Airport   June 30, 2031   None     $1,500 (2)     None   Triple Net
Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza   December 20, 2026   Renewal
Rights (5)

2 x 25 years;

Purchase

Rights (6)

    $4,427 (2)     None   Triple Net
Portfolio of Five Hotels (7)   December 31, 2025   2 x 5 years     $825,604 (2)     None   Triple Net
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport   November 30, 2021   1 x 10 years     $5,366 (2)     None   Triple Net
Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Town Lake   February 28, 2019   2 x 10 years     $25,000 (8)     None   Triple Net
Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport   December 31, 2018   Renewal
Rights (9)
    $143,750 (2)     Determined by
Landlord

 

  Triple Net
Leases of U.S. Properties by Joint Ventures

 

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines (10)   June 30, 2043   None     $152,449 (11)     Not Applicable   Triple Net
Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands   October 31, 2021   1 x 10 years     $89,789 (13)     Determined by
Landlord
  Triple Net
Hilton San Diego Bayfront   December 31, 2071   None     $375,000 (12)     Not Applicable   Triple Net
Leases of Non-U.S. Properties

 

Hilton Bath City   January 10, 2141   None      £ 3,093      Not Applicable   Triple Net
Hilton Nuremberg   December 31, 2089   1 x 20 years     € 29,167      Not Applicable   Triple Net
Hilton London Islington   June 23, 2072   None     £ 36,963 (13)     Not Applicable   Triple Net
Hilton Sheffield – gym   March 24, 2047   None     £ 12,500 (14)     Not Applicable   Triple Net
Hilton Sheffield – hotel (15)   September 14, 2022   None     £ 95,810      Not Applicable   Triple Net

 

(1) Percentage rent is also payable until September 30, 2024.
(2) Percentage rent is also payable.
(3) Tenant has a right of first refusal to purchase the property.
(4) For and during the period from February 1, 1993 to September 30, 2034, the monthly minimum rent increases 3% each year; percentage rent is also payable.
(5) Landlord has the option to renew the lease.

 

141


Table of Contents
(6) Landlord has the option to purchase Tenant’s leasehold estate and Tenant’s furniture, fixtures, and personal property, which must be exercised not less than 18 months prior to the last day of the twelfth, seventeenth, twenty-second, or thirtieth lease year.
(7) Reflects the terms of a master lease agreement pursuant to which we lease the following five hotels: the Hilton Salt Lake City Center; the DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport; the DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego—Mission Valley; the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country; and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango.
(8) For and during the period from March 1, 1984 to February 28, 2019, the monthly minimum rent is adjusted based on the terms of the lease. The monthly minimum or base rent remains the same during the remaining term of the lease and any renewal thereof. Percentage rent is also payable.
(9)   If premises are to be used as hotel after the end of the lease term, tenant has a right of first refusal to re-lease.
(10) The lease is held by CHH Torrey Pines Hotel Partners, LP, which is wholly owned by joint venture entity, Ashford HHC Partners III LP.
(11) The monthly minimum or base rent next adjusts on January 1, 2018. Percentage rent is also payable.
(12) For and during the period from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2071, the monthly minimum rent is based on the terms of the lease and is adjusted based on a calculation tied to the Consumer Price Index. The monthly minimum or base rent in this chart is for the period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2025. Percentage rent is also payable.
(13) Turnover rent is also payable at 7% of gross turnover to the extent that this exceeds the Base Rent. There is also an airspace lease where rent is 50% of gross income.
(14)   Turnover rent is also technically payable at 6% of gross turnover of the extent that this exceeds the Base Rent. However, this is not being paid or demanded.
(15) There is also a personal parking agreement for Hilton Worldwide Limited for a fee of £65,872 per year. It cannot be assigned.

We (or certain joint ventures in which we own an interest) are also party to certain leases for facilities related to certain hotels owned by us (or such joint ventures), including the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, and the New York Hilton Midtown. These leases are all triple net leases or modified triple net leases and relate to facilities related to such hotels, including leases for parking, restaurant space, dock space or other hotel-related uses.

Competition

The lodging industry is highly competitive. Our hotels compete with other hotels for guests on the basis of several factors, including the attractiveness of the facility, location, level of service, quality of accommodations, amenities, food and beverage options and outlets, public and meeting spaces and other guest services, consistency of service, room rate, brand reputation and the ability to earn and redeem loyalty program points through a global system. Competition is often specific to the individual markets in which our hotels are located and includes competition from existing and new hotels operated under brands primarily in the upper upscale chain scale segments. Increased competition could have a material adverse effect on the occupancy rate, average daily room rate and RevPAR of our hotels or may require us to make capital improvements that we otherwise would not have to make, which may result in decreases in our profitability. We believe our hotels enjoy certain competitive advantages as a result of being flagged with Hilton brands, including Hilton’s centralized reservation systems and national advertising, marketing and promotional services, strong hotel management expertise and the Hilton HHonors loyalty program.

Our principal competitors include hotel operating companies, ownership companies (including other hotel REITs) and national and international hotel brands. We face increased competition from providers of less expensive accommodations, such as select-service hotels or independently managed hotels, during periods of economic downturn when leisure and business travelers become more sensitive to room rates. We face competition for the acquisition of hotels from other REITs, private equity investors, institutional pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and numerous local, regional and national owners, including franchisors, in each of our markets. Some of these entities may have substantially greater financial resources than we do and may be able and willing to accept more risk than we believe we can prudently manage. During the recovery phase of the lodging cycle, competition among potential buyers may increase the bargaining power of potential sellers, which may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities available to us or increase pricing. Similarly, during

 

142


Table of Contents

times when we seek to sell hotels, competition from other sellers may increase the bargaining power of the potential property buyers.

Seasonality

The lodging industry is seasonal in nature, which can be expected to cause fluctuations in our hotel rooms revenues, occupancy levels, room rates, operating expenses and cash flows. The periods during which our hotels experience higher or lower levels of demand vary from property to property, depending principally upon location, type of property and competitive mix within the specific location.

Cyclicality

The lodging industry is cyclical and demand generally follows, on a lagged basis, key macroeconomic indicators. There is a history of increases and decreases in demand for hotel rooms, in occupancy levels and in room rates realized by owners of hotels through economic cycles. Variability of results through some of the cycles in the past has been more severe due to changes in the supply of hotel rooms in given markets or in given segments of hotels. The combination of changes in economic conditions and in the supply of hotel rooms can result in significant volatility in results for owners of hotel properties. As a result, in a negative economic environment the rate of decline in earnings can be higher than the rate of decline in revenues.

Government Regulations

Our business is subject to various foreign and U.S. federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, we are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and similar legislation in certain jurisdictions outside of the U.S. Under the ADA, all public accommodations are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. These regulations apply to accommodations first occupied after January 26, 1993; public accommodations built before January 26, 1993 are required to remove architectural barriers to disabled access where such removal is “readily achievable.” The failure of a property to comply with the ADA could result in injunctive relief, fines, an award of damages to private litigants or mandated capital expenditures to remedy such noncompliance. Any imposition of injunctive relief, fines, damage awards or capital expenditures could result in reputational harm or otherwise materially and negatively affect our performance and results of operations.

In addition, a number of states regulate the activities of hospitality properties and restaurants, including safety and health standards, as well as the sale of liquor at such properties, by requiring licensing, registration, disclosure statements and compliance with specific standards of conduct. As an operator of the Select Hotels we are also subject to laws governing our relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions and work permit requirements. Compliance with, or changes in, these laws could reduce the revenue and profitability of our properties and could otherwise adversely affect our operations.

As a global owner of hotels, we also are subject to the local laws and regulations in each country in which we operate, including employment laws and practices, privacy laws and tax laws, which may provide for tax rates that exceed those of the U.S. and which may provide that our foreign earnings are subject to withholding requirements or other restrictions, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements or monetary policy and other potentially adverse tax consequences.

In addition, our business operations in countries outside the U.S. are subject to a number of laws and regulations, including restrictions imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), as well as trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). The FCPA is intended to prohibit bribery of foreign officials and requires us to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect our transactions. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals. In addition, some of our operations may be subject to additional laws and regulations of non-U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.K.’s

 

143


Table of Contents

Bribery Act 2010, which contains significant prohibitions on bribery and other corrupt business activities, and other local anti-corruption laws in the countries and territories in which we conduct operations.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to certain requirements and potential liabilities under various foreign and U.S. federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and incur costs in complying with such requirements. These laws and regulations govern actions including air emissions, the use, storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic substances, and wastewater disposal. In addition to investigation and remediation liabilities that could arise under such laws, we may also face personal injury, property damage, fines or other claims by third parties concerning environmental compliance or contamination. In addition to our hotel accommodations, we operate certain laundry facilities. We use and store hazardous and toxic substances, such as cleaning materials, pool chemicals, heating oil and fuel for back-up generators at some of our facilities, and we generate certain wastes in connection with our operations. Some of our properties include older buildings, and some may have, or may historically have had, dry-cleaning facilities and underground storage tanks for heating oil and back-up generators. We have from time to time been responsible for investigating and remediating contamination at some of our facilities, such as contamination that has been discovered when we have removed underground storage tanks, and we could be held responsible for any contamination resulting from the disposal of wastes that we generate, including at locations where such wastes have been sent for disposal. In some cases, we may be entitled to indemnification, but there can be no assurance that we would be able to recover all or any costs we incur in addressing such problems. From time to time, we may also be required to manage, abate, remove or contain mold, lead, asbestos-containing materials, radon gas or other hazardous conditions found in or on our properties. We have implemented an on-going operations and maintenance plan that seeks to identify and remediate these conditions as appropriate. Although we have incurred, and expect that we will continue to incur, costs relating to the investigation, identification and remediation of hazardous materials known or discovered to exist at our properties, those costs have not had, and are not expected to have, a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

REIT Qualification

We intend to make a tax election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution, and expect to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on net taxable income that we distribute annually to our stockholders. To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the real estate qualification of sources of our income, the composition and values of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the diversity of ownership of our stock. To comply with REIT requirements, we may need to forego otherwise attractive opportunities and limit our expansion opportunities and the manner in which we conduct our operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our REIT Status and Certain Other Tax Items.”

Insurance

We maintain insurance coverage for general liability, property, including business interruption, terrorism, workers’ compensation and other risks with respect to our business for all of our hotels. Most of our insurance policies are written with self-insured retentions or deductibles that are common in the insurance market for similar risks. These policies provide coverage for claim amounts that exceed our self-insured retentions or deductibles. Our insurance provides coverage related to any claims or losses arising out of the design, development and operation of our hotels.

Employees

As of June 30, 2016, we had approximately                      employees, including                      employees of the Select Hotels and                      employees of our hotel laundry operations. This number does not include the

 

144


Table of Contents

hotel employees of certain of our hotels outside of the United States, which, while technically Park Hotels & Resorts employees, are under the direct supervision and control of Hilton, our third-party hotel manager. Hilton is generally responsible for hiring and maintaining the labor force at each of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels. Following the spin-off, we or our TRSs will employ the employees at certain of our hotels outside of the United States, although these employees will be under the direct supervision and control of Hilton. Although we generally do not manage employees at our hotels (other than the Select Hotels), we still are subject to many of the costs and risks generally associated with the hotel labor force, particularly those hotels with unionized labor. We believe relations are positive between Hilton, our third-party hotel manager, and its employees. For a discussion of these relationships, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly with hotels that employ unionized labor.”

Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which include claims for substantial sums, including proceedings involving tort and other general liability claims, employee claims and consumer protection claims. Most occurrences involving liability, claims of negligence and employees are covered by insurance with solvent insurance carriers. For those matters not covered by insurance, which include commercial matters, we recognize a liability when we believe the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. We believe we have adequate reserves against such matters. We currently believe that the ultimate outcome of such lawsuits and proceedings will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. However, depending on the amount and timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect our future results of operations in a particular period.

 

145


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of our expected directors and executive officers following the spin-off. We are in the process of identifying additional individuals who will serve as members of our board of directors or as our executive officers following the spin-off.

 

Name

     Age     

Position

Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.

   52    President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

Sean M. Dell’Orto

   42    Chief Financial Officer

Thomas C. Morey

   45    General Counsel

Jill C. Olander

   42    Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. will be the President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Park Parent. Mr. Baltimore has served most recently as the President and Chief Executive Officer of RLJ Lodging Trust and as a member of its board of trustees since RLJ’s formation on January 31, 2011 until May 11, 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Baltimore co-founded RLJ Development and served as its president from 2000 to 2011. During this time period, RLJ Development and affiliates raised and invested more than $2.2 billion in equity. Previously, Mr. Baltimore served as vice president of gaming acquisitions of Hilton Hotels Corporation from 1997 to 1998 and later as vice president of development and finance from 1999 to 2000. He also served in various management positions with Marriott Corporation and Host Marriott Services Corporation, including vice president of business development. Mr. Baltimore currently serves on the boards of directors of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) and Duke Realty Corporation (NYSE: DRE), and served on the board of trustees of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ) until May of 2016 and Integra Life Sciences Company (NASDAQ: IART) until August 2012. Mr. Baltimore received his Bachelor of Science degree from the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Colgate Darden School of Business, University of Virginia.

Mr. Baltimore’s knowledge of and extensive experience in various senior leadership roles in the lodging real estate industry will provide our board of directors valuable industry-specific knowledge and expertise. In addition, Mr. Baltimore’s role as our President and Chief Executive Officer will bring management perspective to board deliberations and provide valuable information about the status of our day-to-day operations.

Sean M. Dell’Orto will be the Chief Financial Officer of Park Parent. Mr. Dell’Orto has served most recently as Senior Vice President, Treasurer of Hilton Parent since September 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Dell’Orto served as Vice President, Corporate Finance of Hilton Parent from February 2010 to September 2012, leading corporate forecasting and capital markets activities including debt fundraising and refinancing, loan workouts and modifications, strategic planning and debt compliance. Prior to his tenure at Hilton Parent, Mr. Dell’Orto held similar management roles at Barceló Crestline Corporation and Highland Hospitality Corporation. Mr. Dell’Orto received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Virginia and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Thomas C. Morey will be the General Counsel of Park Parent. From October 2008 to July 2016, Mr. Morey served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust. Prior to that, he served in a business role as Chief Operating Officer of Medical Funding Services, Inc., a provider of financial and administrative services to healthcare companies, from February 2006 to September 2008. Previously, Mr. Morey was a corporate partner with Hogan & Hartson LLP, a multi-national law firm (now known as Hogan Lovells US LLP), where he focused on capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and general business matters for national and regional lodging, residential, office, retail and other REITs. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Morey was a corporate attorney with Jones Day in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Morey is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and also previously served on the Executive Committee of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Morey received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and his Juris Doctor degree from Duke Law School.

 

146


Table of Contents

Jill C. Olander will be the Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Park Parent. From July 2013 to August 2016, Ms. Olander served as Vice President, Human Resources Consulting with Hilton and from April 2010 to July 2013 she was Senior Director of Human Resources Consulting with Hilton. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Human Resources for Allied Capital (Acquired by Ares Capital Management in 2010), a private equity investment firm and mezzanine capital lender, from April 2006 to January 2010. Previously, Ms. Olander also held various Human Resources management roles at Chevy Chase Bank (now Capital One Bank), Deloitte & Touche and Capital One Financial. Ms. Olander received her Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University.

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Our Corporate Governance

Our corporate governance will be structured in a manner that we believe will closely align our interests with those of our stockholders. Following the spin-off, we anticipate that our corporate governance will include the following notable features:

 

    our board of directors will not be classified and each of our directors will be subject to re-election annually, and we will not classify our board of directors in the future without the approval of our stockholders;

 

    under our by-laws and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors who fail to receive a majority of the votes cast in uncontested elections will be required to submit their resignation to our board of directors;

 

    our independent directors will meet regularly in executive sessions;

 

    we will not have a stockholder rights plan, and if our board of directors were ever to adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without prior stockholder approval, our board of directors would either submit the plan to stockholders for ratification or cause the rights plan to expire within one year; and

 

    we will implement a range of other corporate governance best practices, including placing limits on the number of directorships held by our directors to prevent “overboarding” and implementing a director education program.

Composition of the Board of Directors Following the Spin-Off

Upon completion of the spin-off, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will provide that our board of directors will consist of such number of directors as may from time to time be fixed by our board of directors. Each director will serve until our next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

We are in the process of identifying the individuals who will become directors following the spin-off.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Following the spin-off, our board of directors will have an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each of which will have the composition and responsibilities described below and whose members will satisfy the applicable independence standards of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange within the transition periods provided under the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. The charter of each such standing committee will be posted on our website in connection with the spin-off. Our board of directors may also establish from time to time any other committees that it deems necessary or desirable.

 

147


Table of Contents

Audit Committee

Upon completion of the spin-off we expect our audit committee will consist of                     ,              and                 , with              serving as chair. The audit committee will have responsibility for, among other things, assisting the board of directors in reviewing: our financial reporting and other internal control processes; our financial statements; the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors; and our compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The responsibilities of our audit committee, which are anticipated to be substantially the same as the responsibilities of Hilton Parent’s audit committee, will be more fully described in our audit committee charter. The board of directors has determined that                 ,              and              are independent as defined under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange applicable to board members generally and audit committee members specifically. The board of directors has also determined that                     ,              and              are financially literate within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange and that              qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under applicable SEC rules and regulations.

Compensation Committee

Upon completion of the spin-off we expect our compensation committee will consist of                         ,          and                     , with              serving as chair. The compensation committee will have responsibility for, among other things, overseeing: the goals, objectives, compensation and benefits of our executive officers and directors; our overall compensation structure, policies and programs; and our compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The responsibilities of our compensation committee, which are anticipated to be substantially the same as the responsibilities of Hilton Parent’s compensation committee, will be more fully described in our compensation committee charter. The board of directors has determined that                     ,              and              are independent as defined under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange applicable to board members generally and compensation committee members specifically.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Upon completion of the spin-off we expect our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of                     ,              and                     , with              serving as chair. The nominating and corporate governance committee will have responsibility for, among other things: identifying and recommending to the board of directors candidates for election to our board of directors; reviewing the composition of the board of directors and its committees; developing and recommending to the board of directors corporate governance guidelines that are applicable to us; and overseeing board of directors evaluations. The responsibilities of our nominating and corporate governance committee, which are anticipated to be substantially the same as the responsibilities of Hilton Parent’s compensation committee, will be more fully described in our nominating and corporate governance committee charter. The board of directors has determined that                     ,              and              are independent as defined under the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

We expect that none of the members of our compensation committee will have at any time been one of our executive officers or employees. We expect that none of our executive officers will currently serve, or will have served during the last completed fiscal year, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

 

148


Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

Following the transactions described herein, we will own and operate the Separated Real Estate business, which will consist of a portfolio of Hilton’s real estate assets comprising a substantial portion, but not all, of Hilton’s ownership business, and certain related assets and operations consisting of the hotel laundry operations described under “Business and Properties—Portfolio Summary—Hotel Laundry Operations.” Prior to the internal reorganization, and as part of Hilton, we have not historically been a separate division or managed as a separate business. Therefore, we did not have our own principal executive officer or principal financial officer in 2015. In contemplation of the spin-off, we have hired Mr. Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer and, prior to such time, he will serve as Executive Adviser—Real Estate at Hilton Parent. In addition, concurrent with the spin-off, Sean Dell’Orto, currently Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Hilton Parent, will become our Chief Financial Officer. In connection with the spin-off, we intend to form a compensation committee that will be responsible for our executive compensation programs (the “Park Parent Compensation Committee”). Our compensation programs may differ significantly from those in effect at Hilton Parent during 2015.

Key Elements of Expected CEO and CFO Compensation

Although the Park Parent Compensation Committee may make changes to the compensation arrangements for our executives, the following summarizes the principal elements of compensation that we expect to provide to Messrs. Baltimore and Dell’Orto .

CEO Compensation

Mr. Baltimore has entered into an employment agreement pursuant to which he will serve, prior to the spinoff, as an Executive Adviser—Real Estate at Hilton Parent and, following the spin-off, as our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director on our board of directors, subject to his re-election at our annual stockholders meetings. The employment agreement provides for an initial four-year employment term, which term will be automatically extended by one year at the end of the then-current term unless either party provides advance notice of non-renewal. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Baltimore is entitled to receive an initial annual base salary of $1,000,000, which is subject to increase but not decrease. During the employment term, he is also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus of 150% of his annual base salary (the “target annual bonus”) if target performance objectives are achieved, 75% of his annual base salary if threshold performance objectives are achieved and 225% of his annual base salary if maximum performance objectives are achieved. Any bonus that is earned in respect of 2016 will be prorated based on the period during 2016 which he worked at Hilton Parent and Park Parent.

During the employment term, Mr. Baltimore is eligible to participate in the long-term equity incentive plans of Hilton Parent (prior to the spin-off) and Park Parent (following the spin-off) and will receive an annual grant of long-term equity-based incentive awards with a target value of $3,500,000 (based on the grant date fair market value of the common stock awarded). With respect to the first grant made under the employment agreement, fifty percent of the award was granted under the Hilton Parent Omnibus Incentive Plan on or about the date he commenced service at Hilton Parent and was in the form of Hilton Parent restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vest in three substantially equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of such grant date, generally subject to his continued employment through each applicable vesting date. The remaining 50% of such award will be granted under the Park Parent Omnibus Incentive Plan at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Parent Compensation Committee following the spin-off and will be in the form of Park Parent performance share units (“PSUs”) that vest in amounts ranging from 0% to 200% of the target number of units based on Park Parent’s relative total stockholder return compared to the FTSE NAREIT Lodging/Resorts Index over a three-year performance period, generally subject to his continued employment through the applicable vesting date. In addition to the foregoing, on or about the date that his service at Hilton Parent commenced,

 

149


Table of Contents

Mr. Baltimore became entitled to a one-time sign-on equity-based incentive award valued at $6,750,000 in the form of Hilton Parent RSUs that vests, as to 40% of the award, on December 15, 2016 and, as to the remaining 60% of the award, in three substantially equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to his continued employment through each applicable vesting date. Mr. Baltimore is also entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements made available to our other executive officers generally.

If Mr. Baltimore’s employment is terminated without “cause” (as defined in the employment agreement) (other than due to death or “disability” (as defined in the employment agreement)) including as a result of the spin-off not occurring on or before December 31, 2017, by him for “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreement), or due to our non-renewal of the employment term, he will be entitled to receive (1) a lump sum cash severance payment in an amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of his annual base salary and target annual bonus then in effect, (2) subject to his election of COBRA continuation coverage, payment for a period of 12 months following the termination date (subject to earlier termination in certain cases) of an amount equal to the difference between the monthly COBRA premium cost and the monthly contribution paid by active employees for the same coverage and (3) accelerated vesting of any then-held unvested time-based restricted stock and unvested stock options and a prorated portion of the target number of any then-held unvested PSUs and performance shares, provided that such target number will not be prorated if the termination occurs within 12 months following a “change in control” (as defined in the employment agreement). Mr. Baltimore is entitled to the foregoing, in each case, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release of claims and continued compliance with non-compete and non-solicitation covenants for 18 months following his termination and non-disparagement and confidentiality covenants at all times following his termination. If Mr. Baltimore’s employment terminates due to death or disability, he will be entitled to receive (1) a prorated portion of the annual cash bonus that he would have otherwise been entitled to receive had his employment not terminated and (2) accelerated vesting of any then-held unvested time-based restricted stock and unvested stock options and a prorated portion of the target number of any then-held unvested PSUs and performance shares.

The employment agreement also provides that payments and benefits to be delivered in connection with a change in control will be either delivered in full or to such lesser extent as would result in no portion of such payments and benefits being subject to the excise taxes imposed by the golden parachute rules of Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, after taking into account all applicable taxes, results in the greatest amount of such payments and benefits to Mr. Baltimore on an after-tax basis.

CFO Compensation

In his capacity as CFO, it is expected that Mr. Dell’Orto will receive an initial annual base salary of $500,000 and a target annual cash incentive award equal to 100% of his annual base salary if target performance objectives are achieved and up to 150% of his annual base salary if maximum performance objectives are achieved. Subject to approval by the Park Parent Compensation Committee, we also expect to grant Mr. Dell’Orto under the Park Parent Omnibus Incentive Plan a long-term equity-based incentive award in respect of 2017, having a target value of $1,000,000. Any salary and cash incentive award earned for serving as our CFO during 2016 will be prorated based on the period during 2016 which Mr. Dell’Orto served as our CFO.

