UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 24, 2016

 

 

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36243   27-4384691

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, Virginia 22102

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(703) 883-1000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information included in Item 8.01 below with respect to the HNA (as defined below) stockholders agreement, HNA registration rights agreement, amendment to Blackstone (as defined below) stockholders agreement, amended and restated Blackstone registration rights agreement and two Blackstone letter agreements is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 24, 2016, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), Blackstone and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (“HNA”) announced that affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. (collectively, “Blackstone”) agreed to sell to HNA 247,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company, representing approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement between HNA and Blackstone (the “Sale”). Under the terms of the stock purchase agreement, HNA will pay to Blackstone $26.25 per share of the Company’s common stock or an aggregate amount in cash of approximately $6.5 billion. The Sale is expected to close, subject to customary closing conditions (including receipt of regulatory approvals in the United States, China and certain other countries), in the first quarter of 2017. Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement, HNA has deposited $500 million into an escrow account, which deposit will be released to Blackstone if the agreement is terminated in certain circumstances relating to the failure to obtain regulatory approvals in China or HNA’s breach of the agreement. If the Sale closes after the record date for the planned spin-off by the Company of shares of Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (“HGV”) and Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“Park”) into separately-traded public companies, the Sale also will include the shares of common stock of HGV and Park received by Blackstone with respect to the shares of common stock of the Company being sold to HNA. The Company is not a party to the stock purchase agreement, has no obligations thereunder and did not independently verify any arrangements between Blackstone and HNA, but as described below in Item 8.01 is a party to certain other agreements entered into in connection with the Sale.

The information in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. The foregoing description of the stock purchase agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such document, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

Changes to the Board of Directors . In connection with the closing of the Sale, the Company anticipates appointing two HNA director designees to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), pursuant to HNA’s rights under its stockholders agreement described below. After the closing of the Sale, the Company anticipates that Jonathan D. Gray and William J. Stein, the two directors previously designated by Blackstone, will continue as directors of the Company and that Mr. Gray will remain the chairman of the Board.

HNA Stockholders Agreement . In connection with the Sale, the Company entered into a stockholders agreement with HNA (and with HNA Group Co., Ltd. for purposes of the standstill provision only) that will be effective upon the closing of the Sale. The HNA stockholders agreement will terminate when HNA and its affiliates, in the aggregate, hold less than 5% of the Company’s common stock.

Directors . Under the HNA stockholders agreement, for so long as HNA has at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate two directors of the Company, only one of which may be affiliated with HNA (but not its hospitality business) and the other of which must meet the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange with respect to the Company and not have been, for two years, an employee, director or officer of, or consultant to, HNA or any of its affiliates. Each of HNA’s director designees must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, so long as HNA owns at least 20% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, HNA will have the right to designate an additional independent director to fill each third additional director seat above 10 directors of the Company; for example, if the Company were to increase its Board size in the future to 13, HNA would have the right to designate an independent director as the 13th member of the Board. HNA’s right to designate directors declines to one director when HNA’s ownership falls below 15% of the Company’s common stock and such right terminates when HNA’s ownership falls below 5% of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain exceptions. Each independent designee will be entitled to serve on at least one standing committee of the Board, as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Voting Requirements . The HNA stockholders agreement generally requires HNA to vote all of its shares in excess of 15% of the total outstanding shares of the Company in the same proportion as the shares owned by other stockholders are voted on all matters, except as follows: (i) in uncontested elections of directors, HNA is required to vote all of its shares either in favor of the Board’s nominees or all of its shares in the same proportion as the shares owned by other stockholders are voted; (ii) in contested


elections of directors, HNA is required to vote all of its shares in the same proportion as the shares owned by other stockholders are voted; (iii) for two years after the closing of the Sale, in third party acquisitions of the Company where the consideration is less than or equal to the price per share paid by HNA to Blackstone, HNA may vote all of its shares as it chooses; (iv) for any acquisition of the Company other than an acquisition described in (iii) above or an acquisition by HNA, HNA will vote all of its shares in excess of 15% of the total outstanding shares of the Company in proportion to the manner in which non-HNA holders vote their shares; and (v) in the case of any charter or bylaw amendment which adversely affects HNA disproportionally as compared to other stockholders, an issuance of more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding shares (other than for an acquisition) at a below-market price, or an acquisition of the Company by HNA, HNA may vote all of its shares as it chooses. In a third party tender offer, HNA will be required to tender its shares in excess of 15% of the total outstanding shares of the Company in the same proportion as shares held by non-HNA holders are tendered.

Transfer Restrictions and Right of First Refusal . For two years after the closing of the Sale, the HNA stockholders agreement requires HNA to not transfer any shares of the Company unless: such transfer is approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board; such transfer is to an HNA affiliate, provided that such HNA affiliate agrees to be bound by the terms of the HNA stockholders agreement; such transfer is in connection with an acquisition approved by the Board; such transfer constitutes a tender into a tender or exchange offer commenced by the Company or any of its affiliates; or such transfer is in connection with a bona fide pledge of capital stock to a financial institution in connection with a bona fide loan or enforcement thereunder. After two years, other than in an underwritten public offering, block trade or permitted transfer described above, HNA will not be permitted to transfer more than 4.9% of the total outstanding shares of the Company to any person or group, or any shares to certain competitors of the Company or, to the knowledge of HNA or its broker, a person or group who is a 5% stockholder or who would thereby become a 5% stockholder; in an underwritten public offering or a block trade, other than a permitted transfer described above, HNA will instruct the underwriter or broker not to transfer more than 4.9% of the total outstanding shares of the Company to any person or group or any shares to a 5% stockholder (unless the identity of the purchaser is not known to the underwriter or broker); and in a block trade, other than a permitted transfer described above, HNA will instruct its broker not to transfer shares to certain competitors of the Company (unless the identity of the purchaser is not known to HNA or its broker). In addition, if the Company proposes to issue new equity securities in an offering that is not an underwritten public offering or an offering pursuant to Rule 144A, HNA will have a right of first refusal over its pro-rata portion of such issuance, measured based on HNA’s ownership percentage (which shall be capped at 25% for purposes of the right of first refusal) in the Company at such time.

Standstill . The HNA stockholders agreement requires HNA and its affiliates not to: acquire, offer or agree to acquire, any beneficial interest in the Company; make any public announcement or public offer with respect to any merger, business combination or other similar transaction involving the Company (except when the Board recommends or approves such transaction); make or in any way participate in any “solicitation” of “proxies” to vote or seek to influence voting of securities in a manner inconsistent with the Board’s recommendation; seek election or removal of any director other than HNA designees or otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to control or influence the Company; call a meeting of stockholders; participate in a “group” regarding equity securities of the Company; act, alone or in concert with others, to seek to control or influence the management or policies of the Company; knowingly assist or encourage, or enter into any discussions or agreements with any third party, in connection with any of the foregoing; publicly disclose any intention, plan or arrangement inconsistent with the foregoing; provide any financing for a purchase of equity securities or assets of the Company, subject to certain exceptions; or take any actions that HNA knows or would reasonably be expected to know would require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the possibility of an acquisition. HNA will not be prohibited from: (i) transferring shares of the Company to HNA affiliates; (ii) purchasing shares of the Company pursuant to its right of first refusal over its pro-rata portion of newly issued equity securities of the Company; (iii) making a non-public, confidential acquisition proposal to the Board; or (iv) after a public announcement of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the Company by a third party, making a publicly announced alternative acquisition proposal for all of the outstanding shares of the Company, which, if a tender or exchange offer, must be on the same terms for all such shares and include a non-waivable condition that a majority of the shares held by non-HNA holders are tendered into such offer. To the extent HNA’s ownership percentage falls below 25% of the total outstanding shares of the Company (or a lower percentage that results from sales of shares by HNA) as a result of issuances by the Company, HNA may purchase Company shares in the open market so as to maintain its ownership percentage at 25% (or such lower percentage that results from sales of shares by HNA).

Corporate Opportunity; DGCL Section 203 . The Delaware General Corporate Law (“DGCL”) 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. Under the HNA stockholders agreement, the Company agreed to renounce any interest or expectancy, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity or corporate opportunity presented to HNA or its affiliates. The Company also exempted HNA from the restrictions of Section 203 of the DGCL. Although the Company has previously opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”), the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that when Blackstone ceases to own at least 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, the Company will automatically become subject to Section 203.


Registration Rights . The Company also entered into a registration rights agreement with HNA that will be effective upon the closing of the Sale. The HNA registration rights agreement provides that, beginning two years after the closing of the Sale, HNA will have customary “demand” and “piggyback” registration rights. The registration rights agreement also will require the Company to pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the registration rights holder against certain liabilities under the Securities Act. The Company has also entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement with Blackstone with similar provisions that will take effect upon closing of the Sale. Until the closing of the Sale, Blackstone’s existing registration rights agreement will remain in effect.

Amendment to Blackstone Stockholders Agreement . In connection with the Sale, Blackstone entered into an amendment to its stockholders agreement with the Company, which will become effective upon the closing of the Sale. Pursuant to the amendment, the Company eliminated Blackstone’s ability to consent to changes to the size of the Board and amended Blackstone’s board representation rights as follows; Blackstone may designate a number of directors equal to: (1) if Blackstone beneficially owns at least 50% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, 50% of the total number of directors comprising the Board, rounded down to the nearest whole number; (2) if Blackstone beneficially owns at least 40% (but less than 50%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock, 40% of the total number of directors comprising the Board, rounded down to the nearest whole number; (3) if Blackstone beneficially owns at least 30% (but less than 40%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock, 30% of the total number of directors comprising the Board, rounded down to the nearest whole number; (4) if Blackstone beneficially owns at least 20% (but less than 30%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock, (x) 20% of the total number of directors comprising the Board, rounded down to the nearest whole number, if the total number of directors is 10 or more or (y) the lowest whole number that is greater than 20% of the total number of directors comprising the Board if the total number of directors is less than 10; and (5) if Blackstone beneficially owns at least 5% (but less than 20%) of the total shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 10% of the total number of directors comprising the Board.

Spin-Off Related Agreements . Each of HGV and Park also entered into separate stockholders agreements and registration rights agreements with HNA on terms similar to the agreements with the Company described above, which will become effective upon the later to occur of (i) the closing of the Sale and (ii) the consummation of the spin-off. Each of HGV and Park also entered into registration rights agreements with Blackstone (which will become effective upon the consummation of the spin-off) and each of HGV and Park further intends to enter into stockholders agreements with Blackstone at the consummation of the spin which will be substantially the same as Blackstone’s stockholders agreement with the Company, as amended as described above. A description of these agreements will be included in HGV’s and Park’s Form 10 registration statements.

To facilitate Park’s intention to qualify as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Blackstone and the Company have entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which Blackstone has agreed that it will sell or otherwise transfer, prior to the later to occur of the Sale or the spin-off, shares of common stock of the Company representing approximately 5.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock (approximately 54 million shares based on the Company’s current capitalization) or, if such sale occurs after the spin-off, an equivalent percentage of the outstanding shares of the Company and Park.

The Company, HGV and Blackstone entered into a letter agreement relating to a stockholders agreement intended to preserve the tax-free status of the distributions of HGV and Park stock in the planned spin-offs (the “tax stockholders agreement”). In the letter agreement relating to the tax stockholders agreement, Hilton, HGV and certain affiliates of Blackstone agreed to certain terms and provisions to be included in the execution version of the tax stockholders agreement, the form of which is included as an exhibit to such letter agreement. The tax stockholders agreement will provide for certain covenants that may limit dispositions of Company, HGV and Park common stock by certain affiliates of Blackstone and transfers of interests in certain Blackstone entities that directly or indirectly own the common stock of the Company, HGV or Park. Additionally, the tax stockholders agreement may limit issuances or repurchases of stock by the Company, HGV and Park in excess of specified percentages.

Special Committee . The Board determined that it was in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders to establish a special committee of disinterested directors in connection with the Sale and the Company’s related arrangements with HNA. None of the members of the special committee is affiliated with Blackstone or HNA. Prior to the establishment of the special committee, Blackstone informed the Board that Blackstone would not proceed with the Sale unless HNA and the Company entered into arrangements that were approved by the special committee. The Board delegated to the special committee the exclusive authority to review and approve any arrangement between the Company and HNA or any other agreements with respect to the Sale to which the Company is a party. The special committee’s process included engaging and receiving advice from independent legal and financial advisors, holding 16 meetings with its advisors, extensive negotiations with HNA relating to its governance arrangements with the Company and review of the potential benefits, including future collaboration opportunities with HNA in China and elsewhere.

Each of the foregoing descriptions of the HNA stockholders agreement, HNA registration rights agreement, Blackstone stockholders agreement, Blackstone registration rights agreement, letter agreement relating to certain tax matters and letter agreement relating to a tax stockholders agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of each of such documents, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.


CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information set forth in this Current Report (including the exhibits attached hereto) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the transactions contemplated by the described agreements and the expected timetable for the completion of such transactions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the transactions not being timely completed, if at all, due to the failure of any of the closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals, or for any other reason and the other factors that may affect future results that are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as such factors may be updated in the Company’s subsequent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1    Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and, solely for purposes of Section 4.3 thereof, HNA Group Co., Ltd.
10.2    First Amendment to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders.
10.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.
10.4    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders.
10.5    Letter Agreement relating to certain tax matters, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., and certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders.
10.6    Letter Agreement relating to tax stockholders agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. and certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders.
99.1    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/ S / K EVIN J. J ACOBS

Name:   Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: October 24, 2016


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1    Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and, solely for purposes of Section 4.3 thereof, HNA Group Co., Ltd.
10.2    First Amendment to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders.
10.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.
10.4    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders.
10.5    Letter Agreement relating to certain tax matters, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., and certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders.
10.6    Letter Agreement relating to tax stockholders agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. and certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders.
99.1    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2016


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I

 

INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

     1   

1.1

 

Defined Terms

     1   

1.2

 

Construction

     9   

ARTICLE II

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

     10   

2.1

 

Composition of the Board

     10   

2.2

 

Size of the Board

     12   

2.3

 

Committees

     12   

2.4

 

Qualification of HNA Designees

     12   

2.5

 

Service on Specified Boards

     13   

2.6

 

Participation of HNA Designees in Certain Matters; Acquisition Proposals

     13   

2.7

 

Resignations

     14   

2.8

 

Other HNA Investments

     16   

ARTICLE III

 

VOTING MATTERS

     16   

3.1

 

Voting in an Uncontested Election

     16   

3.2

 

Voting in a Contested Election

     16   

3.3

 

Voting with respect to Certain Acquisitions

     16   

3.4

 

Voting with respect to Other Matters

     17   

3.5

 

Quorum

     17   

ARTICLE IV

 

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

     17   

4.1

 

Transfer Restrictions

     17   

4.2

 

Right of First Refusal

     20   

4.3

 

Standstill

     22   

4.4

 

Corporate Opportunities, Bylaws

     24   

4.5

 

Issuer Agreement

     25   

4.6

 

Cooperation

     25   

4.7

 

Tender of Shares in Certain Acquisitions

     25   

4.8

 

Public Announcements

     25   

4.9

 

Device Restrictions

     25   

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     26   

5.1

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company

     26   

5.2

 

Representations and Warranties of HNA

     27   

5.3

 

No Other Representations or Warranties

     27   

 

i


ARTICLE VI

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     27   

6.1

 

Termination

     27   

6.2

 

Notices

     28   

6.3

 

Amendment; Waiver

     29   

6.4

 

Further Assurances

     29   

6.5

 

Assignment

     29   

6.6

 

Third Parties

     29   

6.7

 

Governing Law

     29   

6.8

 

Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

     29   

6.9

 

Specific Performance

     30   

6.10

 

Entire Agreement

     30   

6.11

 

Severability

     30   

6.12

 

Table of Contents, Headings and Captions

     30   

6.13

 

Counterparts

     30   

6.14

 

Effectiveness of this Agreement

     31   

 

ii


STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

This Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd., a PRC company (“ HNA ”), and, solely for purposes of Section 4.3, HNA Group Co., Ltd., a PRC company (“ HNA Group ”).

BACKGROUND:

WHEREAS, HNA and Blackstone (as defined below), as of the date hereof, have entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement (as defined below), pursuant to which, among other things, HNA has agreed to purchase from Blackstone, and Blackstone has agreed to sell to HNA, shares of Common Stock (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company intends to distribute, by way of a dividend, all outstanding shares of HGV Common Stock (as defined below) and Park Common Stock (as defined below) owned by the Company to holders of Common Stock (the “ Spinoff ”), following which HNA will continue to hold shares of Common Stock;

WHEREAS, the Company is entering into this Agreement as a condition to HNA’s willingness to enter into the Stock Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and HNA are entering into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, providing for certain registration rights which the Company is granting to HNA;

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company and HNA wish to set forth certain understandings between such parties, including with respect to certain governance matters; and

WHEREAS, the Company and HNA wish the rights and obligations set forth herein to become automatically effective simultaneously with the Closing (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

1.1 Defined Terms . In addition to the terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used herein with initial capital letters:

5% Stockholder ” means, in connection with a proposed Transfer of Equity Securities of the Company, any Person or Group that has filed a Statement of Beneficial Ownership Report on


Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G with the SEC which reports such Person’s or Group’s Beneficial Ownership of five percent (5%) or more of the total outstanding Common Stock at the time of such proposed Transfer.

Acquisition ” means any transaction or series of transactions involving: (i) (a) any acquisition (whether direct or indirect, including by way of merger, share exchange, consolidation, business combination or other similar transaction) or purchase from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would result in any Person or Group Beneficially Owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the total outstanding Equity Securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (measured by voting power or economic interest), or (b) any tender offer, exchange offer or other secondary acquisition that would result in any Person or Group Beneficially Owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the total outstanding Equity Securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (measured by voting power or economic interest), or (c) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would result in the stockholders of the Company immediately preceding such transaction Beneficially Owning less than fifty percent (50%) of the total outstanding Equity Securities in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction (measured by voting power or economic interest); or (ii) any sale or lease or exchange, transfer, license or disposition of a business, deposits or assets that constitute more than fifty percent (50%) of the consolidated assets, business, revenues, net income, assets or deposits of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Acquisition Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).

Acquisition Proposal ” means any proposal, offer, inquiry, indication of interest or expression of intent (whether binding or non-binding, and whether communicated to the Company, the Board or publicly announced to the Company’s stockholders or otherwise) by any Person or Group relating to an Acquisition.

Adjusted Ownership Percentage ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(c).

Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Affiliated HNA Designee ” means any Qualified HNA Designee that is not an Independent HNA Designee.

Aggregate Reference Prices ” means the sum of the Reference Price of Common Stock, the Reference Price of HGV Common Stock and the Reference Price of Park Common Stock.

Agreement ” means this Stockholders Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Beneficially Own ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ”) has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

2


Blackstone ” means HLT Holdco II LLC, HLT Holdco III LLC, HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC, HLT BREP VI.2 Holdco LLC, HLT BREH Intl II Holdco LLC, HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC, and HLT A23 Holdco LLC.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, Hong Kong and Beijing, PRC are authorized or required by Law to close.

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Closing occurs.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Common Stock ” means the shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such common stock is reclassified or reconstituted and any other common stock of the Company.

Contested Election ” means any election of Directors to the Board in which one or more Persons nominated by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is opposed by one or more Persons not nominated by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or any proposal to remove one or more Directors from the Board that will be voted on by the stockholders of the Company.

Control ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Controlled ” and “ Controlled by ”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

Controlled Affiliate ” means, with respect to HNA, any Affiliate of HNA that is controlled by HNA, including any direct or indirect Subsidiary of HNA.

Designee Qualifications ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a)(vi).

Director ” means any director of the Company.

Director Confidentiality Agreement ” means a Confidentiality Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement (as it may be modified from time to time by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee), which the Company will require each Director that is not an employee of the Company to execute as a condition to such Director’s election or nomination for election and any subsequent nomination for election as a Director.

Disposition ” means any Transfer, including through issuance of an interest in any HNA Entity.

 

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Distributions ” means the distributions by the Company, on the Distribution Date, to its stockholders of the HGV Common Stock and the Park Common Stock owned by the Company.

Distribution Date ” means the date on which the distributions to holders of record of shares of Common Stock of the HGV Common Stock and the Park Common Stock owned by the Company are effectuated.

Equity Securities ” means any and all (i) shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock or other Voting Securities of a corporation, any and all equivalent or analogous ownership (or profit) or voting interests in a Person (other than a corporation), (ii) securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock or Voting Securities of (or other ownership or profit or voting interests in) such Person, and (iii) any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing, whether voting or nonvoting, and, in each case, whether or not such shares, interests, participations, equivalents, securities, warrants, options, rights or other interests are authorized or otherwise existing on any date of determination.

Exchange ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange LLC or any other exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Group ” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

HGV ” means Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation.

HGV Common Stock ” means shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of HGV.

HNA ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

HNA Acquisition ” means any Acquisition in which an HNA Entity is the acquiror.

HNA Designee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

HNA Designator ” means HNA.

HNA Entities ” means HNA Group, HNA and each of their respective Controlled Affiliates.

HNA Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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HNA Hospitality Business ” means the businesses of HNA Entities directly involved in owning, operating, managing, franchising or branding hotel and/or lodging properties.

HNA Permitted Transferee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b)(iii).

HNA Parties ” means (i) HNA, and (ii) any HNA Permitted Transferee that becomes a party to this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement.

HNA Standstill Commitment ” means a written commitment to the Company by HNA Group and HNA, on behalf of themselves and all other HNA Entities, not to, directly or indirectly, (i) make any Acquisition Proposal within the Standstill Commitment Period, or (ii) request any waiver of the restriction set forth in clause (i) of this definition prior to the date that is six (6) months after the termination of discussions regarding the Acquisition Proposal described in the Acquisition Notice in respect of which HNA is providing such HNA Standstill Commitment and any Related Acquisition Proposal.

Hong Kong ” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

Independent HNA Designee ” means a Qualified HNA Designee that (A) at no time during the two (2) year period prior to his or her election or appointment to the Board, nor during his or her service as a Director, has been or is an employee, director, officer of, or consultant to, any of the HNA Entities, or has received or is receiving compensation from any of the HNA Entities, and (B) qualifies as an “independent” director under the rules of the Exchange and any guidelines adopted by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that are applicable to all Directors, as determined in good faith by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

In Parallel ” means one or more Dispositions by an HNA Entity if and only if such Dispositions (i) result in the Disposition of proportionate or almost proportionate amounts of Common Stock, Park Common Stock and HGV Common Stock (e.g., a sale by an HNA Entity of five percent (5%) of its Common Stock would require a sale by an HNA Entity of five percent (5%) of its Park Common Stock and five percent (5%) of its HGV Common Stock), (ii) commenced at the same time and as part of the same plan, (iii) completed within a single taxable year of such HNA Entity, and (iv) all in the same form of transaction, for example, all in the form of a sale or all in the form of a distribution. The determination of whether one or more Dispositions by an HNA Entity are In Parallel shall be made taking into account only those shares of Common Stock, Park Common Stock and HGV Common Stock owned by such HNA Entity on the Distribution Date. For the avoidance of doubt, one or more Dispositions shall not fail to meet the requirements of clause (i) of this definition solely because such Dispositions include, in addition to a proportionate or almost proportionate amount of Park Common Stock owned on the Distribution Date, an amount of Park Common Stock received in any distribution made by Park in order to comply with the requirements of Section 857(a)(2)(B) of the Code.

Issuance Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Law ” means any statute, law (including common law), regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.

 

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Market Price ” means, as of any date, the last reported trading price of the Common Stock as of the end of regular trading hours on the Exchange on such date or, if the Common Stock is not listed on an Exchange, the fair market value per share of the Common Stock as determined in good faith by the Board as of such date.

NDA ” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2016, between HNA and the Company.

New Issuance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

New Issuance Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).

New Securities ” means (A) any shares of Common Stock, other than any shares of Common Stock that are: (i) issued to employees, officers or directors of, or consultants to, the Company or any of its Affiliates pursuant to any plan or arrangement approved by the Board (or a committee thereof); (ii) issued as consideration for the acquisition by the Company (or any of its Affiliates) of any business, assets or property of any third party, by merger, sale of assets, sale of stock or otherwise; (iii) issued upon conversion or exercise of convertible securities, options, warrants or other similar securities; or (iv) securities distributed or set aside ratably to all holders of Common Stock on a per share equivalent basis, or (B) any preferred or debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee ” means the nominating and corporate governance committee of the Board, or another committee performing the functions of nominating or selecting Persons for election or appointment to the Board.

Non-Votes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Other Specified Matter ” means (a) any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws that adversely affects HNA or any other HNA Party disproportionally as compared to other stockholders of the Company, or (b) any issuance of Common Stock representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the Company’s total outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than as non-cash consideration in an acquisition of the business, assets or property of a third party or parties) at a price per share below the Market Price on the last Business Day prior to the date on which shareholders of the Company vote on such issuance.

Permitted Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a cooperative, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Per Security Offering Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

 

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Park ” means Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Park Common Stock ” means shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Park.

PRC ” means the People’s Republic of China.

Private Placement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Pro Rata Portion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Qualified HNA Designee ” means any HNA Designee that meets the Designee Qualifications.

Reference Factor ” means the Reference Price of Common Stock divided by the Aggregate Reference Prices.

Reference Period ” means the period of ten (10) consecutive trading days commencing on the later of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the thirty-first (31 st ) trading day following the first trading day on which the shares of Common Stock, HGV Common Stock and Park Common Stock are each listed and eligible for regular way trading on the Exchange.

Reference Price ” shall mean an amount equal to the Per Share Purchase Price (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement), as it may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, multiplied by the Reference Factor.

Reference Price of Common Stock ” means the volume weighted average sale prices of the Common Stock reported on Bloomberg over the Reference Period.

Reference Price of HGV Common Stock ” means the volume weighted average sale prices of the HGV Common Stock reported on Bloomberg over the Reference Period multiplied by the number of shares of HGV Common Stock that are issued as a dividend in relation to one share of Common Stock in the Spinoff (and as adjusted for any other stock dividend of HGV Common Stock for which the ex-dividend date occurs during the Reference Period).

Reference Price of Park Common Stock ” means the volume weighted average sale prices of the Park Common Stock reported on Bloomberg over the Reference Period multiplied by the number of shares of Park Common Stock that are issued as a dividend in relation to one share of Common Stock in the Spinoff (and as adjusted for any other stock dividend of Park Common Stock for which the ex-dividend date occurs during the Reference Period).

Related Acquisition Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).

Restricted Entities ” means the hotel companies principally engaged in the business of owning, operating, managing, franchising or branding hotel and lodging properties, internet travel intermediaries and peer to peer inventory or home sharing providers that, in each case, compete with the Company and are listed on Exhibit C to this Agreement, as such list may be updated by the Company from time to time once every twelve (12) months but in no event shall such list contain more than thirteen (13) such companies.

Restricted Period ” means the period commencing on Closing Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

 

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Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Specified Acquisition ” means an Acquisition pursuant to a definitive agreement entered into, within the two (2) year period following the Closing Date in which the value of the consideration to be received per share of Common Stock is equal to or less than the Reference Price. For all purposes of this definition, the per share value of any stock to be received as consideration shall be deemed to be equal to the final trading price of such stock on the last trading day prior to the execution of the definitive agreement providing for the Acquisition.

Specified Board ” means the board of directors of Park and HGV.

Spinoff ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Standstill Commitment Period ” means, in the event an HNA Standstill Commitment is delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 2.6 following the Company’s delivery of an Acquisition Notice to HNA, the period commencing upon the delivery of such Acquisition Notice to HNA and ending upon the first to occur of (i) twelve (12) months after the termination of discussions regarding the Acquisition Proposal described in such Acquisition Notice and any Related Acquisition Proposal, and (ii) the public announcement of a definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition entered into between the Company and any Person other than an HNA Entity.

Stock Acquisition ” means any acquisition (whether direct or indirect, including by way of merger, share exchange, consolidation, business combination or other similar transaction) by the Company of any entity or assets pursuant to which the Company issues shares of Common Stock or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock as consideration.

Stock Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among HNA, Blackstone and others.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, representatives or trustees thereof 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; or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to own, control or have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing director or member, or general partner, of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

 

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Total Number of Directors ” means the total number of authorized Directors comprising the entire Board.

Transfer ” (including its correlative meaning, “ Transferred ”) shall mean, with respect to any Equity Security, directly or indirectly, by operation of Law, contract or otherwise, (i) to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such Equity Security, (ii) to engage in any hedging, swap, forward contract or other transaction that is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale or disposition of Beneficial Ownership of, or pecuniary interest in, such Equity Security, including any short sale or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including without limitation any put or call option) with respect to such Equity Security, or (iii) to enter into a short sale of, or trade in, derivative securities representing the right to vote or economic benefits of, such Equity Security. When used as a noun, “ Transfer ” shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.

Uncontested Election ” means any election of Directors to the Board other than a Contested Election.

Unqualified Device Opinion ” means, with respect to a Disposition, an unqualified “will” opinion of any of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, KPMG LLP, or PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or any law firm of nationally recognized standing, addressed to and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, without substantive qualifications, to the effect that such Disposition will not cause any of the Distributions to be considered to be used principally as a device for the distribution of earnings and profits within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(B) of the Code, taking into account the facts and circumstances as they exist at that time, including the existence of prior dispositions, if any, and any planned or intended transactions as of such time.

Voting Percentage Limit ” means the number of Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Voting Securities entitled to vote at the applicable meeting of stockholders of the Company as disclosed in the proxy or information statement for such meeting or in a tender offer or exchange offer, fifteen percent (15%) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the expiration of the offer.

Voting Securities ” means shares of Common Stock and any other securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors.

1.2 Construction . The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) “or” is disjunctive but not exclusive, (b) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular, (c) the words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, (d) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified, (e) the word

 

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“extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”, (f) references to “day” means a calendar day unless otherwise indicated as a “Business Day”, and (g) references to “$” means U.S. dollars, the lawful currency of the United States of America. Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified and references to clauses without a cross-reference to a Section or subsection are references to clauses within the same Section or, if more specific, subsection. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

2.1 Composition of the Board .

(a) From and after the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of this Article II, the HNA Designator shall have the right (but not the obligation) to designate, and the individuals nominated for election as Directors by or at the direction of the Board or a duly-authorized committee thereof shall include, two (2) individuals that meet the Designee Qualifications to serve as Directors; provided , that, if the Total Number of Directors is thirteen (13) or more, then the HNA Designator shall be entitled to designate one (1) additional individual that meets the Designee Qualifications for each three (3) Directors in excess of ten (10) Directors. For clarity: if and when the Total Number of Directors is at least thirteen (13) but less than sixteen (16), the HNA Designator shall be entitled to designate three (3) Directors; if and when the Total Number of Directors is at least sixteen (16) but less than nineteen (19), the HNA Designator shall be entitled to designate four (4) Directors; etc. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Total Number of Directors is increased to thirteen (13) or more and then subsequently reduced, the number of individuals that the HNA Designator is entitled to designate pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be reduced to the number of individuals that the HNA Designator would otherwise be entitled to designate pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2.1(a); provided , that such number of designees shall increase in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 2.1(a) if the Total Number of Directors is thereafter increased to thirteen (13) or more. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.1(a), but subject to the proviso set forth in Section 2.7, the number of individuals that the HNA Designator is entitled to designate to serve as Directors pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be reduced to: (i) two (2) Directors if, at any time, the HNA Entities, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own at least fifteen percent (15%) but less than twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding; (ii) one (1) Director if, at any time, the HNA Entities, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own at least five percent (5%) but less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding; and (iii) no Directors if, at any time, the HNA Entities, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own less than five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Not more than one HNA Designee at any time may be an Affiliated HNA Designee, and any other HNA Designee shall be an Independent HNA Designee.

 

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(b) If at any time the HNA Designator has designated fewer than the total number of individuals that the HNA Designator is then entitled to designate pursuant to Section 2.1(a), the HNA Designator shall have the right (but not the obligation) to designate such number of additional individuals who meet the Designee Qualifications that the HNA Designator is entitled to so designate, in which case, any individuals nominated by or at the direction of the Board or any duly-authorized committee thereof for election as Directors to fill any vacancy or newly created directorships on the Board shall include such designees, and the Company shall use its best efforts to (x) effect the election of such additional designees, whether by increasing the size of the Board or otherwise, and (y) cause the election of such additional designees to fill any such newly-created vacancies or to fill any other existing vacancies. Each such individual whom the HNA Designator shall actually designate pursuant to this Section 2.1 and who qualifies to serve and is thereafter elected as a Director shall be referred to herein as a “ HNA Designee ”.

(c) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, disability, retirement, removal or resignation of any HNA Designee, any individual nominated or appointed by or at the direction of the Board or any duly-authorized committee thereof to fill such vacancy shall be, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such vacancy to be filled by, a new designee of the HNA Designator who meets the Designee Qualifications, and the Company and the Board shall take, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, at any time and from time to time, all actions necessary to accomplish the same as soon as possible following such designation.

(d) The Company and the Board shall take all action necessary to cause two (2) individuals designated by the HNA Designator who meet the Designee Qualifications to be appointed to the Board immediately after the Closing; provided , however , that if the Closing occurs after mailing of the Company’s proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders for 2017 but prior to such annual meeting, such appointment shall occur immediately after such annual meeting.

(e) For any designation pursuant to this Section 2.1 that occurs after the Closing in connection with an election of Directors by the stockholders of the Company, the HNA Designator shall identify its designees by written notice to the Company no less than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the meeting of stockholders of the Company called for the purpose of electing Directors. So long as an individual designated by the HNA Designator pursuant to this Section 2.1 meets the Designee Qualifications, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, include such individual in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing Directors, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause the election of such individual to the Board, including nominating such individual to be elected as a Director as provided herein, recommending such individual’s election and soliciting proxies or consents in favor thereof.

(f) The Company shall at all times provide each HNA Designee (in his or her capacity as a member of the Board) with the same rights to indemnification and exculpation that it provides to other Directors.

 

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2.2 Size of the Board . Without prejudice to the HNA Designator’s rights pursuant to Section 2.1, the consent of the HNA Designator shall not be required to increase or decrease the Total Number of Directors.

2.3 Committees .

(a) Each Independent HNA Designee serving as a Director on the Board shall be entitled to serve on at least one (1) committee of the Board (to the extent that an Independent HNA Designee elects to serve on such committee and subject to such Independent HNA Designee meeting the applicable eligibility requirements for membership on such committee mandated by applicable Law, the rules of the Exchange or the charter of such committee), as a full member with the same voting and other privileges as other members of such committee. The committee(s) on which any Independent HNA Designee serves shall be determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

(b) Until no HNA Designee serves as a Director on the Board (and the HNA Designator either no longer has any rights under this Article II to designate any HNA Designee to serve on the Board or irrevocably waives any such rights), the Company shall not amend the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or any other organizational documents of the Company, or the charter or other governing documents of any committee of the Board, in any manner that adversely and disparately affects the right of any Independent HNA Designee to be a member of any such committee (except as otherwise required by Law or the rules of the Exchange).

(c) Each HNA Designee may attend, upon the request of such HNA Designee and on a non-voting basis, any meetings of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or other standing committee of the Board that may be established, except when such attendance would present an actual or potential conflict of interest for such HNA Designee in the good faith opinion of the applicable committee.

2.4 Qualification of HNA Designees .

(a) Each HNA Designee shall, at the time of his or her nomination or appointment as a Director and at all times thereafter until such individual ceases to serve as a Director:

(i) meet and comply with any and all policies, procedures, processes, codes, rules, standards and guidelines of the Company applicable to all non-employee Board members, including the Company’s code of business conduct and ethics, securities trading policies and corporate governance guidelines;

(ii) not be involved in any of the events enumerated in Item 2(d) or Item 2(e) of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

(iii) not be subject to any order, decree or judgment of any Governmental Authority prohibiting service as a director of any public company;

 

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(iv) not be an employee, officer, or director of, or consultant to, or be receiving any compensation or benefits from, any Restricted Entity (unless otherwise agreed to by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee);

(v) not have been an employee, director, or officer of, or consultant to, any HNA Hospitality Business, received compensation from any HNA Hospitality Business, or have had any direct management oversight of any HNA Hospitality Business, within the two (2) year period prior to his or her nomination or appointment as Director (unless otherwise agreed to by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee); and

(vi) if such HNA Designee is an Independent HNA Designee, meets the criteria set forth in the definition of “Independent HNA Designee” in Article I (the requirements set forth in this Section 2.4(a), Section 2.4(b) and Section 2.4(c) being referred to, collectively, as the “ Designee Qualifications ”).

(b) As a condition to an HNA Designee’s election or nomination for election and any subsequent nomination for election as a Director, such HNA Designee shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Director Confidentiality Agreement.

(c) Each HNA Designee, as a condition to his or her initial appointment or election to the Board and any re-nomination for election to the Board, must be willing to be interviewed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on the same basis as any other new candidate for appointment or election to the Board and must be reasonably satisfactory to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee acting in good faith. HNA, in its capacity as a stockholder of the Company on behalf of itself and other HNA Entities, and each HNA Designee, shall deliver such questionnaires and otherwise provide such information as are reasonably requested by the Company in connection with assessing qualification, independence and other criteria applicable to Directors, or required to be or customarily provided by directors, candidates for director, and their Affiliates and representatives for inclusion in a proxy statement or other filing required by applicable Law and the rules of the Exchange, in each case to substantially the same extent requested or required of other candidates for appointment or election to the Board after the date hereof.

2.5 Service on Specified Boards . The HNA Designator shall not designate any individual pursuant to Section 2.1 who, at the time of such designation, is a member or has been nominated to serve as a member of a Specified Board. If an HNA Designee becomes a member of a Specified Board, the HNA Designator shall use its best efforts to cause such HNA Designee to promptly tender to the Board his or her resignation as a Director.

2.6 Participation of HNA Designees in Certain Matters; Acquisition Proposals .

(a) The Company shall promptly provide HNA with written notice (an “ Acquisition Notice ”) of any written bona fide Acquisition Proposal that is received by or presented to the Board, and such Acquisition Notice need not specify the identity of the potential acquirer or any other terms of such Acquisition Proposal. From delivery of an Acquisition Notice to HNA until HNA delivers an HNA Standstill Commitment to the Company or the expiration of the ten (10) Business Day period contemplated by

 

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Section 2.6(b), the Company shall provide HNA with prior written notice of any meeting of the Board (or a committee thereof) scheduled to discuss, consider or vote upon such Acquisition Proposal at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting is convened.

(b) If (i) an Acquisition Notice has been delivered to HNA and, within ten (10) Business Days thereafter, an HNA Standstill Commitment is delivered to the Company, and (ii) any Acquisition Proposal previously made by an HNA Entity has been withdrawn, then the Affiliated HNA Designee shall be entitled, after but not before such HNA Standstill Commitment has been delivered to the Company, to participate in all discussions, consideration and voting by the Board regarding, and shall be entitled to receive any materials provided to the Board relating to, the Acquisition Proposal described in such Acquisition Notice, revisions to such Acquisition Proposal and any other Acquisition Proposal solicited by or on behalf of the Board in connection with the consideration of such Acquisition Proposal or made by a third party in response to such Acquisition Proposal (collectively, the “ Related Acquisition Proposals ”). If an HNA Standstill Commitment is not delivered to the Company within such ten (10) Business Day period, the Affiliated HNA Designee shall not be entitled to participate in any discussions, consideration or voting by the Board regarding, and shall not be entitled to receive any materials provided to the Board relating to, any such Acquisition Proposal or the Related Acquisition Proposals.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.6(b), the Affiliated HNA Designee shall not be entitled to participate in any discussions, consideration or voting by the Board regarding, and shall not be entitled to receive any Board (or committee) materials relating to, any transaction or matter that, in the good faith determination of the Board (other than the Affiliated HNA Designee), presents an actual or potential conflict of interest for such Affiliated HNA Designee, including, without limitation, any Acquisition Proposal involving an HNA Entity.

(d) Each Independent HNA Designee shall be permitted to participate in all discussions, consideration and voting by the Board regarding, and shall be entitled to receive any Board materials relating to, any Acquisition Proposal, except when such attendance or receipt of materials would present an actual or potential conflict of interest for such Independent HNA Designee in the good faith determination of the Board (other than the Affiliated HNA Designee and such Independent HNA Designee).

(e) If the Board establishes a committee of the Board to consider any Acquisition Proposal, one (1) HNA Designee, as determined by the HNA Designator, shall be entitled to be a member of such committee; provided , that such HNA Designee may be the Affiliated HNA Designee only if (i) an HNA Standstill Commitment has been delivered by HNA to the Company in accordance with Section 2.6(b), and (ii) any Acquisition Proposal previously made by an HNA Entity has been withdrawn.

2.7 Resignations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:

(a) if, at any time, the HNA Entities, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own at least fifteen percent (15%) but less than twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and there are then more than two (2) HNA Designees on the

 

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Board, if requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the HNA Designator shall use its best efforts to cause one (1) or more HNA Designees selected by it to promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board and any applicable committee of the Board such that there are not more than two (2) HNA Designees serving on the Board;

(b) if, at any time, the HNA Entities, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own at least five percent (5%) but less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, if requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the HNA Designator shall use its best efforts to cause one (1) or more HNA Designees to promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board and any applicable committee of the Board such that there is not more than one (1) HNA Designee serving on the Board; and

(c) if, at any time, the HNA Entities, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own less than five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, if requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the HNA Designator shall use its best efforts to cause each HNA Designee to promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board and any applicable committee of the Board such that there are no HNA Designees serving on the Board;

provided , however , that notwithstanding Section 2.1 and the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7, if the closing of an issuance of Equity Securities of the Company or a Stock Acquisition causes the HNA Entities’ Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock, as a percentage of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, to decline below a percentage specified in this Section 2.7 such that the HNA Designator would be required by this Section 2.7 to use its best efforts to cause any HNA Designee to promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board, then (A) the HNA Designator shall not be required to use its best efforts to cause such HNA Designee to promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board, and (B) the Company and the Board shall not seek or take any action to remove such HNA Designee from the Board, in each case unless in the twelve (12) month period following the date of the closing of such issuance of Equity Securities of the Company or Stock Acquisition, as the case may be, the HNA Entities have not made purchases of Common Stock in open market transactions, as permitted by Section 4.3(c), such that the HNA Entities’ Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock, as a percentage of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, exceeds the applicable percentage specified in this Section 2.7; provided , further , that if the Company has imposed any “blackout” period or periods that restrict the HNA Entities’ ability to purchase shares of Common Stock for more than sixty (60) days in the aggregate during such twelve (12) month period, such twelve (12) month period shall be extended by the number of days of such “blackout” period or periods in excess of sixty (60) days. If the HNA Designator is required to use its best efforts to cause an HNA Designee to tender his or her resignation from the Board and such HNA Designee does not promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board, such HNA Designee shall not thereafter be entitled to participate as a member of any committee of the Board pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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2.8 Other HNA Investments . For the avoidance of doubt, no investment by any HNA Entity in any Person, including any Restricted Entity, shall limit the rights of the HNA Designator pursuant to this Article II.

ARTICLE III

VOTING MATTERS

3.1 Voting in an Uncontested Election . At any meeting of stockholders of the Company involving an Uncontested Election (or if action is taken by written consent of stockholders of the Company in lieu of a meeting in respect of an Uncontested Election), the HNA Parties shall vote, or cause to be voted (including, if applicable, by written consent), all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities, at their sole discretion either (i) affirmatively in favor of the election of each Person nominated to serve as a Director by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or (ii) in the same proportion as the Voting Securities not Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities are voted (including, if applicable, by written consent) affirmatively for, or to withhold authority with respect to, the election of each Person nominated to serve as a Director by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (it being understood that the HNA Parties must elect to vote as contemplated by subclause (i) or (ii) of this Section 3.1 and cannot elect not to vote or to vote in any other manner).

3.2 Voting in a Contested Election . At any meeting of stockholders of the Company involving a Contested Election (or if action is taken by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting in respect of a Contested Election), the HNA Parties shall vote, or cause to be voted (including, if applicable, by written consent), all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities in the same proportion as the Voting Securities not Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities are voted affirmatively for, or to withhold authority with respect to, the election of each Person nominated to serve as a Director by the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (or, as applicable, the removal of any Director).

3.3 Voting with respect to Certain Acquisitions . At any meeting of stockholders of the Company at which an Acquisition (other than a Specified Acquisition or an HNA Acquisition) that has been approved and recommended (and such recommendation has not been withdrawn) by the Board (and any other related matter the approval of which is required to consummate such Acquisition) is submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company (or if action is taken with respect to such matter(s) by written consent of stockholders of the Company in lieu of a meeting), the HNA Parties shall vote or cause to be voted (including by abstaining or, if applicable, taking action by written consent) all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities in excess of the Voting Percentage Limit in the same proportion as the Voting Securities not Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities are voted (including by written consent) for or against, or abstain with respect to, such Acquisition (and such related matter(s)). Solely for purposes of this Section 3.3, in determining the proportion in which Voting Securities not Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities are voted with respect to an Acquisition or related matter to which this Section 3.3 applies, fifty percent (50%) of all Non-Votes (as defined in the following sentence) shall be taken into account as votes “against” such Acquisition or related matter and fifty percent (50%) of all Non-Votes shall not be taken into account in such

 

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determination. “ Non-Votes ”, with respect to an Acquisition or related matter to which this Section 3.3 applies, means all broker non-votes and all Voting Securities that are not present or represented at the applicable stockholder meeting (or, if applicable, written consent) or are not voted for or against, or abstain with respect to, such Acquisition or related matter. The HNA Parties shall be free to vote or cause to be voted (including by abstaining or, if applicable, taking action by written consent), in their sole discretion, all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities up to and including the Voting Percentage Limit for or against, or to abstain from voting on, any Acquisition (and any related matters). Nothing contained in this Section 3.3 shall restrict in any manner the voting (including by written consent) of all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities at any meeting of stockholders of the Company at which a Specified Acquisition or an HNA Acquisition is submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company (or, if applicable, any action taken by written consent of the stockholders of the Company in lieu of a meeting) and the HNA Parties shall be free to vote (including by written consent), at their sole discretion, all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities against any Specified Acquisition and for any HNA Acquisition.

3.4 Voting with respect to Other Matters . At any meeting of stockholders of the Company at which any matter, other than an Other Specified Matter or a matter that is subject to Section 3.1, Section 3.2 or Section 3.3, is submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company (or if action is taken with respect thereto by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting), the HNA Parties shall vote or cause to be voted (including by abstaining or, if applicable, taking action by written consent) all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities in excess of the Voting Percentage Limit in the same proportion as the Voting Securities not Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities are voted (including by written consent) for or against, or abstain with respect to, each such matter. Each HNA Party shall be free to vote or cause to be voted (including by abstaining or, if applicable, taking action by written consent), in their sole discretion, all Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities up to and including the Voting Percentage Limit for or against, or to abstain from voting on, each such matter.

3.5 Quorum . At each meeting of stockholders, the HNA Entities shall cause all of the Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities to be present in person or by proxy for quorum purposes.

ARTICLE IV

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

4.1 Transfer Restrictions .

(a) During the Restricted Period, no HNA Party shall Transfer any shares of Common Stock, other than pursuant to a Permitted Transfer.