Director Compensation

Following the spin-off, neither our employees nor those affiliated with Blackstone who serve as directors on our board of directors will receive separate compensation for his or her service as a director on our board of directors or on committees thereof. However, we expect to establish compensation practices for our eligible non-employee directors that will be aligned with creating and sustaining equityholder value whereby such directors will receive customary compensation, including cash and share-based compensation, for their service as members of our board of directors and its committees. We expect that all members of our board of directors will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such service.

 

150


Table of Contents

Park Parent 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan

In connection with the spin-off, we intend to adopt a new omnibus incentive plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”) as a means to attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means for key personnel to receive shares and other forms of incentive compensation. The Omnibus Incentive Plan will be administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors (the “Board”), or any other committee designated by the Board (the “Committee”). The Committee will have the sole authority to administer the Omnibus Incentive Plan, including determining the terms and conditions of all awards, and the authority to interpret any provision of the Omnibus Incentive Plan or any award agreement, and to make any other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of the Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Shares Subject to the Omnibus Incentive Plan

The total number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Omnibus Incentive Plan is              (of which              may be granted as incentive stock options). The Omnibus Incentive Plan also contains limits on the size of awards to individuals in a single fiscal year, as follows:

 

    The maximum number of shares that may be granted as options or stock appreciation rights to one person in a fiscal year is             ;

 

    With respect to share-based performance compensation awards granted to an individual in a single fiscal year, the maximum number of shares is              (and, if the award is settled in cash, the maximum amount may not exceed the fair market value of              shares on the last day of the performance period); and

 

    With respect to cash-based performance awards granted to an individual in a fiscal year, the maximum amount is $            .

In general, if awards are forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise settled without delivery of shares, the undelivered shares will again be available for grant under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (unless stockholder approval would be required under any stock exchange rules). In connection with an acquisition of or combination with another entity, we may grant substitute awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, which will not be counted against the limits described above (other than any substitute awards granted in the form of incentive stock options). The Omnibus Incentive Plan will expire on the tenth anniversary of its effective date, although awards granted prior to that date may continue after that date. Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan will expire on the date determined by the Committee, which will not be later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

Types of Awards

We may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted shares, and other cash and stock-based awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan on such terms as may be determined by the Committee consistent with the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, if a participant’s employment is terminated by us without cause or due to death or disability during the 12-month period following a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Omnibus Incentive Plan), all outstanding time-vesting stock-based awards will become fully vested as of that date, and all outstanding performance-vesting awards will vest based on actual performance through the date of termination (unless actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, in which case performance-vesting awards will vest at target). The Committee may also provide for the payment of dividends, dividend equivalents, or similar payments in respect of awards, on such terms and conditions determined by the Committee.

The exercise price applicable to stock options and stock appreciation rights must be at least equal to the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant (other than in the case of substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition or business combination), and stock options and stock appreciation rights may not be repriced or replaced with new awards without stockholder consent.

 

151


Table of Contents

The Committee may designate any award as a “performance compensation award” intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. The performance criteria, performance levels, and performance periods will be established by the Committee in its sole discretion, except that eligible performance criteria are limited to those set forth in the Omnibus Incentive Plan, and performance criteria must be established and may only be modified in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code and the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Awards granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan are not transferable or assignable by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (unless specifically required pursuant to a domestic relations order or by applicable law).

Effect of Certain Events on Omnibus Incentive Plan and Awards

In the event of a Change in Control or a dividend, stock split, merger, or other corporate transaction affecting our shares, if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines an adjustment is necessary or appropriate (such event, an “adjustment event”), the Committee must make any such adjustments in such manner as it deems equitable, including adjustments to:

 

    any limit to the number of shares that may be granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan;

 

    the number and kind (if applicable) of shares of common stock or other of our securities that may be issued in respect of awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan; and

 

    the terms of any outstanding award, including (i) the number and kind of shares of common stock or other of our securities subject to outstanding awards, (ii) the applicable exercise or strike price, or (iii) any applicable performance measures.

In addition, except as may otherwise be provided in an award agreement, in connection with an adjustment event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

 

    substitution, assumption, accelerated vesting or exercisability, or termination of, or lapse of restrictions on, awards, or providing for a period of exercisability prior to the occurrence of such event;

 

    cancellation of outstanding awards and the payment of the value of such awards, if any, to holders of any such awards, as determined by the Committee; and

 

    conversion or replacement of any unvested awards as of the occurrence of such event, into awards subject to continued vesting on the same terms as those applicable to the award prior to conversion or replacement.

Amendment and Termination of Omnibus Incentive Plan or Awards

The Board may amend or terminate the Omnibus Incentive Plan or any portion thereof at any time in its discretion. The Committee may also amend, terminate, or waive any conditions or rights under any particular award, both prospectively and retroactively, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable award agreement. Any amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination of the Omnibus Incentive Plan or any award that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant or any holder or beneficiary of any award will not be effective without such individual’s consent.

However, we will need to receive stockholder approval in the event that any such amendment or termination would materially (i) modify the eligibility requirements for participation in the Omnibus Incentive Plan, or (ii) increase the number of securities that can be issued under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (with exceptions for certain adjustments laid out in the Omnibus Incentive Plan), or to the extent that stockholder approval is required for the amendment or termination by any regulatory or accounting rules.

 

152


Table of Contents

Clawback/Repayment

All awards are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with both applicable law, as well as any clawback-related policy adopted by the Board or the Committee. If a participant engages in activity that is detrimental to us (including a material breach of any restrictive covenant or confidentiality obligation), the Committee may provide for the cancellation of any or all of such participant’s outstanding awards, and/or the forfeiture of any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of awards, and prompt repayment to us of any such gain. In the event that any participant receives an amount in excess of that which he or she should otherwise have received under the terms of such award for any reason, he or she will be required to repay to us any such excess amount.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. 2016 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors

In connection with the spin-off, we intend to adopt a new non-employee director stock plan (the “Non-Employee Director Stock Plan”), as a means to attract and retain non-employee directors (“Non-Employee Directors”) to serve as members of our Board, and to provide a means for Non-Employee Directors to receive shares and other forms of incentive compensation.

The Non-Employee Director Stock Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee will have the authority to administer the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, including determining the terms and conditions of all awards, and the authority to interpret any provision of the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan or any award agreement, and to make any other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan.

Shares Subject to the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan

The total number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan is                     , and the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be granted to a Non-Employee Director, together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director, during a single fiscal year may not exceed $1,000,000 in value.

In general, if awards are forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise settled without delivery of shares, the undelivered shares will again be available to for grant under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (unless stockholder approval would be required under any stock exchange rules). The Non-Employee Director Stock Plan will expire on the tenth anniversary of its effective date, although awards granted prior to that date may continue after that date. Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan will expire on the date determined by the Committee, which will not be later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

Types of Awards

We may grant non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted shares, and other stock-based awards under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan consistent with the terms of the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. In the event of a termination of a Non-Employee Director’s service for “Cause” (as defined in the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan), all outstanding vested and unvested stock options and stock appreciation rights will immediately expire. With respect to stock options and stock appreciation rights only, in the event of a termination due to death or “Disability” (as defined in the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan), all such awards will immediately become fully vested and exercisable, and remain as such for one year following such termination (but in no event longer than the end of the ten year period following the grant date of the award). The Committee may also provide for the payment of dividends, dividend equivalents, or similar payments in respect of awards, on such terms and conditions determined by the Committee.

 

153


Table of Contents

The exercise price applicable to stock options and stock appreciation rights must be at least equal to the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant (other than in the case of substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition or business combination), and stock options and stock appreciation rights may not be repriced or replaced with new awards without shareholder approval.

Awards granted under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan are not transferable or assignable by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (unless specifically required pursuant to a domestic relations order or by applicable law).

Effect of Certain Events on Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and Awards

In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Omnibus Incentive Plan) or a dividend, stock split, merger, or other corporate transaction affecting our shares, if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines an adjustment is necessary or appropriate (such event, an “adjustment event”), the Committee must make any such adjustments in such manner as it deems equitable, including adjustments to:

 

    any limit to the number of shares that may be granted under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan;

 

    the number and kind (if applicable) of shares of common stock or other of our securities that may be issued in respect of awards under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan; and

 

    the terms of any outstanding award, including (i) the number and kind of shares of common stock or other of our securities subject to outstanding awards, or (ii) the applicable exercise or strike price.

In addition, except as may otherwise be provided in an award agreement, in connection with an adjustment event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

 

    substitution, assumption, accelerated vesting or exercisability, or termination of, or lapse of restrictions on, awards, or providing for a period of exercisability prior to the occurrence of such event;

 

    cancellation of outstanding awards and the payment of the value of such awards, if any, to holders of any such awards, as determined by the Committee; and

 

    conversion or replacement of any unvested awards as of the occurrence of such event, into awards subject to continued vesting on the same terms as those applicable to the award prior to conversion or replacement.

Amendment and Termination of Non-Employee Director Stock Plan or Awards

The Board may amend or terminate the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan or any portion thereof at any time in its discretion. The Committee may also amend, terminate, or waive any conditions or rights under any particular award, both prospectively and retroactively, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable award agreement. Any amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination of the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan or any award that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant or any holder or beneficiary of any award will not be effective without such individual’s consent.

However, we will need to receive stockholder approval in the event that any such amendment or termination would materially (i) modify the eligibility requirements for participation in the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, or (ii) increase the number of securities that can be issued under the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (with exceptions for certain adjustments laid out in the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan), or to the extent that stockholder approval is required for the amendment or termination by any regulatory or accounting rules.

Clawback/Repayment

All awards are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with both applicable law, as well as any clawback-related policy adopted by the Board or the Committee. In the

 

154


Table of Contents

event that any Non-Employee Director receives an amount in excess of that which he or she should otherwise have received under the terms of such award for any reason, he or she will be required to repay to us any such excess amount.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

In connection with the spin-off, we intend to adopt a new deferred compensation plan. Pursuant to our Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”), specified eligible employees, including our NEOs, may defer up to 100% of such employee’s annual salary and bonus. Deferral elections are made by eligible employees in each calendar year preceding the year compensation is otherwise payable. Contributions to the EDCP will consist of participants’ elective deferral contributions, and discretionary employer contributions as credited to certain participants’ accounts from time to time in the Board’s discretion. Eligible employees are permitted to make individual investment elections in notional funds selected by the plan administrator that will determine the rate of return on their deferral amounts. Participants may change their investment elections at any time, in accordance with the procedures adopted by the plan administrator. The EDCP does not provide any above-market returns or preferential earnings to participants, and the deferrals and their earnings are always 100% vested.

Generally, account balances will be distributed in accordance with the deferral election made by the participant. The participant must make two payout elections, one in the case of termination and one in the case of retirement. Participants may also elect to receive in-service distributions of such amounts at the time they make their deferral elections. In addition, upon a showing of financial hardship due to death, illness, accident or similar extraordinary or unforeseeable circumstances, an executive may be allowed to access funds in his or her deferred compensation account before he otherwise would have been eligible. Benefits can generally be received either as a lump sum payment or in installments over a period not to exceed 20 years in the case of retirement, 5 years in the case of termination and 5 years for in-service distributions. In the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Omnibus Incentive Plan), 100% of the value of the eligible employee’s deferred compensation account will be distributed.

 

155


Table of Contents

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off

This section of the information statement summarizes material agreements between us and Hilton Parent (and, in certain cases, HGV Parent and certain affiliates of Blackstone) that will govern the ongoing relationships between the two companies after the spin-off and are intended to provide for an orderly transition to our status as an independent, publicly traded company. Additional or modified agreements, arrangements and transactions, which would be negotiated at arm’s length, may be entered into between us and Hilton Parent after the spin-off. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the applicable agreements, which are incorporated by reference into this information statement.

Following the spin-off, we and Hilton will operate independently, and neither will have any ownership interest in the other. To govern certain ongoing relationships between us and Hilton after the spin-off and to provide mechanisms for an orderly transition, we, Hilton Parent and HGV Parent intend to enter into agreements pursuant to which certain services and rights will be provided for following the spin-off, and we, Hilton Parent and HGV Parent will indemnify each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses. The following is a summary of the terms of the material agreements we expect to enter into with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent.

Distribution Agreement

We intend to enter into a Distribution Agreement with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent prior to the distribution of our shares of common stock to Hilton Parent stockholders. The Distribution Agreement will set forth our agreements with Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations regarding the principal actions to be taken in connection with our spin-off from Hilton. It also will set forth other agreements that govern certain aspects of our relationship with Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations following the spin-off.

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities . The Distribution Agreement will provide for certain transfers of assets and assumptions of liabilities by each of Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations. The Distribution Agreement also will provide for the settlement or extinguishment of certain liabilities and other obligations among Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.” In particular, the Distribution Agreement will provide that, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Distribution Agreement:

 

    all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) associated with the Separated Real Estate business will be retained by or transferred to us or our subsidiaries;

 

    all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) associated with the Timeshare business will be retained by or transferred to HGV Parent or its subsidiaries;

 

    all other assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and subject to certain exceptions) of Hilton will be retained by or transferred to Hilton Parent or its subsidiaries (other than us, HGV Parent and our respective subsidiaries);

 

    liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise) related to, arising out of or resulting from businesses of Hilton that were previously terminated or divested will be allocated among the parties to the extent formerly owned or managed by or associated with such parties or their respective businesses;

 

    each of Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations will assume or retain any liabilities (including under applicable federal and state securities laws) relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Form 10 registering its common stock to be distributed by Hilton Parent in the spin-off and from any disclosure documents that offer for sale securities in transactions related to the spin-off, subject to exceptions for certain information for which Hilton Parent will retain liability; and

 

156


Table of Contents
    except as otherwise provided in the Distribution Agreement or any ancillary agreement, we will be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by us following the distribution in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement, including costs and expenses relating to legal counsel, financial advisors and accounting advisory work related to the distribution.

In addition, notwithstanding the allocation described above, we, Hilton Grand Vacations and Hilton will agree that losses related to certain contingent liabilities (and related costs and expenses), which generally are not specifically attributable to any of the Separated Real Estate business, the Timeshare business or the retained business of Hilton (“Shared Contingent Liabilities”), will be apportioned among the parties according to fixed percentages set forth in the Distribution Agreement. Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, Hilton shall generally be vested with the exclusive management and control of all matters pertaining to any such Shared Contingent Liabilities, including the prosecution of any claim and the conduct of any defense.

Further Assurances . To the extent that any transfers of assets or assumptions of liabilities contemplated by the Distribution Agreement have not been consummated on or prior to the date of the distribution, the parties will agree to cooperate to effect such transfers or assumptions as promptly as practicable following the date of the distribution. In addition, each of the parties will agree to cooperate with each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to take or to cause to be taken all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and the ancillary agreements.

Representations and Warranties . In general, neither we, Hilton Grand Vacations, nor Hilton will make any representations or warranties regarding any assets or liabilities transferred or assumed, any consents or approvals that may be required in connection with such transfers or assumptions, the value or freedom from any lien or other security interest of any assets transferred, the absence of any defenses relating to any claim of either party or the legal sufficiency of any conveyance documents, or any other matters. Except as expressly set forth in the Distribution Agreement or in any ancillary agreement, all assets will be transferred on an “as is,” “where is” basis.

The Distribution . The Distribution Agreement will govern the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the proposed distribution and certain actions that must occur prior to the proposed distribution, such as the election of officers and directors and the adoption of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws. Prior to the distribution, we will issue or transfer shares of our common stock to Hilton Parent in a share split, dividend or otherwise, to the extent necessary to ensure that Hilton Parent shall hold the necessary number of shares of our common stock required to be distributed in the distribution. Hilton Parent will cause the distribution agent to distribute to Hilton Parent stockholders that hold shares of Hilton Parent common stock as of the applicable record date all the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. Hilton Parent will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the date of the distribution.

Conditions . The Distribution Agreement will provide that the distribution is subject to several conditions that must be considered satisfied or waived by Hilton Parent in its sole discretion. For further information regarding these conditions, see “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” Hilton Parent may, in its sole discretion, determine the distribution date and the terms of the distribution and may at any time prior to the completion of the distribution decide to abandon or modify the distribution.

Termination . The Distribution Agreement will provide that it may be terminated by Hilton Parent at any time in its sole discretion prior to the date of the distribution.

Release of Claims and Indemnification . We, Hilton Grand Vacations and Hilton will agree to broad releases pursuant to which we will each release the others and certain related persons specified in the Distribution Agreement from any claims against any of them that arise out of or relate to acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to occur or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or prior to the time of the distribution. These releases will be subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Distribution Agreement and the ancillary agreements.

 

157


Table of Contents

The Distribution Agreement will provide for cross-indemnities that, except as otherwise provided in the Distribution Agreement, are principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of our business with us, financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of the business of Hilton Grand Vacations with Hilton Grand Vacations and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of Hilton’s business with Hilton. Specifically, each party will, and will cause its subsidiaries and affiliates to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each other party, its affiliates and subsidiaries and each of its officers, directors, employees and agents for any losses arising out of or otherwise in connection with:

 

    the liabilities or alleged liabilities each such party assumed or retained pursuant to the Distribution Agreement; and

 

    any breach by such party of the Distribution Agreement or any ancillary agreement unless such ancillary agreement expressly provides for separate indemnification therein, in which case any such indemnification claims will be made thereunder.

The amount of each party’s indemnification obligations will be subject to reduction by any insurance proceeds received by the party being indemnified and by any proceeds received from a third party for indemnification for such liability. The Distribution Agreement also will specify procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters. Indemnification with respect to taxes will be governed solely by the Tax Matters Agreement.

Insurance . Following the spin-off, we generally will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining our own insurance coverage.

Dispute Resolution . In the event of any dispute arising out of the Distribution Agreement, the general counsels of the disputing parties, and/or such other representatives as such parties designate, will negotiate to resolve any disputes among such parties. If the disputing parties are unable to resolve the dispute in this manner within a specified period of time, as set for in the Distribution Agreement, then unless agreed otherwise by such parties, the disputing parties will submit the dispute to mediation for an additional specified period of time, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement. If the disputing parties are unable to resolve the dispute in this manner, the dispute will be resolved through binding arbitration.

Other Matters Governed by the Distribution Agreement . Other matters governed by the Distribution Agreement will include access to financial and other information, intellectual property, confidentiality, access to and provision of records and treatment of outstanding guarantees and similar credit support.

Employee Matters Agreement

We intend to enter into an Employee Matters Agreement with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent that will govern the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Hilton Parent, Hilton Grand Vacations and us after the spin-off with respect to transferred employees, defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, non-qualified retirement plans, employee health and welfare benefit plans, incentive plans, equity-based awards, collective bargaining agreements and other employment, compensation and benefits-related matters. The Employee Matters Agreement will provide for, among other things, the allocation and treatment of assets and liabilities arising out of incentive plans, retirement plans and employee health and welfare benefit plans in which our employees participated prior to the spin-off, and continued participation in, certain of Hilton’s compensation and benefit plans for a specified period of time following the spin-off. Generally, other than with respect to certain specified compensation and benefit plans and liabilities, we will assume or retain sponsorship of, and the liabilities relating to, compensation and benefit plans and employee-related liabilities relating to our current and former employees. The Employee Matters Agreement also will provide that outstanding Hilton Parent equity-based awards will be equitably adjusted or converted, as applicable, in connection with the spin-off. After the spin-off, our employees will no longer actively participate in Hilton’s plans or programs (other than specified compensation and benefit plans), and we will establish plans or programs for our employees as described in the Employee Matters Agreement. We also will establish or maintain plans and programs outside of the U.S. as may be required under applicable law or pursuant to the Employee Matters Agreement.

 

158


Table of Contents

Tax Matters Agreement

We intend to enter into a Tax Matters Agreement with Hilton Parent and HGV Parent that will govern the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and us after the spin-off with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other tax sharing regarding U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, other tax matters and related tax returns. Although binding between the parties, the Tax Matters Agreement will not be binding on the IRS. As a subsidiary of Hilton Parent, we have (and will continue to have following the spin-off) several liability with Hilton Parent to the IRS for the consolidated U.S. federal income taxes of the Hilton Parent consolidated group relating to the taxable periods in which we were part of that group. However, the Tax Matters Agreement will specify the portion, if any, of this tax liability for which we will bear responsibility, and Hilton Parent and HGV Parent will agree to indemnify us against any amounts for which we are not responsible. The Tax Matters Agreement also will provide special rules for allocating tax liabilities in the event that the spin-off is not tax-free. In general, under the Tax Matters Agreement, each party is expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on Hilton Parent that arise from the failure of the spin-off and certain related transactions to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, as applicable, and certain other relevant provisions of the Code, to the extent that the failure to qualify is attributable to actions taken by such party. The parties are expected to share responsibility, in accordance with their enterprise values, for any such taxes imposed on Hilton Parent that are not attributable to actions taken by a party.

The Tax Matters Agreement also will provide for certain covenants that may restrict our ability to pursue strategic or other transactions that otherwise could maximize the value of our business, including:

 

    for two years after the spin-off, engaging in any transaction involving the acquisition of shares of Park Parent stock or in certain issuances of shares of Park Parent stock (other than with respect to the Purging Distribution);

 

    for two years after the spin-off, merging or consolidating with any other person or dissolving or liquidating in whole or in part;

 

    for two years after the spin-off, selling or otherwise disposing of, or allowing the sale or other disposition of, more than 35% of our consolidated gross or net assets; or

 

    for two years after the spin-off, repurchasing our shares, except in certain circumstances.

Each of these covenants may discourage or delay a change of control that you may consider favorable. However, these restrictions are generally inapplicable in the event that the IRS has granted a favorable ruling to Hilton Parent, HGV Parent or us or in the event that Hilton Parent, HGV Parent or we have received an opinion from a tax advisor that we can take such actions without adversely affecting the tax-free status of the spin-off and related transactions.

Stockholders Agreement

Hilton Parent, HGV Parent and certain entities affiliated with Blackstone will enter into a Stockholders Agreement intended to preserve the tax-free status of the distributions. The Stockholders Agreement will provide for certain covenants that may restrict dispositions of our common stock by Blackstone and transfers of interests in certain Blackstone entities that directly or indirectly own our common stock or the common stock of Hilton Parent or HGV Parent. Additionally, the Stockholders Agreement may restrict issuances or repurchases of stock by Hilton Parent and HGV Parent. We will not be a party to the Stockholders Agreement, although issuances or repurchases of our stock may be restricted under the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

159


Table of Contents

Transition Services Agreement

We intend to enter into a Transition Services Agreement with Hilton Parent under which Hilton Parent or one of its affiliates will provide us with certain services for a limited time to help ensure an orderly transition following the distribution.

We anticipate that the services that Hilton will agree to provide us under the Transition Services Agreement may include certain finance, information technology, human resources and compensation, facilities, legal and compliance and other services. We will pay Hilton Parent for any such services utilized at agreed amounts as set forth in the Transition Services Agreement. In addition, for a term set forth in the Transition Services Agreement, we and Hilton Parent may mutually agree on additional services to be provided by Hilton to us that were provided to us by Hilton prior to the distribution but were omitted from the Transition Services Agreement at pricing based on market rates that are reasonably agreed by the parties.

Management and Franchise Agreements with Hilton

To qualify as a REIT, we will not directly or indirectly operate any of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels. Upon consummation of the spin-off, we will lease each of our hotels (other than the Select Hotels) to our TRS lessees, which, in turn, will engage Hilton to manage these hotels pursuant to management agreements. We will operate the Select Hotels pursuant to franchise agreements with Hilton.

The terms of the management and franchise agreements that we and Hilton will enter into in connection with the spin-off are described under “Business and Properties—Our Principal Agreements—Management Agreements” and “—Franchise Agreements.”

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with its initial public offering, Hilton Parent entered into a registration rights agreement with Blackstone. As required by that agreement, we intend to enter into a registration rights agreement that will provide Blackstone an unlimited number of “demand” registrations and customary “piggyback” registration rights. The registration rights agreement also will provide that we will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the registration rights holders against certain liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act.

Indemnification Agreements

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that will be effective upon completion of the spin-off. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors or executive officers, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

Real Estate Transactions

In February 2015, we acquired the following properties:

 

    the resort complex consisting of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida;

 

    the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida;

 

160


Table of Contents
    the Reach Resort in Key West, Florida; and

 

    the Parc 55 hotel in San Francisco, California,

for a total of approximately $1.76 billion, including $450 million of assumed debt (collectively, the “Hilton Acquisitions”) from certain sellers, including affiliates of Blackstone. The parties to the documents governing the Hilton Acquisitions made customary representations and warranties in the purchase and sale agreements and, subject to specified limitations, agreed to indemnify each other against certain claims and losses. We used proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York to fund the Hilton Acquisitions as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property under Section 1031 of the Code.