(b) “ Permitted Transfer ” means:

(i) a Transfer that has been approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board or a duly-authorized committee thereof;

(ii) a Transfer to another HNA Party;

 

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(iii) a Transfer to any HNA Entity that is not a Restricted Entity and not an HNA Party (any such HNA Entity, an “ HNA Permitted Transferee ”), if such HNA Permitted Transferee shall have agreed in writing to be bound to the same extent as HNA by the obligations of this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement;

(iv) a Transfer in connection with any Acquisition approved by the Board or a duly-authorized committee thereof (including if the Board or such committee (A) recommends that the Company’s stockholders tender in response to a tender or exchange offer that, if consummated, would constitute an Acquisition, or (B) does not recommend that the Company’s stockholders reject any such tender or exchange offer within the ten (10) Business Day period specified in Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act);

(v) a Transfer that constitutes a tender into a tender or exchange offer commenced by the Company or any of its Affiliates; or

(vi) a Transfer in connection with any bona fide mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution in connection with any bona fide loan or debt transaction or enforcement thereunder.

(c) Following the Restricted Period, each HNA Party shall be free to Transfer any shares of Common Stock; provided , that (i) with respect to any Transfer other than a Permitted Transfer or an underwritten public offering or a block trade, the HNA Parties shall not Transfer more than 4.9% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock to any Person or Group, or any shares of Common Stock to any Restricted Entity or any Person or Group who is known to such HNA Party (or to the broker in an ordinary course brokerage transaction) to be a 5% Stockholder or to be a Person or Group that would become the Beneficial Owner of five percent (5%) or more of the total outstanding Common Stock as a result of the Transfer, (ii) with respect to any Transfer, other than a Permitted Transfer, that is an underwritten public offering or a block trade, such HNA Party shall instruct the managing underwriter(s) or broker(s) not to Transfer more than 4.9% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock to any Person or Group or any shares of Common Stock to a 5% Stockholder (unless the identity of the Person purchasing the shares of Common Stock is not known to the managing underwriter(s) or broker(s)) and (iii) with respect to a Transfer, other than a Permitted Transfer, that is a block trade, such HNA Party shall instruct the broker(s) not to Transfer any shares of Common Stock to a Restricted Entity (unless the identity of the Person purchasing the shares of Common Stock is not known to such HNA Party or broker(s)). For purposes of this Section 4.1(c), the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any time shall be the number specified in the most recent SEC filing of the Company disclosing the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

(d) Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of Equity Securities of the Company in violation of this Section 4.1 shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, be null and void ab initio , and the Company shall not, and shall instruct its transfer agent and other third parties not to, record or recognize any such purported transaction on the books of the Company.

 

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(e) Following any Transfer by an HNA Party contemplated by Section 4.1(b)(vi), HNA shall (i) promptly notify the Company in writing upon receipt of any notice of acceleration or foreclosure from a financial institution under the applicable loan or debt transaction, and (ii) reimburse any reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with (x) the establishment of such mortgage, encumbrance or pledge or (y) any Transfer of shares of Common Stock to such financial institution in connection with such event of acceleration or foreclosure.

(f) The Company shall use reasonable efforts to have the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement (x) registered directly on the books and records of the transfer agent in the name of the applicable HNA Party and maintained in book entries or (y) while any such shares of Common Stock are subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(vi), registered in the name of the Depository Trust Company or its nominee maintained in the form of book entries on the books of The Depository Trust Company, and allowed to be settled through The Depository Trust Company’s regular book entry settlement services free of restrictive legends, stop transfer limitations and/or other notations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any shares of Common Stock that cease to be subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution shall be registered directly on the books and records of the transfer agent in the name of the applicable HNA Party. Any certificates for shares of Common Stock held by an HNA Party as of the Closing Date that are not subject to any mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(vi) shall bear a legend or legends (and appropriate comparable notations or other arrangements will be made with respect to shares maintained in the form of book entries) referencing restrictions on transfer of such shares under the Securities Act and under this Agreement which legend shall state in substance:

THESE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THE EXCHANGE THEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT (1) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (2) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND THE SECURITIES LAWS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2016, AMONG HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC., HNA TOURISM GROUP CO., LTD. AND, SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 4.3 THEREOF, HNA GROUP CO., LTD., AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the request of the applicable HNA Party, (i) in connection with any Transfer of Common Stock Transferred in accordance with the terms of this

 

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Agreement, the Company shall promptly cause the second paragraph of the legend (or notation) to be removed upon such Transfer if such restrictions would not be applicable following such Transfer, (ii) following receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such legend (or notation) is no longer required under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws, the Company shall promptly cause the first paragraph of the legend (or notation) to be removed from any Common Stock to be Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) to the extent the first and second paragraph of the legend (or notation) would be removed pursuant to this paragraph in connection with any Transfer of Common Stock, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause such Common Stock to be registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company’s nominee; provided , however , that any Transfer effected by a financial institution pursuant to any mortgage, encumbrance or pledge with respect to Common Stock shall be governed by the terms of any applicable Issuer Agreement among the Company, the applicable financial institution and any custodian party thereto in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E .

4.2 Right of First Refusal .

(a) If the Company, at any time or from time to time following the Closing, proposes to issue (a “ New Issuance ”) any New Securities, for cash in an offering that is not an underwritten public offering or an offering pursuant to Rule 144A (or a successor rule) under the Securities Act (any such offering, a “ Private Placement ”), the Company shall provide HNA with written notice (an “ Issuance Notice ”) of such New Issuance at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the issuance of such New Securities. The Issuance Notice shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the New Issuance, including (i) the proposed number of New Securities if known or, if not known, an estimate thereof, (ii) a description of the New Securities and proposed manner of sale, (iii) the purchase price per New Security (or conversion price or premium in the event of an offering of convertible debt) (the “ Per Security Offering Price ”) if known or, if not known, an estimate thereof, and (iv) the proposed issuance date if known or, if not known, an estimate thereof. HNA shall be entitled to purchase (either directly or through any other HNA Parties or any of HNA’s Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees), at the Per Security Offering Price and on the other terms and conditions specified in the Issuance Notice, up to the number of such New Securities that would result in the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that is Beneficially Owned in the aggregate by all HNA Entities immediately following such New Issuance being equal to the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that was Beneficially Owned in the aggregate by all HNA Entities immediately prior to such New Issuance, provided that for this purpose such percentage shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) (such percentage, the “ Pro Rata Portion ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of New Securities that HNA (directly or through any other HNA Parties or their Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees) shall be entitled to purchase pursuant to this Section 4.2 with respect to any New Issuance shall be limited to the maximum amount that may be issued by the Company to HNA (directly or through any other HNA Parties or their Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees) without requiring approval of such issuance by the stockholders of the Company under the rules of the Exchange, as determined in good faith by the Company (which such determination shall be binding on the parties).

 

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(b) HNA may exercise its rights under this Section 4.2 by delivering written notice of its election to purchase (either directly or through any other HNA Parties or any of HNA’s Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees) such New Securities to the Company within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the Issuance Notice, which notice shall specify the number of New Securities requested to be purchased by HNA. Delivery of such notice shall constitute a binding commitment of HNA to purchase (either directly or through any other HNA Parties or any of HNA’s Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees) the amount of New Securities so specified at the Per Security Offering Price and on the terms and conditions specified in the Issuance Notice. If, at the termination of such five (5) Business Day period, HNA has not exercised its right to purchase any such New Securities, HNA shall be deemed to have waived its rights under this Section 4.2 with respect to, and only with respect to, the purchase of the New Securities specified in the applicable Issuance Notice.

(c) The closing of any sale of New Securities to HNA, any other HNA Parties or any of HNA’s Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall take place concurrently with the consummation of the sale of the New Securities on the terms set forth in the Issuance Notice to all other Persons purchasing such New Securities (the “ New Issuance Closing ”).

(d) If the Company issues, at the New Issuance Closing, less than all of the New Securities described in the Issuance Notice, then the number of New Securities that HNA (and any other HNA Parties and any of HNA’s Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees) shall be entitled to purchase in connection with such New Issuance pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be reduced proportionately and HNA’s notice delivered pursuant to Section 4.2(b) shall be deemed amended to reflect such reduction. If the number of New Securities is reduced as contemplated by this Section 4.2(d), the Company shall not issue or sell the remainder of the New Securities described in the Issuance Notice without again complying with the provisions of this Section 4.2.

(e) If the New Issuance Closing (other than any over-allotment closing) does not occur within ninety (90) days after the date of the Issuance Notice, the Company shall not issue or sell the New Securities described in the Issuance Notice without again complying with the provisions of this Section 4.2.

(f) HNA (or any other HNA Parties or any of HNA’s Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees) shall, prior to the closing of any Private Placement in which any of them has elected to purchase New Securities pursuant to this Section 4.2, execute and deliver all such documents and instruments as are customarily required in connection with such an offering, including, without limitation, customary investment representations and representations as to its status as the type of offeree to whom a private sale may be made pursuant to the Securities Act, and any failure to deliver or enter into any such documents and instruments at or prior to such closing shall constitute a waiver of the right of first refusal set forth in this Section 4.2 with respect to such New Issuance.

 

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4.3 Standstill .

(a) Subject to Section 4.3(b) and Section 4.3(c), on and after the Closing, HNA Group and the HNA Parties shall not, shall cause their respective Affiliates not to, and shall cause the representatives of HNA Group, the HNA Parties and their respective Affiliates acting at their direction not to, in any manner, directly or indirectly, to, without the prior written consent of, or waiver by, the Company:

(i) acquire, offer to acquire or agree to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, Beneficial Ownership of any Equity Securities of the Company (including any rights, options or other derivative securities or contracts or instruments to acquire such ownership that derives its value (in whole or in part) from such Equity Securities (whether currently, upon lapse of time, following the satisfaction of any conditions, upon the occurrence of any event or any combinations of the foregoing)) other than: (A) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or distribution, subdivision, reorganization, reclassification or similar capital transaction involving Equity Securities of the Company; (B) discussions or negotiations to acquire a beneficial interest in any Equity Securities of the Company from Blackstone or any of its Affiliates, provided , that HNA Group, any HNA Party or any of their respective Affiliates, as applicable, has, prior to initiating such discussions or negotiations, notified the Board in writing of its intention to initiate such discussions or negotiations; provided further that, for the avoidance of doubt, none of HNA Group, the HNA Parties or any of their respective Affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, acquire a beneficial interest in any Equity Securities of the Company from Blackstone or any of its Affiliates without the prior written consent of the Company, (C) pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(ii), Section 4.1(b)(iii), Section 4.2 or Section 4.3(c) or (D) a Transfer between HNA Parties; provided , that no HNA Party shall be in breach of this Section 4.3(a)(i) as a result of the acquisition by any HNA Designee of any Equity Securities of the Company pursuant to (x) the grant or vesting of any equity compensation awards granted by the Company to any HNA Designee, or (y) the exercise of any stock options, restricted stock units, or similar awards relating to any Equity Securities of the Company granted by the Company to any HNA Designee;

(ii) make any public announcement or public offer with respect to any merger, business combination, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (unless such transaction is approved or affirmatively recommended by the Board);

(iii) make, knowingly encourage or in any way participate in, any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are used in the proxy rules of the SEC promulgated pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act) to vote any Voting Securities, or seek to advise or influence any Person with respect to the voting of, any Voting Securities (other than, in each case, in a manner that is not inconsistent with the Board’s recommendation in connection with a matter);

(iv) seek election to, or seek to place a representative on, the Board or removal of any member of the Board or otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to seek representation or to control or influence the management, the Board or policies of the Company (other than (A) with respect to the election or removal of an HNA Designee or (B) to vote in accordance with the requirements of Article III);

 

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(v) call, or seek to call, a meeting of the stockholders of the Company or initiate any stockholder proposal for action by stockholders of the Company;

(vi) form, join or in any way participate in a Group with respect to Equity Securities (other than a Group consisting solely of HNA Parties);

(vii) otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to seek to control or influence the management or the policies of the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any such act in their capacity as a commercial counterparty, customer, supplier, industry participant or the like);

(viii) advise or knowingly assist or encourage or enter into any discussions, negotiations, agreements or arrangements with any other Persons in connection with any of the foregoing activities;

(ix) publicly disclose any intention, plan or arrangement inconsistent with any of the foregoing activities;

(x) arrange, or in any way provide, directly or indirectly, any financing for the purchase by any Person or Group of any Equity Securities or assets of the Company, other than financing for (A) the purchase of assets then being offered for sale by the Company, (B) the Transfer of any shares of Common Stock to an HNA Party or an HNA Permitted Transferee, (C) purchases of any Equity Securities of the Company by an HNA Entity that are permitted by this Agreement and (D) an HNA Acquisition.

(xi) take any action that HNA Group or an HNA Party knows, or would reasonably be expected to know, would require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the possibility of an Acquisition; or

(xii) contest the validity of this Section 4.3(a) or initiate or participate in any judicial proceeding to amend, waive, terminate or seek a release of the restrictions contained herein,

it being understood and agreed that (A) without prejudice to Section 2.6, this Section 4.3 shall not limit (x) the activities of any HNA Designee taken in good faith in his or her capacity as a Director or (y) the participation of any HNA Designee in any Board (or committee of the Board, as applicable) discussions, deliberations, negotiations or determinations, and (B) HNA and HNA Group shall be responsible for any breach of this Section 4.3 caused by any action taken by any HNA Entity or by a representative of an HNA Entity acting at the direction of any HNA Entity.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.3(a), on and after the date hereof, other than during any Standstill Commitment Period, no HNA Party shall be prohibited or restricted from: (i) initiating and engaging in private discussions with, and/or making and submitting to, the Company and/or the Board a non-public, confidential Acquisition Proposal so long as such HNA Party does not know, and would not be

 

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reasonably expected to know, that such actions would be reasonably likely to require HNA, the Company or any other Person to make a public announcement regarding such Acquisition Proposal; or (ii) from and after a public announcement of a definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition entered into between the Company and any Person other than an HNA Entity and until the earlier of (A) the closing of such Acquisition and (B) ninety (90) days after the termination of such definitive agreement, notwithstanding any HNA Standstill Commitment or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, making and submitting to the Company, the Board, and/or the Company’s stockholders, an alternative Acquisition Proposal on a publicly disclosed and announced basis for all outstanding shares of Common Stock, which, if a tender or exchange offer, shall be on the same terms for all such shares and include a non-waivable condition that a majority of outstanding shares of Common Stock not Beneficially Owned by any HNA Entity are tendered into such offer, or (subject to Sections 3.3, 4.3(a)(i) and 4.7) taking any other action, whether or not otherwise restricted by Section 4.3(a) in connection with evaluating, making, submitting, negotiating, effectuating or implementing any such alternative Acquisition Proposal (or any amendment, supplement or modification thereto), including actively soliciting stockholders of the Company not to vote in favor of or to vote against such Acquisition by a Person other than an HNA Entity.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.3(a), HNA may (directly or through any other HNA Parties or any of their respective Controlled Affiliates that are HNA Permitted Transferees), at any time and from time to time, purchase shares of Common Stock in open market transactions in an amount that, when aggregated with the number of shares of Common Stock then Beneficially Owned by all HNA Entities, would not then exceed a percentage of the shares of Common Stock outstanding at such time equal to the lower of (i) twenty-five percent (25%) and (ii) the Adjusted Ownership Percentage (as defined in the following sentence). The “ Adjusted Ownership Percentage ” shall initially be equal to twenty-five (25%) and, upon each Transfer of shares of Common Stock by an HNA Entity that (A) is to a Person other than another HNA Entity and (B) occurs when the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that is Beneficially Owned, in the aggregate, by all HNA Entities is less than or equal to twenty-five (25%) or causes such percentage to be less than twenty-five (25%), shall be reduced to equal the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that is Beneficially Owned, in the aggregate, by all HNA Entities immediately following such Transfer. For purposes of this Section 4.3(c), the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any time shall be the number specified in the latest of (i) the most recent SEC filing of the Company disclosing the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding or (ii) a written notice from the Company, which will be provided to HNA as soon as reasonably practicable upon a written request therefor from HNA following any New Issuance or Stock Acquisition.

4.4 Corporate Opportunities, Bylaws . On or before the Closing, the Company and the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) shall, in compliance with applicable Law, take all actions necessary to (i) duly adopt the resolutions to renounce any interest or expectancy, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity or corporate opportunity presented to any HNA Entity as set forth in Exhibit D to this Agreement; and (ii) approve and adopt Amended and Restated Bylaws, substantially as set forth in Exhibit G to this Agreement.

 

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4.5 Issuer Agreement . At the Closing, the Company shall duly execute and deliver to HNA the issuer agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E to this Agreement.

4.6 Cooperation . Following the Closing, the Company and HNA shall, from time to time, engage in good faith discussions regarding strategic cooperation that may be mutually beneficial to such parties.

4.7 Tender of Shares in Certain Acquisitions . If, at any time when (i) HNA Entities Beneficially Own Voting Securities in excess of the Voting Percentage Limit, and (ii) any Acquisition (other than a Specified Acquisition) by a Person other than an HNA Entity is to be effected by means of a tender or exchange offer that has been approved and recommended (and such recommendation has not been withdrawn) by the Board, the HNA Parties shall tender into such offer, prior to any expiration thereof (as such offer may be extended from time to time), all the shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities in excess of the Voting Percentage Limit in the same proportion as the shares of Common Stock not Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities are so tendered. Such tender by the HNA Parties shall be made within twelve (12) hours of notification from any depositary for such tender or exchange offer of the percentage of Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by holders other than HNA Entities then received by such depositary. The HNA Parties shall be free, in their sole discretion, to tender or not tender into such offer, any and all shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by HNA Entities up to and including the Voting Percentage Limit.

4.8 Public Announcements . The initial press release with respect to this Agreement shall be a joint press release to be reasonably agreed upon by HNA and the Company. Thereafter, HNA and the Company shall consult with each other before issuing any press release, or other public announcement with respect to this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby and, except in respect of any such press release or other public announcement as may be required by applicable Law or any applicable rule of any securities exchange or association, shall not issue any such press release or other public announcement prior to such consultation.

4.9 Device Restrictions .

(a) Subject to Section 4.9(b) and Section 4.9(c), if the Closing occurs prior to the Distribution Date, without limiting any other provisions of this Agreement, during the period commencing on the Distribution Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Distribution Date, the HNA Entities shall not directly or indirectly engage in any Disposition of Common Stock, Park Common Stock or HGV Common Stock.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.9(a), subject to Section 4.1, if the Closing occurs prior to the Distribution Date, (i) one or more Dispositions of Common Stock, Park Common Stock or HGV Common Stock shall be permitted if such Dispositions are In Parallel and (ii) a Disposition of Common Stock, Park Common Stock or HGV Common Stock shall be permitted if the HNA Entities provide an Unqualified Device Opinion with respect to such Disposition to the Company. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with the HNA Entities in obtaining any Unqualified Device Opinion, including making reasonable representations required in connection with any such opinion and making available to the HNA Entities information necessary in connection with any such opinion (including making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information or explanation of any material provided hereunder).

 

25


(c) Section 4.9(a) shall not apply to any Disposition of Common Stock, Park Common Stock or HGV Common Stock by the HNA Entities resulting from a Transfer in connection with any bona fide mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution or in connection with any bona fide loan or debt transaction or enforcement thereunder.

(d) If the Closing occurs prior to the Distribution Date, on or prior to the Distribution Date, HNA will furnish to the Company’s tax advisors a representation letter substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F to this Agreement.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company hereby represents and warrants to HNA as follows as of the Closing:

(a) The Company is a corporation, duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under the Agreement.

(b) The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement do not and will not conflict with or violate any provision of, or require the consent or approval of any Person (except for any such consents or approvals which have been obtained) under, (x) applicable Law, (y) the organizational documents of the Company, or (z) any contract or agreement to which the Company is a party.

(c) The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by HNA, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity.

(d) The Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) has taken all action necessary, in compliance with applicable Law, to render inapplicable to HNA and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any other HNA Party the restrictions on “business combinations” set forth in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Other than Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, no “business combination”, “moratorium,” “control share,” “fair price,” “takeover” or “interested stockholder” Law is applicable to the Stock Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

26


5.2 Representations and Warranties of HNA . HNA hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows as of the Closing:

(a) HNA is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. HNA has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(b) The execution and delivery by HNA of this Agreement and the performance by HNA of its obligations under this Agreement do not and will not conflict with or violate any provision of, or require the consent or approval of any Person (except for any such consents or approvals which have been obtained) under, (x) applicable Law, (y) its organizational documents, or (z) any contract or agreement to which it is a party.

(c) The execution and delivery by HNA of this Agreement and the performance by HNA of its obligations under this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other analogous action on its part. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by HNA and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of HNA, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity.

5.3 No Other Representations or Warranties . Each of HNA and the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) except for the express representations and warranties set forth in this Article V, neither party hereto nor any Person acting on its behalf is making any representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, in connection with the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the Stock Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (b) neither party hereto has relied on the accuracy or completeness of any information furnished by the other party hereto or any Person acting on its behalf in connection with the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the Stock Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1 Termination . Unless otherwise specified herein, this Agreement shall automatically terminate on the date that the HNA Parties, in the aggregate, Beneficially Own less than five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of such date; provided , that Section 2.7 and Section 4.1(f) shall survive the termination of this Agreement indefinitely.

 

27


6.2 Notices . Any notice, designation, request, request for consent or consent provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) two (2) Business Day after being sent by internationally recognized overnight courier, or (c) if transmitted by facsimile or sent by electronic mail transmission and confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a) or (b) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by prior written notice from such party):

if to the Company:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, VA 22102

USA

Attention:        General Counsel

Fax:                 +1 (703) 883-6188

with a copy (not constituting notice) to:

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

60 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

USA

Attention:        Mark G. Borden

                         Jay E. Bothwick

Fax:                 +1 (617) 526-5000

Email:             mark.borden@wilmerhale.com

                         jay.bothwick@wilmerhale.com

if to HNA:

HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.

No. 29, Haixiu Road

Haikou, 570203 Hainan Province

People’s Republic of China

Attention:        Liang Du

                         Xun Wang

Fax:                 +86 898 6887 6656/ +86 898 6887 5382

Email:             duliang@hnair.com

                         wang-xun@hnair.com

with a copy (not constituting notice) to:

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

29/F Alexandra House

18 Chater Road

Central, Hong Kong

Attention:        Akiko Mikumo

                         Charles Ching

Fax:                 +852 3015 9354

Email:             akiko.mikumo@weil.com

                         charles.ching@weil.com

and:

Fangda Partners

27/F, North Tower, Beijing Kerry Centre

1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District

Beijing 100020

People’s Republic of China

Attention:        Fei Qiao

Fax:                 +86 10 5769 5788

Email:             fei.qiao@fangdalaw.com

 

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6.3 Amendment; Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, and the observance of any term hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by (i) the Company and (ii) the HNA Designator. Neither the failure nor delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver. Any amendment, supplement or modification to this Agreement and any waiver of any term hereof effected in accordance with this Section 6.3 shall be binding on each party hereto and all of such party’s successors and permitted assigns, whether or not such party, successor or permitted assign entered into or approved such amendment, supplement or modification.

6.4 Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall sign such further documents and do and perform and cause to be done such further acts and things as any other party hereto may reasonably request to the extent necessary to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

6.5 Assignment . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned, except by any HNA Party to any HNA Permitted Transferee that has executed a joinder agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement, without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consent, will be null and void.

6.6 Third Parties . This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto; provided , that HNA shall be liable for any losses, costs, expenses, damages, claims and other liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by Park or any of its Affiliates arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with any breach by any HNA Entity of Section 4.9 of this Agreement.

6.7 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of Laws thereof.

6.8 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim between the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties hereto, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, unconditionally accepts and consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept

 

29


jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware), including but not limited to the in personam and subject matter jurisdiction of those courts, or if jurisdiction over the matter is vested exclusively in federal courts, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed, waives any objections to such jurisdiction on the grounds of venue or forum non conveniens , the absence of in personam or subject matter jurisdiction and any similar grounds or any other manner permitted by Law, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement. In any such judicial proceeding, the parties agree that in addition to any method for the service of process permitted or required by such courts, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, service of process may be made by delivery provided pursuant to the directions in Section 6.2. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

6.9 Specific Performance . Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by any of them, the other parties hereto would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and agrees that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to specific performance of this Agreement without the posting of bond.

6.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

6.11 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance or in any jurisdiction, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (i) the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each other provision hereof shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (ii) as to such Person or circumstance or in such jurisdiction such provision shall be reformed to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and (iii) the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances or in other jurisdictions shall not be affected thereby.

6.12 Table of Contents, Headings and Captions . The table of contents, headings, subheadings and captions contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.

6.13 Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendment hereto may be signed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one Agreement (or amendment, as applicable).

 

30


6.14 Effectiveness of this Agreement . This Agreement shall become automatically effective upon the Closing, without the requirement of any further action by any Person (provided such Closing occurs prior to October 31, 2017), and until the Closing (if any), this Agreement shall be of no force or effect and shall create no rights or obligations on the part of any party hereto.

[ Remainder Of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

31


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs

Name:   Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
HNA TOURISM GROUP CO., LTD.
By:  

/s/ Ling Zhang

Name:  

Ling Zhang

Title:  

Chairman of the Board

HNA GROUP CO., LTD.
(solely for purposes of Section 4.3)
By:  

/s/ Xiangdong Tan

Name:  

Xiangdong Tan

Title:  

Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

FIRST AMENDMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to Stockholders Agreement (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and each of the other parties identified on the signature pages hereto (the “ Investor Parties ”). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and among the Company and the Investor Parties (the “ Existing Agreement ”).

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have entered into the Existing Agreement, and in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”), by and among the Investor Parties and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd., the parties hereto desire to amend the Existing Agreement as set forth in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS, Section 4.3 of the Existing Agreement provides that the Existing Agreement may be amended by a written instrument executed by the Company and the Investor Parties.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties agree to amend the Existing Agreement and further agree as follows:

Section 1. Amendment to Existing Agreement .

(a) Section 2.1(a) of the Existing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“Following the Closing Date, the Blackstone Designator shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate, and the individuals nominated for election as Directors by or at the direction of the Board or a duly-authorized committee thereof shall include, a number of individuals such that, upon the election of each such individual, and each other individual nominated by or at the direction of the Board or a duly-authorized committee of the Board, as a Director and taking into account any Director continuing to serve as such without the need for re-election, the number of Blackstone Designees (as defined below) serving as Directors of the Company will be equal to: (i) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own 50% or more of the total Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, 50% of the Total Number of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number; (ii) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 40% (but less than 50%) of the total Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, 40% of the Total Number of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number; (iii) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 30% (but less than 40%) of the total Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, 30% of the Total Number of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number; (iv) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 20% (but less than 30%) of the total Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, either (A) 20% of the Total Number of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number, if the Total Number of Directors is 10 or greater, or (B) the lowest whole number that is greater than 20% of the Total Number of Directors if the Total Number of Directors is less than 10; and (v) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 5% (but less than 20%) of the total Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 10% of the Total Number of Directors.”.


(b) Section 2.1(e) of the Existing Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

Section 2. Other Terms Not Affected . Except as amended by this Amendment, the Existing Agreement remains in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

Section 3. Effectiveness . This Amendment shall become effective upon the Closing (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement), provided that such Closing occurs prior to October 31, 2017, and until the Closing (if any), this Amendment shall be of no force or effect and shall create no rights or obligations on the part of any party hereto.

Section 4. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

[ Remainder Of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this First Amendment to Stockholders Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:
HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs

Name:   Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


INVESTOR PARTIES:
HLT HOLDCO II LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director
HLT HOLDCO III LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director
HLT BREH VI HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director
HLT BREP VI.TE.2 HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director
HLT BREH INTL II HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director


HLT A23 BREH VI HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director
HLT A23 HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Managing
  Director

Exhibit 10.3

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and between

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.

and

HNA TOURISM GROUP CO., LTD.

Dated as of October 24, 2016

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

     1   

Section 1.1

 

Certain Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2

 

Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation

     5   

ARTICLE II. REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     6   

Section 2.1

 

Piggyback Rights

     6   

Section 2.2

 

Demand Registration

     8   

Section 2.3

 

Registration Procedures

     11   

Section 2.4

 

Other Registration-Related Matters

     14   

ARTICLE III. INDEMNIFICATION

     16   

Section 3.1

 

Indemnification by the Company

     16   

Section 3.2

 

Indemnification by the Holders and Underwriters

     17   

Section 3.3

 

Notices of Claims, Etc

     17   

Section 3.4

 

Contribution

     18   

Section 3.5

 

Other Indemnification

     19   

Section 3.6

 

Non-Exclusivity

     19   

ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     19   

Section 4.1

 

Representations and Warranties of the Company

     19   

Section 4.2

 

Representations and Warranties of HNA

     20   

ARTICLE V. OTHER

     20   

Section 5.1

 

Notices

     20   

Section 5.2

 

Assignment

     21   

Section 5.3

 

Amendments; Waiver

     21   

Section 5.4

 

Third Parties

     22   

Section 5.5

 

Governing Law

     22   

Section 5.6

 

Jurisdiction

     22   

Section 5.7

 

MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     22   

Section 5.8

 

Specific Performance

     22   

Section 5.9

 

Entire Agreement

     22   

Section 5.10

 

Severability

     22   

Section 5.11

 

Counterparts

     23   

Section 5.12

 

Effectiveness

     23   

Section 5.13

 

Confidentiality

     23   


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of October 24, 2016 and is by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (the “ Company ”) and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd., a PRC company (“ HNA ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, HNA and Blackstone (as defined below) have, as of the date hereof, entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement (as defined below), pursuant to which, among other things, HNA has agreed to purchase from Blackstone, and Blackstone has agreed to sell to HNA, shares of the Company’s Common Stock (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company is entering into this Agreement as a condition to HNA’s willingness to enter into the Stock Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and HNA are entering into the Stockholders Agreement (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the Company is entering into this Agreement in consideration of, and as a condition and inducement to, HNA’s willingness to enter into the Stockholders Agreement; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company and HNA wish to define certain registration rights granted to HNA on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Certain Definitions . As used in this Agreement:

Advice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).

Adverse Disclosure ” means public disclosure of material, non-public information that, in the Board of Directors’ good faith judgment, after consultation with outside counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or report filed with the SEC by the Company so that such Registration Statement or report would not be materially misleading and such material, non-public information would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing of such Registration Statement or report, and (ii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not disclosing publicly.


Affiliate ” means any entity of which HNA owns, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the voting interests.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Blackstone ” means HLT Holdco II LLC, HLT Holdco III LLC, HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC, HLT BREP VI.2 Holdco LLC, HLT BREH INTL II Holdco LLC, HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC, and HLT A23 Holdco LLC.

BX Holder ” means the holders of securities entitled to registration rights under the Existing Registration Rights Agreement.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York and Beijing, PRC are authorized or required by law to close.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Common Stock ” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such common stock is reclassified or reconstituted.

Control ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

Demand Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Effective Date ” means the date on which the Closing (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement) occurs pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

Exchange Act ” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Existing Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, as amended as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, but not any further amendments thereto.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

 

2


HNA Entities ” means HNA, its Affiliates and the successors and permitted assigns of HNA and their respective Affiliates.

Holder ” means HNA or any Transferee of such Person to whom registration rights are assigned pursuant to Section 5.2, in each case that is a holder of Registrable Securities or Securities exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into Registrable Securities.

Indemnified Party ” and Indemnified Parties ” have the meanings set forth in Section 3.1.

Law ” means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a cooperative, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

PRC ” means the People’s Republic of China.

Public Offering ” means a public offering of equity securities of the Company or any successor thereto or any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act.

Registrable Securities ” means all shares of Common Stock and any Securities into which the Common Stock may be converted or exchanged pursuant to any merger, consolidation, sale of all or any part of its assets, corporate conversion or other extraordinary transaction of the Company held by a Holder (whether now held or hereafter acquired, and including any such Securities received by a Holder upon the conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to such a transaction with respect to, other Securities held by such Holder). As to any Registrable Securities, such Securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when:

 

  (a) a registration statement covering such Registrable Securities has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement;

 

  (b) such Registrable Securities shall have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act;

 

  (c) such Registrable Securities may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) without limitation thereunder on volume or manner of sale, unless such Registrable Securities are held by a Holder that beneficially owns 5% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; or

 

  (d) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding.

 

3


Registration Expenses ” means any and all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including:

 

  (a) all SEC, stock exchange, or FINRA registration and filing fees (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter,” as such term is defined in Rule 5121 of FINRA, and of its counsel);

 

  (b) all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky Laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities);

 

  (c) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses;

 

  (d) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or FINRA and all rating agency fees;

 

  (e) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special audits and/or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance;

 

  (f) any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by the issuers of Securities, including liability insurance if the Company so desires or if the underwriters so require, and the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with the requested registration, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any;

 

  (g) the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of not more than one law firm (as selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration) incurred by all the Holders in connection with the registration;

 

  (h) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to analyst and investor presentations or any “road show” undertaken in connection with the registration and/or marketing of the Registrable Securities; and

 

  (i) any other fees and disbursements customarily paid by the issuers of securities.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

Securities ” means capital stock, limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, beneficial interests, warrants, options, notes, bonds, debentures, and other securities, equity interests, ownership interests and similar obligations of every kind and nature of any Person.

Securities Act ” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

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Stockholders Agreement ” means that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and HNA.

Stock Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among HNA and Blackstone.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, representatives or trustees thereof 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; or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

Transfer ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Transferor ”, “ Transferee ” and “ Transferred ”) shall mean, with respect to any security, directly or indirectly, to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such security. When used as a noun, “ Transfer ” shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation .

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. References in this Agreement to a designated “Article” or “Section” refer to an Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified and references to clauses without a cross-reference to a Section or subsection are references to clauses within the same Section or, if more specific, subsection. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” References to “day” means a calendar day unless otherwise indicated as a “Business Day.”

(b) The headings in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and do not limit or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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(c) The meanings given to terms defined herein are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

(d) When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.

ARTICLE II.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 2.1 Piggyback Rights .

(a) Subject to Section 4.1 of the Stockholders Agreement (as it may be amended or waived), if after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date (or earlier if the Company agrees to waive the two-year transfer restriction under the Stockholders Agreement), the Company proposes to register Securities for public sale (whether proposed to be offered for sale by the Company or by any other Person) under the Securities Act (other than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes) in a manner which would permit registration of Registrable Securities for sale to the public under the Securities Act, it shall, at each such time, other than in the case of an underwritten secondary offering initiated by a BX Holder, give prompt written notice (which notice shall be given not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the filing by the Company with the SEC of any registration statement with respect thereto and shall specify the intended method or methods of disposition and the number of Securities proposed to be registered) to each Holder of its intention to do so and of such Holder’s rights under this Section 2.1, provided , no such notice need be given of any underwritten offering if the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder) that, in its opinion, the inclusion of Registrable Securities would be likely to have an adverse impact on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering. Upon the written request of any Holder made within five (5) Business days after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Holders have so requested to be registered; provided that: (i) any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal, provided , that, in the case of any underwritten offering, written notice of such withdrawal must be given to the Company prior to the time at which the offering price or underwriter’s discount is determined with the managing underwriter or underwriters; (ii) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any Securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to proceed with the proposed registration of the Securities to be sold by it, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Holders and, thereupon, the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses incurred in connection therewith) without prejudice to the rights of the Demand Party to request that such registration be

 

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effected as a registration under Section 2.2(a); and (iii) subject to clause (i), if such registration involves an underwritten offering, each Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in the registration must, upon the written request of the Company, sell its Registrable Securities to the underwriters on the same terms and conditions as apply to the other Securities being sold through underwriters under such registration, with, in the case of a combined primary and secondary offering, only such differences, including any with respect to representations and warranties, indemnification and liability insurance, as may be customary or appropriate in combined primary and secondary offerings.

(b) Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to this Section 2.1.

(c) Priority in Piggyback Registrations . If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder) that, in its opinion, the number of Registrable Securities and other Securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering, then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account; and (ii) second, such number of Securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of such managing underwriter, can be sold without having the adverse effect referred to above, which number of Securities shall be allocated (A) until the date that is the second anniversary of the Effective Date, (x) first, to the holders of shares requested to be included in such registration by BX Holders pursuant to Section 2.1(a) of the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, and (y) second, pro rata among all other holders of Registrable Securities (if the two-year transfer restriction referred to in Section 2.1(a) has been waived by the Company) and other Securities entitled to include Securities in such registration and that submitted a proper request for inclusion in such registration, on the basis of the relative number of Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such holder and (B) after the date that is the second anniversary of the Effective Date, pro rata among the holders of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and all other holders of Securities entitled to include Securities in such registration that submitted a proper request for inclusion in such registration, on the basis of the relative number of Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such holder. Any other selling holders of the Company’s Securities will be included in an underwritten offering only with the consent of holders holding a majority of the shares being sold in such offering.

(d) Excluded Transactions . The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2.1 incidental to the registration of any of its Securities in connection with:

(i) a registration statement filed to cover issuances under employee benefits plans or dividend reinvestment plans;

(ii) any registration statement relating solely to the acquisition or merger after the date hereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of or with any other businesses, assets or properties;

 

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(iii) any registration statement covering securities other than shares of the same class as those held by Holders (even if such securities are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares that are registered as part of such offering); or

(iv) any registration related solely to an exchange by the Company of its own securities.

(e) Plan of Distribution, Underwriters and Counsel . If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering that is initiated by selling holders, the holders that initiated such underwritten offering (by action of the holders of a majority of the Securities requested to be registered thereby) shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution, (ii) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers and managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and (iii) select counsel for the selling holders. If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering that is initiated by the Company, the Company shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution and (ii) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter; and the holders of a majority of the Securities requested to be registered thereby by selling holders (by action of the holders of a majority of the Securities requested to be registered thereby by such selling holders) shall have the right to select counsel for the selling holders.

(f) Shelf Takedowns . In connection with any shelf takedown (whether pursuant to Section 2.2(f) or at the initiative of the Company) after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date (or earlier if the Company agrees to waive the two-year transfer restriction under the Stockholders Agreement), other than in the case of an underwritten secondary offering initiated by a BX Holder, the Holders may exercise “piggyback” rights in the manner described in this Agreement to have included in such takedown Registrable Securities held by them that are registered on such shelf registration statement, provided , that in the case of any shelf takedown for an underwritten offering, at the initiative of the Company, the ten (10) Business Day period in Section 2.1(a) shall be reduced to seven (7) Business Days.

SECTION 2.2 Demand Registration .

(a) General . Subject to Section 4.1 of the Stockholders Agreement (as it may be amended or waived), after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date (or earlier if the Company agrees to waive the two-year transfer restriction under the Stockholders Agreement), upon the written request of any HNA Entity (the “ Demand Party ”) requesting that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities and specifying the amount and intended method of disposition thereof (including, but not limited to, an underwritten public offering), the Company shall (i) promptly give written notice of such requested registration to the other Holders and other holders of Securities entitled to notice of such registration, if any, and (ii) as expeditiously as possible, use its reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement to effect the registration under the Securities Act of:

(i) such Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Demand Party in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof; and

 

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(ii) the Registrable Securities of other Holders which the Company has been requested to register by written request given to the Company within five (5) Business Days after the giving of such written notice by the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to file a registration statement relating to any registration request under this Section 2.2(a):

(x) within a period of one hundred eighty (180) days (or such lesser period as the managing underwriters in an underwritten offering may permit) after the effective date of any other registration statement relating to any registration request under this Section 2.2(a) or relating to any registration referred to in Section 2.1; provided, that if greater than 50% of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2(a) by the HNA Entities taken as a whole are excluded from the applicable registration pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.2(e), HNA shall have the right, with respect to such excluded Registrable Securities, to request one (1) additional registration pursuant to Section 2.2(a) within such period of one hundred eighty (180) days; provided further, that such request shall not be made within ninety (90) days after the effective date of the registration statement from which such Registrable Securities were excluded; or

(y) if, in the good faith judgment of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board, the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of the registration statement would be adverse to the Company because (i) such action would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company has determined in good faith that the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities would be reasonably expected to materially and adversely affect a planned bona fide financing of the Company that is reasonably likely to be promptly initiated by the Company, then the Company may delay the filing (but not the preparation of) or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, the registration statement (a “Demand Suspension”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be permitted to exercise more than two (2) Demand Suspensions during any twelve-(12) month period for more than an aggregate of ninety (90) days; and provided, further, that in the event of a Demand Suspension, such Demand Suspension shall terminate at such time as the Company would no longer be required to make any Adverse Disclosure or any such planned financing has been abandoned or completed.

(b) Form . Each registration statement prepared at the request of a Demand Party shall be effected on such form as reasonably requested by the Demand Party, including by a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act on a Form S-3 (or any successor rule or form thereto) if so requested by the Demand Party and if the Company is then eligible to effect a shelf registration and use such form for such disposition.

(c) Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to this Section 2.2.

(d) Plan of Distribution, Underwriters and Counsel . If a requested registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering, the Demand Party shall have the

 

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right to (i) determine the plan of distribution, (ii) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers and managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and (iii) select counsel for the selling Holders.

(e) Priority in Demand Registrations . If a requested registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder) that, in its opinion, the number of Securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering, then the number of such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration shall be allocated pro rata among (1) Registrable Securities held by the Demand Party, and (2) the Registrable Securities held by the other Holders that have requested that their Registrable Securities be sold pursuant to Section 2.1(a), if any, on the basis of the relative number of securities requested to be included in such registration by the Demand Party and each such other Holder. Any other selling holders of the Company’s Securities will be included in an underwritten offering only with the consent of holders holding a majority of the shares being sold in such offering.

(f) Shelf Takedowns . Upon the written request of the Demand Party at any time and from time to time, the Company shall facilitate in the manner described in this Agreement a “takedown” of the Demand Party’s Registrable Securities off of an effective shelf registration statement. Upon the written request of the Demand Party, the Company shall file and seek the effectiveness of a post-effective amendment to an existing shelf registration statement in order to register up to the number of the Demand Party’s Registrable Securities previously taken down off of such shelf by the Demand Party and not yet “reloaded” onto such shelf registration statement.

(g) Additional Rights . The Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or grant any additional registration rights to any Person or with respect to any securities that are not Registrable Securities that adversely affects the priorities of the Holders pursuant to Sections 2.1(c) or 2.2(e) of this Agreement.

(h) Number of Demands . The Holders shall be entitled to a maximum of six (6) demand registrations (including shelf “takedowns”) for an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.2(a); provided a registration (or shelf “takedown”) shall not count for this purpose until, in the case of a registration statement, the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC and, in the case of a shelf “takedown,” the prospectus supplement for such offering has been filed with the SEC.

 

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SECTION 2.3 Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required to file a registration statement with respect to, or to use its reasonable best efforts to effect or cause the registration of, any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

(a) promptly prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate form with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; provided , however , that the Company may discontinue any registration of Securities which it has initiated for its own account at any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating thereto (and, in such event, the Company shall pay the Registration Expenses incurred in connection therewith); and provided , further , that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, (ii) fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the sellers of Registrable Securities being sold may request, and (iii) make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents;

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period not in excess of two (2) years (which period shall not be applicable in the case of a shelf registration effected pursuant to a request under Section 2.2(b)) and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, (ii) fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the sellers of Registrable Securities being sold may request, and (iii) make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents;

(c) furnish to each seller of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters of the securities being registered such number of copies of such registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits filed therewith, including any documents incorporated by reference), such number of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such seller or underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such seller or the sale of such securities by such underwriters (it being understood that, subject to the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Company consents to the use of the prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each seller and the underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement of which such prospectus, amendment or supplement is a part);

(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities covered by such registration in such jurisdictions as each seller shall reasonably

 

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request and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period in which the registration statement is required to be kept effective, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

(e) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(f) promptly notify each seller and any underwriter of any such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the Company’s becoming aware that the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, and at the request of any such seller, as promptly as practicable thereafter prepare and furnish to such seller and any underwriter a reasonable number of copies of an amended or supplemental prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing;

(g) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its Security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable (but not more than eighteen (18) months) after the effective date of the registration statement, an earnings statement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

(h) (i) list such Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which other Securities of the Company are then listed if such Registrable Securities are not already so listed and if such listing is then permitted under the rules of such exchange; and (ii) provide a transfer agent registrar and CUSIP number for such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(i) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form), which may include indemnification provisions in favor of underwriters and other Persons in addition to, or in substitution for the indemnification provisions hereof, and take such other actions as sellers of a majority of such Registrable Securities or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(j) if requested by the managing underwriter(s) of an underwritten offering or if reasonably requested by the seller or sellers of a majority of such Registrable Securities, use reasonable best efforts to obtain a “cold comfort” letter or letters from the Company’s independent public accountants addressed to the underwriters or seller or sellers in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters;

 

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(k) subject to the execution and delivery of confidentiality agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, make available for inspection by any seller of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement and by any underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or any such underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act that is customary for a participant in a registered securities offering;

(l) notify counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, immediately, and confirm the notice in writing: (i) when the registration statement, or any post-effective amendment to the registration statement, shall have become effective, or any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus shall have been filed; (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the SEC; (iii) of any request of the SEC to amend the registration statement or amend or supplement the prospectus or for additional information; and (iv) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the registration statement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the institution or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes;

(m) provide each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement reasonable opportunity to comment on the registration statement, any post-effective amendments to the registration statement, any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus;

(n) make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment;

(o) if requested by the managing underwriter or agent or any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or agent or such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein, including, with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold by such Holder to such underwriter or agent, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriter or agent and with respect to any other terms of the underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after being notified of the matters incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(p) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, if any, to facilitate the timely

 

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preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Securities to be sold under the registration statement, and enable such Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or agent, if any, or the Holders may request;

(q) use its reasonable best efforts to make available the executive officers of the Company to participate with the Holders of Registrable Securities and any underwriters in any “road shows” that may be reasonably requested by the Holders in connection with distribution of Registrable Securities;

(r) obtain for delivery to the underwriter an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company in customary form and in form, substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to such Holders, underwriters or agents and their counsel; and

(s) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.

SECTION 2.4 Other Registration-Related Matters .

(a) The Company may require any Person that is Transferring Securities in a Public Offering pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 to furnish to the Company in writing such information regarding such Person and pertinent to the disclosure requirements relating to the registration and the distribution of the Registrable Securities which are included in such Public Offering as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing and the Company shall not be required to include the Securities of such Person in such Public Offering if such information is not provided to the Company.

(b) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(f), it will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until its receipt of the copies of the amended or supplemented prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(f) or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and, if so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company shall be required to keep the registration statement effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.3(f) to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement has received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(f) or the Advice. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts and take such actions as are reasonably necessary to render the Advice as promptly as practicable.

(c) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(l)(iv), it will forthwith

 

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discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until the lifting of such stop order, other order or suspension or the termination of such proceedings and, if so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company shall be required to keep the registration statement effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.3(l)(iv) to and including the date when such stop order, other order or suspension is lifted or such proceedings are terminated.

(d) (i) Each Holder will, in connection with a Public Offering of the Company’s equity Securities (whether for the Company’s account or for the account of any Holder or Holders, any BX Holder or BX Holders, or any or all of them), upon the request of the Company or of the underwriters managing any underwritten offering of the Company’s Securities, agree in writing not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of Registrable Securities (other than those included in the Public Offering) without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter for such period of time commencing seven (7) days before and ending sixty (60) days (or such earlier date as the managing underwriter shall agree) after the effective date of such registration; provided that the Company shall cause all directors and officers of the Company, and all other Persons with registration rights with respect to the Company’s Securities (whether or not pursuant to this Agreement) (other than those that are parties to the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) to enter into agreements similar to those contained in this Section 2.4(d)(i) (without regard to this proviso), subject to exceptions for gifts, sales pursuant to pre-existing Rule 10b5-1 plans and other customary exclusions agreed to by such managing underwriter; and (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall, in connection with an underwritten Public Offering of the Company’s Securities in respect of which Registrable Securities are included, upon the request of the underwriters managing such offering, agree in writing not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of equity Securities of the Company (other than those included in such Public Offering, offered pursuant to Section 2.2(f), offered on Form S-8, issuable upon conversion of Securities or upon the exercise of options, or the grant of options in the ordinary course of business pursuant to then-existing management equity plans or equity-based employee benefit plans, in each case outstanding on the date a notice is given by the Company pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or a request is made pursuant to Section 2.2(a), as the case may be, or agreed to by such managing underwriter) without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter, for such period of time commencing seven (7) days before and ending sixty (60) days (or such earlier date as the managing underwriter shall agree) after the effective date of such registration.