In 2014, we completed the sale of certain floors at the Hilton New York Midtown to a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Parent for $22 million in connection with a timeshare project. At closing, legal title of these floors were transferred to the subsidiary of Hilton Parent. The net book value of these floors was approximately $66 million. In connection with this sale, we made a contractually required prepayment of $13 million on the variable-rate component of the CMBS Loan to release these floors from collateral. We reserved exclusive rights to occupy and operate these floors for specific periods of time, which represents a lease arrangement. Due to our continuing involvement, this transaction was not recognized as a sale and was accounted for as a sales-leaseback liability under the financing method. The assets will remain in our combined consolidated balance sheets until the end of each respective floor’s lease term. The lease term on the remaining floors expires on December 31, 2016.

In 2014, we completed the sale of certain land and easement rights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with a development project. As a result, the Blackstone affiliate acquired the rights to the name, plans, designs, contracts and other documents related to the development project. The total consideration received for this transaction was approximately $37 million.

Other Relationships

In 2015, we borrowed $45 million from a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Parent under a short-term note payable due December 31, 2016 with an interest rate of 1.82 percent. The proceeds from the note payable were used towards the prepayment of a $64 million mortgage loan assumed as part of an equity investments exchange in 2014. As of June 30, 2016, the aggregate principal amount outstanding was $45 million.

In June 2016, in connection with a timeshare project, we transferred assets, including legal title, related to certain floors at the Embassy Suites Washington, D.C. to a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Parent that will be held by HGV Parent upon consummation of the spin-off. The net book value of these assets was approximately $33 million, which included approximately $7 million of related deferred tax liabilities. No cash consideration was received for this transfer. See Note 10: “Transactions with Parent” of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Statement of Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons

Prior to the consummation of the spin-off, our board of directors will adopt a written statement of policy regarding transactions with related persons, which we refer to as our “related person policy.” Our related person policy will require that a “related person” (as defined as in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, which includes security holders who beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, including Blackstone) must promptly disclose to our general counsel any “related person transaction” (defined as any transaction that is anticipated would be reportable by us under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest) and all material facts with respect thereto. The general counsel will then promptly communicate that information to our board of directors. No related person transaction will be executed without the approval or ratification of our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors (expected to be the audit committee). It is our policy that directors interested in a related person transaction will recuse themselves from any vote on a related person transaction in which they have an interest.

 

161


Table of Contents

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES

The following is a discussion of our investment policies and our policies with respect to certain other activities, including financing matters and conflicts of interest. These policies may be amended or revised from time to time at the discretion of our board of directors without stockholder approval. Any change to any of these policies by our board of directors, however, would be made only after a thorough review and analysis of that change, in light of then-existing business and other circumstances, and then only if, in the exercise of its business judgment, our board of directors believes that it is advisable to do so in our best interests. We intend to disclose any changes in our investment policies in periodic reports that we file or furnish under the Exchange Act. We cannot assure you that our investment objectives will be attained.

Investments in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate

Our primary objective is to generate long-term returns for our stockholders through disciplined capital allocation, superior operational efficiency and innovative asset management. We historically have invested principally in hotels and resorts located in the United States, which represented nearly 90% of our total rooms, and in the central business districts of major cities and resort/conference destinations, which represented over 70% of our total rooms, in each case, as of June 30, 2016. We currently anticipate that our real estate investments will continue to be primarily concentrated in such markets in the future. For a discussion of our properties and our acquisition and other strategic objectives, see “Business and Properties.”

We intend to engage in future investment activities in a manner that is consistent with the requirements applicable to REITs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We primarily expect to pursue our investment objectives through the acquisition of fee simple and leasehold interests in hotel and resort properties, but we also have made and may in the future make equity investments in other entities, including joint ventures that own properties. Our management team will identify and negotiate acquisition and other investment opportunities, subject to the approval by our board of directors. For information concerning the experience of these individuals, please see “Management.”

We historically have and may in the future participate with third parties in property ownership, through joint ventures or other types of co-ownership. We will not, however, enter into a joint venture or other partnership arrangement to make an investment that would not otherwise meet our investment policies. As of June 30, 2016, nine hotels in our portfolio, totaling 5,082 rooms, are owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which we have an equity interest.

We do not have a specific policy to acquire assets primarily for capital gain or primarily for income. From time to time, we may make investments in pursuit of our business and growth strategies that do not provide current cash flow. We believe investments that do not generate current cash flow may be, in certain circumstances, consistent with enhancing stockholder value over time.

We do not have any specific policy as to the amount or percentage of our assets that will be invested in any specific asset, other than the tax rules applicable to REITs. Additionally, no limits have been set on the concentration of investments in any one geographic location, brand, market segment or property type. We anticipate that our real estate investments will continue to be diversified in terms of geographic market within the United States and in select international markets. We expect to diversify hotel management and branding outside of Hilton.

Investments in Real Estate Mortgages

While we will emphasize equity real estate investments in hotels and resorts, we may selectively acquire loans secured by hotels or resorts, or entities that own hotels or resorts, to the extent that those investments are consistent with our qualification as a REIT and provide us with an opportunity to acquire the underlying real

 

162


Table of Contents

estate. We do not intend to originate any secured or unsecured real estate loans or purchase any debt securities as a stand-alone, long-term investment, but, in limited circumstances, we may from time to time provide a short-term loan to a property owner as a means of securing an acquisition opportunity. The mortgages in which we may invest may be first-lien mortgages or subordinate mortgages secured by properties. The subordinated mezzanine loans in which we may invest may include mezzanine loans secured by a pledge of ownership interests in an entity owning a property or group of properties. Investments in real estate mortgages and subordinated real estate loans are subject to the risk that one or more borrowers may default and that the collateral securing mortgages may not be sufficient or, in the case of subordinated mezzanine loans, available to enable us, to recover our full investment.

Investments in Securities or Interests in Entities Primarily Engaged in Real Estate Activities and Investments in Other Securities

Generally speaking, we do not expect to engage in any significant investment activities with other entities, although we have made and may in the future consider joint venture investments with other investors, as well as single-asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions. We may, from time to time, undertake a significant renovation and rehabilitation project and chose to structure such acquisitions as a joint venture or mezzanine lending program. We may also invest in the securities of other issuers in connection with acquisitions of indirect interests in properties. We may in the future acquire some, all or substantially all of the securities or assets of other REITs or similar entities where that investment would be consistent with our investment policies and the REIT qualification requirements. There are no limitations on the amount or percentage of our total assets that may be invested in any one issuer, other than those imposed by the gross income and asset tests that we must satisfy to qualify as a REIT, and there are no limitations on the type or quantity of securities in which we may invest. However, we do not anticipate investing in other issuers of securities for the purpose of exercising control or acquiring any investments primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business or holding any investments with a view to making short-term profits from their sale. In any event, we do not intend that our investments in securities will cause us or any of our subsidiaries to become an “investment company” within the meaning of that term under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Therefore we will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and we intend to divest securities before becoming an investment company, and thus before any registration would be required.

We do not intend to engage in trading, underwriting, agency distribution or sales of securities or other issuers.

Dispositions

We expect to invest in hotels and resorts primarily for generation of current income and long-term capital appreciation. Although we do not currently intend to sell any properties, we may deliberately and strategically, subject to REIT qualification and prohibited transaction rules, dispose of assets in the future and redeploy funds into new acquisitions and redevelopment, renovation and expansion opportunities that align with our investment and growth strategies. If a property no longer fits with our investment objectives, we may pursue traditional and non-traditional means of disposal.

Financings and Leverage Policy

We anticipate using a number of different sources to finance our acquisitions and operations, including cash flows from operations, asset sales, issuance of debt securities, private financings (which may or may not be secured by our assets), property-level mortgage debt, common or preferred equity issuances or any combination of these sources, to the extent available to us, or other sources that may become available from time to time. Any debt that we incur may be recourse or non-recourse and may be secured or unsecured. We also may take advantage of joint venture or other partnering opportunities as such opportunities arise to acquire properties that would otherwise be unavailable to us. We may use the proceeds of our borrowings to acquire assets, to refinance existing debt, repurchase our securities or for general corporate purposes.

 

163


Table of Contents

We intend, when appropriate, to employ prudent amounts of leverage and to use debt as a means of providing additional funds for the acquisition of assets, to refinance existing debt or for general corporate purposes.

Our board of directors will consider a number of factors in evaluating the amount of debt that we may incur. Our board of directors may from time to time modify its views regarding the appropriate amount of debt financing in light of then-current economic and industry conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our properties, general conditions in the market for debt and equity securities, fluctuations in the market price of our common stock, growth and acquisition opportunities and other factors. Our decision to use leverage in the future to finance our assets will be at our discretion and will not be subject to the approval of our stockholders.

Lending Policies

We do not expect to engage in any significant lending in the future. Certain of our corporate governance policies limit our ability to make loans to directors, executive officers and certain other related persons. However, we do not otherwise have a policy limiting our ability to make loans to other persons, although our ability to do so may be limited by applicable law, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Subject to tax rules applicable to REITs, we may make loans to unaffiliated third parties. For example, we may consider offering purchase money financing in connection with the disposition of assets in instances where the provision of that financing would increase the value to be received by us for the asset sold. We may choose to guarantee debt of certain joint ventures with third parties. Consideration for those guarantees may include, but is not limited to, fees, options to acquire additional ownership interests and promoted equity positions. Our board of directors may, in the future, adopt a formal lending policy without notice to or consent of our stockholders.

Issuance of Additional Securities

To the extent that our board of directors determines to obtain additional capital, we may issue, without further stockholder approval, debt or equity securities, including senior or subordinated securities, retain earnings (subject to provisions in the Code requiring distributions of income to qualify as a REIT and maintain our REIT qualification) or pursue a combination of these methods.

Existing stockholders will have no preemptive right to additional securities issued in any offering by us, and any such offering might cause a dilution of a stockholder’s investment in us. We may in the future offer our common stock or other debt or equity securities in exchange for cash, real estate assets or other investment targets or repurchase or otherwise reacquire our common stock or other debt or equity securities. We may issue preferred stock from time to time, in one or more classes or series, as authorized by our board of directors without the need for stockholder approval. We have not adopted a specific policy governing the issuance of senior securities at this time.

We may, under certain circumstances, purchase shares of our common stock or other securities in the open market or in private transactions with our stockholders, provided that those purchases are approved by our board of directors. Any such action would only be taken in conformity with applicable federal and state laws and the applicable requirements for qualification as a REIT.

We have not issued common stock or any other securities in exchange for property or any other purpose, but we may engage in such activities in the future.

Reporting Policies

We intend to make available to our stockholders audited annual financial statements and annual reports. We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, pursuant to which we will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information, including audited financial statements, with the SEC.

 

164


Table of Contents

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Upon the completion of our separation from Hilton, our board of directors will adopt a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees that sets forth our policies and expectations on a number of topics, including conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, use of our assets and business conduct and fair dealing. However, we cannot assure you that these policies or provisions of law will always be successful in eliminating or minimizing the influence of such conflicts, and if they are not successful, decisions could be made that might fail to reflect fully the interests of stockholders.

Conflict of Interest Policies

Prior to the consummation of the spin-off, our board of directors will adopt a written statement of policy regarding transactions with related persons, which we refer to as our “related person policy.” Our related person policy requires that a “related person” (as defined as in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, which includes security holders who beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, including Blackstone) must promptly disclose to our general counsel any “related person transaction” (defined as any transaction that is anticipated would be reportable by us under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest) and all material facts with respect thereto. The general counsel will then promptly communicate that information to our board of directors. No related person transaction will be executed without the approval or ratification of our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors (expected to be the audit committee). If we become aware of an existing related party transaction that has not been pre-approved under this policy, the transaction will be referred to our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors (expected to be the audit committee), which will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision or termination of such transaction. It is our policy that directors interested in a related person transaction will recuse themselves from any vote on a related person transaction in which they have an interest.

We cannot assure you that these policies or provisions of law will always be successful in eliminating the influence of conflicts of interest. If such policies or provisions of law are not successful, decisions could be made that are not in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

165


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

From and after the spin-off, each of Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Grand Vacations will, in general, each be responsible for the debts, liabilities, rights and obligations related to the business or businesses that it owns and operates following consummation of the spin-off. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Hilton Parent Related to the Spin-Off.”

Financing Transactions in Connection with the Spin-Off

Subject to market conditions, Park Hotels & Resorts expects to complete one or more financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain of its existing indebtedness, which we expect will result in an estimated net reduction of its outstanding indebtedness at June 30, 2016 between $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion. We have not yet identified the specific indebtedness to be repaid or refinanced or specific sources of funds. There can be no assurances that any such financing transactions will be completed in the timeframe or size indicated or at all. The financing transactions will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

Revolving Credit Facility

It is anticipated that, prior to the completion of the spin-off, Park Hotels & Resorts will enter into a senior revolving facility permitting borrowings of up to $         million, which is expected to be undrawn on completion of the spin-off. We expect that the senior credit facilities will mature on or about              .

We will describe the terms and covenants of the revolving credit facility in an amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. We expect that the revolving credit facility will be available for working capital and for general corporate purposes, and that up to $         million will be available under the revolving facility for letters of credit.

CMBS Loan

On October 25, 2013, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, German American Capital Corporation, Bank of America, N.A., Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings, LLC and GS Commercial Real Estate LP extended to certain of our subsidiaries that hold U.S. owned real estate, collectively referred to as the CMBS borrowers, a $3.5 billion commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, or CMBS Loan.

The CMBS Loan is secured by 22 hotels owned by the CMBS borrowers, including the New York Hilton, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hilton Waikoloa Village and Hilton New Orleans.

The CMBS Loan has two components: (1) a fixed-rate component, initially in the amount of $2.625 billion; and (2) a floating rate component, initially in the amount of $0.875 billion.

Term

The fixed rate component of the CMBS Loan has a term of five years.

The floating rate component has an initial term of two years with three extension options of 12 months each. The CMBS borrowers have the right to exercise any extension period so long as no event of default exists, and they purchase an extension of the applicable interest rate hedge agreements described below which caps one-month LIBOR for the principal amount of the CMBS Loan at the greater of 6.0 percent and the rate that, when added to the spread on the floating rate component of the CMBS Loan, results in a weighted average debt service coverage ratio together with the fixed rate component of at least 1.25: 1.00. In addition, to exercise the final extension period, the CMBS borrowers must pay an increase in the spread applicable to the floating rate component of 0.25 percent. We exercised our first one-year extension on November 1, 2015.

 

166


Table of Contents

Interest

The interest rate payable on the fixed rate component of the CMBS Loan is equal to 4.465 percent per annum.

The interest rate payable on the floating rate component is equal to the sum of (1) one-month LIBOR plus (2) 2.65 percent per annum. The CMBS borrowers were required to enter into, and pledge as security for the CMBS loan, one or more interest rate hedge agreements in the notional amount of the floating rate component which cap one-month LIBOR at 6.0 percent for the initial term of the floating rate component.

Amortization

The CMBS Loan has no amortization payments.

Prepayments

The CMBS borrowers are permitted to voluntarily prepay all or any portion of the CMBS Loan without prepayment penalty or premium at any time. Any prepayments of the CMBS Loan, whether in whole in part, also will be subject to (1) the payment of actual LIBOR “breakage” costs incurred by the lenders and (2) the payment of all interest scheduled to accrue through to the end of the applicable interest period.

Mandatory prepayments are required in connection with certain casualties or condemnations of a property.

Once repaid, no further borrowings will be permitted under the CMBS Loan.

Guarantee

Certain obligations of the CMBS borrowers with respect to the CMBS Loan are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries that hold U.S. owned real estate (or entities that own such subsidiaries), or CMBS Loan guarantors. Under the CMBS guarantee, the CMBS Loan guarantors have agreed (1) to indemnify CMBS Loan lenders for losses with respect to customary “bad-boy” acts of the CMBS borrowers and their affiliates and (2) that the CMBS Loan will become fully recourse to such guarantors upon a voluntary or collusive involuntary bankruptcy of the CMBS borrowers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate liability of the CMBS Loan guarantors as a result of clause (1) and (2) above is capped at 10% of the then outstanding principal balance of the CMBS Loan.

The CMBS Loan guarantors are subject to a net worth covenant requiring that they maintain a minimum ongoing net worth of $500.0 million (exclusive of the collateral securing the CMBS Loan). If the CMBS Loan guarantors fail to meet the net worth requirement, the CMBS borrowers will be required to either provide a replacement guarantee, or cash collateral or a letter of credit in the amount of $175.0 million (subject to a reduction in certain instances).

Covenants and Other Matters

The CMBS Loan includes certain customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. Such covenants, among other things, will restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the CMBS borrowers to, among other things: incur additional debt; create liens on assets; transfer, pledge or assign certain equity interests; pay any dividends or make any distributions to its direct or indirect owners if an event of default exists or if the debt yield under the CMBS Loan (calculated based on the outstanding balance of the CMBS Loan) is below 8.25 percent for two consecutive quarters; make certain investments, loans and advances; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its assets or to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire all or any substantial part of assets of any other person; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; engage in any business other than the ownership of the properties and business activities ancillary thereto; and amend or modify

 

167


Table of Contents

the CMBS borrowers’ articles or certificate of incorporation, by-laws and certain agreements. The CMBS Loan also includes affirmative covenants requiring the CMBS borrowers to, among other things, exist as “special purpose entities”, maintain, while a low debt yield trigger exists, certain reserve funds in respect of furniture, fixtures and equipment, taxes and insurance, and rents due under ground leases (unless such amounts have been paid or are being collected by the property manager), and comply with other customary obligations for commercial mortgage-backed securities loan financings.

In addition, revenues are required to be deposited into certain segregated accounts, to be used by the property manager to make certain payments relating to the properties securing the CMBS Loan. So long as there is no event of default under the loan and the debt yield for the CMBS Loan (calculated based on the outstanding principal balance of the CMBS Loan) does not fall below 8.25 percent for two consecutive quarters, then any excess cash in those accounts would be available to the CMBS borrowers for any purpose, including the payment of dividends or distributions to their direct or indirect owners.

7.500% Senior Notes due 2017

On April 15, 1997, Park Parent issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”) under an indenture dated as of April 15, 1997. Interest on the 2017 Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 1998. As of June 30, 2016, the aggregate principal amount outstanding was $54 million. The indenture governing the 2017 Notes contains certain customary covenants and events of default.

Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the 2017 Notes permits us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness.

Mortgage Loans

In February 2015, we assumed a $450 million mortgage loan secured by the Bonnet Creek Resort (the “Bonnet Creek Loan”) as a result of an acquisition. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information on the transaction. Principal payments, commencing in April 2016, are payable monthly over a 25-year amortization period with the unamortized portion due in full upon maturity. The Bonnet Creek Loan, maturing on April 29, 2018, with an option to extend for one year, bears interest at a variable rate based on one-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points, which is payable monthly. Under this loan, we are required to deposit with the lenders certain cash reserves for restricted uses. As of June 30, 2016, our consolidated balance sheet included $38 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents related to the Bonnet Creek Loan.

As of June 30, 2016, we held other mortgage loans of $149 million secured by four of our properties.

 

168


Table of Contents

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of the date of this information statement, all of the outstanding shares of our common stock are indirectly beneficially owned by Hilton Parent. After the spin-off, Hilton will not own any shares of our common stock.

The following tables provide information with respect to the anticipated beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

 

    each of our stockholders who we believe (based on the assumptions described below) will beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;

 

    each of our directors following the spin-off;

 

    each of the individuals we expect to be our named executive officers with respect to 2016; and

 

    all of our directors and executive officers following the spin-off as a group.

To the extent our directors and executive officers own Hilton Parent common stock at the record date of the spin-off, they will participate in the distribution on the same terms as other holders of Hilton Parent common stock.

Except as otherwise noted in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified in the tables below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities owned by such person or entity. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each named person is c/o 7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, Virginia 22102.

Immediately following the spin-off, we estimate that approximately              million shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding, based on the number of shares of Hilton Parent common stock expected to be outstanding as of the record date and based on the distribution ratio. The actual number of shares of our common stock outstanding following the spin-off will be determined on                     , 2016, the record date.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

     Shares of Common Stock  
Beneficially Owned
                   Percent of Class               
5% Stockholders:        
Blackstone (1)        
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (2)        
Directors and Executive Officers:        
Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.        
Sean M. Dell’Orto        

Directors and executive officers as a group (             persons)

 

       

 

* Represents less than 1%.
(1) Based on Hilton Parent common stock beneficially owned by Blackstone as reported in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 16, 2016, reflecting 383,603,683 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT Holdco III LLC, 14,032,755 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT Holdco II LLC, 39,738,987 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT BREP VI.TE.2 Holdco LLC, 1,397,649 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC, 235,542 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT BREH Intl II Holdco LLC, 13,700,470 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT A23 Holdco LLC and 82,238 shares of Hilton Parent common stock directly held by HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC (together, the “Blackstone Funds”). The sole member of HLT Holdco III LLC is HLT Holdco II LLC. The sole member of HLT Holdco II LLC is HLT Holdco LLC.

 

169


Table of Contents

The sole member of HLT Holdco LLC is BH Hotels Holdco LLC (“BH Hotels”). The managing members of BH Hotels are Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI L.P. and Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P. is Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C. The sole member of Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C is BMA V L.L.C. The general partner of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI L.P. is Blackstone Real Estate Associates VI L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Real Estate Associates VI L.P. is BREA VI L.L.C. The sole member of each of BREA VI L.L.C. and BMA V L.L.C. is Blackstone Holdings III L.P.

The sole member of HLT A23 Holdco LLC is Blackstone A23 Holdings LLC. The managing members of Blackstone A23 Holdings LLC are Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI L.P. and Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P. The managing member of HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC is Blackstone Real Estate Holdings VI L.P.

The sole member of HLT BREH Intl II Holdco LLC is HLT BREH Intl II Holdings Holdco LLC. The controlling member of HLT BREH Intl II Holdings Holdco LLC is Blackstone Real Estate Holdings International II-Q L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Real Estate Holdings International II-Q L.P. is BREP International II-Q GP L.P. The general partner of BREP International II-Q GP L.P. is BREP International II-Q GP L.L.C. The sole member of BREP International II-Q GP L.L.C. is Blackstone Holdings III L.P.

The sole member of HLT BREP VI.TE.2 Holdco LLC is Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI.TE.2 L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI.TE.2 L.P. is Blackstone Real Estate Associates VI L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Real Estate Associates VI L.P. is BREA VI L.L.C. The managing member of BREA VI L.L.C. is Blackstone Holdings III L.P.

The sole member of HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC is HLT BREH VI Holdings Holdco LLC. The controlling member of HLT BREH VI Holdings Holdco LLC is Blackstone Real Estate Holdings VI L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Real Estate Holdings VI L.P. is BREP VI Side-by-Side GP L.L.C. The sole member of BREP VI Side-by-Side GP L.L.C. is Blackstone Holdings III L.P.

The general partner of Blackstone Holdings III L.P. is Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P. The general partner of Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P. is Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C. The sole member of Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C. is The Blackstone Group L.P. The general partner of The Blackstone Group L.P. is Blackstone Group Management L.L.C. Blackstone Group Management L.L.C. is wholly owned by Blackstone’s senior managing directors and controlled by its founder, Stephen A. Schwarzman. Each of such Blackstone entities (other than each of the Blackstone Funds to the extent they directly hold securities reported herein) and Mr. Schwarzman may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by the Blackstone Funds directly or indirectly controlled by it or him, but each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Also reflects 636,939 shares of Hilton Parent common stock held directly by a foundation over which Mr. Schwarzman may be deemed to have investment and voting power, based on information provided to Hilton Parent on July 29, 2016. The address of each of Mr. Schwarzman and each of the entities listed in this footnote is c/o The Blackstone Group L.P., 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154.

As of the date of this information statement, Blackstone entities have pledged, hypothecated or granted security interests in substantially all of the shares of Hilton Parent common stock held by them pursuant to a margin loan agreement with customary default provisions. We anticipate that shares of our common stock received by Blackstone in the spin-off in respect of such pledged Hilton Parent shares would similarly be subject to the lien of such margin loan agreement. Accordingly, in the event of a default under the margin loan agreement, the secured parties may foreclose upon any and all shares of common stock pledged to them and may seek recourse against the borrower.

 

(2) Based on Hilton Parent common stock beneficially owned by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., as reported in a Schedule 13G filed on February 12, 2016, reflecting T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. has sole voting power over 21,512,813 shares of Hilton Parent common stock and sole dispositive power over 64,713,738 shares of Hilton Parent common stock. The address of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

 

170


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of certain terms of our common stock as it will be in effect upon completion of the spin-off is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as they will be in effect upon completion of the spin-off, forms of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, and by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Under “Description of Capital Stock,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer to Park Parent and not to any of its subsidiaries.

General

Our purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the DGCL. Our authorized capital stock consists of              shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and              shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Unless our board of directors determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our capital stock in uncertificated form.

Common Stock

Subject to the provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed below under the caption “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer,” holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote generally, including the election or removal of directors elected by our stockholders generally. The holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of our preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. All shares of our common stock that will be outstanding at the time of the completion of the spin-off will be fully paid and non-assessable. The common stock will not be subject to further calls or assessment by us. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There will be no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock we may authorize and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

No shares of preferred stock will be issued or outstanding at the time of the completion of the spin-off. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock (including convertible preferred stock). Unless required by law or any stock exchange, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by the holders of our common stock. Subject to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, our board of directors is able to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation:

 

    the designation of the series;

 

    the number of shares of the series, which our board of directors may, except where otherwise provided in the preferred stock designation, increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding);

 

171


Table of Contents
    whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

 

    the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable;

 

    the redemption or repurchase rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

 

    the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

 

    the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our company;

 

    whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other entity, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any rate adjustments, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion may be made;

 

    restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and

 

    the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.

We could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede or discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of the holders of our common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which the holders of our common stock might receive a premium over the market price of the common stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock by restricting dividends on the common stock, diluting the voting power of the common stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the common stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Dividends

The DGCL permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of “surplus” or, if there is no “surplus,” out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. “Surplus” is defined as the excess of the net assets of the corporation over the amount determined to be the capital of the corporation by its board of directors. The capital of the corporation is typically calculated to be (and cannot be less than) the aggregate par value of all issued shares of capital stock. Net assets equals the fair value of the total assets minus total liabilities. The DGCL also provides that dividends may not be paid out of net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, remaining capital would be less than the capital represented by the outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets. Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors.

Stockholder Meetings

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, time and place, if any, as exclusively selected by our board of directors. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the board of directors, the chairman of our board or our chief executive officer, upon the request of holders of not less than a majority of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of our capital stock, or, for so long as Blackstone and its affiliates continue to beneficially own at least 40 percent of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, Blackstone. For so long as Blackstone and its affiliates continue to beneficially own at least 40 percent of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of our company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, Blackstone’s consent is required for any amendment to this provision of our amended and restated bylaws.

 

172


Table of Contents

To the extent permitted under applicable law, we may conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

In order for us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first taxable year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly, indirectly or through attribution, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). In addition, if we or one or more owners of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively own 10% or more of a tenant of ours or a tenant of any partnership in which we are a partner, the rent received by us either directly or through any such partnership from such tenant generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests of the Code unless the tenant qualifies as a TRS, and the leased property is a “qualified lodging facility” operated by an “eligible independent contractor” under the Code.

An “eligible independent contractor” means, with respect to any “qualified lodging facility,” any “independent contractor” if, at the time such contractor enters into a management agreement to operate such qualified lodging facility, such contractor is actively engaged in the trade or business of operating qualified lodging facilities for any person who is not a related person with respect to us or our TRS lessees. An “independent contractor” means any person (i) who does not own, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of shares of our stock and (ii) if such person is a corporation, not more than 35% of the total combined voting power of whose stock (or 35% of the total shares of all classes of whose stock) or, if such person is not a corporation, not more than 35% of the interest in whose assets or net profits is owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons owning 35% or more of the shares of our stock, in each case, taking into account certain attribution rules. Since our stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market, only persons who own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the shares of our stock are taken into account as owning any of our shares for purposes of applying the 35% limitation in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence (but all of our outstanding shares are considered outstanding to compute the denominator for purpose of determining the applicable percentage of ownership).

To assist us in complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of our stock imposed by the Code, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. Subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity (other than a person or entity that has been granted an exemption) may directly or indirectly, beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 4.9%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock, or more than 4.9%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock. We refer to these restrictions, collectively, as the “ownership limit.” However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation permits (but does not require) exemptions to the ownership limit to be made for stockholders provided that our board of directors determines that such exemptions will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We expect that, prior to the completion of the spin-off, our board of directors will grant an exemption from the ownership limit to Blackstone and its affiliates.

The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 4.9% of our outstanding common stock or 4.9% of any class or series of our preferred stock, or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns our stock, could, nevertheless, cause the acquiror or another individual or entity to own our stock in excess of the ownership limit.

 

173


Table of Contents

Our board of directors may, upon receipt of certain representations and agreements and in its sole discretion, prospectively or retroactively, waive the ownership limit and may establish or increase a different limit on ownership, or excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as such terms are defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) and Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, respectively) on behalf of our TRS lessees failing to qualify as such). As a condition of granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit, our board of directors may, but is not required to, require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to our board of directors as it may deem necessary or advisable to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and may impose such other conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate.

In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating or modifying an excepted holder limit, or at any other time, our board of directors may increase or decrease the ownership limit unless, after giving effect to any increased or decreased ownership limit, five or fewer persons could beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares of our stock then outstanding or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as such terms are defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) and Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, respectively) on behalf of our TRS lessees failing to qualify as such). A decreased ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage of ownership of our stock is in excess of the decreased ownership limit until the person or entity’s ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our stock will be subject to the decreased ownership limit.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also prohibits:

 

    any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT;

 

    any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would cause any hotel manager, including Hilton Parent, to fail to qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as such terms are defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) and Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, respectively) on behalf of our TRS lessees;

 

    any person from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons; and

 

    any person from beneficially owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in our failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limit or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, and any person who is the intended transferee of shares of our stock that are transferred to a trust for the benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries described below, must give immediate written notice to us of such an event or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transfer, give at least 15 days’ prior written notice to us and must provide us with such other information as we may request to determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT. The provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT, or that compliance is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.

 

174


Table of Contents

Any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void. Any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in (i) a violation of the ownership limit (or other exempted holder limit established by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our board of directors), (ii) our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, (iii) any hotel manager, including Hilton Parent, failing to qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as such terms are defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) and Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, respectively) on behalf of our TRS lessees, or (iv) our failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be transferred automatically to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day before the date of the attempted transfer or other event that resulted in a transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent a violation of the applicable restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, then the attempted transfer that, if effective, would have resulted in (i) a violation of the ownership limit (or other limit established by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our board of directors), (ii) our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, (iii) any hotel manager, including Hilton Parent, failing to qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as such terms are defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) and Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, respectively) on behalf of our TRS lessees, or (iv) our failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity,” will be null and void.

Shares of our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust and will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of our stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid before we discover that the shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Subject to Delaware law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by a proposed transferee before our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in the sole discretion of the trustee. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind or recast the vote.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from us of a transfer of shares to the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person that would be permitted to own the shares without violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the proposed transferee an amount equal to the lesser of:

 

    the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the event that resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, which generally will be the last sales price reported on the New York Stock Exchange, the market price on the last trading day before the day of the event that resulted in the transfer of such shares to the trust; and

 

    the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares.

The trustee must distribute any remaining funds held by the trust with respect to the shares to the charitable beneficiary. If the shares are sold by the proposed transferee before we discover that they have been transferred to the trust, the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and the proposed transferee must pay to the trustee, upon demand, the amount, if any, that the proposed transferee received in excess of the amount that the proposed transferee would have received had the shares been sold by the trustee.

 

175


Table of Contents

Shares of our stock held in the trust will be deemed to be offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:

 

    the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust or, if the event that resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the market price on the last trading day before the day of the event that resulted in the transfer of such shares to the trust; and

 

    the market price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer.

We may accept the offer until the trustee has otherwise sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and distribute any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to the shares to the charitable beneficiary.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give us written notice stating the person’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the person beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we request to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must, on request, disclose to us in writing such information as we may request to determine our status as a REIT or to comply, or determine our compliance, with the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority.

If our board of directors authorizes any of our shares to be represented by certificates, the certificates will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

These restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of us that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

REIT Qualification

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if we determine that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed under the caption “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” prevent any person from acquiring more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of us.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock will make it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with super-majority voting, special approval, dividend or other rights or preferences that could

 

176


Table of Contents

impede the success of any attempt to acquire us or otherwise effect a change in control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company.

We do not have a stockholder rights plan or any series of preferred stock designated in connection with such a plan, and if our board of directors were ever to adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without prior stockholder approval, our board of directors would either submit the plan to stockholders for ratification or cause the rights plan to expire within one year.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals

Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. For any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information specified by our bylaws about the stockholder, its affiliates and any proposed business or nominee for election as a director, including information about the economic interest of the stockholder, its affiliates and any proposed nominee in us. Additionally, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled only by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, and not by the stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws provide for certain procedures with respect to the resignation of any director who does not receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election. Our amended and restated bylaws allow the presiding officer at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of our company.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws and that our stockholders may only amend our bylaws with the approval of 80 percent or more of all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote.

No Cumulative Voting

The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is or are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of our stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that from and after the date on which Blackstone and its affiliates cease to beneficially own at least 40 percent of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders may not be effected by consent in writing by stockholders unless such action is recommended by all directors then in office. For so long as Blackstone and its affiliates continue to beneficially own at least 40 percent of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, Blackstone’s consent is required for any amendment to this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

 

177


Table of Contents

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

We have opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 provides that, subject to certain exceptions specified in the law, a publicly held Delaware corporation shall not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder. These provisions generally prohibit or delay the accomplishment of mergers, assets or stock sales or other takeover or change-in-control attempts that are not approved by a company’s board of directors.

However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that in the event Blackstone and its affiliates cease to beneficially own at least 5 percent of the then outstanding shares of our common stock, we will automatically become subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless:

 

    prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

    upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85 percent of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

    on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3 percent of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15 percent or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

Under certain circumstances, Section 203 makes it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. Accordingly, Section 203 could have an anti-takeover effect with respect to certain transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. The provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring our company to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. However, Section 203 also could discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders. These provisions also may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment

Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders will have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of our company. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

 

178


Table of Contents

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions

Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.

Exclusive Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of our company to our company or our company’s stockholders, (iii) action asserting a claim against our company or any director or officer of our company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws or (iv) action asserting a claim against our company or any director or officer of our company governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of our company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Conflicts of Interest

Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its officers, directors or stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Delaware law, renounces any interest or expectancy that we have in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to our officers, directors or stockholders or their respective affiliates, other than those officers, directors, stockholders or affiliates who are our or our subsidiaries’ employees. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, none of Blackstone or any of its affiliates or any director who is not employed by us (including any non-employee director who serves as one of our officers in both his director and officer capacities) or his or her affiliates will have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which we or our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with us or our affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that Blackstone or any non-employee director acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, himself or herself or its, his or her affiliates or for us or our affiliates, such person will have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and they may take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to another person or entity. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not renounce our interest in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to a non-employee director solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no business opportunity will be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for us unless we would be permitted to undertake the opportunity under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we have sufficient financial resources to undertake the opportunity and the opportunity would be in line with our business.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for any breach of

 

179


Table of Contents

fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of us and our stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. However, exculpation does not apply to any director if the director has acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized illegal dividends or redemptions or derived an improper benefit from his or her actions as a director.

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We also are expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

The limitation of liability, indemnification and advancement provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

Indemnification Agreements

We intend to enter into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Indemnification Agreements.” Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors or executive officers, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

We intend for the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock to be Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Listing

Following the spin-off, we expect to have our common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PK”.

 

180


Table of Contents

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock. For purposes of this section, references to “Park Parent,” “we,” “our” and “us” generally mean only Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated, and references to Hilton Parent generally means only Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based on the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this information statement and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and may change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the tax consequences described below. This summary does not discuss all tax considerations that may be relevant to stockholders in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address the consequences to stockholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

 

    persons acting as nominees or otherwise not as beneficial owners;

 

    dealers or traders in securities or currencies;

 

    broker-dealers;

 

    traders in securities that elect to use the mark to market method of accounting;

 

    tax-exempt entities (except to the extent discussed below);

 

    cooperatives;

 

    banks, trusts, financial institutions or insurance companies;

 

    persons who acquired shares of Hilton Parent or our common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

 

    stockholders who own, or are deemed to own, at least 10% or more, by voting power or value, of our equity;

 

    holders owning our common stock as part of a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, conversion, constructive sale, synthetic security, integrated investment, or other risk reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

    regulated investment companies;

 

    REITs;

 

    foreign (non-U.S.) governments;

 

    non-U.S. stockholders (except to the extent discussed below);

 

    former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States;

 

    holders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

    pass-through entities (such as entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes); or

 

    persons that own our common stock through partnerships or other pass-through entities.

This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to our stockholders who do not hold shares of our common stock as a capital asset. Moreover, this summary does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences, or any estate or gift tax consequences, or tax consequences other than U.S. federal income tax consequences.

If a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the spin-off.

 

181


Table of Contents

YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN LAW THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.

Taxation of Park Parent

Following the spin-off, we intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning immediately after the distribution. We believe that we will be organized, and we expect to operate, in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.

The law firm of Hogan Lovells US LLP has acted as our tax counsel (“REIT Tax Counsel”) in connection with our intended election to be taxed as a REIT. We intend to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we expect that we will receive an opinion of REIT Tax Counsel with respect to our qualification to be taxed as a REIT in connection with the spin-off. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion of REIT Tax Counsel will represent only the view of REIT Tax Counsel, based on its review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and covenants made by Hilton Parent and us, including representations relating to the values of our assets, the sources of our income, and the ownership of Hilton Parent’s and our common stock. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued. REIT Tax Counsel will have no obligation to advise Hilton Parent, us or the holders of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in applicable law. Furthermore, both the validity of the opinion of REIT Tax Counsel and our qualification to be taxed as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which will not be monitored by REIT Tax Counsel. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A “C corporation” is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.

U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (the same rate applicable to long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. The highest marginal noncorporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

 

182


Table of Contents

Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

If we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

 

    We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

    We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses.

 

    If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions” and “—Foreclosure Property.”

 

    If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%).

 

    If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification to be taxed as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.

 

    If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification to be taxed as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the non-qualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.

 

    If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

 

    We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification—General.”

 

    A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm’s-length terms.

 

   

If we recognize gain on the disposition of any asset (i) held by us on the day after the effective date of the spin-off (when our election to be subject to tax as a REIT is expected to become effective) or (ii) we acquire from a corporation that is not a REIT ( i.e. , a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, in each case during a specified period (generally, the ten-year period following such effectiveness of our REIT election or

 

183


Table of Contents
 

such acquisition, as applicable), then we will owe tax at the highest corporate tax rate on the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the asset on the effective date of our election to be subject to tax as a REIT over its basis in the asset at such time, and (2) the gain recognized upon the disposition of such asset.

 

    The earnings of our TRSs generally will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification—General

The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

  (3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

 

  (4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;

 

  (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

 

  (6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and

 

  (7) that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, is expected to be 2016). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of shares of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above, among other purposes. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement.

To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock ( i.e ., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If such record holder fails or refuses to comply with the demands, such record holder will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with such record holder’s tax return disclosing such record holder’s actual ownership of our stock and other information.

 

184


Table of Contents

In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We intend for December 31 to be our taxable year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests

If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below under “—Income Tests—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

Recent legislation may alter who bears the liability in the event any subsidiary partnership is audited and an adjustment is assessed. Congress recently revised the rules applicable to U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships and the collection of any tax resulting from any such audits or other tax proceedings, generally for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under the new rules, the partnership itself may be liable for a hypothetical increase in partner-level taxes (including interest and penalties) resulting from an adjustment of partnership tax items on audit, regardless of changes in the composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. The new rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed from the affected partners, subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. Many questions remain as to how the new rules will apply, especially with respect to partners that are REITs, and it is not clear at this time what effect this new legislation will have on us. However, these changes could increase the federal income tax, interest, and/or penalties otherwise borne by us in the event of a federal income tax audit of a subsidiary partnership.

Disregarded Subsidiaries

If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

 

185


Table of Contents

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary corporation to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary corporation, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

A TRS may not directly or indirectly operate or manage a qualified lodging facility. The Code defines a “qualified lodging facility” generally to mean a hotel, motel, or other establishment more than one-half of the dwelling units in which are used on a transient basis, unless wagering activities are conducted at or in connection with such facility by any person who is engaged in the business of accepting wagers and who is legally authorized to engage in such business at or in connection with such facility. A “qualified lodging facility” includes customary amenities and facilities operated as part of, or associated with, the lodging facility as long as such amenities and facilities are customary for other properties of a comparable size and class owned by other unrelated owners. If the IRS were to treat a subsidiary corporation of ours as directly or indirectly operating or managing a lodging facility, such subsidiary would not qualify as a TRS, which could jeopardize our REIT qualification under the REIT 5% and 10% asset tests.

Although a TRS may not operate or manage a lodging facility, rent received by a REIT from the lease of a lodging facility to a TRS lessee may qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that the facility is operated by a hotel management company that qualifies as an “eligible independent contractor.” Generally, an “eligible independent contractor” is a person from whom we derive no income, who is adequately compensated, and who is, or is related to a person who is, actively engaged in the trade or business of operating “qualified lodging facilities” for any person unrelated to us and any TRS lessee. A hotel management company that otherwise would qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” with regard to a TRS of a REIT will not so qualify if (i) the hotel management company and/or one or more actual or constructive owners of 10% or more of the hotel management company actually or constructively own more than 35% of the REIT, or (ii) one or more actual or constructive owners of more than 35% of the hotel management company own 35% or more of the REIT (determined with respect to a REIT whose shares are regularly traded on

 

186


Table of Contents

an established securities market by taking into account only the shares held by persons owning, actually or constructively, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the REIT and, if the stock of the hotel management company is regularly traded on an established securities market, determined by taking into account only the shares held by persons owning, actually or constructively, more than 5% of the publicly traded stock of the hotel management company). Qualification as an eligible independent contractor involves the intrepretation and application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which no or only limited authorities exist.

We intend to have one or more TRSs and, except for the Select Hotels, we intend to lease all of our hotel properties to our TRS. We will take all steps reasonably practicable to ensure that no TRS will engage in “operating” or “managing” our hotel properties. Additionally, we intend for the TRS to contract with one or more hotel management companies, including contracting with subsidiaries of Hilton Parent with respect to our initial hotels. We will take all steps reasonably practicable to ensure that each hotel management company engaged to operate and manage our hotel properties will qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” with regard to our TRS. In that regard, constructive ownership under Section 318 of the Code resulting, for example, from relationships between the hotel management companies engaged to operate and manage the hotel properties and the REIT’s other stockholders could impact the hotel management companies’ ability to satisfy the applicable ownership limit. Because of the broad scope of the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Code, no assurance can be given that all potential prohibited relationships will be identified. The existence of such a relationship would disqualify a hotel management company as an eligible independent contractor, which could in turn disqualify us as a REIT.

In addition to the restrictions discussed above with respect to lodging facilities, current restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, a TRS may not deduct interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to the extent that such payments exceed, generally, 50% of the TRS’s adjusted taxable income for that year (although the TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the disallowed interest amount if the 50% test is satisfied in that year). Second, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs will be conducted on an arm’s-length basis. There can be no assurance that the IRS might not seek to impose the 100% excise tax on a portion of payments received by us from, or expenses deducted by, our TRSs.

Income Tests

To qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from “rents from real property,” gains from the sale of real estate assets, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), dividends received from other REITs and specified income from temporary investments. Gain from the sale of a debt instrument issued by a publicly offered REIT, unless the debt instrument is secured by real property or an interest in real property, is not treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% income test. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

 

187


Table of Contents

Rents from Real Property

Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the conditions described below are met.

 

    The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person from the property. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;

 

    Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a noncorporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation (but excluding any TRS), 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if (1) at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are “substantially comparable” to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space, or (2) the property is a qualified lodging facility and such property is operated on behalf of the TRS by a person who is an “eligible independent contractor” and certain other requirements are met. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a “controlled TRS” is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of this rule, a “controlled TRS” is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS. Our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their income from the operations of these properties;

 

    Rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property”; and

 

    We generally do not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as provided below. We are permitted, however, to perform directly certain services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant” of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we are permitted to employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no income, or a TRS, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent that we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as “rents from real property.”

With respect to our hotel properties that are leased to our TRSs, in order for the rent paid pursuant to the hotel leases to constitute “rents from real property,” the leases must be respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the leases cannot be treated as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. The determination of whether the leases are true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes depends upon an analysis of all the surrounding facts and circumstances. In making such a determination, courts have considered a variety of factors, including the following:

 

    the intent of the parties;

 

    the form of the agreement;

 

    the degree of control over the property that is retained by the property owner (for example, whether the lessee has substantial control over the operation of the property or whether the lessee was required simply to use its best efforts to perform its obligations under the agreement); and

 

188


Table of Contents
    the extent to which the property owner retains the risk of loss with respect to the property (for example, whether the lessee bears the risk of increases in operating expenses or the risk of damage to the property) or the potential for economic gain with respect to the property.

In addition, Section 7701(e) of the Code provides that a contract that purports to be a service contract or a partnership agreement is treated instead as a lease of property if the contract is properly treated as such, taking into account all relevant factors. Since the determination of whether a service contract should be treated as a lease is inherently factual, the presence or absence of any single factor may not be dispositive in every case.

We intend to structure our leases to qualify as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, with respect to the leases, generally:

 

    the property owning entity and the lessee intend for their relationship to be that of a lessor and lessee, and such relationship will be documented by a lease agreement;

 

    the lessee has the right to exclusive possession and use and quiet enjoyment of the hotels covered by the lease during the term of the lease;

 

    the lessee bears the cost of, and is responsible for, day-to-day maintenance and repair of the hotels other than the cost of certain capital expenditures, and dictates through the hotel managers, who work for the lessee during the terms of the lease, how the hotels are operated and maintained;

 

    the lessee bears all of the costs and expenses of operating the hotels, including the cost of any inventory used in their operation, during the term of the lease, other than the cost of certain furniture, fixtures and equipment, and certain capital expenditures;

 

    the lessee benefits from any savings and bears the burdens of any increases in the costs of operating the hotels during the term of the lease;

 

    in the event of damage or destruction to a hotel, the lessee will be at economic risk because it will bear the economic burden of the loss in income from operation of the hotels subject to the right, in certain circumstances, to terminate the lease if the lessor does not restore the hotel to its prior condition;

 

    the lessee generally indemnifies the lessor against all liabilities imposed on the lessor during the term of the lease by reason of (A) injury to persons or damage to property occurring at the hotels or (B) the lessee’s use, management, maintenance or repair of the hotels;

 

    the lessee is obligated to pay, at a minimum, substantial base rent for the period of use of the hotels under the lease;

 

    the lessee stands to incur substantial losses or reap substantial gains depending on how successfully it, through the hotel managers, who work for the lessees during the terms of the leases, operates the hotels;

 

    the lease enables the tenant to derive a meaningful profit, after expenses and taking into account the risks associated with the lease, from the operation of the hotels during the term of its leases; and

 

    upon termination of the lease, the applicable hotel will be expected to have a remaining useful life equal to at least 20% of its expected useful life on the date the lease is entered into, and a fair market value equal to at least 20% of its fair market value on the date the lease was entered into.

If, however, a lease were recharacterized as a service contract or partnership agreement, rather than a true lease, or disregarded altogether for tax purposes, all or part of the payments that the lessor receives from the lessee would not be considered rent and would not otherwise satisfy the various requirements for qualification as “rents from real property.”

As described above, in order for the rent that we receive to constitute “rents from real property,” several other requirements must be satisfied. One requirement is that rent must not be based in whole or in part on the

 

189


Table of Contents

income or profits of any person. Rent that consists, in whole or in part, of one or more percentages of the lessee’s receipts or sales in excess of determinable dollar amounts, however, will qualify as “rents from real property” if:

 

    the determinable amounts do not depend in whole or in part on the income or profits of the lessee; and

 

    the percentages and determinable amounts are fixed at the time the lease is entered into and a change in percentages and determinable amounts is not renegotiated during the term of the lease (including any renewal periods of the lease) in a manner that has the effect of basing rent on income or profits.