(e) With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of Securities of the Company to the public without registration after such time as a public market exists for Registrable Securities, the Company agrees:

(i) to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its Securities to the public;

 

15


(ii) to use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

(iii) so long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to such Holder promptly upon request: (A) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for an offering of its Securities to the public), and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); (B) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company; and (C) such other reports and documents of the Company as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself or himself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing such Holder to sell any such Securities without registration.

(f) Each of the parties hereto agrees that the registration rights provided to the Holders herein are not intended to, and shall not be deemed to, override or limit any other restrictions on Transfer to which any such Holder may otherwise be subject.

ARTICLE III.

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 3.1 Indemnification by the Company . In the event of any registration of any Securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Holder who sells Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, each Affiliate of such Holder and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners and equityholders (and the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and controlling Persons of any of the foregoing), each other Person who participates as an underwriter in the offering or sale of such Securities and each other Person, if any, who controls such Holder or any such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act (each, and “ Indemnified Party ” and collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and reasonable and documented expenses to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which such Securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or related document or report; (b) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances when they were made; or (c) any violation or

 

16


alleged violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state, foreign or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and relating to action or inaction in connection with any such registration, disclosure document or related document or report, and the Company shall reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, in any such preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Indemnified Party furnished to the Company by such Indemnified Party expressly for use in the preparation thereof. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any Indemnified Party and will survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder or any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.2 Indemnification by the Holders and Underwriters . The Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, that the Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the Holder of such Registrable Securities or any prospective underwriter to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 3.1) the Company, all other Holders or any prospective underwriter, as the case may be, and any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers and controlling Persons, with respect to any untrue statement in or omission from such registration statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement, if such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder or underwriter furnished to the Company by such Holder or underwriter expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement, or a document incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Holders, or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers or controlling Persons and will survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

SECTION 3.3 Notices of Claims, Etc . Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Article III, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action; provided that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, unless in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the

 

17


indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel selected by the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the relevant registration, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. If, in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment, having common counsel would result in a conflict of interest between the interests of such indemnified and indemnifying parties, then such Indemnified Party may employ separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party to represent or defend such Indemnified Party in such action, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party will not be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such Indemnified Parties (and not more than one separate firm of local counsel at any time for all such Indemnified Parties) in such action. No indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

SECTION 3.4 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for hereunder from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein for reasons other than those described in the proviso in the first sentence of Section 3.1, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified Parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party under this Section 3.4 as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation. Any obligation of Holders to contribute pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be several in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them and not joint.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

18


If indemnification is available under Section 3.1, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each Indemnified Party to the full extent provided in Section 3.1 without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or Indemnified Party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 3.4.

SECTION 3.5 Other Indemnification . Indemnification similar to that specified in this Article III (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each seller of Registrable Securities with respect to any required registration or other qualification of Securities under any Law or with any Governmental Authority other than as required by the Securities Act.

SECTION 3.6 Non-Exclusivity . The obligations of the parties under this Article III will be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise have to any other party.

ARTICLE IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company hereby represents and warrants to HNA as follows as of the Effective Date:

(a) The Company is a corporation, duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under the Agreement.

(b) The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement do not and will not conflict with or violate any provision of, or require the consent or approval of any Person (except for any such consents or approvals which have been obtained) under, (x) applicable Law, (y) the organizational documents of the Company or (z) any contract or agreement to which the Company is a party.

(c) The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by HNA, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity.

(d) Other than the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is not party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding whereby any Person, other than as set forth herein, has any outstanding registration rights with respect to any securities of the Company.

 

19


SECTION 4.2 Representations and Warranties of HNA . HNA hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows as of the Effective Date:

(a) HNA is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the PRC. HNA has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(b) The execution and delivery by HNA of this Agreement and the performance by HNA of its obligations under this Agreement do not and will not conflict with or violate any provision of, or require the consent or approval of any Person (except for any such consents or approvals which have been obtained) under, (x) applicable Law, (y) its organizational documents or (z) any contract or agreement to which it is a party.

(c) The execution and delivery by HNA of this Agreement and the performance by HNA of its obligations under this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other analogous action on its part. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by HNA and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of HNA, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity.

ARTICLE V.

OTHER

SECTION 5.1 Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) one (1) Business Day after being sent by internationally recognized overnight courier, or (c) if transmitted by facsimile or sent by electronic mail transmission, if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a) or (b) to parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by prior written notice from such party):

if to the Company:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, VA 22102

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (703) 883-6188

with a copy (not constituting notice) to:

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

60 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

Attention:     Mark G. Borden

                      Jay E. Bothwick

Fax: (617) 526-5000

Email:           mark.borden@wilmerhale.com

                      jay.bothwick@wilmerhale.com

 

20


if to HNA:

HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.

No. 29, Haixiu Road

Haikou, 570203 Hainan Province

People’s Republic of China

Attention:       Liang Du

                       Xun Wang

Fax:                +86 898 6887 6656 / +86 898 6887 5382

Email:             duliang@hnair.com

                        wang-xun@hnair.com

with a copy (not constituting notice) to:

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

29/F, Alexandra House

18 Chater Road

Central, Hong Kong

Attention:     Akiko Mikumo

                     Charles Ching

Fax:              +852 3015 9354

Email:          akiko.mikumo@weil.com

                      charles.ching@weil.com

and

Fangda Partners

27/F, North Tower, Beijing Kerry Centre

1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District

Beijing 100020

People’s Republic of China

Attention:     Fei Qiao

Fax:              +86 10 5769 5788

Email:           fei.qiao@fangdalaw.com

SECTION 5.2 Assignment . Neither the Company nor any Holder shall assign all or any part of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company and HNA; provided , however , that any Holder may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement in whole or in part to any HNA Entity to which Registrable Securities are transferred pursuant to, and subject to the conditions set forth in, the Stockholders Agreement, provided , such assignee executes and delivers to the Company a counterpart to this Agreement whereby it agrees to be bound by the terms of the Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 5.3 Amendments; Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities subject to this Agreement; provided that no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall adversely affect the economic interests of any Holder hereunder disproportionately to other Holders without the written consent of such Holder. No waiver by any party hereto of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party, will be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party

 

21


taking such action of compliance with any covenants or agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

SECTION 5.4 Third Parties . This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

SECTION 5.5 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 5.6 Jurisdiction . The Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware) shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the parties with respect to any dispute or controversy between them arising under or in connection with this agreement and, by execution and delivery of this agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts, including but not limited to the in personam and subject matter jurisdiction of those courts, waives any objections to such jurisdiction on the grounds of venue or forum non conveniens , the absence of in personam or subject matter jurisdiction and any similar grounds, consents to service of process by mail (in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement) or any other manner permitted by Law, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement.

SECTION 5.7 MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

SECTION 5.8 Specific Performance . Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by any of them, the non-breaching party would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.9 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

SECTION 5.10 Severability . If one or more of the provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision, paragraph, word, clause, phrase or sentence in every other respect and of the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences hereof shall not be in any way impaired, it being intended that all rights, powers and privileges of the parties hereto shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

 

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SECTION 5.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

SECTION 5.12 Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective automatically on the Effective Date, without further action by any party. Until the Effective Date (if any), this Agreement shall be of no force or effect and shall create no rights or obligations on the part of any party hereto.

SECTION 5.13 Confidentiality . Each Holder agrees that all material non-public information provided pursuant to or in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be kept confidential by the person to whom such information is provided, until such time as such information becomes public other than through violation of this provision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may disclose the information (i) if required to do so by any law, rule, regulation, order, decree or subpoena of any governmental agency or authority or court, (ii) that (A) is or becomes available to such party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or its representatives (which source was not to such party’s knowledge prohibited from disclosing such information to such party by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation owed to the Company), (B) is already in such party’s possession (not including information furnished by or on behalf of the Company), and (C) is independently developed or acquired by such party without reference to, or use of, any material non-public information and without violating this Section 5.13 and (iii) to its representatives who have a need to know such information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that such party shall remain liable for any breach of this Section 5.13 by its representatives.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs

Name:   Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to HNA-HLT Registration Rights Agreement]


HNA :
HNA TOURISM GROUP CO., LTD.
By:  

/s/ Ling Zhang

Name:  

Ling Zhang

Title:  

Chairman of the Board

 

[Signature Page to HNA-HLT Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and between

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.

and

THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO

Dated as of October 24, 2016

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

     1   

Section 1.1

 

Certain Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2

 

Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation

     5   

ARTICLE II. REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     6   

Section 2.1

 

Piggyback Rights

     6   

Section 2.2

 

Demand Registration

     8   

Section 2.3

 

Registration Procedures

     10   

Section 2.4

 

Other Registration-Related Matters

     14   

ARTICLE III. INDEMNIFICATION

     16   

Section 3.1

 

Indemnification by the Company

     16   

Section 3.2

 

Indemnification by the Holders and Underwriters

     16   

Section 3.3

 

Notices of Claims, Etc

     17   

Section 3.4

 

Contribution

     18   

Section 3.5

 

Other Indemnification

     18   

Section 3.6

 

Non-Exclusivity

     18   

ARTICLE IV. OTHER

     19   

Section 4.1

 

Notices

     19   

Section 4.2

 

Assignment

     20   

Section 4.3

 

Amendments; Waiver

     20   

Section 4.4

 

Third Parties

     20   

Section 4.5

 

Governing Law

     20   

Section 4.6

 

Jurisdiction

     20   

Section 4.7

 

MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     20   

Section 4.8

 

Specific Performance

     21   

Section 4.9

 

Entire Agreement

     21   

Section 4.10

 

Severability

     21   

Section 4.11

 

Counterparts

     21   

Section 4.12

 

Effectiveness

     21   

Section 4.13

 

Confidentiality

     21   

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of October 24, 2016 and is by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (the “ Company ”), Blackstone (as defined below) and the other Persons listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “ Management Stockholder ”, and collectively the “ Management Stockholders ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 17, 2013 (the “ Original Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”), between Blackstone, HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (“ HNA ”) and the other parties thereto, the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement so that it reads in its entirety as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Certain Definitions . As used in this Agreement:

Adverse Disclosure ” means public disclosure of material, non-public information that, in the Board of Directors’ good faith judgment, after consultation with outside counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any registration statement or report filed with the SEC by the Company so that such registration statement or report would not be materially misleading and such material, non-public information would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing of such registration statement or report, and (ii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not disclosing publicly.

Advice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).

Affiliate ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date hereof.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Blackstone ” means the entities listed on the signature pages hereto under the heading “Blackstone Parties.”


Blackstone Entities ” means the entities comprising Blackstone, their respective Affiliates and the successors and permitted assigns of such entities and their respective Affiliates.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Common Stock ” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such common stock is reclassified or reconstituted.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Control ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

Demand Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Demand Suspension ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(ii)(y).

Effective Date ” means the date on which the Closing (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement) occurs pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

Exchange Act ” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

HNA Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and HNA, but not any amendments thereto.

HNA Holder ” means the holders of securities entitled to registration rights under the HNA Registration Rights Agreement.

Holder ” means each entity comprising Blackstone and each Management Stockholder that is a holder of Registrable Securities or Securities exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into Registrable Securities or any Transferee of such Person to whom registration rights are assigned pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

- 2 -


Indemnified Party ” and “ Indemnified Parties ” have the meanings set forth in Section 3.1.

Law ” means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.

Management Stockholder ” or “ Management Stockholders ” has the meanings set forth in the preamble.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a cooperative, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Public Offering ” means a public offering of equity securities of the Company or any successor thereto or any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act.

Registrable Securities ” means all shares of Common Stock and any Securities into which the Common Stock may be converted or exchanged pursuant to any merger, consolidation, sale of all or any part of its assets, corporate conversion or other extraordinary transaction of the Company held by a Holder (whether now held or hereafter acquired, and including any such Securities received by a Holder upon the conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to such a transaction with respect to, other Securities held by such Holder). As to any Registrable Securities, such Securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when:

 

  (a) a registration statement covering such Registrable Securities has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement;

 

  (b) such Registrable Securities shall have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act;

 

  (c) such Registrable Securities may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) without limitation thereunder on volume or manner of sale, unless such Registrable Securities are held by a Holder that beneficially owns 5% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; or

 

  (d) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding.

 

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Registration Expenses ” means any and all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including:

 

  (a) all SEC, stock exchange, or FINRA registration and filing fees (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter,” as such term is defined in Rule 5121 of FINRA, and of its counsel);

 

  (b) all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky Laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities);

 

  (c) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses;

 

  (d) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or FINRA and all rating agency fees;

 

  (e) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special audits and/or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance;

 

  (f) any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by the issuers of Securities, including liability insurance if the Company so desires or if the underwriters so require, and the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with the requested registration, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any;

 

  (g) the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of not more than one law firm (as selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration) incurred by all the Holders in connection with the registration;

 

  (h) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to analyst and investor presentations or any “road show” undertaken in connection with the registration and/or marketing of the Registrable Securities; and

 

  (i) any other fees and disbursements customarily paid by the issuers of securities.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

Securities ” means capital stock, limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, beneficial interests, warrants, options, notes, bonds, debentures, and other securities, equity interests, ownership interests and similar obligations of every kind and nature of any Person.

Securities Act ” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, representatives or trustees thereof is at the

 

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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; or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

Transfer ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Transferor ”, “ Transferee ” and “ Transferred ”) shall mean, with respect to any security, directly or indirectly, to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such security. When used as a noun, “ Transfer ” shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation .

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. References in this Agreement to a designated “Article” or “Section” refer to an Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified and references to clauses without a cross-reference to a Section or subsection are references to clauses within the same Section or, if more specific, subsection. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” References to “day” means a calendar day unless otherwise indicated as a “Business Day.”

(b) The headings in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and do not limit or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(c) The meanings given to terms defined herein are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

(d) When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

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ARTICLE II.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 2.1 Piggyback Rights .

(a) If at any time the Company proposes to register Securities for public sale (whether proposed to be offered for sale by the Company or by any other Person) under the Securities Act (other than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes) in a manner which would permit registration of Registrable Securities for sale to the public under the Securities Act, other than for an underwritten secondary offering initiated by a HNA Holder under the HNA Registration Rights Agreement, it shall, at each such time, give prompt written notice (which notice shall be given not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the filing by the Company with the SEC of any registration statement with respect thereto and shall specify the intended method or methods of disposition and the number of Securities proposed to be registered) to each Holder of its intention to do so and of such Holder’s rights under this Section 2.1, provided, no such notice need be given of any underwritten offering if the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder) that, in its opinion, the inclusion of Registrable Securities would be likely to have an adverse impact on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering. Upon the written request of any Holder made within five (5) Business Days after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Holders have so requested to be registered; provided that: (i) any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal, provided, that, in the case of any underwritten offering, written notice of such withdrawal must be given to the Company prior to the time at which the offering price or underwriter’s discount is determined with the managing underwriter or underwriters; (ii) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any Securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to proceed with the proposed registration of the Securities to be sold by it, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Holders and, thereupon, the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses incurred in connection therewith) without prejudice to the rights of the Demand Party to request that such registration be effected as a registration under Section 2.2(a); and (iii) subject to clause (i), if such registration involves an underwritten offering, each Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in the registration must, upon the written request of the Company, sell its Registrable Securities to the underwriters on the same terms and conditions as apply to the other Securities being sold through underwriters under such registration, with, in the case of a combined primary and secondary offering, only such differences, including any with respect to representations and warranties, indemnification and liability insurance, as may be customary or appropriate in combined primary and secondary offerings.

(b) Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to this Section 2.1.

(c) Priority in Piggyback Registrations . If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder) that, in its opinion, the

 

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number of Registrable Securities and other Securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering, then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account; and (ii) second, such number of Securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of such managing underwriter, can be sold without having the adverse effect referred to above, which number of Securities shall be allocated (A) until the date that is the second anniversary of the Effective Date, (x) first, to the holders of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a), on the basis of the relative number of Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such holder and (y) second, pro rata among all other holders of Securities entitled to include Securities in such registration and that submitted a proper request for inclusion in such registration, on the basis of the relative number of Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such holder and (B) after the date that is the second anniversary of the Effective Date, pro rata among the holders of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and all other holders of Securities entitled to include Securities in such registration that submitted a proper request for inclusion in such registration, on the basis of the relative number of Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such holder. Any other selling holders of the Company’s Securities will be included in an underwritten offering only with the consent of holders holding a majority of the shares being sold in such offering.

(d) Excluded Transactions . The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2.1 incidental to the registration of any of its Securities in connection with:

(i) a registration statement filed to cover issuances under employee benefits plans or dividend reinvestment plans;

(ii) any registration statement relating solely to the acquisition or merger after the date hereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of or with any other businesses, assets or properties;

(iii) any registration statement covering securities other than shares of the same class as those held by Holders (even if such securities are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares that are registered as part of such offering or

(iv) any registration related solely to an exchange by the Company of its own securities.

(e) Plan of Distribution, Underwriters and Counsel . If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering that is initiated by selling holders, the holders that initiated such underwritten offering (by action of the holders of a majority of the Securities requested to be registered thereby) shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution, (ii) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers and managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and (iii) select counsel for the selling

 

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holders. If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering that is initiated by the Company, the Company shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution and (ii) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter; and the holders of a majority of the Securities requested to be registered thereby by selling holders (by action of the holders of a majority of the Securities requested to be registered thereby by such selling holders) shall have the right to select counsel for the selling holders.

(f) Shelf Takedowns . In connection with any shelf takedown (whether pursuant to Section 2.2(f) or at the initiative of the Company), other than in the case of an underwritten secondary offering initiated by the HNA Holder under the HNA Registration Rights Agreement, the Holders may exercise “piggyback” rights in the manner described in this Agreement to have included in such takedown Registrable Securities held by them that are registered on such shelf registration statement, provided, that in the case of any shelf takedown for an underwritten offering, at the initiative of the Company, the ten (10) Business Day period in Section 2.1(a) shall be reduced to seven (7) Business Days.

SECTION 2.2 Demand Registration .

(a) General . Upon the written request of any Blackstone Entity (the “Demand Party”) requesting that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities and specifying the amount and intended method of disposition thereof (including, but not limited to, an underwritten public offering), the Company shall (i) promptly give written notice of such requested registration to the other Holders and other holders of Securities entitled to notice of such registration, if any, and (ii) as expeditiously as possible, use its reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement to effect the registration under the Securities Act of:

(i) such Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Demand Party in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof; and

(ii) the Registrable Securities of other Holders which the Company has been requested to register by written request given to the Company within five (5) Business Days after the giving of such written notice by the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to file a registration statement relating to any registration request under this Section 2.2(a):

(x) within a period of one hundred eighty (180) days (or such lesser period as the managing underwriters in an underwritten offering may permit) after the effective date of any other registration statement relating to any registration request under this Section 2.2(a) or relating to any registration referred to in Section 2.1; provided, that if greater than 50% of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2(a) by the Blackstone Entities taken as a whole are excluded from the applicable registration pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.2(e), Blackstone shall have the right, with respect to such excluded Registrable Securities, to request one (1) additional registration pursuant to Section 2.2(a) within

 

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such period of one hundred eighty (180) days; provided further, that such request shall not be made within ninety (90) days after the effective date of the registration statement from which such Registrable Securities were excluded; or

(y) if, in the good faith judgment of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board, the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of the registration statement would be adverse to the Company because (i) such action would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company has determined in good faith that the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities would be reasonably expected to materially and adversely affect a planned bona fide financing of the Company that is reasonably likely to be promptly initiated by the Company, then the Company may delay the filing (but not the preparation of) or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, the registration statement (a “ Demand Suspension ”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be permitted to exercise more than two Demand Suspensions during any twelve-(12) month period for more than an aggregate of ninety (90) days; and provided, further, that in the event of a Demand Suspension, such Demand Suspension shall terminate at such time as the Company would no longer be required to make any Adverse Disclosure or any such planned financing has been abandoned or completed.

(b) Form . Each registration statement prepared at the request of a Demand Party shall be effected on such form as reasonably requested by the Demand Party, including by a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act on a Form S-3 (or any successor rule or form thereto) if so requested by the Demand Party and if the Company is then eligible to effect a shelf registration and use such form for such disposition.

(c) Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to this Section 2.2.

(d) Plan of Distribution, Underwriters and Counsel . If a requested registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering, the Demand Party shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution, (ii) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers and managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and (iii) select counsel for the selling Holders.

(e) Priority in Demand Registrations . If a requested registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder) that, in its opinion, the number of Securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering, then the number of such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration shall be allocated pro rata among (1) Registrable Securities held by the Demand Party, and (2) the Registrable Securities held by other Holders that have requested that their Registrable Securities be sold pursuant to Section 2.1(a), if any, on the basis of the relative number of securities requested to be included in such registration by the Demand Party and each such other Holder. Any other selling holders of the Company’s Securities will be included in an underwritten offering only with the consent of Holders holding a majority of the shares being sold in such offering.

 

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(f) Shelf Takedowns . Upon the written request of the Demand Party at any time and from time to time, the Company shall facilitate in the manner described in this Agreement a “takedown” of the Demand Party’s Registrable Securities off of an effective shelf registration statement. Upon the written request of the Demand Party, the Company shall file and seek the effectiveness of a post-effective amendment to an existing shelf registration statement in order to register up to the number of the Demand Party’s Registrable Securities previously taken down off of such shelf by the Demand Party and not yet “reloaded” onto such shelf registration statement.

(g) Additional Rights . The Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or grant any additional registration rights to any Person or with respect to any securities that are not Registrable Securities that adversely affects the priorities of the Holders pursuant to Sections 2.1(c) or 2.2(e) of this Agreement.

(h) Number of Demands . The Holders shall be entitled to a maximum of six (6) demand registrations (including shelf “takedowns”) for an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.2(a); provided a registration (or shelf “takedown”) shall not count for this purpose until, in the case of a registration statement, the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC and, in the case of a shelf “takedown,” the prospectus supplement for such offering has been filed with the SEC.