More generally, rent will not qualify as “rents from real property” if, considering the leases and all the surrounding circumstances, the arrangement does not conform with normal business practice, but is in reality used as a means of basing the rent on income or profits.

Second, we must not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the stock or the assets or net profits of any lessee, other than a TRS. We anticipate that all of our hotels, other than the Select Hotels, will be leased to TRSs. As described above, rent that we receive from a TRS with respect to any hotel will qualify as “rents from real property” as long as the property is operated on behalf of the TRS by an eligible independent contractor. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. In general, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or more than 4.9% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any outstanding class or series of our preferred stock. We expect that, prior to the completion of the spin-off, our board of directors will grant an exemption from the ownership limit to Blackstone and its affiliates. The securities laws may require Blackstone to report ownership of our stock and the stock of Hilton Parent in excess of 35% based on Blackstone’s voting and/or investment powers with respect to such stock. However, applying the tax ownership rules, including certain attribution rules, we believe that, after the spin-off, (i) Hilton Parent and/or one or more actual or constructive owners of 10% or more of the stock of Hilton Parent will not own, actually or constructively, more than 35% of our stock, and (ii) the Blackstone funds that will own more than 5% of our stock and the stock of Hilton Parent collectively will own less than 35% of our stock and the stock of Hilton Parent. However, because the tax ownership rules and attribution rules are complex and there is no or limited authority on certain aspects of those rules, and because the stock of Hilton Parent is publicly traded and is not subject to any restrictions on ownership and transfer, there can be no assurance that Hilton Parent will satisfy the 35% ownership requirement to be an eligible independent contractor. In addition to the 35% ownership requirement with respect to Hilton Parent, the hotel management contracts between our TRS lessee and subsidiaries of Hilton Parent will be substantially similar to the hotel management contracts between subsidiaries of Hilton Parent and third party hotel owners. Thus, we believe that, after the spin-off, Hilton Parent and its subsidiaries should qualify as eligible independent contractors with respect to our TRS lessee.

Third, the rent attributable to the personal property leased in connection with the lease of a hotel must not be greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. The rent attributable to the personal property contained in a hotel is the amount that bears the same ratio to total rent for the taxable year as the average of the fair market values of the personal property at the beginning and at the end of the taxable year bears to the average of the aggregate fair market values of both the real and personal property contained in the hotel at the beginning and at the end of such taxable year (the “personal property ratio”). To comply with this limitation, a TRS lessee may acquire furnishings, equipment and other personal property. With respect to each hotel in which the TRS lessee does not own the personal property, we believe either that the personal property ratio will be less than 15% or that any rent attributable to excess personal property, when taken together with all of our other nonqualifying income, will not result in our failure to qualify as a REIT. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS would not challenge our calculation of a personal property ratio, or that a court would not uphold such assertion. If such a challenge were successfully asserted, we potentially could fail to satisfy the 75% or 95% gross income test and thus lose our REIT qualification.

 

190


Table of Contents

Fourth, we generally cannot furnish or render services to the tenants of our hotels, or manage or operate our properties, other than through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not derive or receive any income. However, our TRSs may provide customary and noncustomary services to our tenants without tainting our rental income from such properties. Furthermore, we need not provide services through an “independent contractor” or TRS but instead may provide services directly to our tenants, if the services are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not considered to be provided for the tenants’ convenience. In addition, we may provide a minimal amount of “noncustomary” services to the tenants of a property, other than through an independent contractor or a TRS, as long as our income from the services does not exceed 1% of our income from the related property. We will not perform any services other than customary ones for our lessees, unless such services are provided through independent contractors or TRSs or would not otherwise result in our failure to qualify as a REIT.

If a portion of the rent that we receive from a hotel does not qualify as “rents from real property” because the rent attributable to personal property exceeds 15% of the total rent for a taxable year, the portion of the rent that is attributable to personal property will not be qualifying income for purposes of either the 75% or 95% gross income test. Thus, if such rent attributable to personal property, plus any other income that is nonqualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, during a taxable year exceeds 5% of our gross income during the year, we would lose our REIT qualification. If, however, the rent from a particular hotel does not qualify as “rents from real property” because either (i) the percentage rent is considered based on the income or profits of the related lessee, (ii) the lessee either is a related party tenant or fails to qualify for the exception to the related party tenant rule for qualifying TRSs, or (iii) we furnish noncustomary services to the tenants of the hotel, or manage or operate the hotel, other than through a qualifying independent contractor or a TRS, none of the rent from that hotel would qualify as “rents from real property.” In that case, we might lose our REIT qualification because we might be unable to satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income test. We intend to structure our leases in a manner that will enable us to satisfy the REIT gross income tests.

In the case of the hotels we lease to our TRS and our TRS engages subsidiaries of Hilton Parent to manage, we believe that the leases qualify as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that the rents payable under those leases qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. There can, however, be no assurance that the IRS will not successfully assert a contrary position or that there will not be a change in circumstances which would cause a portion of the rent received to fail to qualify as “rents from real property.” If such failure were in sufficient amounts, we would not be able to satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income test and, as a result, would lose our REIT status.

Interest Income

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. In the case of real estate mortgage loans that are secured by both real property and personal property, if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all property securing the loan, then the personal property securing the loan will be treated as real property for purposes of determining whether the mortgage is a qualifying 75% asset test asset and interest income that qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

 

191


Table of Contents

Dividend Income

We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions generally will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Hotel Operating Income and Fee Income

After the spin-off, we will own and operate the Select Hotels. Income we earn from operating the Select Hotels generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. In addition, any fee income that we earn generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, however, will not be included for purposes of our gross income tests.

Hedging Transactions

Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or our pass-through subsidiary that is incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry “real estate assets” (as described below under “—Asset Tests”), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. In addition, the exclusion from the 95% and 75% gross income tests will apply if we previously entered into a hedging position and a portion of that hedged indebtedness or property is disposed of, and in connection with such extinguishment or disposition we enter into a new “clearly identified” hedging transaction to offset the prior hedging position. Most likely, income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, including as a result of rents received by us from any TRS lessee failing to qualify as “rents from real property,” we may still qualify to be taxed as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations, which have not yet been issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test, multiplied by a factor designated to approximate our profitability. We intend to take advantage of any and all relief provisions that are available to us to cure any violation of the income tests applicable to REITs.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy seven tests relating to the nature of our assets.

First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, foreign currency that meets certain requirements under the Code, U.S. government

 

192


Table of Contents

securities and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, personal property leased in connection with real property to the extent that rents attributable to such personal property are treated as “rents from real property,” stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans and debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs.

Second, not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Third, except for securities described in the first paragraph above and securities in QRSs and TRSs, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

Fourth, except for securities described in the first paragraph above and securities in QRSs and TRSs, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding voting securities.

Fifth, except for securities described in the first paragraph above and securities in QRSs and TRSs, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer (the “10% Value Asset Test”). The 10% Value Asset Test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% Value Asset Test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

Sixth, not more than 25% (20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017) of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more TRSs.

Seventh, not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are “nonqualified” debt instruments (e.g., not secured by interests in mortgages on interests in real property and personal property leased in connection with real property to the extent that rents attributable to such personal property are treated as “rents from real property”).

Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the 10% Value Asset Test, as explained below).

Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% Value Asset Test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer’s outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% Value Asset Test. Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a nongovernmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership’s income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “—Income Tests.” In applying the 10% Value Asset

 

193


Table of Contents

Test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

No independent appraisals have been or will be obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if (a) we satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (b) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (b) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.

In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT that fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%) and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

Annual Distribution Requirements

To qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

 

  (1) the sum of

 

  (a) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and

 

  (b) 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus

 

  (2) the excess of the sum of specified items of noncash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid.

We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which paid.

 

194


Table of Contents

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (1) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (2) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, generally will not affect the tax treatment to our stockholders of any distributions that are actually made. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

The calculation of REIT taxable income includes deductions for noncash charges, such as depreciation. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends through the distribution of other property (including shares of our stock) to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such dividend may be subject to limitation. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before January 31 of the following calendar year.

Earnings and Profits Distribution Requirement

In connection with the spin-off, Hilton Parent will allocate its earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the spin-off between Hilton Parent, HGV

 

195


Table of Contents

Parent and us in accordance with provisions of the Code. A REIT is not permitted to have accumulated earnings and profits attributable to non-REIT years. A REIT has until the close of its first taxable year in which it has non-REIT earnings and profits to distribute all such earnings and profits.

To comply with this requirement, we will pay the Purging Distribution by declaring a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to any non-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to us by Hilton Parent in connection with the spin-off. We expect to pay the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our common stock. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% of the total amount distributed to all stockholders. Hilton Parent has received the IRS Ruling, which addresses, in addition to certain aspects of the treatment of the spin-off, certain tax issues relevant to our payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our stock. In general, the IRS Ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) any and all of the cash and stock distributed by us to our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be treated as a distribution of property with respect to our stock, and as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (2) the amount of any distribution of stock received by any of our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead. A holder of our common stock will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if such stockholder received no cash or only nominal amounts of cash in the distribution. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

Prohibited Transactions

Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held as inventory or for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as inventory or property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.

Like-Kind Exchanges

We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

We may enter into hedging transactions, including with respect to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as swap contracts, cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest

 

196


Table of Contents

rate changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of a position in such a transaction (each such hedge, a “Borrowings Hedge”) and (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests (each such hedge, a “Currency Hedge”), which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test. This exclusion from the 95% and 75% gross income tests also will apply if we previously entered into a Borrowings Hedge or a Currency Hedge, a portion of the hedged indebtedness or property is disposed of, and in connection with such extinguishment or disposition we enter into a new “clearly identified” hedging transaction to offset the prior hedging position. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification to be taxed as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property.

We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. We do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

Penalty Tax

Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest, or redetermined TRS service income will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS, redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations or if the interest payments were at a commercially reasonable rate, and redetermined TRS service income is gross income of a TRS attributable to services provided to us (less deductions properly allocable thereto) that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations. It is our policy to evaluate material intercompany transactions and to attempt to set the terms of such transactions so as to achieve substantially the same result as they believe would have been the case if they were unrelated parties. As a result, we believe that (i) all material transactions between and among us and the entities in which we own a direct or indirect interest will be negotiated and structured with the

 

197


Table of Contents

intention of achieving an arm’s-length result, (ii) the potential application of the 100% penalty tax will not have a material effect on us and (iii) the potential application of Section 482 of the Code should not have a material effect on us. Furthermore, rents that we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code. Application of the 100% penalty tax would apply, for example, to the extent we were found to have charged any TRS lessee rent in excess of an arm’s-length rent and application of Section 482 of the Code depends on whether, as a factual matter, transactions between commonly controlled entities are at arm’s-length. We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to the 100% penalty tax or that Section 482 of the Code will not apply to reallocate income between or among us or any of our affiliated entities.

From time to time, our TRSs may provide services to our tenants. We intend to set the fees paid to our TRSs for such services at arm’s-length rates, although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions described above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm’s-length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

Failure to Qualify

If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification as a REIT if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are also available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), distributions to stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends. Such dividends paid to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also will be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lose our qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to this statutory relief.

Taxation of Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to taxable U.S. stockholders. A “U.S. stockholder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

    a trust (1) with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (2) that has a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

198


Table of Contents

If a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Distributions

For such time as we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that we do not designate as capital gain dividends generally will be taken into account by such stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates ( i.e ., the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends received by most U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, may be taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:

 

    income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT or a predecessor was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax) (i.e., the Purging Distribution);

 

    dividends received by the REIT from domestic TRSs, other taxable domestic C corporations and certain “qualifying foreign corporations” that satisfy certain requirements (discussed below); or

 

    income in the prior taxable year from sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

A foreign corporation generally will be a “qualifying foreign corporation” if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States, the corporation is eligible for benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States which the IRS determines is satisfactory, or the stock on which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, if a foreign corporation is a foreign personal holding company, a foreign investment company or a passive foreign investment company, then it will not be treated as a qualifying foreign corporation, and the dividends we receive from such an entity would not constitute qualified dividend income.

In addition, even if we designate certain dividends as qualified dividend income to our stockholders, the U.S. stockholder will have to meet certain other requirements for the dividend to qualify for taxation at capital gains rates. For example, the U.S. stockholder will only be eligible to treat the dividend as qualifying dividend income if the U.S. stockholder is taxed at individual rates and meets certain holding requirements. In general, to treat a particular dividend as qualified dividend income, a U.S. stockholder will be required to hold our stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend. If we designate any portion of a dividend as qualified dividend income, a U.S. stockholder will receive an IRS Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as qualified dividend income

We expect to pay the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our common stock. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% of the total amount distributed to all stockholders. Hilton Parent has received the IRS Ruling, which addresses, in addition to certain aspects of the treatment of the spin-off, certain tax issues relevant to our payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our stock. In general, the IRS Ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) the Purging Distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent of our earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (2) the amount of our stock received by any of our stockholders as part of a Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of cash that could have been received instead. Each of our taxable U.S. stockholders will be required to report

 

199


Table of Contents

dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if such stockholder received no cash or only nominal amounts of cash in the distribution. Similarly, if in the future we declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such dividend may be subject to limitation, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends generally will be taxed to our U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case we may elect to apply provisions of the Code that treat our U.S. stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders as receiving a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “—Taxation of REITs in General—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 35% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than twelve months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) generally will represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder’s shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before January 31 of the following calendar year.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of REITs in General—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Dispositions of Our Stock

If a U.S. stockholder sells or disposes of shares of our stock, it generally will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts or estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 39.6%) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, Treasury Regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for non-corporate U.S. stockholders) to a portion of capital gain

 

200


Table of Contents

realized by a non-corporate U.S. stockholder on the sale of our shares that would correspond to our “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.” U.S. stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability.

Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may also offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of actual or deemed distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If a stockholder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury Regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written, and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock, or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly.

Medicare Tax on Unearned Income

Certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on “net investment income,” (or, in the case of an estate or trust, on “undistributed net investment income”) which includes, among other things, dividends on and gains from the sale or other disposition of REIT stock. U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding this tax on net investment income.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders. A “non-U.S. stockholder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock, including a partner in a partnership that owns our common stock, that is not a U.S. stockholder.

Ordinary Dividends

The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders that (1) is payable out of our earnings and profits (including the Purging Distribution), (2) is not attributable to capital gains that we recognize and (3) is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs.

In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such effectively connected income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. stockholder. The income may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.

 

201


Table of Contents

Non-Dividend Distributions

Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (1) the stockholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (2) the stockholder’s basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type ( i.e. , an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a withholding at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Dividends

Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (“USRPI capital gains”) will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See “—Ordinary Dividends,” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gain dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor.

Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains.

We expect that a significant portion of our assets will be USRPIs.

A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, but instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see “—Ordinary Dividends”), if (1) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is “regularly traded” on an established securities market located in the United States and (2) the recipient non-U.S. stockholder does not own more than 10% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will be “regularly traded” on an established securities exchange. In addition, distributions to certain non-U.S. publicly traded shareholders that meet certain record-keeping and other requirements (“qualified shareholders”) are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our common stock. Furthermore, distributions to “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

 

202


Table of Contents

Dispositions of Our Stock

Gain recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale or exchange of our stock generally would not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless:

 

    the investment in our common stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to any gain;

 

    the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gains for the taxable year; or

 

    our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA, as described below.

Our common stock will constitute a USRPI unless we are a domestically controlled REIT. We intend to take the position that we will be a domestically controlled REIT if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders.

As described above, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains restrictions designed to protect our status as a domestically controlled REIT, and we believe that we will be and will remain a domestically controlled REIT, and that a sale of our common stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because our stock is publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we are or will be a domestically controlled REIT. Even if we were not a domestically controlled REIT, a sale of our common stock by a non-U.S. stockholder would nevertheless not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI if:

 

    our common stock were “regularly traded” on an established securities market; and

 

    the non-U.S. stockholder did not actually, or constructively under specified attribution rules under the Code, own more than 10% of our common stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the holder’s holding period.

In addition, dispositions of our common stock by qualified shareholders are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our common stock. An actual or deemed disposition of our common stock by such shareholders may also be treated as a dividend. Furthermore, dispositions of our common stock by “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

We anticipate that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market. If gain on the sale or exchange of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to any gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. stockholder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. In such case, under FIRPTA the purchaser of common stock may be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit this amount to the IRS.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Returns

If a non-U.S. stockholder is subject to taxation under FIRPTA on proceeds from the sale of our common stock or on capital gain distributions, the non-U.S. stockholder will be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Prospective non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws on their ownership of our common stock, including any reporting requirements.

 

203


Table of Contents

Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code ( i.e. , where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder) and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of any dividends received from us as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders to satisfy the REIT “closely held” test and (2) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock or (b) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively own more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.

Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting

U.S. Stockholders of Our Common Stock

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of dividends on and payments of the proceeds of the sale of our common stock held by U.S. stockholders, unless an exception applies. The applicable withholding agent is required to withhold tax on such payments if (i) the payee fails to furnish a taxpayer identification number, or TIN, to the payor or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, or (ii) the IRS notifies the payor that the TIN furnished by the payee is incorrect. In addition, the applicable withholding agent with respect to the dividends on our common stock is required to withhold tax if (i) there has been a notified payee under-reporting with respect to interest, dividends or original issue discount described in Section 3406(c) of the Code, or (ii) there has been a failure of the payee to certify under the penalty of perjury that the payee is not subject to backup withholding under the Code. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide the applicable withholding agent with a correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any U.S. stockholders who fail to certify their U.S. status to us.

Some U.S. stockholders of our common stock, including corporations, may be exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. stockholder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax and may entitle the stockholder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. The applicable withholding agent will be required to furnish annually to the IRS and to U.S. stockholders of our common stock information relating to the amount of dividends paid on our common stock, and that information reporting may also apply to payments of proceeds from the sale of our common stock. Some U.S. stockholders, including corporations, financial institutions and certain tax-exempt organizations, are generally not subject to information reporting.

 

204


Table of Contents

Non-U.S. Stockholders of Our Common Stock

Generally, information reporting will apply to payments of interest and dividends on our common stock, and backup withholding described above for a U.S. stockholder will apply, unless the payee certifies that it is not a United States person or otherwise establishes an exemption.

The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding as described above for U.S. stockholders unless the non-U.S. stockholder satisfies the requirements necessary to be an exempt non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise qualifies for an exemption. The proceeds of a disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of our common stock to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, if the broker is a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for specified periods is from activities that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, a foreign partnership if partners who hold more than 50% of the interest in the partnership are United States persons, or a foreign partnership that is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, then information reporting generally will apply as though the payment was made through a U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker.

Other Tax Considerations

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which review may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Withholding at a rate of 30% generally will be required in certain circumstances on dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2018, gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution (i) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (ii) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or other guidance, may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, in certain circumstances, dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2018, gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions generally will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we will in turn provide to the IRS. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these rules on their investment in our common stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our state, local or

 

205


Table of Contents

foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.

 

206


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a Registration Statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of common stock that Hilton Parent stockholders will receive in the distribution. This information statement does not contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement on Form 10 and the exhibits and schedules to the Registration Statement on Form 10. Some items are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For additional information relating to us and the spin-off, reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form 10 and the exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form 10, which are on file at the offices of the SEC. Statements contained in this information statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if the contract or document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of the contract or other documents filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form 10. Each statement is qualified in all respects by the relevant reference.

You may inspect and copy the Registration Statement on Form 10 and the exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form 10 that we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov, from which you can electronically access the Registration Statement on Form 10, including the exhibits and schedules to the Registration Statement on Form 10.

Our Internet site and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into the information statement or the Registration Statement on Form 10.

As a result of the distribution, we will be required to comply with the full informational requirements of the Exchange Act. We will fulfill our obligations with respect to these requirements by filing periodic reports and other information with the SEC.

We plan to make available, free of charge, on our Internet site our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, reports filed pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC.

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

 

207


Table of Contents

INDEX TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page No.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Combined Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014

   F-3

Combined Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

   F-4

Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

   F-5

Combined Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

   F-6

Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-7

Schedule III Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation as of December  31, 2015

   F-31

Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June  30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

   F-34

Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

   F-35

Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

   F-36

Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

   F-37

Notes to Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-38

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying combined consolidated balance sheets of the carved-out entities to be held by Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (the “Company”) after the spin-off, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income, cash flows and equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the combined consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

McLean, Virginia

June 1, 2016

 

F-2


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

 

     December 31,  
           2015                     2014          

ASSETS

    

Property and equipment, net

    $ 8,676        $ 6,911    

Assets held for sale

     —         1,585    

Investments in affiliates

     104         126    

Goodwill

     617         805    

Intangibles, net

     52         52    

Cash and cash equivalents

     72         42    

Restricted cash

     72         32    

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2 and $1

     122         99    

Prepaid expenses

     53         48    

Other assets

     19         14    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS (variable interest entities - $32 and $31)

    $ 9,787        $ 9,714    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Liabilities

    

Debt

    $ 4,057        $ 4,246    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     171         182    

Due to hotel manager

     110         95    

Due to Hilton affiliates

     52           

Deferred income tax liabilities

     2,502         2,517    

Other liabilities

     98         74    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities (variable interest entities - $14 and $14)

     6,990         7,121    

Commitments and contingencies - see Note 16

    

Equity

    

Net Parent investment

     2,884         2,668    

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (63)        (51)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Parent equity

     2,821         2,617    

Noncontrolling interests

     (24)        (24)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     2,797         2,593    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    $ 9,787        $ 9,714    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
           2015                 2014                 2013        

Revenues

      

Rooms

    $ 1,783        $ 1,679        $ 1,556    

Food and beverage

     691         644         607    

Other

     214         190         170    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,688         2,513         2,333    

Operating expenses

      

Rooms

     456         457         422    

Food and beverage

     487         454         437    

Other departmental and support

     650         592         556    

Other property-level

     180         178         178    

Management fees

     89         77         61    

Depreciation and amortization

     287         248         246    

Corporate and other

     96         67         103    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     2,245         2,073         2,003    

Gain on sale of assets, net

     143         —         —    

Operating income

     586         440         330    

Interest income

                     

Interest expense

     (186)        (186)        (162)   

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     22         16         13    

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     —                —    

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —         —         68    

Other gain (loss), net

     (6)        25         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     417         298         251    

Income tax expense

     (118)        (117)        (104)   

Net income

     299         181         147    

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (7)        (5)        (3)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Parent

    $ 292        $ 176        $ 144    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit:

      

Currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $13, $7 and $4

     (12)        (22)        (10)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss

     (12)        (22)        (10)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    $ 287        $ 159        $ 137    

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (7)        (5)        (3)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Parent

    $ 280        $ 154        $ 134    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
           2015                 2014                 2013        

Operating Activities:

      

Net income

    $ 299        $ 181        $ 147    

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     287         248         246    

Gain on sale of assets, net

     (143)        —         —    

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     (22)        (16)        (13)   

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     —         (2)        —    

Gain on debt extinguishment

     —         —         (68)   

Other loss (gain), net

            (25)        —    

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     11         13         (3)   

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

     27         20         24    

Deferred income taxes

     (7)        85         14    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable, net

     (25)        (9)          

Prepaid expenses

     (13)        (27)        (8)   

Other assets

     44         (8)          

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (16)        35         28    

Due to hotel manager

     15                  

Other liabilities

     25                (7)   

Other

     31         11         71    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     519         516         440    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing Activities:

      

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

     (226)        (171)        (184)   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (1,410)        —         (30)   

Investments in affiliates

     (1)        (5)        (1)   

Change in restricted cash

     (14)        —         —    

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

     15         26         13    

Payments received from notes receivable

     —         15           

Proceeds from asset dispositions

     1,866         15         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     230         (120)        (200)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

      

Borrowings

     271         —         4,026    

Repayment of debt

     (883)        (14)        (1)   

Repayment of allocated Parent debt

     —         —         (4,550)   

Debt issuance costs

     —         (1)        (58)   

Proceeds from sales-leaseback transaction

     —         22         —    

Change in restricted cash

     (18)        10         (32)   

Capital contribution from Hilton affiliate

     —         22         —    

Net transfers from (to) Parent

            (84)        507    

Cash dividends paid to Parent

     (81)        (351)        (103)   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (7)        (5)        (4)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (715)        (401)        (215)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (4)        (1)        (4)   

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     30         (6)        21    

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     42         48         27    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

    $ 72        $ 42        $ 48    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For supplemental disclosures, see Note 17: “Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information.”

See notes to combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in millions)

 

     Net Parent
    Investment    
    Accumulated
Other
 Comprehensive 
Loss
    Non-
    controlling    
Interests
          Total        

Balance as of December 31, 2012

    $ 2,373        $ (19)       $ (23)       $ 2,331    

Net income

     144         —                147    

Other comprehensive loss

     —         (10)        —         (10)   

Net transfers from Parent

     507         —         —         507    

Cash dividends paid to Parent

     (103)        —         —         (103)   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —         —         (4)        (4)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     2,921         (29)        (24)        2,868    

Net income

     176         —                181    

Other comprehensive loss

     —         (22)        —         (22)   

Net transfers to Parent

     (84)        —         —         (84)   

Capital contribution from Parent

     14         —         —         14    

Distribution to Parent

     (30)        —         —         (30)   

Cash dividends paid to Parent

     (351)        —         —         (351)   

Capital contribution from Hilton affiliate

     22         —         —         22    

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —         —         (5)        (5)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

     2,668         (51)        (24)        2,593    

Net income

     292         —                299    

Other comprehensive loss

     —         (12)        —         (12)   

Net transfers from Parent

            —         —           

Capital contribution from Parent

            —         —           

Cash dividends paid to Parent

     (81)        —         —         (81)   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —         —         (7)        (7)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

    $ 2,884        $ (63)       $ (24)       $ 2,797    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Organization

Our Business

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) will be a global lodging real estate company with a diverse portfolio of premium-branded hotels and resorts located in prime United States (“U.S.”) and international markets.

Our Spin-Off from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

On February 26, 2016, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Parent,” together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton”) announced a plan to spin-off a substantial portion of Hilton’s ownership business to stockholders as a separate, publicly traded company, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. The spin-off transaction, which is expected to be tax-free to Hilton stockholders, will be effected through a pro rata distribution of our stock to existing Hilton stockholders. Immediately following completion of the spin-off, Hilton stockholders will own 100 percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock. After the spin-off, we will operate as an independent, publicly traded company.

The spin-off is conditioned on, among other things, final approval of the transaction by Hilton’s board of directors; execution of the Distribution Agreement and each ancillary agreement contemplated by the Distribution Agreement; the ruling received by Hilton from the Internal Revenue Service regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of the spin-off remaining in effect as of the distribution date, and the receipt of an opinion of our tax advisors confirming that the spin-off should qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; completion of the internal reorganization; Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.’s registration statement on Form 10 being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and acceptance of our common stock for listing on a national securities exchange.

Note 2: Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Combination and Consolidation

The accompanying combined consolidated financial statements represent the financial position and results of operations of entities to be held by the Company after the spin-off that have historically been under common control of the Parent. The combined consolidated financial statements were prepared on a carve-out basis and reflect significant assumptions and allocations. The combined consolidated financial statements reflect our historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances within these combined consolidated financial statements have been eliminated.

On October 24, 2007, a predecessor to our Parent became a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) following the completion of a merger (the “Merger”). Our combined consolidated financial statements reflect adjustments made as a result of applying push down accounting at the time of the Merger. The Company’s combined consolidated financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held by Hilton but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company, including goodwill and intangibles.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

Allocations

The combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income include allocations of corporate general and administrative expenses from Hilton on the basis of financial and operating metrics that Hilton has historically used to allocate resources and evaluate performance against its strategic objectives. Both we and Hilton consider the basis on which expenses have been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by us during the periods presented. However, the allocations may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Company and may not reflect its combined consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that might have been incurred had we been a stand-alone company would depend on a number of factors, including the chosen organizational structure, what functions we might have performed ourselves or outsourced and strategic decisions we might have made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure. Following the spin-off, we will perform these functions using our own resources or purchase services from either Hilton or third parties. For an interim period some of these functions will continue to be provided by Hilton under one or more transition services agreements (“TSA”).

The combined consolidated financial statements include an allocation of Hilton’s debt that was outstanding prior to a debt refinancing in October 2013, based on proceeds from the borrowings we received in the refinancing relative to Hilton’s total debt refinanced. No amounts were allocated to us subsequent to the refinancing, as a significant portion of our assets were restricted by the terms of our debt from securing or guaranteeing Hilton’s debt. As a result of this allocation, our combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes amortization of deferred loan costs, interest expense and a gain on debt extinguishment.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, and interest applicable to major construction or development projects is capitalized. Costs of improvements that extend the economic life or improve service potential are also capitalized. Capitalized costs are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are generally as follows: buildings and improvements (8 to 40 years); furniture and equipment (3 to 8 years); and computer equipment and acquired software (3 years). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life, based on the estimates above, or the lease term.

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment if there are indicators of potential impairment. We perform an analysis to determine the recoverability of the asset’s carrying value by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows to the net book value of the asset. If it is determined that the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the asset, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is recorded in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income within impairment losses. Fair value is generally estimated using valuation techniques that consider the discounted cash flows of the asset using discount and capitalization rates deemed reasonable for the type of asset,

 

F-8


Table of Contents

as well as prevailing market conditions, appraisals, recent similar transactions in the market and, if appropriate and available, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers.

If sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation, including environmental remediation liabilities, we recognize the fair value of the obligation when the obligation is incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset.

Assets Held for Sale

We classify a property as held for sale when we commit to a plan to sell the asset, the sale of the asset is probable within one year, and it is unlikely that action to complete the sale will change or that the sale will be withdrawn. When we determine that classification of an asset as held for sale is appropriate, we cease recording depreciation for the asset. Further, the related assets and liabilities of the held for sale property will be classified as assets held for sale in our combined consolidated balance sheets. Any gains on sales of properties are recognized at the time of sale or deferred and recognized in net income (loss) in subsequent periods as any relevant conditions requiring deferral are satisfied.

Investments in Affiliates

The combined consolidated financial statements include entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including variable interest entities (“VIE”) where we are the primary beneficiary. The determination of a controlling financial interest is based upon the terms of the governing agreements of the respective entities, including the evaluation of rights held by other interests. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, we determine whether we are the primary beneficiary, and then consolidate those VIEs for which we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. If the entity in which we hold an interest does not meet the definition of a VIE, we evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest through our voting interests in the entity. We consolidate entities when we own more than 50 percent of the voting shares of a company or otherwise have a controlling financial interest. References in these financial statements to net income (loss) attributable to Parent do not include noncontrolling interests, which represent the outside ownership interests of our consolidated, non-wholly owned entities and are reported separately.

We hold investments in affiliates that primarily own or lease hotels. Investments in affiliates over which we exercise significant influence, but lack a controlling financial interest, are accounted for using the equity method. We account for investments using the equity method when we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the entity, typically through a more than minimal investment.

Our proportionate share of earnings (losses) from our equity method investments is presented as equity in earnings (losses) from investments in affiliates in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Distributions from investments in affiliates are presented as an operating activity in our combined consolidated statements of cash flows when such distributions are a return on investment. Distributions from investments in affiliates are recorded as an investing activity in our combined consolidated statements of cash flows when such distributions are a return of investment.

We assess the recoverability of our equity method investments if there are indicators of potential impairment. If an identified event or change in circumstances requires an evaluation to determine if an investment may have an other-than-temporary impairment, we assess the fair value of the investment based on accepted valuation methodologies, which include discounted cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds and external appraisals. If an investment’s fair value is below its carrying value and the decline is considered to be other-than-temporary, we will recognize an impairment loss in equity in earnings (losses) from investments in affiliates in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Noncontrolling Interests

We present the portion of any equity that we do not own in entities that we have a controlling financial interest (and thus consolidate) as noncontrolling interests and classify those interests as a component of total equity, separate from total Parent equity, on our combined consolidated balance sheets. For consolidated joint ventures with pro rata distribution allocations, net income or loss is allocated between the joint venture partners based on their respective stated ownership percentages. In addition, we include net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest in net income (loss) in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. We do not amortize goodwill, but rather evaluate goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

We have a single reporting unit, ownership, to which goodwill has been allocated. Certain of the entities that are included in our combined consolidated financial statements were consolidated subsidiaries of our Parent at the time of the Merger. Our Parent allocated goodwill to us based on the relative fair value of our properties compared to that of Parent’s ownership segment as of the date of the Merger. We review the carrying value of goodwill by comparing the carrying value of our reporting unit to its fair value. In any year we may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the two-step quantitative process. In the first step, we determine the fair value of the reporting unit. The valuation is based on internal projections of expected future cash flows and operating plans, as well as market conditions relative to the operations of our reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step must be performed. In the second step, we estimate the implied fair value of goodwill, which is determined by taking the fair value of the reporting unit and allocating it to all of its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, the excess is recognized within impairment losses in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite useful lives primarily include ground and hotel operating lease contracts recorded by our Parent at the time of the Merger and allocated to us based on either specific identification or the relative fair values as of the date of the Merger. These contract values are based on the present value of the difference between contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the contracts acquired and the estimate of the fair value of rates for corresponding contracts measured over the period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the contract. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining non-cancelable term of the contract.

We review all finite lived intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Business Combinations

We consider a business combination to occur when the Company takes control of a business by acquiring its net assets or equity interests. We record the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests at fair value as of the acquisition date, including any contingent consideration. We evaluate factors, including market data for similar assets, expected future cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates and replacement cost for the assets to determine an appropriate fair value of the assets. Acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are expensed in the period incurred and are not capitalized or applied in determining the fair value of the acquired assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities, when purchased, of three months or less.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes cash balances established as lender reserves required by our debt agreements. For purposes of our combined consolidated statement of cash flows, changes in restricted cash caused by changes in lender reserves due to restrictions under our loan agreements are shown as financing activities and changes in deposits for assets we plan to acquire are shown as investing activities.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided on accounts receivable when losses are probable based on historical collection activity and current business conditions.

Fair Value Measurements—Valuation Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date (an exit price). We use the three-level valuation hierarchy for classification of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

    Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

    Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument.

 

    Level 3—Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.

The classification of assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety at the end of each reporting period.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments as part of our overall strategy to manage our exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. We regularly monitor the financial stability and credit standing of the counterparties to our derivative instruments. Under the terms of certain loan agreements, we are required to maintain derivative financial instruments to manage interest rates. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

We record all derivatives at fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered, we designate the derivative as one of the following: a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be paid (“cash flow hedge”); a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”); or an undesignated hedge instrument. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a cash flow hedge or net investment hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in the combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income until they are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a fair value hedge, along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments and the ineffective portion of designated derivative instruments are reported in current period earnings. Cash flows from designated derivative financial instruments are classified within the same category as the item being hedged in the combined consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash flows from undesignated derivative financial instruments are included as an investing activity in our combined consolidated statements of cash flows.

If we determine that we qualify for and will designate a derivative as a hedging instrument, at the designation date we formally document all relationships between hedging activities, including the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes matching all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions and linking all derivatives designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities in our combined consolidated balance sheets.

To the extent we have designated a derivative as a hedging instrument, each reporting period we assess the effectiveness of our designated hedges in offsetting the variability in the cash flows or fair values of the hedged assets or obligations using the Hypothetical Derivative Method. This method compares the cumulative change in fair value of each hedging instrument to the cumulative change in fair value of a hypothetical hedging instrument, which has terms that identically match the critical terms of the respective hedged transactions. Thus, the hypothetical hedging instrument is presumed to perfectly offset the hedged cash flows. Ineffectiveness results when the cumulative change in the fair value of the hedging instrument exceeds the cumulative change in the fair value of the hypothetical hedging instrument. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively, when the derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable, or the hedging instrument expires, is sold, terminated or exercised.

Revenue Recognition

Our results of operations primarily consist of room rentals, food and beverage sales and other ancillary goods and services from hotel properties. Revenues are recorded when rooms are occupied or goods and services have been delivered or rendered. Additionally, we collect sales, use, occupancy and similar taxes at our hotels, which we present on a net basis (excluded from revenues) in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Currency Translation

The United States dollar (“USD”) is our reporting currency and is the functional currency of our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating in the U.S. The functional currency for our consolidated and

 

F-12


Table of Contents

unconsolidated entities operating outside of the U.S. is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the respective entity operates. Assets and liabilities measured in foreign currencies are translated into USD at the prevailing exchange rates in effect as of the financial statement date and the related gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our combined consolidated balance sheets. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Gains and losses from foreign exchange rate changes related to transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s function currency are recognized as gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

Historically, we have been included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Hilton, as well as certain state tax returns where Hilton files on a combined basis. For purposes of our combined consolidated balance sheets, we have recorded deferred tax balances as if we filed tax returns on a stand-alone basis separate from Hilton. The separate return method applies the accounting guidance for income taxes to the stand-alone financial statements as if we were a separate taxpayer and a standalone enterprise for the periods presented. The calculation of our income taxes on a separate return basis requires a considerable amount of judgment and use of both estimates and allocations. We believe that the assumptions and estimates used to determine these tax amounts are reasonable. However, our combined consolidated balance sheets may not necessarily reflect what our tax amounts would have been if we had been a stand-alone enterprise during the periods presented.

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year, to recognize the deferred tax assets and liabilities that relate to tax consequences in future years, which result from differences between the respective tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts, and tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the respective temporary differences or operating loss or tax credit carry forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The realization of deferred tax assets and tax loss and tax credit carry forwards is contingent upon the generation of future taxable income and other restrictions that may exist under the tax laws of the jurisdiction in which a deferred tax asset exists. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than not to be ultimately realized.

We use a prescribed recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. For all income tax positions, we first determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit recognized in the financial statements is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Standards

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03 (“ASU 2015-03”), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset, which is consistent with the presentation of debt discounts and premiums. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 (“ASU 2015-15”), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements , which clarifies that absent authoritative guidance in ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the staff of the SEC would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently

 

F-13


Table of Contents

amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 retrospectively as of January 1, 2016 and applied to all periods presented herein.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842) , which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in Leases (Topic 840) and generally requires all leases to be recognized in the statement of financial position. The provisions of ASU 2016-02 are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. The provisions of this ASU are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our combined consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) , and requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Subsequent to ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several related ASUs:

 

    In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . This ASU provides clarification on assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, measurement date for non-cash consideration, completed contracts at transition and provides a practical expedient for contract modifications.

 

    In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This ASU provides implementation guidance related to identifying performance obligations and licensing.

 

    In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) . This ASU provides implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations set forth in ASU 2014-09.

 

    In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Deferral of the Effective Date , which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.

The provisions of ASU 2014-09 and the related ASUs are to be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach; early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our combined consolidated financial statements and our method of adoption.

Note 3: Acquisitions

Tax Deferred Exchange

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we used proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York (see Note 4: “Disposals”) to acquire, as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property, the following properties from sellers affiliated with Blackstone and an unrelated third party for a total purchase price of $1.87 billion:

 

    the resort complex consisting of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida (the “Bonnet Creek Resort”);

 

    the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida;

 

    the Reach Resort in Key West, Florida;

 

    the Parc 55 in San Francisco, California; and

 

F-14


Table of Contents
    the Juniper Hotel Cupertino in Cupertino, California.

We incurred transaction costs of $26 million, which are included in corporate and other expense in our combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income, for the year ended December 31, 2015.

As of the acquisition dates, the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were:

 

       (in millions)  

Property and equipment

    $             1,868   

Intangibles

     4   

Cash and cash equivalents

     16   

Restricted cash

     8   

Prepaid expenses

     3   

Other assets

     2   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (25

Debt

     (450
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

    $ 1,426   
  

 

 

 

These fair values are subject to adjustments as additional information relative to the fair values at the acquisition date becomes available through the measurement period, which can extend for up to one year after the acquisition date. See Note 10: “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information on the fair value techniques and inputs used for the measurement of the assets and liabilities.

The results of operations from these properties included in the combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015 were:

 

       (in millions)    

Total revenues

    $ 316    

Income before income taxes

     58    

Equity Investments Exchange

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we entered into an agreement to exchange our ownership interest in six hotels for the remaining interest in five other hotels that were part of an equity investment portfolio we owned with one other partner. As a result of this exchange, we have a 100 percent ownership interest in five hotels and no longer have any ownership interest in the remaining six hotels. This transaction was accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages, resulting in a remeasurement gain based upon the fair values of the equity investments. The carrying values of these equity investments immediately before the exchange totaled $59 million and the fair values of these equity investments immediately before the exchange totaled $83 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $24 million recognized in other gain, net in our combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Acquisition of Other Property and Equipment

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired a parcel of land for $28 million, which we previously leased under a long-term ground lease.

Note 4: Disposals

Waldorf Astoria New York

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we completed the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York for a purchase price of $1.95 billion and we repaid in full the existing mortgage loan secured by our Waldorf Astoria

 

F-15


Table of Contents

New York property (the “Waldorf Astoria Loan”) of approximately $525 million. As a result of the sale, we recognized a gain of $143 million included in gain on sale of assets, net in our combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015. The gain was net of transaction costs and a goodwill reduction of $185 million. The Waldorf Astoria New York was considered a business within our hotel ownership segment; therefore, we reduced the carrying amount of our goodwill by the amount representing the fair value of the business disposed relative to the fair value of the portion of our reporting unit goodwill that was retained. Additionally, we recognized a loss of $6 million in other gain (loss), net in our combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015 related to the reduction of the Waldorf Astoria Loan’s remaining carrying amount of debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2014, we had assets held for sale related to the Waldorf Astoria New York, including $1,543 million of property and equipment, net and other assets of $42 million and liabilities held for sale of $36 million, included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Sale of Other Property and Equipment

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we completed the sale of certain land and easement rights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with a development project. As a result, the affiliate of Blackstone acquired the rights to the name, plans, designs, contracts and other documents related to the development project. The total consideration received for this transaction was approximately $37 million. We recognized $22 million as a capital contribution from a Hilton affiliate, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration received over the carrying value of the assets sold.

Note 5: Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, excluding assets held for sale, were:

 

     December 31,  
             2015                     2014          
     (in millions)  

Land

    $ 3,419        $ 2,939    

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     6,000         4,632    

Furniture and equipment

     876         705    

Construction-in-progress

     58         42    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     10,353         8,318    

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,677)        (1,407)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 8,676        $ 6,911    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, including amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, was $283 million, $245 million and $241 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, property and equipment included approximately $24 million and $26 million, respectively, of capital lease assets primarily consisting of buildings and leasehold improvements, net of $8 million of accumulated depreciation and amortization.

Note 6: Consolidated Variable Interest Entities and Investments in Affiliates

Consolidated VIEs

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we consolidated one VIE that owns a hotel in the U.S. We are the primary beneficiary of this VIE as we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect economic performance in our capacity as both an equity holder and non-equity holding manager of the entity.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Additionally, we have the obligation to absorb the losses and the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entity. The assets of the VIE, primarily property and equipment, are only available to settle the obligations, primarily a mortgage loan, of that entity.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we did not provide any financial or other support to this VIE that we were not previously contractually required to provide, nor do we intend to provide any such support in the future.

Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in affiliates were:

 

                                  December 31,  
       Ownership %                2015                     2014          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
            (in millions)  

Hilton Berlin

     40%        $ 27        $ 36    

Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands

     50%         24         25    

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

     25%         20         22    

All others (7 hotels)

     20% - 50%         33         43    
     

 

 

 
       $ 104        $ 126    
     

 

 

 

The affiliates in which we own investments accounted for under the equity method had total debt of approximately $872 million and $867 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Substantially all of the debt is secured solely by the affiliates’ assets or is guaranteed by other partners without recourse to us.

Note 7: Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Our Parent allocated $3.5 billion of goodwill to us as part of the Merger and during the year ended December 31, 2008, we recognized a $2.7 billion impairment loss. Our goodwill balance and related activity was:

 

       (in millions)    

Goodwill

    $ 3,570    

Accumulated impairment losses

     (2,762)   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     808    

Foreign currency translation

     (3)   

Goodwill

     3,567    

Accumulated impairment losses

     (2,762)   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

     805    

Disposition of business (1)

     (185)   

Foreign currency translation

     (3)   

Goodwill

     2,751    

Accumulated impairment losses

     (2,134)   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

    $ 617    
  

 

 

 

 

(1)   In connection with the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York, goodwill was reduced by $813 million and accumulated impairment losses was reduced by $628 million. See Note 4: “Disposals” for additional information.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Intangible assets were:

 

     December 31,  
             2015                     2014          
     (in millions)  

Acquired below market leases

    $ 60        $ 59    

Acquired below market ground leases

     18         18    

Other

            —    

Accumulated amortization

     (30)        (25)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 52        $ 52    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

We recorded amortization expense of $4 million, $3 million and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of December 31, 2015, we estimated our future amortization expense for our intangible assets to be:

 

Year      (in millions)    

2016

    $   

2017

       

2018

       

2019

       

2020

       

Thereafter

     32    
  

 

 

 
    $ 52    
  

 

 

 

Note 8: Debt

Debt balances, including obligations for capital leases, and associated interest rates as of December 31, 2015, were:

 

     December 31,  
             2015                      2014          
     (in millions)  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities loan with an average rate of 4.11%, due 2018 (1)

    $ 3,418         $ 3,487    

Mortgage loans with an average rate of 4.12%, due 2016 to 2022 (1)

     597          733    

Unsecured notes with a rate of 7.50%, due 2017

     54          54    

Capital lease obligations with an average rate of 7.00%, due 2019 to 2097

     17          18    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,086          4,292    

Less: unamortized deferred financing costs

     (29)         (46)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 4,057         $ 4,246    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   Assumes the exercise of all extensions that are exercisable solely at our option.

CMBS Loan

In October 2013, we entered into a $3.5 billion commercial mortgage-backed securities loan secured by 23 U.S. owned real estate assets (the “CMBS Loan”). The proceeds of this borrowing were used to repay a portion of Hilton’s corporate debt that was allocated to us. The CMBS loan has a fixed-rate component in the amount of

 

F-18


Table of Contents

$2.625 billion bearing interest at 4.47 percent with a term of five years and an initial $875 million variable-rate component based on one-month LIBOR plus 265 basis points that has an initial term of two years with three one-year extensions exercisable solely at our option, for which the rate would increase by 25 basis points during the final extension period. We exercised our first one-year extension on November 1, 2015. Interest for both components is payable monthly. We are required to deposit with the lender certain cash reserves for restricted uses. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, our combined consolidated balance sheets included $24 million and $31 million, respectively, of restricted cash related to the CMBS Loan.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we made contractually required prepayments of $69 million and $13 million, respectively, on the variable-rate component of the CMBS Loan in exchange for the release of certain collateral.

Mortgage Loans

In February 2015, we assumed a $450 million mortgage loan secured by the Bonnet Creek Resort (the “Bonnet Creek Loan”) as a result of an acquisition. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” for additional information on the transaction. Principal payments, commencing in April 2016, are payable monthly over a 25-year amortization period with the unamortized portion due in full upon maturity. The Bonnet Creek Loan, maturing on April 29, 2018, with an option to extend for one year, bears interest at a variable rate based on one-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points, which is payable monthly. We are required to deposit with the lenders certain cash reserves for restricted uses. As of December 31, 2015, our combined consolidated balance sheet included $25 million of restricted cash related to the Bonnet Creek Loan.

In October 2013, we entered into the Waldorf Astoria Loan, the proceeds of which were used to repay a portion of Hilton’s corporate debt that was allocated to us. This loan had a maturity date of October 25, 2018 and a variable-rate interest based on one-month LIBOR plus 215 basis points that was payable monthly. The Waldorf Astoria Loan was paid in full concurrent with the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York. See Note 4: “Disposals” for additional information on the transaction.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we held other mortgage loans of $146 million and $208 million secured by three and eight of our properties, respectively. In December 2015, we paid in full the $64 million mortgage loan assumed as part of an equity investments exchange in 2014, using available cash and proceeds from a $45 million short-term borrowing with Parent. See Note 14: “Related Parties” for additional information on the short-term borrowing.

Debt Maturities

The contractual maturities of our debt as of December 31, 2015 were:

 

Year      (in millions)    

2016

    $ 109    

2017

     62    

2018 (1)

     3,427    

2019 (1)

     429    

2020 (1)

     12    

Thereafter

     47    
  

 

 

 
    $ 4,086    
  

 

 

 

 

(1)   Assumes the exercise of all extensions that are exercisable solely at our option.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Note 9 : Derivative Instruments

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, derivatives were used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with variable-rate debt as required by certain loan agreements.