SECTION 2.3 Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required to file a registration statement with respect to, or to use its reasonable best efforts to effect or cause the registration of, any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

(a) promptly prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate form with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; provided, however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of Securities which it has initiated for its own account at any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating thereto (and, in such event, the Company shall pay the Registration Expenses incurred in connection therewith); and provided, further, that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, (ii) fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the sellers of Registrable Securities being sold may request, and (iii) make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents;

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to

 

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keep such registration statement effective for a period not in excess of two (2) years (which period shall not be applicable in the case of a shelf registration effected pursuant to a request under Section 2.2(b)) and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, (ii) fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the sellers of Registrable Securities being sold may request, and (iii) make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents;

(c) furnish to each seller of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters of the securities being registered such number of copies of such registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits filed therewith, including any documents incorporated by reference), such number of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such seller or underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such seller or the sale of such securities by such underwriters (it being understood that, subject to the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Company consents to the use of the prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each seller and the underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement of which such prospectus, amendment or supplement is a part);

(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities covered by such registration in such jurisdictions as each seller shall reasonably request and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period in which the registration statement is required to be kept effective, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

(e) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(f) promptly notify each seller and any underwriter of any such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the Company’s becoming aware that the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, and at

 

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the request of any such seller, as promptly as practicable thereafter prepare and furnish to such seller and any underwriter a reasonable number of copies of an amended or supplemental prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing;

(g) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its Security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable (but not more than eighteen (18) months) after the effective date of the registration statement, an earnings statement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

(h) (i) list such Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which other Securities of the Company are then listed if such Registrable Securities are not already so listed and if such listing is then permitted under the rules of such exchange; and (ii) provide a transfer agent registrar and CUSIP number for such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(i) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form), which may include indemnification provisions in favor of underwriters and other Persons in addition to, or in substitution for the indemnification provisions hereof, and take such other actions as sellers of a majority of such Registrable Securities or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(j) if requested by the managing underwriter(s) of an underwritten offering or if reasonably requested by the seller or sellers of a majority of such Registrable Securities, use reasonable best efforts to obtain a “cold comfort” letter or letters from the Company’s independent public accountants addressed to the underwriters or seller or sellers in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters;

(k) make available for inspection by any seller of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement and by any underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or any such underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act that is customary for a participant in a registered securities offering;

(l) notify counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, immediately, and confirm the notice in writing: (i) when the registration statement, or any post-effective amendment to the registration statement, shall have become effective, or any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus shall have been filed; (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the

 

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SEC; (iii) of any request of the SEC to amend the registration statement or amend or supplement the prospectus or for additional information; and (iv) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the registration statement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the institution or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes;

(m) provide each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement reasonable opportunity to comment on the registration statement, any post-effective amendments to the registration statement, any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus;

(n) make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment;

(o) if requested by the managing underwriter or agent or any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or agent or such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein, including, with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold by such Holder to such underwriter or agent, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriter or agent and with respect to any other terms of the underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after being notified of the matters incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(p) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Securities to be sold under the registration statement, and enable such Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or agent, if any, or the Holders may request;

(q) use its reasonable best efforts to make available the executive officers of the Company to participate with the Holders of Registrable Securities and any underwriters in any “road shows” that may be reasonably requested by the Holders in connection with distribution of Registrable Securities;

(r) obtain for delivery to the underwriter an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company in customary form and in form, substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to such Holders, underwriters or agents and their counsel; and

(s) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.

 

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SECTION 2.4 Other Registration-Related Matters .

(a) The Company may require any Person that is Transferring Securities in a Public Offering pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 to furnish to the Company in writing such information regarding such Person and pertinent to the disclosure requirements relating to the registration and the distribution of the Registrable Securities which are included in such Public Offering as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing and the Company shall not be required to include the Securities of such Person in such Public Offering if such information is not provided to the Company.

(b) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(f), it will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until its receipt of the copies of the amended or supplemented prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(f) or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and, if so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company shall be required to keep the registration statement effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.3(f) to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement has received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(f) or the Advice. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts and take such actions as are reasonably necessary to render the Advice as promptly as practicable.

(c) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(l)(iv), it will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until the lifting of such stop order, other order or suspension or the termination of such proceedings and, if so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company shall be required to keep the registration statement effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.3(l)(iv) to and including the date when such stop order, other order or suspension is lifted or such proceedings are terminated.

(d) (i) Each Holder will, in connection with a Public Offering of the Company’s equity Securities (whether for the Company’s account or for the account of any Holder or Holders, any HNA Holder or HNA Holders, or any or all of them), upon the request of the Company or of the underwriters managing any underwritten offering of the Company’s Securities, agree in writing not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of Registrable Securities (other than those included in the Public Offering) without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter for such period of time commencing seven (7) days before and ending

 

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sixty (60) days (or such earlier date as the managing underwriter shall agree) after the effective date of such registration; provided that the Company shall cause all directors and officers of the Company, and all other Persons with registration rights with respect to the Company’s Securities (whether or not pursuant to this Agreement) (other than those that are parties to the HNA Registration Rights Agreement) to enter into agreements similar to those contained in this Section 2.4(d)(i) (without regard to this proviso), subject to exceptions for gifts, sales pursuant to pre-existing Rule 10b5-1 plans and other customary exclusions agreed to by such managing underwriter; and (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall, in connection with an underwritten Public Offering of the Company’s Securities in respect of which Registrable Securities are included, upon the request of the underwriters managing such offering, agree in writing not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of equity Securities of the Company (other than those included in such Public Offering, offered pursuant to Section 2.2(f), offered on Form S-8, issuable upon conversion of Securities or upon the exercise of options, or the grant of options in the ordinary course of business pursuant to then-existing management equity plans or equity-based employee benefit plans, in each case outstanding on the date a notice is given by the Company pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or a request is made pursuant to Section 2.2(a), as the case may be, or agreed to by such managing underwriter) without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter, for such period of time commencing seven (7) days before and ending sixty (60) days (or such earlier date as the managing underwriter shall agree) after the effective date of such registration.

(e) With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of Securities of the Company to the public without registration after such time as a public market exists for Registrable Securities, the Company agrees:

(i) to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its Securities to the public;

(ii) to use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

(iii) so long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to such Holder promptly upon request: (A) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for an offering of its Securities to the public), and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); (B) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company; and (C) such other reports and documents of the Company as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself or himself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing such Holder to sell any such Securities without registration.

 

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(f) Each of the parties hereto agrees that the registration rights provided to the Holders herein are not intended to, and shall not be deemed to, override or limit any other restrictions on Transfer to which any such Holder may otherwise be subject.

ARTICLE III.

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 3.1 Indemnification by the Company . In the event of any registration of any Securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Holder who sells Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, each Affiliate of such Holder and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners and equityholders (and the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and controlling Persons of any of the foregoing), each other Person who participates as an underwriter in the offering or sale of such Securities and each other Person, if any, who controls such Holder or any such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act (each, and “ Indemnified Party ” and collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and reasonable and documented expenses to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which such Securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or related document or report; (b) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances when they were made; or (c) any violation or alleged violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state, foreign or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and relating to action or inaction in connection with any such registration, disclosure document or related document or report, and the Company shall reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, in any such preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Indemnified Party furnished to the Company by such Indemnified Party expressly for use in the preparation thereof. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any Indemnified Party and will survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder or any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.2 Indemnification by the Holders and Underwriters . The Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed

 

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in accordance with Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, that the Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the Holder of such Registrable Securities or any prospective underwriter to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 3.1) the Company, all other Holders or any prospective underwriter, as the case may be, and any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers and controlling Persons, with respect to any untrue statement in or omission from such registration statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement, if such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder or underwriter furnished to the Company by such Holder or underwriter expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement, or a document incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Holders, or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers or controlling Persons and will survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

SECTION 3.3 Notices of Claims, Etc . Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Article III, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action; provided that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, unless in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel selected by the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the relevant registration, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. If, in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment, having common counsel would result in a conflict of interest between the interests of such indemnified and indemnifying parties, then such Indemnified Party may employ separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party to represent or defend such Indemnified Party in such action, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party will not be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such Indemnified Parties (and not more than one separate firm of local counsel at any time for all such Indemnified Parties) in such action. No indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

 

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SECTION 3.4 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for hereunder from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein for reasons other than those described in the proviso in the first sentence of Section 3.1, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified Parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party under this Section 3.4 as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation. Any obligation of Holders to contribute pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be several in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them and not joint.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

If indemnification is available under Section 3.1, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each Indemnified Party to the full extent provided in Section 3.1 without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or Indemnified Party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 3.4.

SECTION 3.5 Other Indemnification . Indemnification similar to that specified in this Article III (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each seller of Registrable Securities with respect to any required registration or other qualification of Securities under any Law or with any Governmental Authority other than as required by the Securities Act.

SECTION 3.6 Non-Exclusivity . The obligations of the parties under this Article III will be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise have to any other party.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

OTHER

SECTION 4.1 Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) one (1) Business Day after being sent by internationally recognized overnight courier, or (c) if transmitted by facsimile, if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a) or (b) to parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by prior written notice from such party):

if to the Company:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, VA 22102

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (703) 883-6188

with a copy (not constituting notice) to:

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

60 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

Attention: Mark G. Borden

                 Jay E. Bothwick

Fax: (617) 526-5000

if to Blackstone:

The Blackstone Group L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attention: Tyler S. Henritze

Fax: (212) 583-5191

with an additional copy (not constituting notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attention: Brian M. Stadler

                 Christopher R. May

Fax: (212) 455-2502

if to any Management Stockholder:

c/o Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, VA 22102

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (703) 883-6188

 

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Or such other address indicated in the records of the Company.

SECTION 4.2 Assignment . Neither the Company nor any Holder shall assign all or any part of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company and Blackstone; provided, however, that any Blackstone Entity may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement in whole or in party in connection with a Transfer of Registrable Securities with a then fair market value of at least $100 million or to any of its affiliates, provided, such Transferee or assignee executes and delivers to the Company a counterpart to this Agreement whereby it agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 4.3 Amendments; Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities subject to this Agreement; provided that no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall adversely affect the economic interests of any Holder hereunder disproportionately to other Holders without the written consent of such Holder. No waiver by any party hereto of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party, will be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any covenants or agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

SECTION 4.4 Third Parties . This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

SECTION 4.5 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 4.6 Jurisdiction . The Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware) shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the parties with respect to any dispute or controversy between them arising under or in connection with this agreement and, by execution and delivery of this agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts, including but not limited to the in personam and subject matter jurisdiction of those courts, waives any objections to such jurisdiction on the grounds of venue or forum non conveniens , the absence of in personam or subject matter jurisdiction and any similar grounds, consents to service of process by mail (in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement) or any other manner permitted by Law, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement.

SECTION 4.7 MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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SECTION 4.8 Specific Performance . Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by any of them, the non-breaching party would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement.

SECTION 4.9 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter, including the Original Agreement.

SECTION 4.10 Severability . If one or more of the provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision, paragraph, word, clause, phrase or sentence in every other respect and of the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences hereof shall not be in any way impaired, it being intended that all rights, powers and privileges of the parties hereto shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

SECTION 4.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

SECTION 4.12 Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective automatically on the Effective Date, without further action by any party. Until the Effective Date (if any), this Agreement shall be of no force or effect and shall create no rights or obligations on the part of any party hereto.

SECTION 4.13 Confidentiality . Each Holder agrees that all material non-public information provided pursuant to or in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be kept confidential by the person to whom such information is provided, until such time as such information becomes public other than through violation of this provision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may disclose the information (i) if required to do so by any law, rule, regulation, order, decree or subpoena of any governmental agency or authority or court, (ii) that (A) is or becomes available to such party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or its representatives (which source was not to such party’s knowledge prohibited from disclosing such information to such party by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation owed to the Company), (B) is already in such party’s possession (not including information furnished by or on behalf of the Company), and (C) is independently developed or acquired by such party without reference to, or use of, any material non-public information and without violating this Section 4.13 and (iii) to its representatives who have a need to know such information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that such party shall remain liable for any breach of this Section 4.13 by its representatives.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs

Name:   Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

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BLACKSTONE PARTIES:
HLT HOLDCO II LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT HOLDCO III LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT BREH VI HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT BREP VI.TE.2 HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT BREH INTL II HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT A23 BREH VI HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT A23 HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS:

/s/ Christopher J. Nassetta

Christopher J. Nassetta

Exhibit 10.5

[Blackstone Letterhead]

October 24, 2016

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1000

McLean, Virginia 22102

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On the date of this letter, the undersigned (the “ Blackstone Sellers ”), certain affiliates thereof and HNA Tourism Group Company Limited, a company formed under the laws of and incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“ HNA Tourism ”), are entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”) with respect to the sale by the Blackstone Sellers, on a pro rata basis, of 247,500,000 shares of common stock (“ HLT Common Stock ”) of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“ Hilton ”) to HNA Tourism, subject to adjustment as described therein.

The Blackstone Sellers understand that Hilton has determined to separate Hilton into three separate, publicly traded companies. The Blackstone Sellers further understand that, among other steps, to effect such separation:

 

(a) Hilton intends to distribute (the “ Park Distribution ”) 100% of the shares of common stock (the “ Park Common Stock ”) of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“ Park ”) to the shareholders of Hilton pursuant to a registration statement on Form 10, including the information statement, as amended or supplemented, of Park, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2016, as amended, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the exhibits included as part of that registration statement; and

 

(b) Hilton intends to distribute (the “ HGV Distribution ”) 100% of the shares of common stock (the “ HGV Common Stock ”) of Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (“ HGV ”) to the shareholders of Hilton pursuant to a registration statement on Form 10, including the information statement, as amended or supplemented, of HGV, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2016, as amended, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the exhibits included as part of that registration statement.


Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

October 24, 2016

Page 2

 

The Blackstone Sellers understand that Hilton intends that the Park Distribution and the HGV Distribution (collectively, the “ Distributions ”) will each be effective at 6:01 p.m., New York time, on the date of the Distributions (the “ Distribution Effective Time ”). Effective the day following the Distributions, the Blackstone Sellers further understand that Park intends to elect to qualify as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”).

The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ SPA Closing ”) may occur before or after the Distribution Effective Time. In either event, and unless the Distributions have been abandoned by Hilton, following the SPA Closing and Distributions, it is anticipated that HNA Tourism will own an equivalent percentage of the number of outstanding shares of HLT Common Stock, Park Common Stock and HGV Common Stock.

The Blackstone Sellers understand that, simultaneous with the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement, each of Hilton, Park and HGV is entering into a separate Stockholders Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with HNA Tourism providing for certain rights and obligations of the parties, including with respect to corporate governance, voting, stock transfers and registration of shares of HLT Common Stock, Park Common Stock and HGV Common Stock acquired by HNA Tourism pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement and the Distributions.

The Blackstone Sellers understand that, subject to certain exceptions, all of the hotels owned by Park will be leased to taxable REIT subsidiaries of Park (or subsidiaries thereof), and those taxable REIT subsidiaries (or subsidiaries thereof) will engage Hilton (or subsidiaries thereof) to manage those hotels. For the rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiaries to Park to qualify as “rents from real property” under Section 856(d)(8)(B) of the Code, Hilton must qualify as an “eligible independent contractor,” within the meaning of Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code.

The Blackstone Sellers understand that, for Hilton to be an eligible independent contractor with respect to Park, the following stock ownership requirements must be satisfied:

 

(a) Hilton must not own, directly or indirectly (taking into account certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code and related regulations), more than 35% of the shares of Park; and

 

(b) Not more than 35% of the total combined voting power of the Hilton stock (or 35% of the total shares of all classes of Hilton stock) can be owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons owning 35% or more of the shares of Park (taking into account certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code and related regulations).

The Blackstone Sellers understand that Hilton and Park only have common stock outstanding. The Blackstone Sellers further understand that, since both the HLT Common Stock and, following the Distributions, the Park Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market, only persons who own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the HLT


Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

October 24, 2016

Page 3

 

Common Stock and more than 5% of the Park Common Stock are taken into account as owning any of such stock for purposes of applying the 35% limitation set forth in subparagraph (b) above (but all of such stock is considered outstanding in order to compute the denominator for purposes of determining the applicable percentage of ownership).

The Blackstone Sellers acknowledge that none of Hilton, Park or HGV would enter into the respective Stockholders Agreement or Registration Rights Agreement, or take other actions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, if it adversely affected the desirability (including the expected tax attributes) or timing of the Distributions, including the qualification of Hilton or its subsidiaries as an “eligible independent contractor” within the meaning of Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code, the qualification of rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiaries to Park as “rents from real property” under Section 856(d)(8)(B) of the Code, or the ability of Park to qualify as a REIT under the Code. The Blackstone Sellers also acknowledge that for Hilton to qualify as an eligible independent contractor, for rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiaries of Park to qualify as rents from real property and for Park to qualify as a REIT under the Code effective the day following the Distributions, (i) the Blackstone Restructuring Steps (as defined in the waiver letter attached hereto as Exhibit A from the Blackstone Entities (as defined in the Waiver Letter) to Hilton and Park, dated as the of the date hereof (the “Waiver Letter”)) must occur prior to 11:59 pm on the date of the Distribution and (ii) (x) if the Distribution occurs after the satisfaction of certain closing conditions related to the sale of shares of HLT Common Stock contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement occurs, the Blackstone Sellers will be required to sell shares of HLT Common Stock to third parties other than HNA Tourism and its affiliates on or prior to the date of the Distribution and (y) if the Distributions occur before the satisfaction of certain closing conditions related to the sale, the Blackstone Sellers will be required to sell shares of HLT Common Stock and Park Common Stock to third parties other than HNA Tourism and its affiliates prior to the satisfaction of such closing conditions, as well as shares of HGV Common Stock, in each case, in compliance with the stockholders agreement by and among Hilton, HGV and certain Blackstone Entities, to be entered into on or about the date of the Distributions in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Stockholders Agreement”). In order to assure Hilton and Park that the Blackstone Sellers shall sell such additional shares of HLT Common Stock, Park Common Stock and HGV Common Stock, as applicable, the Blackstone Sellers are entering into this letter agreement.

The Blackstone Sellers hereby, jointly and severally, agree that:

1. All of the Blackstone Restructuring Steps will be completed by 11:59 pm on the date of the Distribution.

2. If the satisfaction of the closing conditions in Section 7.01(b), (c) and (d) to the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Trigger Date”) occurs prior to the Distribution Effective Time, the Blackstone Sellers will sell or otherwise transfer, on a pro rata basis, on or prior to the date of the Distribution, enough HLT Common Stock (which, as of the date hereof, the parties hereto expect to be equal to approximately 54,000,000 shares of HLT Common Stock) to a sufficiently diverse group of holders so that, as of 11:59 pm on the date of the Distribution, the Blackstone Sellers


Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

October 24, 2016

Page 4

 

and any other Blackstone Entities (as defined below) and any transferees from such entities, together with HNA Tourism and its affiliates (assuming the consummation of the SPA Closing and that the Purging Distribution (as defined below) has occurred in accordance with the assumptions described below), will not, collectively, be considered to own, directly or indirectly, more than 33.9% of HLT Common Stock and more than 33.9% of the Park Common Stock (taking into account only the Blackstone Sellers and any other Blackstone Entities as well as any transferees from such entities that own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of HLT Common Stock and Park Common Stock as determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code related to the qualification of Hilton as an eligible independent contractor as described above and in the Waiver Letter).

As used herein, the term “Blackstone Entities” means all of the BX Hilton Holdco Entities, the BX Hilton REIT Holdco Entities, the BX Hilton REIT Upper Tier Holdco Entities, the BX Hilton Funds, the BX Hilton REIT Funds, the BX Hilton Upper Tier Entities, and the Blackstone Funds. The definition of each of these entities is as set forth in the Waiver Letter.

For purposes of this letter agreement, “indirect” ownership includes ownership (i) through an agent or nominee or (ii) pursuant to Section 318(a) of the Code (as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code) (as set forth in the Waiver Letter).

3. If the Trigger Date occurs after the Distribution Effective Time, the Blackstone Sellers will sell or otherwise transfer, on a pro rata basis prior to the Trigger Date, enough HLT Common Stock and Park Common Stock, ratably, to a sufficiently diverse group of holders so that, as of the Trigger Date, the Blackstone Sellers and any other Blackstone Entities and any transferees from such entities, together with HNA Tourism and its affiliates (assuming the consummation of the SPA Closing and that the Purging Distribution has occurred, if it has not yet occurred as of the Trigger Date, in accordance with the assumptions described below), will not, collectively, be considered to own, directly or indirectly, more than 33.9% of HLT Common Stock or more than 33.9% of Park Common Stock (taking into account only the Blackstone Sellers and any other Blackstone Entities as well as any transferees from such entities that own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of HLT Common Stock and Park Common Stock as determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code related to the qualification of Hilton as an eligible independent contractor as described above and in the Waiver Letter), and in effecting such sales will also comply with any related requirements to dispose of shares of HGV Common Stock under the Stockholders Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Blackstone Sellers may comply with the covenant set forth above in this paragraph 3 by selling or otherwise transferring HLT Common Stock prior to the date of the Distributions rather than selling or otherwise transferring Park Common Stock directly following the Distributions.

4. The Blackstone Sellers understand that it is contemplated that in connection with the Distributions, Park will make a distribution to its shareholders of approximately $800 million, payable in no less than 20% cash with the remaining in stock, with the shareholders having the right to elect either cash or stock and with the distribution prorated to the extent that the cash or stock elected by all shareholders exceeds the amount of such form of consideration available in


Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

October 24, 2016

Page 5

 

the distribution, in order to satisfy the requirement that, at the end of its first taxable year as a REIT, Park have no earnings and profits accumulated in a non-REIT year (the “Purging Distribution”). The Blackstone Sellers will elect to receive all cash in the Purging Distribution.

For purposes of applying the undertakings in paragraph 2 above, it will be assumed as follows with respect to the Purging Distribution: (i) the SPA Closing will occur prior to the record date for the Purging Distribution and HNA Tourism and its affiliates elect to receive and will in fact only receive, stock of Park in the Purging Distribution, (ii) all other Park stockholders, including all Blackstone Sellers and any other Blackstone Entities and other persons or entities whose ownership of Park Common Stock would be attributed to the Blackstone Entities, will receive stock and cash in the 80/20 proportion, adjusted to take into account stock that would be received by HNA Tourism and its affiliates in clause (i), (iii) the amount of the Purging Distribution will be $800 million, and (iv) the aggregate equity value of Park at the time of the Purging Distribution is $5.7 billion.

For purposes of applying the undertakings in paragraph 3 above, it will be assumed as follows with respect to the Purging Distribution if it has not yet occurred as of the Trigger Date: (i) if the record date for the Purging Distribution has occurred as of the Trigger Date, all Park stockholders, including all Blackstone Sellers and any other Blackstone Entities and other persons or entities whose ownership of Park Common Stock would be attributed to the Blackstone Entities, will receive stock and cash in the proportion to be paid by Park in the Distribution as declared by Park prior to the record date, and (ii) if the record date for the Purging Distribution has not occurred as of the Trigger Date, the assumptions set forth in the preceding paragraph shall apply, adjusted as appropriate if the Purging Distribution has been declared prior to the Trigger Date.

If the Trigger Date occurs after the Distribution Effective Time and the Blackstone Sellers have not sold or otherwise transferred a sufficient amount of HLT Common Stock to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 3 above as of the Distribution Effective Time, each of Hilton and Park hereby agree that it shall not, at any time on or prior to the earlier of (i) the date on which the Blackstone Sellers have sold or otherwise transferred sufficient amounts of HLT Common Stock and Park Common Stock to comply with the requirements of paragraph 3 above or (ii) the Trigger Date, redeem or repurchase any of its stock.

This letter agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the public announcement by Hilton of the abandonment of the Distributions or (ii) the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof. In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to this letter agreement, each of the parties, by execution and delivery of this letter agreement, unconditionally accepts and consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of


Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

October 24, 2016

Page 6

 

Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware), including but not limited to the in personam and subject matter jurisdiction of those courts, or if jurisdiction over the matter is vested exclusively in federal courts, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed, waives any objections to such jurisdiction on the grounds of venue or forum non conveniens, the absence of in personam or subject matter jurisdiction and any similar grounds or any other manner permitted by law, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this letter agreement. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS LETTER AGREEMENT.

Each of the Blackstone Sellers, on the one hand, and Hilton and Park, on the other hand, acknowledge and agree that in the event of any breach of any of their respective obligations under this letter agreement, the other parties would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each of the parties hereto accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and agree that each party, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to specific performance of the other parties’ obligations under this letter agreement without the posting of bond.

If a Blackstone Sellers transfers HLT Common Stock, Park Common Stock or HGV Common Stock to one or more of their affiliates, such Blackstone Seller shall cause each such affiliate to execute a joinder to this letter agreement immediately upon receipt of such shares and such affiliate shall become a “Blackstone Seller” for purposes of this letter agreement.

This letter agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and the observance of any term hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by each party hereto. Neither the failure nor delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this letter agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence.