As of December 31, 2015, we held one interest rate cap in the notional amount of $862 million, for the variable-rate component of the CMBS Loan, that expires in November 2016 and caps one-month LIBOR at 6.9 percent, and one interest rate cap in the notional amount of $338 million that expires in May 2016 and caps one-month LIBOR at 3.0 percent on the Bonnet Creek Loan. We did not elect to designate any of these interest rate caps as hedging instruments. The fair values of our interest rate caps were less than $1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Note 10: Fair Value Measurements

We did not elect the fair value measurement option for any of our financial assets or liabilities. The fair values of our unsecured notes were based on prices in active debt markets. The fair values of the CMBS Loan and mortgage loans are determined based on the expected future payments discounted at risk-adjusted rates. The fair values of financial instruments not included in this table are estimated to be equal to their carrying amounts. The fair value of certain financial instruments and the hierarchy level we used to estimate fair values are shown below:

 

          December 31, 2015     December 31, 2014  
    Hierarchy
      Level      
    Carrying
      Amount      
          Fair Value           Carrying
      Amount      
          Fair Value        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          (in millions)  

Liabilities:

         

CMBS Loan

    3       $ 3,418        $ 3,456        $ 3,487        $ 3,540    

Mortgage loans

    3        597         600         733         734    

Unsecured notes

    1        54         59         54         59    

As a result of our acquisition of certain properties, we measured financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (see Note 3: “Acquisitions” for additional information):

 

               2015                         2014            
     (in millions)  

Property and equipment

    $ 1,868        $ 144    

Debt

     450         64    

We estimated the fair values of these financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities using discounted cash flow analyses with the following significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

 

               2015                         2014            

Property and equipment:

    

Estimated stabilized growth rate

     3 - 4 percent        2 - 3 percent   

Term

     10 - 11 years        11 - 13 years   

Terminal capitalization rate (1)

     7 - 8 percent        10 - 11 percent   

Discount rate (1)

     9 - 10 percent        9 - 11 percent   

Debt:

    

Risk adjusted rate

    
 
 
One-month
LIBOR plus
275 basis points
  
  
  
    N/A (2)   

 

F-20


Table of Contents

 

(1)   Reflects the risk profile of the individual markets where the assets are located and are not necessarily indicative of our hotel portfolio as a whole.
(2)   The fair value of the debt approximated the carrying value as the interest rate under the loan agreement approximated current market rates.

Note 11: Leases

We lease hotel properties, land and equipment under operating and capital leases. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had operating leases for five hotels and a capital lease for one hotel. We also lease land for 14 hotels and certain facilities for seven hotels. Our leases expire at various dates from 2018 through 2196, with varying renewal options, and the majority expire before 2031.

Our operating leases may require minimum rent payments, contingent rent payments based on a percentage of revenue or income or rent payments equal to the greater of a minimum rent or contingent rent. In addition, we may be required to pay some, or all, of the capital costs for property and equipment in the hotel during the term of the lease.

Amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is recorded in depreciation and amortization in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income and is recognized over the lease term.

The future minimum rent payments under non-cancelable leases, due in each of the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2015, were:

 

     Operating
          Leases          
    Capital
          Leases          
 
Year    (in millions)  

2016

    $ 26        $   

2017

     26           

2018

     26           

2019

     23           

2020

     23           

Thereafter

     287         88    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total minimum rent payments

    $ 411         93    
  

 

 

   

Less: amount representing interest

       (76)   
    

 

 

 

Present value of net minimum rent payments

      $ 17    
    

 

 

 

Rent expense for all operating leases, included in other property-level expenses, was:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
               2015                         2014                         2013            
     (in millions)  

Minimum rentals

    $ 26        $ 25        $ 24    

Contingent rentals

     22         19         18    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 48        $ 44        $ 42    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Note 12: Income Taxes

Our tax provision includes federal, state and foreign income taxes payable. The domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes were:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
               2015                         2014                         2013            
     (in millions)  

U.S. income before tax

    $ 379        $ 249        $ 203    

Foreign income before tax

     38         49         48    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    $ 417        $ 298        $ 251    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of our provision (benefit) for income taxes were:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
               2015                         2014                         2013            
     (in millions)  

Current:

      

Federal

    $ 102        $ 20        $ 70    

State

     15                11    

Foreign

                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current

     125         32         90    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

      

Federal

     69         71           

State

     (74)        12           

Foreign

     (2)                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred

     (7)        85         14    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provision for income taxes

    $ 118        $ 117        $ 104    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliations of our tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes were:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
               2015                         2014                         2013            
     (in millions)  

Statutory U.S. federal income tax provision

    $ 146        $ 104        $ 88    

State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit

     26         15         13    

Foreign income tax expense

                     

U.S. benefit of foreign taxes

     (6)        (11)        (13)   

Nontaxable liquidation of subsidiaries

     (34)        —         —    

Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance

     (3)                 

Change in basis difference in foreign subsidiaries

     (2)        (1)          

Tax rate change

     (81)        —         —    

Non-deductible goodwill

     65         —         —    

Other, net

     (2)        (1)        (1)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

    $ 118        $ 117        $ 104    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, certain of our controlled foreign corporation subsidiaries elected to be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These transactions were treated as tax-free liquidations

 

F-22


Table of Contents

for federal tax purposes. As a result of these liquidation transactions, we recognized $34 million of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets associated with assets and liabilities distributed from the liquidated controlled foreign corporations. These previously unrecognized deferred tax assets were a component of our investment in foreign subsidiaries deferred tax balances that were connected to the liquidated controlled foreign corporations. Prior to these liquidations, we did not believe that the benefit of these deferred tax assets would be realized within the foreseeable future; therefore, we did not recognize these deferred tax assets.

As a result of the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York, we have reduced our U.S. deferred tax liabilities and provision for income taxes by $81 million due to a decrease in the state effective tax rate being applied to our gross temporary differences.

We are part of a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, state tax returns, and foreign tax returns with Hilton and other subsidiaries that are not included in our combined consolidated financial statements. Income taxes as presented in our combined consolidated financial statements present current and deferred income taxes of the consolidated federal tax filing attributed to us using the separate return method. The separate return method applies the accounting guidance for income taxes to the financial statements as if we were a separate taxpayer. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, Parent paid $119 million, $25 million and $83 million, respectively of income tax liabilities related to us.

Deferred income taxes represent the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities plus carryforward items. The composition of net deferred tax balances were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
               2015                         2014            
     (in millions)  

Deferred income tax assets (1)

    $       $   

Deferred income tax liabilities

     (2,502)        (2,517)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred taxes

    $ (2,497)       $ (2,516)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   Included within other assets in our combined consolidated balance sheets.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

The tax effects of the temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to our net deferred tax asset (liability) were:

 

     December 31,  
               2015                         2014            
     (in millions)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Net operating loss carryforwards

    $               6        $               11    

Unrealized foreign currency losses

            —    

Other reserves

              

Capital lease obligations

     10           

Deferred income

              

Other

              
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

     38         28    

Less: valuation allowance

     (2)        (5)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

    $ 36        $ 23    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Property and equipment

    $ (2,435)       $ (2,425)   

Investments

     (87)        (91)   

Amortizable intangible assets

     (11)        (6)   

Investment in foreign subsidiaries

     —         (9)   

Other

     —         (8)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

     (2,533)        (2,539)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred taxes

    $ (2,497)       $ (2,516)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, we had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $37 million which resulted in deferred tax assets of $6 million for foreign jurisdictions, resulting from net operating loss carryforwards that are not subject to expiration. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain foreign net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this assessment, we provided a valuation allowance of $2 million as of December 31, 2015 on the deferred tax assets relating to foreign net operating loss carryforwards. Our valuation allowance decreased $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2015.

We classify reserves for tax uncertainties within other liabilities in our combined consolidated balance sheets. Reconciliations of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits were:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
              2015                         2014                         2013            
    (in millions)  

Balance at beginning of year

   $       $       $   

Additions for tax positions related to the current year

    —                —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $       $       $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had accrued $1 million for the payment of interest and penalties. Included in the balance of uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $2 million associated with positions that if favorably resolved would provide a benefit to our effective tax rate.

Hilton files income tax returns, including returns for us, with federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. Hilton is under regular and recurring audit by the Internal Revenue Service on open tax positions. The timing of the

 

F-24


Table of Contents

resolution of tax audits is highly uncertain, as are the amounts, if any, that may ultimately be paid upon such resolution. Changes may result from the conclusion of ongoing audits, appeals or litigation in state, local, federal and foreign tax jurisdictions or from the resolution of various proceedings between the U.S. and foreign tax authorities. Hilton is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for years through 2004. As of December 31, 2015, Hilton remains subject to federal examinations from 2005 through 2014, state examinations from 2005 through 2014 and foreign examinations of their income tax returns for the years 2005 through 2014.

Note 13: Hotel Management Operating and License Agreements

Management Fees

We have management agreements with Hilton, whereby we pay a base fee equal to a percentage of total revenues, as defined, as well as an incentive fee if specified financial performance targets are achieved. Hilton generally has sole responsibility for all activities necessary for the operation of the hotels, including establishing room rates, processing reservations and promoting and publicizing the hotels. Hilton also generally provides all employees for the hotels, prepares reports, budgets and projections, and provides other administrative and accounting support services to the hotels. We have consultative and limited approval rights with respect to certain actions of Hilton, including entering into long-term or high value contracts, engaging in certain actions relating to legal proceedings, approving the operating budget, making certain capital expenditures and the hiring of certain management personnel. Our management agreements expire at various dates from 2016 through 2045, with the majority expiring before 2043, and contain varying extension options.

Marketing Fees

Additionally, under the terms of the management agreements, we pay a marketing fee to Hilton generally equal to a percentage of rooms revenues. Total marketing fees were $56 million, $49 million and $43 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and were included in other departmental and support expense in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Employee Cost Reimbursements

We are responsible for reimbursing Hilton for certain employee related costs outside of payroll. These costs include contributions to a defined contribution 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan administered by Hilton, union-sponsored pension plans and other post-retirement plans. All of these plans are the responsibility of Hilton and our obligation is only for the reimbursement of these costs for individuals who work at our hotel properties. Total employee cost reimbursements were $126 million, $134 million and $127 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and were included in the respective operating expenses line item in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income based upon the nature of services provided by such employees.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Note 14: Related Parties

Parent

Net Parent investment on the combined consolidated balance sheets and combined consolidated statements of equity represents Parent’s historical investment in the Company, the net effect of transactions with and allocations from Parent and the Company’s accumulated earnings. Net transfers from (to) Parent are included within Net Parent investment. The components of the Net transfers from (to) Parent on the combined consolidated statements of cash flows and combined consolidated statements of equity were:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
               2015                         2014                         2013            
     (in millions)  

Cash pooling and general financing activities

    $ (172)       $ (161)       $ 227    

Corporate allocations

     56         52         197    

Income taxes

     119         25         83    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net transfers from (to) Parent

    $       $ (84)       $ 507    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Management

Our Parent uses a centralized approach for cash management. Transfers of cash both to and from Parent are included within Net transfer from (to) Parent on the combined consolidated statements of cash flows and combined consolidated statements of equity. Historically, Parent has not charged us interest expense and we have not earned interest revenue on our net cash balance due to or from Parent, respectively. Cash at certain of our properties which secure the CMBS Loan, the Bonnet Creek Loan, a $64 million mortgage loan assumed as part of an equity investments exchange in 2014 and our non wholly owned entities and VIEs (the “Restricted Subsidiaries”) may only be transferred to the extent the Restricted Subsidiaries declare a dividend. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Restricted Subsidiaries paid cash dividends which is presented in the combined consolidated statements of cash flows and combined consolidated statements of equity as Cash dividends paid to Parent.

Corporate Allocations

Our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income includes allocations of costs from certain corporate and shared functions provided to us by Parent and interest expense related to allocated Parent debt. See Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for additional information. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 we recognized $56 million, $52 million, and $79 million, respectively, of costs within Corporate and other expense in the combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income related to allocations of corporate general and administrative expenses from Hilton. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized $118 million within Interest expense in the combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income related to allocated debt of our Parent that was outstanding prior to a debt refinancing in October 2013.

Borrowings from Parent

In 2015, we borrowed $45 million from Parent under a short-term note payable due June 30, 2016 with an interest rate of 1.82 percent. This payable is included within Due to Hilton affiliates in our combined consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. The proceeds from the note payable were used towards the prepayment of a $64 million mortgage loan assumed as part of an equity investments exchange in 2014.

Transactions with Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent

In 2014, we completed the sale of certain floors at the Hilton New York Midtown to a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent for $22 million in connection with a timeshare project. At closing, legal title of these floors

 

F-26


Table of Contents

were transferred to the subsidiary of Parent. The net book value of these floors was approximately $66 million. The difference between the proceeds received and net book value of the floors will be recognized as a non-cash equity distribution to Parent, $30 million of which was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2014. In connection with this sale, we made a contractually required prepayment of $13 million on the variable-rate component of the CMBS Loan in order to release these floors from collateral. We reserved exclusive rights to occupy and operate these floors for specific periods of time, which represents a lease arrangement. Due to our continuing involvement, this transaction was not recognized as a sale and was accounted for as a sales-leaseback liability under the financing method. The assets will remain in our combined consolidated balance sheets until the end of each respective floor’s lease term. The remaining sale-leaseback liability was $7 million, included within Due to Hilton affiliates on the combined consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The lease term on the remaining floors expires on December 31, 2016.

Certain of our hotels charge a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent for rental fees and other amenities. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, $22 million, $25 million, and $23 million, respectively, was recognized, primarily in rooms revenue, in our combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

The Blackstone Group

In 2015, we acquired, as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property, certain properties from sellers affiliated with Blackstone for a total purchase price of $1.76 billion. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” for additional information.

In 2014, we completed the sale of certain land and easement rights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with a development project. As a result, the related party acquired the rights to the name, plans, designs, contracts and other documents related to the development project. The total consideration received for this transaction was approximately $37 million. See Note 4: “Disposals” for additional information.

Note 15: Geographic and Business Segment Information

We have one operating segment, our ownership segment, which includes 69 properties totaling 36,062 rooms. The performance of our operating segment is evaluated primarily based on adjusted earnings before interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, further adjusted to exclude certain items, including, but not limited to, gains, losses and expenses in connection with: (i) asset dispositions for both consolidated and unconsolidated investments; (ii) foreign currency transactions; (iii) debt restructurings/retirements; (iv) non-cash impairment losses; (v) furniture, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”) replacement reserves required under certain lease agreements; (vi) reorganization costs; (vii) share-based and certain other compensation expenses; (viii) severance, relocation and other expenses; and (ix) other items.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

The following table presents revenues for our operating segment reconciled to combined consolidated amounts and ownership segment Adjusted EBITDA to net income:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
               2015                         2014                         2013            
     (in millions)  

Revenues:

      

Ownership

    $         2,675        $        2,503        $         2,323    

Other revenue

     13         10         10    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    $ 2,688        $ 2,513        $ 2,333    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ownership Adjusted EBITDA

    $ 862        $ 796        $ 720    

Other revenue

     13         10         10    

Depreciation and amortization expense

     (287)        (248)        (246)   

FF&E replacement reserve

     (2)        (2)        (1)   

Corporate and other expense

     (96)        (67)        (103)   

Gain on sale of assets, net

     143         —         —    

Interest income

                     

Interest expense

     (186)        (186)        (162)   

Interest expense, income tax and depreciation and amortization included in equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     (25)        (33)        (37)   

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     —                —    

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —         —         68    

Other gain (loss), net

     (6)        25         —    

Income tax expense

     (118)        (117)        (104)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    $ 299        $ 181        $ 147    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents total assets for our reportable segment, reconciled to combined consolidated amounts:

 

     December 31,  
               2015                         2014            
     (in millions)  

Ownership

    $           9,783        $           9,709    

All other

              
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 9,787        $ 9,714    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-28


Table of Contents

The following table presents total revenues and property and equipment, net for each of the geographical areas in which we operate:

 

    As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
    2015   2014   2013
    Revenues   Property
and
 Equipment, 
net
  Revenues   Property
and
 Equipment, 
net
  Revenues   Property
and
 Equipment, 
net
    (in millions)

United States (1)(2)

   $         2,524       $         8,422       $         2,328       $         6,606       $         2,158       $         8,116   

United Kingdom

    94        108        97        117        88        117   

All other

    70        146        88        188        87        216   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   $ 2,688       $ 8,676       $ 2,513       $ 6,911       $ 2,333       $ 8,449   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Includes revenues of $13 million, $10 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from our laundry operations which is not part of our segment. Also includes property and equipment, net of $3 million, $3 million and $2 million as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from our laundry operations.
(2)   Excludes $1,543 million of property and equipment, net held for sale as of December 31, 2014.

Note 16: Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2015, we had outstanding commitments under third-party contracts of approximately $41 million for capital expenditures at certain owned and leased properties. Our contracts contain clauses that allow us to cancel all or some portion of the work. If cancellation of a contract occurred, our commitment would be any costs incurred up to the cancellation date, in addition to any costs associated with the discharge of the contract.

We are involved in litigation arising from the normal course of business, some of which includes claims for substantial sums. While the ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we expect that the ultimate resolution of all pending or threatened claims and litigation as of December 31, 2015 will not have a material effect on our combined consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Note 17: Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

Interest paid during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, was $176 million, $175 million and $172 million, respectively.

The following non-cash investing and financing activities were excluded from the combined consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

    In 2015, we assumed the $450 million Bonnet Creek Loan as a result of an acquisition.

 

    In 2015, we received an equity contribution of $2 million from Parent related to an obligation paid on our behalf by a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

 

    In 2014, we completed an equity investments exchange with a joint venture partner where we acquired $144 million of property and equipment, $1 million of other intangible assets and assumed $64 million of long-term debt. We also disposed of $59 million in equity method investments.

 

    In 2014, we restructured a capital lease in conjunction with a rent arbitration ruling, for which we recorded an additional capital lease asset and obligation of $11 million.

 

F-29


Table of Contents
    In 2014, we received an equity contribution of $14 million from Parent related to the transfer of other assets from a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent for a development project to us that we then sold to an affiliate of Blackstone.

 

    In 2014, we made an equity distribution of $30 million to Parent related to the sale of certain floors at the Hilton New York Midtown to a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Schedule III

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

(Dollar amounts in millions)

December 31, 2015

 

        Initial Cost                 Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period                    

Hotel Property

  Encumbrances   Land     Building &
Improvements
    Furniture,
Fixtures &
  Equipment  
    Costs
Capitalized
  Subsequent to  
Acquisition
    Foreign
Currency
Adjustment
      Land       Building &
  Improvements  
    Furniture,
Fixtures &
  Equipment  
      Total       Accumulated
Depreciation
    Date of
Construction
  Date
Acquired (a)
  Life Upon
Which
Depreciation
is Computed

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

  (b)   $ 34      $ 274      $ 29      $      $      $ 34      $ 274      $ 30      $ 338      $ (14)      2009   2/12/2015   3 - 40 years

Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

      164        174        9        1               164        176        8        348        (6)      1920   2/17/2015   3 - 40 years

The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

      57        67        3        1               57        68        3        128        (2)      1970   2/17/2015   3 - 40 years

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

  (c)     925        807        17        275               954        995        75        2,024        (283)      1961   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton New York Midtown

  (c)     1,096        542        13        127               1,065        649        64        1,778        (169)      1963   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

  (c)     113        232        16        134               113        326        56        495        (119)      1964   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

  (c)     89        216        3        69               90        246        43        379        (85)      1977   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Chicago

  (c)     69        233        12        123               69        319        49        437        (107)      1927   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Waikoloa Village

  (c)     160        340        26        126               167        413        73        653        (150)      1988   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Parc 55

      175        315        32        3               175        321        30        526        (13)      1984   2/12/2015   3 - 40 years

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

  (b)     15        378        31        3               15        380        32        427        (16)      2009   2/12/2015   3 - 40 years

Caribe Hilton

  (c)     38        56        7        55               38        103        16        157        (43)      1949   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport

             114        8        11                      115        18        133        (96)      1971   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

  (c)            137        10        22                      149        20        169        (34)      1983   8/30/2010   3 - 40 years

Hilton Boston Logan Airport

  (c)            108        6        10                      112        12        124        (32)      1999   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort

  (c)     14        45        5        (28            5        21        9        35        (10)      1977   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Miami Airport

  (c)     64        36        3        38               64        58        19        141        (24)      1984   12/14/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Atlanta Airport

  (c)     10        99        3        24               10        109        17        136        (34)      1989   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi

      19        116        4        15        (80     9        58        6        73        (15)      2002   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton McLean Tysons Corner

  (c)     50        82        3        (18            23        53        41        117        (38)      1987   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center

  (c)            70        3        14                      79        8        87        (26)      1961   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Oakland Airport

             13        3        (2                   9        5        14        (3)      1970   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Durban

             56        3        10        (37            26        5        31        (8)      1997   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton New Orleans Airport

  (c)     12        32        4        10               12        36        9        57        (15)      1989   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Short Hills

  (c)     59        54        3        22               59        71        8        138        (28)      1988   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Blackpool

      15        23        4        (9     (11     5        10        6        21        (8)      1982   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Rotterdam

      5        33        3        54        (19     4        64        9        77        (15)      1963   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Belfast

      1        13        2        11        (6     1        12        8        21        (8)      1998   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton London Angel Islington

      4        18        3        13        (11            21        6        27        (7)      1997   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor

      2        17        3        22        (11            26        6        32        (8)      1999   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Coylumbridge

      14        5        2        (17     (5                                 —       1965   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Bath City

             11        2        12        (7            13        6        19        (7)      1973   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Nuremberg

             2               7        (1            5        3        8        (4)      1990   5/31/2013   3 - 40 years

Hilton Milton Keynes

      13        10        2        (11     (6     3        2        1        6        (1)      1991   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

 

F-31


Table of Contents

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Schedule III

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation—(continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

December 31, 2015

 

        Initial Cost                 Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period                    

Hotel Property

  Encumbrances   Land     Building &
Improvements
    Furniture,
Fixtures &
Equipment
    Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition
    Foreign
Currency
Adjustment
      Land       Building &
  Improvements  
    Furniture,
Fixtures &
  Equipment  
      Total       Accumulated
Depreciation
    Date of
Construction
  Date
Acquired (a)
  Life Upon
Which
Depreciation
is Computed

Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Golf & Country Club

      1        31        2        6        (11            23        5        28        (9)      1998   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Sheffield

             13        2        (12     (4                                 —       1997   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Hilton Salt Lake City

                    10        17                      7        20        27        (17)      2002   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Juniper Hotel Cupertino, Curio Collection by Hilton

      40        64        8        1               40        64        9        113        (2)      1973   6/2/2015   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC—Crystal City

  (c)     43        95        2        44               43        125        16        184        (34)      1982   12/14/2007   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose

  (c)     15        67        5        14               15        75        11        101        (26)      1980   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport

              30     13        58        3        2               12        58        6        76        (17)      1974   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane—City Center

              12     3        24        2        6               3        26        5        34        (7)      1986   1/1/2010   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle—Airport

                    11        21                      10        22        32        (23)      1987   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego—Mission Valley

                    2        16                      8        10        18        (8)      1989   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country

                    4        8                      4        8        12        (7)      1977   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

DoubleTree by Hilton Durango

                    2        4                      3        4        7        (5)      1985   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

The Fess Parker Santa Barbara Hotel—a DoubleTree by Hilton Resort

          104     71        50        2        8               71        55        6        132        (11)      1986   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Georgetown

      62        53        2        6               62        57        3        122        (14)      1990   12/4/2007   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Parsippany

      6        32        1        1               6        32        1        39        (1)      1984   7/25/2014   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza

             26        1        1                      26        1        27        (4)      1973   7/25/2014   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Town Lake

             45        2        12                      53        7        60        (19)      1983   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center

      6        23        1                      6        23        1        30        (1)      1969   7/25/2014   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael Marin County

      7        27        1        1               7        28        1        36        (1)      1990   7/25/2014   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Overland Park

      2        11                             2        11        1        14        (1)      1987   7/25/2014   3 - 40 years

Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport

             15        1        (11                   2        3        5        (4)      1986   10/24/2007   3 - 40 years
 

 

       

Total

  $  4,014   $ 3,486      $ 5,362      $ 341      $ 1,272      $ (209   $ 3,403      $ 6,009      $ 841      $ 10,253      $ (1,639)         
 

 

       

 

(a) On October 24, 2007, a predecessor to our Parent became a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Blackstone following the completion of the Merger.
(b) This hotel is mortgaged to secure repayment of a $450 million mortgage loan.
(c) This hotel is mortgaged to secure repayment of a $3,418 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan.