This letter agreement and any amendment hereto may be signed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement (or amendment, as applicable).

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


Sincerely,
HLT Holdco II LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT Holdco III LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT BREP VI.TE.2 Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT BREH Intl II Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director

[Signature Page to EIK Side Letter]


HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT A23 Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director

[Signature Page to EIK Side Letter]


Acknowledged and Agreed:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs

Name:   Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

By:  

/s/ Sean Dell’Orto

Name:   Sean Dell’Orto
Title:   Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to EIK Side Letter]

Exhibit 10.6

[Blackstone Letterhead]

October 24, 2016

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

6355 MetroWest Boulevard, Suite 180

Orlando, Florida 32835

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On the date of this letter, the undersigned (the “ Blackstone Holders ”), certain affiliates thereof, and HNA Tourism Group Company Limited, a company formed under the laws of and incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“ HNA Tourism ”), are entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ HNA Stock Purchase Agreement ”) with respect to the sale by the Blackstone Holders of shares of common stock (“ HLT Common Stock ”) of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“ Hilton ”) to HNA Tourism, subject to adjustment as described therein.

The Blackstone Holders understand that Hilton has determined to separate Hilton into three separate, publicly traded companies. The Blackstone Holders further understand that, among other steps, to effect such separation:

(a) Hilton intends to distribute (the “ Park Distribution ”) 100% of the shares of common stock (the “ Park Common Stock ”) of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“ Park ”) to the shareholders of Hilton pursuant to a registration statement on Form 10, including the information statement, as amended or supplemented, of Park, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2016, as amended, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the exhibits included as part of that registration statement; and

(b) Hilton intends to distribute (the “ HGV Distribution ”) 100% of the shares of common stock (the “ HGV Common Stock ”) of Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (“ HGV ”) to the shareholders of Hilton pursuant to a registration statement on Form 10, including the information statement, as amended or supplemented, of HGV, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2016, as amended, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the exhibits included as part of that registration statement.

The Blackstone Holders understand that Hilton intends that the HGV Distribution and Park Distribution (each, a “ Distribution ” and collectively, the “ Distributions ”) will each qualify as a tax-free distribution within the meaning of Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). The closing of the transactions contemplated by the HNA Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA Closing”) may occur before or after the Distribution Date.


The Blackstone Holders understand that, simultaneous with the execution of the HNA Stock Purchase Agreement, each of Hilton, Park and HGV is entering into a separate Stockholders Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with HNA Tourism providing for certain rights and obligations of the parties, including with respect to corporate governance, voting, stock transfers and registration of shares of HLT Common Stock, Park Common Stock and HGV Common Stock acquired by HNA Tourism pursuant to the HNA Stock Purchase Agreement and the Distributions.

The Blackstone Holders acknowledge that none of Hilton, Park or HGV would enter into the respective Stockholders Agreement or Registration Rights Agreement, or take other actions contemplated by the HNA Stock Purchase Agreement, if it adversely affected the desirability (including the expected tax attributes) or timing of the Distributions, including if it adversely affected the qualification of the Distributions as tax-free within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code. The Blackstone Holders acknowledge that a Distribution will not be tax-free under Section 355 of the Code if (i) the Distribution is considered to be used principally as a device for the distribution of earnings and profits within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(B) of the Code or (ii) Section 355(e) of the Code applies to the Distribution.

It is the intention of the Blackstone Holders and Hilton and HGV to enter into a Stockholders Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Tax Stockholders Agreement”), prior to the closing of the Distributions to ensure that the Distributions will not be taxable under Section 355(e) of the Code or the device provisions of Section 355(a)(1)(B) of the Code. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter agreement have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Tax Stockholders Agreement.

The Blackstone Holders, Hilton, and HGV hereby agree that the final form of the Tax Stockholders Agreement, if entered into between the parties, will provide as follows:

1. The Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit, the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit, and the Blackstone-PK Percentage Shift Limit will be (i) 40.66% if the SPA Closing has not occurred as of the Distribution Date and (ii) 15.65% if the SPA Closing has occurred as of the Distribution Date. If, after the date of this letter agreement but prior to the Distribution Date, the Blackstone Holders have disposed of shares of HLT Common Stock in one or more transactions other than the disposition pursuant to the HNA Stock Purchase Agreement, the limit described in the preceding sentence will be reduced by the percentage of HLT Common Stock that is the subject of such disposition or dispositions.

2. The HGV Percentage Shift Limit and HLT Percentage Shift Limit shall be 8.34%.

The Blackstone Holders, Hilton, and HGV hereby agree that the final form of the Tax Matters Agreement described in the registration statements on Form 10 relating to the Distributions, if entered into by Hilton, HGV and Park and Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., shall contain provisions applicable to Park that are substantially similar to those contained in the Tax Stockholders Agreement applicable to Hilton and HGV.

This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.


This letter agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the public announcement by Hilton of the abandonment of the Distributions and (ii) December 31, 2017.

This letter agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and the observance of any term hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by each party hereto. Neither the failure nor delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this letter agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence.

This letter agreement and any amendment hereto may be signed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement (or amendment, as applicable).


Sincerely,

 

HLT Holdco II LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT Holdco III LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT BREP VI.TE.2 Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT BREH Intl II Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director
HLT A23 Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:     Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior Managing Director


Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
By:  

/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs

Name:     Kevin J. Jacobs
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
By:  

/s/ Mark Wang

Name:     Mark Wang
Title:   Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A

TAX STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT


FORM OF TAX STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

by and among

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.,

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.,

and

the Blackstone Holders

(as defined herein)

Dated as of [ ]


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     2   

Section 1.1         Definitions

     2   

Section 1.2         References; Interpretation

     8   

Section 1.3         Effective Time

     9   

ARTICLE II SECTION 355(e) RESTRICTIONS

     9   

Section 2.1         General

     9   

Section 2.2         Exceptions for Applicable Percentage, Safe Harbor VIII and Unqualified 355(e) Opinion

     10   

Section 2.3         Blackstone Ownership Shift due to Issuance

     10   

Section 2.4         Special Rule

     11   

ARTICLE III DEVICE RESTRICTIONS

     11   

Section 3.1         General

     11   

Section 3.2         Exceptions for In Parallel and Unqualified Device Opinion

     11   

ARTICLE IV ADDITIONAL RULES

     12   

Section 4.1         Plan of Reorganization and Blackstone Restructuring

     12   

Section 4.2         Representation of Blackstone Representative

     12   

Section 4.3         Joint and Several Liability

     12   

Section 4.4         Margin Loan

     12   

Section 4.5         Reallocation Event

     12   

Section 4.6         Cooperation

     13   

Section 4.7         Effect of Rulings and Opinion on Section 355(e) Calculations

     13   

Section 4.8         Repurchases

  

ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS

     13   

Section 5.1         Counterparts

     13   

Section 5.2         Survival

     13   

Section 5.3         Notices

     13   

Section 5.4         Waivers

     14   

Section 5.5         Assignment

     14   

Section 5.6         Successors and Assigns

     14   

Section 5.7         Termination and Amendment

     14   

Section 5.8         No Circumvention

     15   

Section 5.9         Subsidiaries

     15   

Section 5.10       Third Party Beneficiaries

     15   

Section 5.11       Title and Headings

     15   

Section 5.12       Schedules

     15   

 

i


     Page  

Section 5.13       Specific Performance

     15   

Section 5.14       Governing Law

     15   

Section 5.15       Consent to Jurisdiction

     16   

Section 5.16       Waiver of Jury Trial

     16   

Section 5.17       Force Majeure

     16   

Section 5.18       Interpretation

     16   

Section 5.19       Changes in Law

     17   

Section 5.20       Severability

     17   

Section 5.21       No Waiver

     17   

Section 5.22       No Duplication; No Double Recovery

     17   

Section 5.23       No Recourse

     17   

Schedules

  

Schedule I                   List of Blackstone Entities

  

Schedule II                  Description of Blackstone Restructuring

  

 

 

ii


STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the day of [●], by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HLT ”), Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HGV ”), and the Blackstone Holders (as defined herein). Each of HLT, HGV and each Blackstone Holder is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and collectively, as the “ Parties ”. Each of HLT, HGV and Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PK ”), is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Spinoff Party ” and collectively, as the “ Spinoff Parties ”.

WITNESSETH:

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 (as defined herein), which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by HLT, (ii) the Ownership Business (as defined herein), which shall be owned and conducted, directly or indirectly, by PK (which will elect to be a REIT (as defined herein)), and (iii) the Timeshare Business (as defined herein), 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 (as defined herein) 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 (as defined herein) and assume (or retain) all of the Ownership Liabilities (as defined herein) and (C) HGV and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries will, collectively, own all of the Timeshare Assets (as defined herein) and assume (or retain) all of the Timeshare Liabilities (as defined herein) 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 ”) (such transactions as they may be amended or modified from time to time, collectively, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”); and

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that each of the distributions by HLT of all of the PK Common Stock (the “ PK Distribution ”) and HGV Common Stock (the “ HGV Distribution ” and together with the PK Distribution, the “ External Distributions ”) qualifies as a tax-free distribution within the meaning of Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms, conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, each of the Parties mutually covenant and agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

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

(1) “ Acquisition ” means an “acquisition” for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code of stock of the applicable Spinoff Party, or issuance by a Spinoff Party of any options or other instruments that grant the holder a right (including if such Spinoff Party has a right to settle the obligation with property other than stock of such Spinoff Party) to complete such an acquisition. The terms “ Acquire ” and “ Acquired ” have a corresponding meaning. For purposes of determining whether and to what extent a transaction shall be taken into account for purposes of this definition, any recapitalization or other action resulting in a shift of voting power or any redemption or repurchase of shares of stock shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of stock by the benefitted or non-exchanging stockholders.

(2) “ Additional Blackstone Entity ” means any Blackstone Entity designated as an Additional Blackstone Entity on Schedule I hereto.

(3) “ Affiliate ” means a Person that directly, or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such first Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For purposes hereof, none of the Spinoff Parties or their respective Subsidiaries shall be considered an “Affiliate” of any of the other Parties or their respective Subsidiaries (determined on the same basis). For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes hereof, neither The Blackstone Group L.P. (nor any of its Affiliates) shall be considered an “Affiliate” of any of the Spinoff Parties or their respective Subsidiaries.

(4) “ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(5) “ Ancillary Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(6) “ Big Four Accounting Firm ” means each of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, KPMG LLP, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

(7) “ Blackstone Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

(8) “ Blackstone Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to a Spinoff Party, the percentage shift in ownership equal to the greater of (a) the percentage determined by dividing (i) the value of all shares of such Spinoff Party (as of immediately after the Distribution) transferred in one or more Dispositions of stock of such Spinoff Party occurring on or after the Distribution Date by (ii) the value of all outstanding stock of such Spinoff Party as of immediately after the Distribution, or (b) the percentage determined by dividing (i) the total combined voting power of all shares of such Spinoff Party (as of immediately after the

 

2


Distribution) transferred in one or more Dispositions of stock of such Spinoff Party occurring on or after the Distribution Date by (ii) the total combined voting power of all outstanding stock of such Spinoff Party as of immediately after the Distribution. The amount set forth in (a)(ii) or (b)(ii) shall be reduced by any redemption or repurchase (directly or indirectly) by a Spinoff Party (or any of its Subsidiaries) of HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock or HGV Common Stock, as applicable, following the Distribution and prior to the last such Disposition (with such reduction calculated in the case of (a)(ii) by using the value of the applicable stock as of immediately after the Distribution). This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted accordingly by the Parties in good faith.

(9) “ Blackstone Entity ” means any of the entities listed on Schedule I hereto and any successors thereto.

(10) “ Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage ” means the Blackstone Applicable Percentage with respect to HGV.

(11) “ Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit ” means [●]%, as adjusted from time to time by mutual written consent of the Blackstone Representative and HGV or under Section 2.3 or Section 4.5; provided , however , that the sum of the Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit and the HGV Percentage Shift Limit immediately after such adjustments must equal such sum immediately before such adjustments; provided further , that if the Blackstone Representative has actual knowledge that the HGV Applicable Percentage exceeds the HGV Percentage Shift Limit, the Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit shall be reduced by such excess (without prejudice to any rights or remedies any Blackstone Holder or any other Party may have).

(12) “ Blackstone-HLT Applicable Percentage ” means the Blackstone Applicable Percentage with respect to HLT.

(13) “ Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit ” means [●]%, as adjusted from time to time by mutual written consent of the Blackstone Representative and HLT or under Section 2.3 or Section 4.5; provided , however , that the sum of the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit and the HLT Percentage Shift Limit immediately after such adjustments must equal such sum immediately before such adjustments; provided further , that if the Blackstone Representative has actual knowledge that the HLT Applicable Percentage exceeds the HLT Percentage Shift Limit, the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit shall be reduced by such excess (without prejudice to any rights or remedies any Blackstone Holder or any other Party may have).

(14) “ Blackstone Holder ” means any Blackstone Entity designated as a Blackstone Holder on Schedule I hereto. 1

(15) “ Blackstone-PK Applicable Percentage ” means the Blackstone Applicable Percentage with respect to PK.

 

1   Blackstone Holders to be the holders of the Spinoff Parties’ stock immediately following the Distribution (and after giving effect to the Blackstone Restructuring).

 

3


(16) “ Blackstone-PK Percentage Shift Limit ” means [●]%, as adjusted from time to time in connection with an adjustment to PK Applicable Percentage pursuant to the terms of the Tax Matters Agreement or under Section 5.4(f) or (g) of the Tax Matters Agreement; provided , however , that the sum of the Blackstone-PK Percentage Shift Limit and the PK Percentage Shift Limit immediately after such adjustments must equal such sum immediately before such adjustments; provided further , that if the Blackstone Representative has actual knowledge that the PK Applicable Percentage exceeds the PK Percentage Shift Limit, the Blackstone-PK Percentage Shift Limit shall be reduced by such excess.

(17) “ Blackstone Representative ” means [●].

(18) “ Blackstone Restructuring ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

(19) “ Board ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(20) “ Code ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(21) “ Delaware Courts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15.

(22) “ Disposition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a). The terms “ Dispose ” and “ Disposed ” have a corresponding meaning.

(23) “ Distribution ” or “ Distributions ” means, individually or collectively, the Internal Distributions and the External Distributions.

(24) “ Distribution Agreement ” means the Distribution Agreement by and among HLT, PK, HGV and OpCo dated as of [●].

(25) “ Distribution Date ” means the date on which the Distributions to holders of record of shares of HLT Common Stock of the HGV Common Stock and the PK Common Stock owned by HLT are effectuated pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

(26) “ Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(27) “ External Distributions ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(28) “ HGV ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(29) “ HGV Applicable Percentage ” means the percentage shift in ownership equal to the greater of (a) the percentage determined by dividing (i) the value of all shares of HGV stock (as of immediately after the Distribution) Acquired pursuant to one or more Issuances of HGV stock occurring on or after the Distribution Date by (ii) the value of all outstanding stock of HGV as of immediately after the Distribution, or (b) the percentage determined by dividing (i) the total combined voting power of all shares of HGV stock (as of immediately after the Distribution) Acquired pursuant to one or more Issuances of HGV stock occurring on or after the Distribution Date by (ii) the total combined voting power of all outstanding stock of HGV as of immediately after the Distribution. The amount set forth in (a)(ii) or (b)(ii) shall be reduced by any redemption or repurchase (directly or indirectly) by HGV (or its Subsidiaries) of HGV

 

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Common Stock following the Distribution and prior to the last such Issuance (with such reduction calculated in the case of (a)(ii) by using the value of the applicable stock as of immediately after the Distribution). This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted accordingly by the Parties in good faith.

(30) “ HGV Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(31) “ HGV Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(32) “ HGV Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(33) “ HGV Percentage Shift Limit ” means [●]% , as adjusted from time to time by mutual written consent of the Blackstone Representative and HGV or under Section 2.3 or Section 4.5; provided , however , that the sum of the Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit and the HGV Percentage Shift Limit immediately after such adjustments must equal such sum immediately before such adjustments; provided further , that if HGV has actual knowledge that the Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage exceeds the Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit, the HGV Percentage Shift Limit shall be reduced by such excess (without prejudice to any rights or remedies HGV or any other Party may have).

(34) “ HLT ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

(35) “ HLT Applicable Percentage ” means the percentage shift in ownership equal to the greater of (a) the percentage determined by dividing (i) the value of all shares of HLT stock (as of immediately after the Distribution) Acquired pursuant to one or more Issuances of HLT stock occurring on or after the Distribution Date by (ii) the value of all outstanding stock of HLT as of immediately after the Distribution, or (b) the percentage determined by dividing (i) the total combined voting power of all shares of HLT stock (as of immediately after the Distribution) Acquired pursuant to one or more Issuances of HLT stock occurring on or after the Distribution Date by (ii) the total combined voting power of all outstanding stock of HLT as of immediately after the Distribution. The amount set forth in (a)(ii) or (b)(ii) shall be reduced by any redemption or repurchase (directly or indirectly) by HLT (or its Subsidiaries) of HLT Common Stock following the Distribution and prior to the last such Issuance (with such reduction calculated in the case of (a)(ii) by using the value of the applicable stock as of immediately after the Distribution). This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted accordingly by the Parties in good faith.

(36) “ HLT Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(37) “ HLT Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(38) “ HLT Percentage Shift Limit ” means [●]% , as adjusted from time to time by mutual written consent of the Blackstone Representative and HLT or under Section 2.3 or Section 4.5; provided , however , that the sum of the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit and the HLT Percentage Shift Limit immediately after such adjustments must equal such sum

 

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immediately before such adjustments; provided further , that if HLT has actual knowledge that the Blackstone-HLT Applicable Percentage exceeds the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit, the HLT Percentage Shift Limit shall be reduced by such excess (without prejudice to any rights or remedies HLT or any other Party may have).

(39) “ HLT Retained Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(40) “ HLT Retained Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(41) “ HLT Retained Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(42) “ In Parallel ” describes one or more Dispositions by a Blackstone Entity if and only if such Dispositions (i) result in the disposition of proportionate or almost proportionate amounts of HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock (e.g., a sale by a Blackstone Entity of 5% of its HLT stock would require a sale by such Blackstone Entity (or its parallel Additional Blackstone Entity) of 5% of its (or such parallel Additional Blackstone Entity’s) PK stock and 5% of its HGV stock), (ii) commenced at the same time and as part of the same plan, (iii) completed within a single taxable year of such Blackstone Entity, and (iv) all in the same form of transaction, for example, all in the form of a sale or all in the form of a distribution. The determination of whether one or more Dispositions by a Blackstone Entity are In Parallel shall be made taking into account only those shares of HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock owned by such Blackstone Entity on the Distribution Date. For the avoidance of doubt, one or more Dispositions shall not fail to meet the requirements of (i) solely because such Dispositions include, in addition to a proportionate or almost proportionate amount of PK Common Stock owned on the Distribution Date, an amount of PK Common Stock received in the Purging Distribution.

(43) “ Internal Distributions ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(44) “ IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto, including, but not limited to its agents, representatives, and attorneys.

(45) “ Issuance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

(46) “ Issuer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

(47) “ Law ” means any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or similar statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, administrative pronouncement, order, requirement or rule of law (including common law), or any income tax treaty.

(48) “ Margin Loan Agreement ” means that certain Margin Loan Agreement dated as of June 30, 2014 among HLT Holdco III LLC, as borrower, the Margin Loan Lenders party thereto, and Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited, as Administrative Agent and any related security agreements, control agreements, issuer agreements and guarantees, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

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(49) “ Margin Loan Collateral ” has the meaning given to the term “Collateral” in the Margin Loan Agreement.

(50) “ Margin Loan Event of Default ” has the meaning given to the term “Event of Default” in the Margin Loan Agreement.

(51) “ Margin Loan Lender ” has the meaning given to the term “Lender” in the Margin Loan Agreement.

(52) “ Ownership Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(53) “ Ownership Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(54) “ Ownership Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(55) “ Party ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(56) “ Person ” means 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.

(57) “ PK ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(58) “ PK Applicable Percentage ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(59) “ PK Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(60) “ PK Percentage Shift Limit ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(61) “ PK Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(62) “ Plan of Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(63) “ Purging Distribution ” means any distribution made by PK in order to comply with the requirements of Section 857(a)(2)(B) of the Code.

(64) “ Qualified Tax Advisor ” means any Big Four Accounting Firm or any law firm of nationally recognized standing.

(65) “ Reallocation Event ” means any Acquisition during the Restricted Period of the stock of a Spinoff Party (other than a Disposition or an Issuance) that could reasonably be viewed as increasing the ownership shift with respect to such Spinoff Party for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, taking into account any available safe harbors under Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7 (and the amount of such increase, the “ Reallocation Event Reduction ”). This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted accordingly by the Parties in good faith.

 

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(66) “ REIT ” means a “real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code.

(67) “ Reorganization Slide Deck ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(68) “ Restricted Period ” means the two-year period beginning on the Distribution Date.

(69) “ Spinoff Party ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(70) “ Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(71) “ Tax Matters Agreement ” means that certain Tax Matters Agreement by and among HLT, PK, HGV and Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation, dated as of [●].

(72) “ Timeshare Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

(73) “ Timeshare Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

(74) “ Timeshare Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Distribution Agreement.

(75) “ Unqualified 355(e) Opinion ” means, with respect to a Disposition, Blackstone Acquisition, Issuance or Reallocation Event, an unqualified “will” opinion (or, with respect to Issuance or Reallocation Event, in either case with respect to which HLT delivers the opinion, a “will” or “should” opinion) of a Qualified Tax Advisor addressed to HLT and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to HLT, without substantive qualifications, to the effect that such Disposition, Blackstone Acquisition, Issuance (including any future Issuance of stock pursuant to an option or other instrument that grants the holder a right (including if the Issuer has a right to settle the obligation with property other than stock of such Issuer) to complete an Acquisition) or Reallocation Event will not be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code involving the Distributions.

(76) “ Unqualified Device Opinion ” means, with respect to a Disposition, an unqualified “will” opinion of a Qualified Tax Advisor addressed to HLT, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to HLT, without substantive qualifications, to the effect that such Disposition will not cause any of the Distributions to be considered to be used principally as a device for the distribution of earnings and profits within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(B) of the Code, taking into account the facts and circumstances as they exist at that time, including the existence of prior dispositions, if any, and any planned or intended transactions as of such time.

(77) “ U.S. ” means the United States of America.

Section 1.2 References; Interpretation .

 

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(a) Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Distribution Agreement. 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, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and 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. Unless the context otherwise requires, the word “stock” or “shares” refers to any equity interests of the applicable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any references to a Person include a reference to any successor to such Person.

Section 1.3 Effective Time .

(a) The agreements contained herein, including, but not limited to, the certain restrictions on the transfer and other actions with respect to HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock shall be effective upon the Distribution Date.

ARTICLE II

SECTION 355(e) RESTRICTIONS

Section 2.1 General .

(a) During the Restricted Period, (i) the Blackstone Holders shall not, and shall cause the other Blackstone Entities not to, permit any person to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of interests in any Blackstone Entity unless such disposition is described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(d)(7)(i) and (ii) the Blackstone Holders shall not, and shall cause the other Blackstone Entities not to, directly or indirectly dispose of any HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock or HGV Common Stock, including through the issuance of an interest in any Blackstone Entity (any such sale, transfer or disposition described in (i) or (ii), a “ Disposition ”); provided , however , that no transaction entered into by a Spinoff Party shall constitute a Disposition. During the Restricted Period, the Blackstone Holders shall not, and shall cause the other Blackstone Entities not to, Acquire any HLT stock, PK stock or HGV stock (such Acquisition, a “ Blackstone Acquisition ”); provided that the foregoing shall not be applicable to any Acquisition resulting from action by a Spinoff Party or a Subsidiary thereof.

(b) During the Restricted Period, neither HLT nor HGV (each, an “ Issuer ”) may issue any of its stock or take any action with respect to its stock that would cause an Acquisition (including redemptions or repurchases), or issue any options or other instruments that grant the holder a right (including if such Issuer has a right to settle the obligation with property other than stock of such Issuer) to complete an Acquisition (any such issuance or other transaction, an “ Issuance ”); provided that , HGV shall have no right to enforce this Section 2.1(b) against HLT.