 

F-32


Table of Contents

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Schedule III

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation—(continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

December 31, 2015

Notes:

 

(A) The change in total cost of properties for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
             2015                     2014                     2013          
     (in millions)  

Balance at beginning of period

    $ 8,220        $ 9,712        $ 9,523    

Additions during period:

      

Acquisitions (1)

     1,872         155         36    

Capital expenditures

     224         169          182   

Deductions during period:

      

Transfers to Assets Held for Sale (2)

     —         (1,543)        —    

Sales and retirements

     (3)        (232)        (11)   

Foreign exchange effect

     (60)        (41)        (18)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

    $ 10,253        $ 8,220        $ 9,712    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   In 2015, we acquired, as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property, certain properties from sellers affiliated with The Blackstone Group L.P., a related party, for a total purchase price of $1.76 billion.

 

(B) The change in accumulated depreciation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
             2015                     2014                     2013          
     (in millions)  

Balance at beginning of period

    $ 1,372        $ 1,325        $ 1,103    

Additions during period:

      

Depreciation expense

     279         241         237    

Deductions during period:

      

Sales and retirements

     (3)        (185)        (12)   

Foreign exchange effect

     (9)        (9)        (3)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

    $ 1,639        $ 1,372        $ 1,325    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(C) The aggregate cost of real estate for federal income tax purposes is approximately $5,511 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

 

     June 30,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Property and equipment, net

    $ 8,612        $ 8,676    

Investments in affiliates

     99         104    

Goodwill

     615         617    

Intangibles, net

     47         52    

Cash and cash equivalents

     198         72    

Restricted cash

     90         72    

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1 and $2

     155         122    

Prepaid expenses

     43         53    

Other assets

     20         19    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS (variable interest entities - $232 and $32)

    $ 9,879        $ 9,787    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Liabilities

    

Debt

    $ 4,062        $ 4,057    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     189         171    

Due to hotel manager

     99         110    

Due to Hilton affiliates

     52         52    

Deferred income tax liabilities

     2,470         2,502    

Other liabilities

     100         98    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities (variable interest entities - $210 and $14)

     6,972         6,990    

Commitments and contingencies - see Note 12

    

Equity

    

Net Parent investment

     2,985         2,884    

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (54)        (63)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Parent equity

     2,931         2,821    

Noncontrolling interests

     (24)        (24)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     2,907         2,797    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    $ 9,879        $ 9,787    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited, in millions)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
             2016                     2015          

Revenues

    

Rooms

    $ 901        $ 870    

Food and beverage

     380         357    

Other

     105         105    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     1,386         1,332    

Operating expenses

    

Rooms

     232         225    

Food and beverage

     258         246    

Other departmental and support

     335         320    

Other property-level

     92         89    

Management fees

     51         47    

Impairment loss

     15         —     

Depreciation and amortization

     147         139    

Corporate and other

     35         63    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,165         1,129    

Gain on sale of assets, net

            144    

Operating income

     222         347    

Interest income

            —     

Interest expense

     (92)        (92)   

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     10         12    

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     (1)        —     

Other loss, net

     (2)        (5)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     138         262    

Income tax expense

     (53)        (68)   

Net income

     85         194    

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (3)        (2)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Parent

    $ 82        $ 192    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax benefit (expense):

    

Currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(3) and $1

            (1)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

            (1)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    $ 94        $ 193    

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (3)        (2)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Parent

    $ 91        $ 191    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in millions)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
           2016                 2015        

Operating Activities:

    

Net income

    $ 85        $ 194    

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     147         139    

Impairment loss

     15         —    

Gain on sale of assets, net

     (1)        (144)   

Equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     (10)        (12)   

Loss on foreign currency transactions

            —    

Other loss, net

              

Amortization of deferred financing costs

              

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

            19    

Deferred income taxes

     (28)        (24)   

Working capital changes and other

     (6)        27    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     219         209    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing Activities:

    

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

     (128)        (119)   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     —         (1,410)   

Change in restricted cash

     14         (2)   

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

              

Proceeds from asset dispositions

     —         1,869    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (112)        339    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

    

Borrowings

     —         214    

Repayment of debt

     (2)        (738)   

Change in restricted cash

     (32)        (32)   

Net transfers from Parent

     55         36    

Cash dividends paid to Parent

     —         (10)   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (4)        (4)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     17         (534)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            (1)   

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     126         13    

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     72         42    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

    $ 198        $ 55    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures

    

Cash paid during the year:

    

Interest

    $ 73        $ 73    

Non-cash investing activities:

    

Long-term debt assumed

    $ —         (450)   

Transfer of property and equipment to Hilton affiliate

     40        $ —    

Non-cash financing activities:

    

Long-term debt assumed

    $ —        $ 450    

Distribution to Parent

     (33)        —    

See notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-36


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(unaudited, in millions)

 

     Net Parent
    Investment    
    Accumulated
Other
 Comprehensive 
Loss
    Non-
    controlling    
Interests
        Total      
        

Balance as of December 31, 2014

    $ 2,668        $ (51)       $ (24)       $ 2,593    

Net income

     192         —                194    

Other comprehensive loss

     —         (1)        —         (1)   

Net transfers from Parent

     36         —         —         36    

Cash dividends paid to Parent

     (10)        —         —         (10)   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —         —         (4)        (4)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2015

    $ 2,886        $ (52)       $ (26)       $         2,808    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Net Parent
    Investment    
    Accumulated
Other
 Comprehensive 
Loss
    Non-
    controlling    
Interests
        Total      
        

Balance as of December 31, 2015

    $ 2,884        $ (63)       $ (24)       $ 2,797    

Net income

     82         —                85    

Other comprehensive income

     —                —           

Net transfers from Parent

     55         —         —         55    

Distribution to Parent

     (33)        —         —         (33)   

Cumulative effect of the adoption of ASU 2015-02

     (3)        —                (2)   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —         —         (4)        (4)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2016

    $ 2,985        $ (54)       $ (24)       $         2,907    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

PARK HOTELS & RESORTS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) will be a global lodging real estate company with a diverse portfolio of premium-branded hotels and resorts located in prime United States (“U.S.”) and international markets.

On February 26, 2016, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Parent,” together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Hilton”) announced a plan to spin-off a substantial portion of Hilton’s ownership business to stockholders as a separate, publicly traded company, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed combined consolidated financial statements reflect our historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Although we believe the disclosures made are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited combined consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 included elsewhere within this information statement.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and, accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year performance.

In our opinion, the accompanying condensed combined consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying condensed combined consolidated financial statements of the Company represent the financial position and results of operations of entities to be held by the Company after the spin-off that have historically been under common control of the Parent. The condensed combined consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a carve-out basis and reflect significant assumptions and allocations. See Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.

Note 2: Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 (“ASU 2015-02”), Consolidation (Topic 810)—Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . This ASU modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. We elected, as permitted by the standard, to adopt ASU 2015-02 using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of January 1, 2016 of approximately $2 million. Additionally, certain consolidated entities that were not previously considered variable interest entities (“VIEs”) prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02 were considered to be VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and continue to be consolidated following adoption; prior period VIE disclosures do not include the balances or activity associated with these VIEs.

 

F-38


Table of Contents

Note 3: Acquisitions

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we used proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York (see Note 4: “Disposals”) to acquire, as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property, the following properties from sellers affiliated with Blackstone and an unrelated third party, for a total purchase price of $1.87 billion:

 

    the resort complex consisting of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida (the “Bonnet Creek Resort”);

 

    the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida;

 

    the Reach Resort in Key West, Florida;

 

    the Parc 55 in San Francisco, California; and

 

    the Juniper Cupertino in Cupertino, California.

We incurred transaction costs of $26 million, which are included in corporate and other expense in our condensed combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income, for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

The results of operations from these properties included in the condensed combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
 

Total revenues

    $ 144    

Income before income taxes

     34    

Note 4: Disposals

In February 2015, we completed the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York for a purchase price of $1.95 billion, and we repaid in full the existing mortgage loan secured by our Waldorf Astoria New York property (the “Waldorf Astoria Loan”) of approximately $525 million. As a result of the sale, we recognized a gain of $144 million included in gain on sale of assets, net in our condensed combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The gain was net of transaction costs and a goodwill reduction of $185 million. The Waldorf Astoria New York was considered a business within our hotel ownership segment; therefore, we reduced the carrying amount of our goodwill by the amount representing the fair value of the business disposed relative to the fair value of the portion of our reporting unit goodwill that was retained. Additionally, we recognized a loss of $6 million in other loss, net in our condensed combined consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 related to the reduction of the Waldorf Astoria Loan’s remaining carrying amount of debt issuance costs.

Note 5: Property and Equipment

Property and equipment were:

 

     June 30,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

Land

    $ 3,398         $ 3,419    

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     6,002          6,000    

Furniture and equipment

     919          876    

Construction-in-progress

     119          58    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,438          10,353    

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,826)         (1,677)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $         8,612         $ 8,676    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-39


Table of Contents

Depreciation of property and equipment, including assets recorded for capital lease assets, was $145 million and $137 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 property and equipment included approximately $21 million and $24 million, respectively, of capital lease assets primarily consisting of buildings and leasehold improvements, net of $8 million of accumulated depreciation.

Note 6: Consolidated Variable Interest Entities and Investments in Affiliates

Consolidated VIEs

As of June 30, 2016, we consolidated four VIEs that own hotel properties in the U.S. As of December 31, 2015 and prior to adoption of ASU 2015-02, we consolidated one VIE that owned a hotel in the U.S. Of the three additional entities considered to be VIEs following the adoption of ASU 2015-02, two were previously consolidated by us and one was unconsolidated and classified as an investment in affiliate. We are the primary beneficiaries of these VIEs as we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect their economic performance. Additionally, we have the obligation to absorb their losses and the right to receive benefits that could be significant to them. The assets of our VIEs are only available to settle the obligations of these entities. Our condensed combined consolidated balance sheets included the assets and liabilities of these entities, which primarily comprised the following:

 

     June 30,
        2016        
     December 31,
        2015        
 
     (in millions)  

Property and equipment, net

    $ 210         $ 28    

Cash and cash equivalents

               

Restricted cash

     10            

Accounts receivable, net

             —    

Prepaid expenses

             —    

Debt

     149          12    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

               

Deferred income tax liabilities

     52            

During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, we did not provide any financial or other support to these VIEs that we were not previously contractually required to provide, nor do we intend to provide any such support in the future.

Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in affiliates were:

 

     Ownership %    June 30,
        2016        
     December 31,
        2015        
 
          (in millions)  

Hilton Berlin

   40%     $ 29         $ 27    

Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands

   50%      24          24    

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

   25%      21          20    

All others (6 and 7 hotels)

   20% -50%      25          33    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
       $ 99         $ 104    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

The affiliates in which we own investments accounted for under the equity method had total debt of approximately $865 million and $872 million as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Substantially all of the debt is secured solely by the affiliates’ assets or is guaranteed by other partners without recourse to us.

 

F-40


Table of Contents

Note 7: Debt

Debt balances, including obligations for capital leases, and associated interest rates as of June 30, 2016, were:

 

     June 30,
        2016        
     December 31,
        2015        
 
     (in millions)  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities loan with an average rate of 4.15%, due 2018 (1)

    $ 3,418         $ 3,418    

Mortgage loans with an average rate of 4.29%, due 2016 to 2022 (1)

     598          597    

Unsecured notes with a rate of 7.50%, due 2017

     54          54    

Capital lease obligations with an average rate of 7.00%, due 2019 to 2097

     16          17    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,086          4,086    

Less: unamortized deferred financing costs

     (24)         (29)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 4,062         $ 4,057    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Assumes the exercise of all extensions that are exercisable solely at our option.

Our commercial mortgage-backed securities loan secured by 22 of our U.S. owned real estate assets (the “CMBS Loan”) and other mortgage loans require us to deposit with the lenders certain cash reserves for restricted uses. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our condensed combined consolidated balance sheets included $42 million and $24 million, respectively, of restricted cash related to the CMBS Loan.

In February 2015, we assumed a $450 million mortgage loan secured by the Bonnet Creek Resort (the “Bonnet Creek Loan”) as a result of an acquisition. See Note 3: “Acquisitions” for further information on the transaction. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our condensed combined consolidated balance sheets included $38 million and $25 million, respectively, of restricted cash related to the Bonnet Creek Loan.

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we held other mortgage loans of $149 million and $146 million secured by four and three of our properties, respectively. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our condensed combined consolidated balance sheets included $10 million and $9 million, respectively, of restricted cash related to these loans.

Debt Maturities

The contractual maturities of our debt as of June 30, 2016 were:

 

Year    (in millions)  

2016 (remaining)

    $ 108    

2017

     63    

2018 (1)

     3,430    

2019 (1)

     428    

2020 (1)

     12    

Thereafter

     45    
  

 

 

 
    $ 4,086    
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Assumes the exercise of all extensions that are exercisable solely at our option.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

Note 8: Fair Value Measurements

We did not elect the fair value measurement option for any of our financial assets or liabilities. The fair values of our unsecured notes were based on prices in active debt markets. The fair values of the CMBS Loan and mortgage loans are determined based on the expected future payments discounted at risk-adjusted rates. The fair values of financial instruments not included in this table are estimated to be equal to their carrying amounts. The fair value of certain financial instruments and the hierarchy level we used to estimate fair values are shown below:

 

          June 30, 2016     December 31, 2015  
    Hierarchy
      Level      
    Carrying
      Amount      
          Fair Value           Carrying
      Amount      
          Fair Value        
          (in millions)  

Liabilities:

         

CMBS Loan

    3       $ 3,418        $ 3,473        $ 3,418        $ 3,456    

Mortgage loans

    3        598         603         597         600    

Unsecured notes

    1        54         58         54         59    

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded an impairment loss for certain hotel assets resulting from a significant decline in market value of those assets. The estimated fair values of these assets that were measured on a nonrecurring basis were:

 

     As of June 30, 2016  
         Fair Value (1)          Impairment
Loss
 
     (in millions)  

Property and equipment

   $      $ 14    

Intangibles

     —           
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $      $ 15    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). We estimated fair value of the assets using discounted cash flow analyses, with estimated stabilized growth rates ranging from 1 percent to 2 percent, a discounted cash flow term of 10 years, terminal capitalization rates ranging from 5 percent to 8 percent, and discount rates ranging from 9 percent to 10 percent. The discount and terminal capitalization rates used for the fair value of the assets reflect the risk profile of the market where the property is located, and is not necessarily indicative of our hotel portfolio as a whole.

Note 9: Income Taxes

At the end of each interim period, we estimate the effective tax rate expected to be applied for the full fiscal year. The effective income tax rate is determined by the level and composition of pre-tax income or loss, which is subject to federal, foreign, state, and local income taxes and reflects income tax expense or benefit resulting from operations outside of the U.S., which are generally subject to both local country and U.S. taxes.

We are part of a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, state tax returns, and foreign tax returns with Hilton and other subsidiaries that are not included in our condensed combined consolidated financial statements. Income taxes as presented in our condensed combined consolidated financial statements present current and deferred income taxes of the consolidated tax filings attributed to us using the separate return method. The separate return method applies the accounting guidance for income taxes to the financial statements as if we were a separate taxpayer. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, Hilton paid $78 million and $89 million, respectively of income tax liabilities related to us.

 

F-42


Table of Contents

Note 10: Transactions with Parent

Net Parent investment on the condensed combined consolidated balance sheets and condensed combined consolidated statements of equity represents Parent’s historical investment in the Company, the net effect of transactions with and allocations from Parent and the Company’s accumulated earnings. Net transfers from (to) Parent are included within Net Parent investment. The components of the Net transfers from (to) Parent on the condensed combined consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed combined consolidated statements of equity were:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
               2016                          2015            
     (in millions)  

Cash pooling and general financing activities

   $ (50)       $ (84)   

Corporate allocations

     27          31    

Income taxes

     78          89    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net transfers from Parent

   $ 55        $ 36    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Corporate Allocations

Our condensed combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income include allocations of costs from certain corporate and shared functions provided to us by Parent. See Note 2: “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our audited combined consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 we recognized $27 million and $31 million, respectively, of costs within Corporate and other expense in the condensed combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income related to allocations of corporate general and administrative expenses from our Parent.

Borrowings from Parent

In February 2015, we borrowed $184 million in aggregate through short-term notes payable from Parent with various interest rates. The proceeds from the notes payable were used towards the acquisition of properties. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we repaid all of these notes to Parent.

In December 2015, we borrowed $45 million from Parent with an interest rate of 1.82 percent and an extended maturity date of December 31, 2016. This payable and all interest accrued is included within Due to Hilton affiliates in our combined consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Transaction with Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent

In June 2016, we transferred assets, including legal title, related to certain floors at the Embassy Suites Washington, D.C. to a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent in connection with a timeshare project. The net book value of these assets was approximately $40 million. No cash consideration was received for this transfer; therefore, the carrying value of the assets, net of related deferred tax liabilities was recognized as a non-cash equity distribution to Parent for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Note 11: Business Segment

We have one operating segment, our ownership segment, which includes 69 properties totaling 35,717 rooms. The performance of our operating segment is evaluated primarily based on adjusted earnings before interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, further adjusted to exclude certain items, including, but not limited to, gains, losses and expenses in

 

F-43


Table of Contents

connection with: (i) asset dispositions for both consolidated and unconsolidated investments; (ii) foreign currency transactions; (iii) debt restructurings/retirements; (iv) non-cash impairment losses; (v) furniture, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”) replacement reserves required under certain lease agreements; (vi) reorganization costs; (vii) share-based and certain other compensation expenses; (viii) severance, relocation and other expenses; and (ix) other items.

The following table presents revenues for our operating segment reconciled to condensed combined consolidated amounts and ownership segment Adjusted EBITDA to net income:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
               2016                          2015            
     (in millions)  

Revenues:

     

Ownership

    $ 1,380        $ 1,326    

Other revenue

               
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

    $ 1,386        $ 1,332    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ownership Adjusted EBITDA

    $ 437        $ 426    

Other revenue

               

Impairment loss

     (15)         —    

Depreciation and amortization expense

     (147)         (139)   

FF&E replacement reserve

     (2)         (2)   

Corporate and other expense

     (35)         (63)   

Gain on sale of assets, net

             144    

Interest income

             —    

Interest expense

     (92)         (92)   

Interest expense, income tax and depreciation and amortization     included in equity in earnings from investments in affiliates

     (13)         (13)   

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     (1)         —    

Other loss, net

     (2)         (5)   

Income tax expense

     (53)         (68)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

    $ 85        $ 194    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents total assets for our reportable segment, reconciled to condensed combined consolidated amounts:

 

     June 30,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

Ownership

    $ 9,873        $ 9,783   

All other

     6         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 9,879        $ 9,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies

As of June 30, 2016, we had outstanding commitments of approximately $67 million for capital expenditures at certain owned and leased properties. Our contracts contain clauses that allow us to cancel all or some portion of the work. If cancellation of a contract occurred, our commitment would be any costs incurred up to the cancellation date, in addition to any costs associated with the discharge of the contract.

 

F-44


Table of Contents

We are involved in litigation arising from the normal course of business, some of which includes claims for substantial sums. While the ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we expect that the ultimate resolution of all pending or threatened claims and litigation as of June 30, 2016 will not have a material effect on our combined consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

Exhibit 99.2

SECTION 13(r) DISCLOSURE

The disclosures reproduced below were initially included in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by each of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton”), NCR Corporation (“NCR”) and Travelport Worldwide Limited (“Travelport Worldwide”), each of which may have been considered an affiliate of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) as of the end of the period covered by such reports, and, therefore, an affiliate of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (the “Company”), filed the respective disclosures reproduced below with the SEC in accordance with Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In March 2016, funds affiliated with Blackstone sold their remaining equity interests in Travelport Worldwide and, accordingly, no information for Travelport Worldwide subsequent to the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 is included herein. The Company did not independently verify or participate in the preparation of these disclosures.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Hilton included the following disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 :

“The following activities are disclosed as required by Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, an Iranian governmental delegation stayed at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja for one night. The stays were booked and paid for by the government of Nigeria. The hotel received revenues of approximately $5,320 from these dealings. Net profit to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton”) from these dealings was approximately $495. Hilton believes that the hotel stays were exempt from the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and under 31 C.F.R. Section 560.210(d). The Transcorp Hilton Abuja intends to continue engaging in future similar transactions to the extent they remain permissible under applicable laws and regulations.”

NCR Corporation

NCR included the following disclosure in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 :

Disclosure Pursuant to Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Securities Exchange Act.  Pursuant to Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we note that, during the period from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016, we maintained a bank account and guarantees at the Commercial Bank of Syria (“CBS”), which was designated as a Specially Designated National pursuant to Executive Order 13382 (“EO 13382”) on August 10, 2011. This bank account and the guarantees at CBS were maintained in the normal course of business prior to the listing of CBS pursuant to EO 13382. We note that the last known account balance as of March 31, 2016, was approximately $3,468. The bank account did not generate interest from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016, and the guarantees did not generate any revenue or profits for the Company. Pursuant to a license granted to the Company by OFAC on January 3, 2013, and subsequent licenses granted on April 29, 2013, July 12, 2013, February 28, 2014, November 12, 2014, and October 24, 2015, the Company has been winding down its past operations in Syria. The Company’s current license expires on April 30, 2016. The Company has also received licenses from OFAC to close the CBS account and terminate any guarantees. The Company’s application to


renew the license to transact business with CBS, which was submitted to OFAC on May 18, 2015, remains pending. Following the termination of guarantees and the closure of the account, the Company does not intend to engage in any further business activities with CBS.”

NCR included the following disclosure in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 :

Disclosure Pursuant to Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Securities Exchange Act. Pursuant to Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we note that, during the period from April 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016, we continued to maintain a bank account and guarantees at the Commercial Bank of Syria (“CBS”), which was designated as a Specially Designated National pursuant to Executive Order 13382 (“EO 13382”) on August 10, 2011. This bank account and the guarantees at CBS were maintained in the normal course of business prior to the listing of CBS pursuant to EO 13382. We note that the last known account balance as of April 30, 2016 was approximately $3,468. The bank account did not generate interest from April 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016, and the guarantees did not generate any revenue or profits for the Company. Pursuant to a license granted to the Company by OFAC on January 3, 2013, and subsequent licenses granted on April 29, 2013, July 12, 2013, February 28, 2014, November 12, 2014, and October 24, 2015, the Company had been engaged in winding down its past operations in Syria. The Company’s last such license expired on April 30, 2016. In addition, the Company’s application to renew its license to transact business with CBS, which was submitted to OFAC on May 18, 2015, was not acted upon prior to the expiration of the Company’s last such license. As a result, and in connection with the license expiration, the Company abandoned its remaining property in Syria, which, including the CBS account, was commercially insignificant, and ended the employment of its final two employees in Syria, who had remained employed by the Company to assist with the execution of the Company’s wind-down activities pursuant to authority granted by the OFAC licenses. The Company does not intend to engage in any further business activities with CBS.”

Travelport Worldwide Limited

Travelport Worldwide included the following disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 :

“Iran Sanctions Disclosure

As part of our global business in the travel industry, we provide certain passenger travel related Travel Commerce Platform and Technology Services to Iran Air. We also provide certain Technology Services to Iran Air Tours. All of these services are either exempt from applicable sanctions prohibitions pursuant to a statutory exemption permitting transactions ordinarily incident to travel or, to the extent not otherwise exempt, specifically licensed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Subject to any changes in the exempt/licensed status of such activities, we intend to continue these business activities, which are directly related to and promote the arrangement of travel for individuals.

The gross revenue and net profit attributable to these activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 were approximately $551,000 and $389,000, respectively, and $660,000 and $470,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively.”

 

2


Travelport Worldwide included the following disclosure in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 :

“Trade Sanctions Disclosure

The following activities are disclosed as required by Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Exchange Act.

As part of our global business in the travel industry, we provide certain passenger travel related Travel Commerce Platform and Technology Services to Iran Air. We also provide certain Technology Services to Iran Air Tours. All of these services are either exempt from applicable sanctions prohibitions pursuant to a statutory exemption permitting transactions ordinarily incident to travel or, to the extent not otherwise exempt, specifically licensed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Subject to any changes in the exempt/licensed status of such activities, we intend to continue these business activities, which are directly related to and promote the arrangement of travel for individuals.

The gross revenue and net profit attributable to these activities in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 were approximately $156,000 and $109,000, respectively.”

 

3