 

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Section 2.2 Exceptions for Applicable Percentage, Safe Harbor VIII and Unqualified 355(e) Opinion .

(a) Applicable Percentage . Notwithstanding Section 2.1, but subject to Article III,

(i) a Disposition of HLT Common Stock shall be permitted if, immediately after such Disposition, the Blackstone-HLT Applicable Percentage will be less than or equal to the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit;

(ii) a Disposition of PK Common Stock shall be permitted if, immediately after such Disposition, the Blackstone-PK Applicable Percentage will be less than or equal to the Blackstone-PK Percentage Shift Limit;

(iii) a Disposition of HGV Common Stock shall be permitted if, immediately after such Disposition, the Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage will be less than or equal to the Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit;

(iv) an Issuance by HLT shall be permitted if, immediately after such Issuance, the HLT Applicable Percentage will be less than or equal to the HLT Percentage Shift Limit; and

(v) an Issuance by HGV shall be permitted if, immediately after such Issuance, the HGV Applicable Percentage will be less than or equal to the HGV Percentage Shift Limit.

(b) Safe Harbor VIII . Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b), an Issuance shall be permitted where such Issuance (or the related issuance of stock in the case of an option issuance) is described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(d)(8) (other than an Issuance made in connection with a merger or other acquisition transaction by a third party of the relevant Issuer’s stock; provided , that no Issuance will be deemed to be connected with an acquisition pursuant to a secondary sale for cash of Issuer stock by one or more Blackstone Entities in a public offering).

(c) Unqualified 355(e) Opinion . Notwithstanding Section 2.1, but subject to Article III, a Disposition, Blackstone Acquisition or Issuance, as the case may be, shall be permitted if the Blackstone Representative (in the case of a Disposition or Blackstone Acquisition) or Issuer (in the case of an Issuance) provides an Unqualified 355(e) Opinion to HLT; provided , further , that in the case of an Issuance of stock pursuant to an exercise of an option or other instrument that grants the holder a right (including if the Issuer has a right to settle the obligation with property other than stock of such Issuer) to complete such an acquisition, such Issuance shall be permitted if the Issuer provided an Unqualified 355(e) Opinion to HLT in respect of the Issuance of such option or other instrument.

Section 2.3 Blackstone Ownership Shift due to Issuance . During the Restricted Period, if a proposed Issuance is a redemption or repurchase, then, immediately before such Issuance, (i) the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit or Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit (as applicable) shall be increased or decreased (but not below the Blackstone-HLT

 

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Applicable Percentage or Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage, respectively, as of immediately before such Issuance) such that the number of shares permitted to be Disposed of under Section 2.2(a)(i) or (a)(iii) remains unchanged immediately after such Issuance (other than to reflect shares of the relevant Issuer actually redeemed or repurchased from the Blackstone Entities pursuant to such Issuance), and (ii) the HLT Percentage Shift Limit or HGV Percentage Shift Limit (as applicable) shall be decreased (in the case of an increase in clause (i), but not below the HLT Applicable Percentage or HGV Applicable Percentage, respectively, as of immediately before such Issuance) or increased (in the case of a decrease in clause (i)) by the amount set forth in clause (i). If clause (ii) calls for a reduction in the HLT Percentage Shift Limit or HGV Percentage Shift Limit (as applicable) and the amount of such reduction would be limited by the parenthetical therein, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section 2.2(c)), the relevant Issuer shall not undertake such Issuance without the written consent of the Blackstone Representative; provided that in the event the Blackstone Representative so consents, the amount of the increase set forth in (i) shall not exceed the amount of the decrease set forth in clause (ii). For the avoidance of doubt, an Issuance that satisfies the requirements of this Section 2.3 remains subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 2.1(b) and 2.2(a)(iv) and (a)(v). For the avoidance of doubt, if a proposed Issuance is not consummated, the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit and HLT Percentage Shift Limit, or Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit and HGV Percentage Shift Limit, as applicable shall not be adjusted pursuant to this Section 2.3 as a result of such proposed Issuance.

Section 2.4 Special Rule . For purposes of calculating the Blackstone Applicable Percentage, HLT Applicable Percentage or HGV Applicable Percentage, any Disposition or Issuance which is permitted pursuant to Section 2.2(b) or (c) shall be disregarded.

ARTICLE III

DEVICE RESTRICTIONS

Section 3.1 General . During the Restricted Period, the Blackstone Holders shall cause the Blackstone Entities not to directly or indirectly dispose of HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock or HGV Common Stock.

Section 3.2 Exceptions for In Parallel and Unqualified Device Opinion .

(a) In Parallel . Notwithstanding Section 3.1, but subject to Article II, one or more Dispositions shall be permitted if such Dispositions are In Parallel.

(b) Unqualified Device Opinion . Notwithstanding Section 3.1, but subject to Article II, a Disposition shall be permitted if the Blackstone Representative provides an Unqualified Device Opinion to HLT.

 

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ARTICLE IV

ADDITIONAL RULES

Section 4.1 Plan of Reorganization and Blackstone Restructuring . For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not impose any restrictions of any kind on the consummation of the transactions set forth in the Plan of Reorganization, the Reorganization Slide Deck or that certain series of transactions described in Schedule II hereto and as they may be amended from time to time (collectively, the “ Blackstone Restructuring ”).

Section 4.2 Representation of Blackstone Representative . Each of the Blackstone Holders represents and warrants to HLT and HGV that (i) the ultimate indirect ownership of HLT Common Stock, PK Common Stock and HGV Common Stock held by each Blackstone Entity will remain unchanged as a result of the Blackstone Restructuring and (ii) the transactions comprising the Blackstone Restructuring are tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 4.3 Joint and Several Liability . The Blackstone Holders shall be jointly and severally liable for all of their respective obligations pursuant to Article II and Article III of this Agreement.

Section 4.4 Margin Loan . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement shall not impose any restrictions of any kind on a Disposition resulting from the exercise by any Margin Loan Lender of its right to foreclosure or similar enforcement action on any of the Margin Loan Collateral following the occurrence of a Margin Loan Event of Default; provided that such foreclosure or similar enforcement action shall increase the Blackstone-HLT Applicable Percentage, Blackstone-PK Applicable Percentage and/or Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Blackstone Representative or a Spinoff Party provides an Unqualified 355(e) Opinion with respect to such foreclosure or similar enforcement action to HLT, such foreclosure or similar enforcement action shall not increase the relevant Blackstone Applicable Percentage.

Section 4.5 Reallocation Event . Upon a Reallocation Event with respect to HLT stock or HGV stock, the Blackstone Representative, on the one hand, and the relevant Spinoff Party, on the other, shall use reasonable efforts to allocate the Reallocation Event Reduction to and reduce the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit and/or HLT Percentage Shift Limit, or Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit and/or HGV Percentage Shift Limit, as applicable. If the Blackstone Representative and the relevant Spinoff Party do not agree on an allocation, the Reallocation Event Reduction shall first be allocated to and reduce the relevant HLT Percentage Shift Limit or HGV Percentage Shift Limit (but not below the HLT Applicable Percentage or HGV Applicable Percentage, respectively, as of the time of the Reallocation Event). Any excess Reallocation Event Reduction shall be allocated to and reduce the relevant Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit or Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit (but not below the Blackstone-HLT Applicable Percentage or Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage, respectively, as of the time of the Reallocation Event). For the avoidance of doubt, the sum (immediately before the Reallocation Event) of the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit and HLT Percentage Shift Limit, or Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit and HGV Percentage

 

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Shift Limit, as applicable, shall equal the sum (immediately after the Reallocation Event), of the Reallocation Event Reduction plus the Blackstone-HLT Percentage Shift Limit and HLT Percentage Shift Limit, or Blackstone-HGV Percentage Shift Limit and HGV Percentage Shift Limit, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.5, if the Blackstone Representative or the relevant Spinoff Party provides an Unqualified 355(e) Opinion with respect to a purported Reallocation Event to HLT, such purported Reallocation Event shall not constitute a Reallocation Event.

Section 4.6 Cooperation . The Parties shall reasonably cooperate (and, in the case of HLT and HGV, cause the members of the HLT Group and the HGV Group, respectively, to reasonably cooperate) in obtaining any Unqualified Device Opinion or Unqualified 355(e) Opinion (including making reasonable representations required in connection with any such opinion), including by maintaining and making available to each other all records necessary in connection with such opinions and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information or explanation of any material provided hereunder.

Section 4.7 Effect of Rulings and Opinion on Section 355(e) Calculations . For purposes of computing the (a) HLT Applicable Percentage, (b) HGV Applicable Percentage, (c) Blackstone-HLT Applicable Percentage, (d) Blackstone-HGV Applicable Percentage, (e) Blackstone-PK Applicable Percentage or (f) Reallocation Event Reduction, any calculation of the shift of ownership of one or more of the Spinoff Parties under Section 355(e) shall take into account (i) any IRS private letter ruling received by one or more of the Spinoff Parties and/or the Blackstone Entities and (ii) any unqualified “will” opinion of a Qualified Tax Advisor (or, with respect to an opinion delivered by HLT, “should” opinion) addressed to HLT and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to HLT, without substantive qualifications, in each case addressing the manner in which the calculation of such shift is performed.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.1 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 5.2 Survival . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Distribution Date and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

Section 5.3 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands, and other communications under this Agreement 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,

 

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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 5.3):

To HLT:

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: [(703) 883-6188]

To HGV:

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

6355 MetroWest Boulevard, Suite 180

Orlando, Florida 32835

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: [●]

To the Blackstone Holders:

[            ]

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York

Attn: [●]

Facsimile: [●]

Section 5.4 Waivers . 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.

Section 5.5 Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, will be null and void; provided , however , that , (i) without the prior written consent of HLT or HGV, a Blackstone Entity may assign this Agreement to an Affiliate that becomes a party hereto and (ii) 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 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.

Section 5.6 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 5.7 Termination and Amendment . This Agreement may not be terminated or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by a duly authorized

 

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representative of each of HLT, HGV and the Blackstone Representative (on behalf of the Blackstone Holders). HLT and HGV agree not to amend Sections 5.4, 9.3 or 13.10 of the Tax Matters Agreement (or the relevant definitions used in such Sections), or grant any waivers with respect thereto, without the written consent of the Blackstone Representative (on behalf of the Blackstone Holders).

Section 5.8 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 Subsidiary of such Party 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, the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

Section 5.9 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 on and after the Effective Time, to the extent such Subsidiary remains a Subsidiary of the applicable Party.

Section 5.10 Third Party Beneficiaries . 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; provided that the Blackstone Holders shall be jointly and severally liable for any losses, costs, expenses, damages, claims and other liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by PK or any of its Affiliates arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with any breach by any Blackstone Holder of its obligations hereunder.

Section 5.11 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 5.12 Schedules . Any 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.

Section 5.13 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, may be inadequate compensation for any loss and that the Parties may be irreparably harmed as a result. Accordingly, any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by the Parties to this Agreement.

Section 5.14 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.

 

15


Section 5.15 Consent to Jurisdiction . 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 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 proceeding in the Delaware Courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 5.15. 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 5.16 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 5.16.

Section 5.17 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 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 (as defined in the Distribution Agreement). 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 5.18 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.

 

16


Section 5.19 Changes in Law .

(a) Any reference to a provision of the Code, Treasury Regulations, or a Law of another jurisdiction shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or Law.

(b) If, due to any change in applicable Law or regulations or their interpretation by any court of Law or other governing body having jurisdiction subsequent to the date hereof, performance of any provision of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby shall become impracticable or impossible, the Parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such provision.

Section 5.20 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 5.21 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 preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the Party asserted to have granted such waiver.

Section 5.22 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.

Section 5.23 No Recourse . This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto or any of the foregoing shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

17


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

 

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
 
Name:
Title:

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.

 

Name:

Title:

[Blackstone Holders]

 
Name:
Title:

Exhibit 99.1

Execution Version

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

dated as of

October 24, 2016

among

HNA TOURISM GROUP CO., LTD.,

and

THE SELLER PARTIES NAMED HEREIN


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2   

Section 1.01

  

Definitions.

     2   

Section 1.02

  

Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions.

     5   
ARTICLE II THE PURCHASE AND SALE      6   

Section 2.01

  

Purchase and Sale.

     6   

Section 2.02

  

Closing.

     6   

Section 2.03

  

Adjustments.

     7   

Section 2.04

  

Withholding Rights.

     7   

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

     8   

Section 3.01

  

Corporate Existence and Power.

     8   

Section 3.02

  

Authority of Sellers.

     8   

Section 3.03

  

Governmental Authorization.

     8   

Section 3.04

  

Non-contravention.

     9   

Section 3.05

  

Capitalization.

     9   

Section 3.06

  

Absence of Litigation.

     9   

Section 3.07

  

Finders’ Fees.

     10   

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER HOLDCOS

     10   

Section 4.01

  

Corporate Existence and Power.

     10   

Section 4.02

  

Authority of Seller HoldCos.

     10   

Section 4.03

  

Governmental Authorization.

     10   

Section 4.04

  

Non-contravention.

     11   

Section 4.05

  

Capitalization.

     11   

Section 4.06

  

Absence of Litigation.

     11   

Section 4.07

  

Finders’ Fees.

     11   

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     12   

Section 5.01

  

Corporate Existence and Power.

     12   

Section 5.02

  

Corporate Authorization.

     12   

Section 5.03

  

Governmental Authorization.

     12   

Section 5.04

  

Non-contravention.

     13   

Section 5.05

  

Finders’ Fees.

     13   

Section 5.06

  

Financing.

     13   

Section 5.07

  

Absence of Litigation.

     13   

Section 5.08

  

Ownership of Company Stock

     14   

Section 5.09

  

Investment Intention.

     14   

Section 5.10

   Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Laws and Similar Laws.      14   

 

i


ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

     14   

Section 6.01

  

Conduct of the Parties.

     14   

Section 6.02

  

Reasonable Best Efforts.

     15   

Section 6.03

  

The Spin.

     18   

Section 6.04

  

The Purging Dividend.

     19   

Section 6.05

  

Release of any Liens; Margin Loan.

     21   

Section 6.06

  

Public Announcements.

     21   

Section 6.07

  

Confidentiality.

     21   

Section 6.08

  

Sellers’ Representative.

     23   

Section 6.09

  

Notice of Sale.

     23   

ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE CLOSING

     24   

Section 7.01

  

Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party.

     24   

Section 7.02

  

Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer.

     24   

Section 7.03

  

Conditions to the Obligations of the Seller Parties.

     25   

Section 7.04

  

Frustration of Closing Conditions.

     25   

ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION

     25   

Section 8.01

  

Termination.

     25   

Section 8.02

  

Effect of Termination.

     27   

Section 8.03

  

Release of Escrow Fund Following Termination.

     27   

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     30   

Section 9.01

  

Notices.

     30   

Section 9.02

  

Survival.

     31   

Section 9.03

  

Amendments and Waivers.

     32   

Section 9.04

  

Costs and Expenses.

     32   

Section 9.05

  

Disclosure Schedule References.

     32   

Section 9.06

  

Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment.

     33   

Section 9.07

  

Governing Law.

     33   

Section 9.08

  

Jurisdiction.

     33   

Section 9.09

  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

     33   

Section 9.10

  

Counterparts; Effectiveness.

     34   

Section 9.11

  

Entire Agreement.

     34   

Section 9.12

  

Severability.

     34   

Section 9.13

  

Specific Performance; Remedies.

     34   

Section 9.14

  

Controlling Language of this Agreement.

     35   

Section 9.15

  

Acknowledgement of No Other Representations or Warranties.

     35   

 

ii


Index of Terms

 

1933 Act

  

Section 1.01

1934 Act

  

Section 1.01

Affiliate

  

Section 1.01

Agreement

  

Preamble

Applicable Law

  

Section 1.01

Bankruptcy and Equity Exception

  

Section 3.02

Burdensome Condition

  

Section 6.02(g)(i)

Business Day

  

Section 1.01

Buyer

  

Preamble

Buyer Group

  

Section 8.03(d)

Buyer Provided Information

  

Section 9.15(b)

CFIUS

  

Section 1.01

CFIUS Approval

  

Section 1.01

CFIUS Investigation

  

Section 1.01

CFIUS Notice

  

Section 6.02(f)

Closing

  

Section 2.02(a)

Closing Date

  

Section 2.02(a)

Closing Date Payment

  

Section 2.02(c)

Common Stock

  

Recitals

Company

  

Recitals

Company Stockholders Agreement

  

Recitals

Confidential Information

  

Section 6.07(d)

Disclosing Party

  

Section 6.07(a), Section 6.05

Disclosure Schedules

  

Section 1.01

End Date

  

Section 8.01(b)(i)

Escrow Agent

  

Recitals

Escrow Agreement

  

Recitals

Escrow Fund

  

Recitals

Exon-Florio Amendment

  

Section 1.01

Foreign Antitrust Laws

  

Section 3.03(a)

Government List

  

Section 1.01

Governmental Authority

  

Section 1.01

HSR Act

  

Section 1.01

knowledge

  

Section 1.01

Lien

  

Section 1.01

Margin Loan Documentation

  

Section 1.01

MOFCOM

  

Section 1.01

NDRC

  

Section 1.01

NYSE

  

Section 1.01

Order

  

Section 7.01(a)

Organizational Documents

  

Section 1.01

Parties

  

Preamble

PCo

  

Section 1.01

PCo Holders

  

Section 6.03(c)

 

iii


PCo Shares

  

Section 6.03(a)

PCo Stock

  

Section 1.01

PCo Stockholders Agreement

  

Recitals

Per Share Purchase Price

  

Section 2.01

Person

  

Section 1.01

PRC

  

Section 1.01

PRC Approvals

  

Section 5.03(a)(iii)

Purchase Price

  

Section 2.01

Purged Cash

  

Section 1.01

Purge Delay Price

  

Section 6.04(a)

Purged PCo Share Value

  

Section 1.01

Purged PCo Shares

  

Section 1.01

Purging Dividend

  

Section 1.01

Purging Dividend Election

  

Section 1.01

Receiving Party

  

Section 6.07(a)

Representatives

  

Section 1.01

SAFE

  

Section 1.01

Sale

  

Section 2.01

SEC

  

Section 1.01

Seller

  

Preamble

Seller Group

  

Section 8.03(d)

Seller HoldCo

  

Preamble

Seller HoldCos

  

Preamble

Seller Parties

  

Preamble

Seller Provided Information

  

Section 9.15(a)

Sellers

  

Preamble

Sellers’ Representative

  

Section 6.08

Shares

  

Recitals

Spin

  

Section 1.01

Spinoff Shares

  

Section 6.03(a)

Stockholders Agreements

  

Recitals

Subsidiary

  

Section 1.01

Top-Up Cash

  

Section 1.01

Total Purged Value

  

Section 1.01

VCo

  

Section 1.01

VCo Shares

  

Section 6.03(a)

VCo Stock

  

Section 1.01

VCo Stockholders Agreement

  

Recitals

Wire Transfer Instructions

  

Section 2.02(b)

 

iv


STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of October 24, 2016 among the entities listed on Exhibit A (each a “Seller”, and collectively, the “Sellers”), HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (“Buyer”), and the entities listed on Exhibit B (each a “Seller HoldCo” and, collectively, the “Seller HoldCos” and the Seller HoldCos together with the Sellers, the “Seller Parties”). The Seller Parties and Buyer are each sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Sellers own shares of common stock of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”);

WHEREAS, all of the equity interests of each Seller is owned by a Seller HoldCo or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Seller HoldCo;

WHEREAS, each Seller desires to sell the number of shares of Common Stock set forth next to such Seller’s name on Exhibit A (collectively, with respect to all Sellers, the “Shares”) to Buyer and Buyer desires to acquire the Shares from the Sellers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative (as defined below) have entered into an Escrow Agreement as of the date hereof (the “Escrow Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”) and Buyer has deposited $500,000,000 (such amount, together with all accrued interest thereon, the “Escrow Fund”) into the escrow account set up pursuant to the Escrow Agreement; and

WHEREAS, (i) Buyer and the Company have entered into that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Company Stockholders Agreement”), (ii) Buyer and PCo have entered into that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “PCo Stockholders Agreement”), and (iii) Buyer and VCo have entered into that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “VCo Stockholders Agreement” and, together with the Company Stockholders Agreement and the PCo Stockholders Agreement, the “Stockholders Agreements”).


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

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01     Definitions . (a) As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person. For purposes of this Agreement, none of the Seller Parties shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, writ, stipulation or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise.

“Business Day” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, Hong Kong or Beijing, PRC are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close.

“CFIUS” means the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

“CFIUS Approval” means if, following any discussion between the Parties and CFIUS staff regarding the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, CFIUS staff formally or informally requests the Parties to submit a CFIUS Notice, or if the Parties mutually agree to submit a CFIUS Notice related to the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or if a CFIUS Investigation has commenced for any reason, then any of the following: (a) the 30-day review period under Exon-Florio Amendment shall have expired and the Parties shall have received notice from CFIUS that such review has been concluded and that either the transactions contemplated hereby do not constitute a “covered transaction” under the Exon-Florio Amendment or there are no unresolved national security concerns, and all action under the Exon-Florio Amendment is concluded with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) an investigation shall have been commenced after such 30-day review period and CFIUS shall have determined to conclude all action under the Exon-Florio Amendment without sending a report to the President of the United States, and the Parties shall have received notice from CFIUS that there are no unresolved national security concerns, and all action under the Exon-Florio Amendment is concluded with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, or (c) CFIUS shall have sent a report to the President of the United States requesting the President’s decision and the President shall have announced a decision not to take any action to suspend, prohibit or place any limitations on the transactions contemplated hereby, or the time permitted by law for such action shall have lapsed.

“CFIUS Investigation” means, prior to the Closing, a CFIUS review or investigation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the Exon-Florio Amendment.

 

2


“Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules dated the date hereof regarding this Agreement that has been provided by the Seller Parties to Buyer.

“Exon-Florio Amendment” means Section 721 of Title VII of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (as codified at 50 U.S.C. App. § 4565) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Government List” means any list maintained by any agency or department of any Governmental Authority in the United States of America of Persons, organizations or entities subject to international trade, export, import or transactions restrictions, controls or prohibitions, including (i) the Denied Persons List and Entities List maintained by the United States Department of Commerce, (ii) the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons and the List of Sectoral Sanctions Identification maintained by the United States Department of Treasury, (iii) the Foreign Terrorist Organizations List and the Debarred Parties List maintained by the United States Department of State and (iv) those Persons, organizations and entities listed in the Annex to, or are otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing (effective September 21, 2004).

“Governmental Authority” means any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, state, county, municipal or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, department, court, agency or official, including any political subdivision thereof, including any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, taxing or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

“Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

“HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

“knowledge” means (i) with respect to the Seller Parties, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed on Section A of the Disclosure Schedules in each case after due inquiry, and (ii) with respect to Buyer, the actual knowledge of Haibo Bai and Ruinian An in each case after due inquiry.

“Lien” means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, encumbrance or other adverse rights or claims of any kind in respect of such property or asset.

“Margin Loan Documentation” means that certain Margin Loan Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, among HLT Holdco III LLC, as borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited, as Administrative Agent and any related security agreements, control agreements, issuer agreements and guarantees, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, including any agreements or other documentation in connection with any refinancing thereof.

“MOFCOM” means the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC and/or its competent provincial or local counterparts.

 

3


“NDRC” means the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC and/or its competent provincial or local counterparts.

“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

“Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s certificate of incorporation or formation or organization, articles of organization, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, other operating agreement, stockholders’ agreement or other similar governing documents of such Person, each as amended through the date hereof.

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof (including any person or group as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act).

“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China.

“Purged Cash” shall mean an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Total Purged Value.

“Purged PCo Shares” shall mean a number of shares of PCo Stock equal to the quotient (rounded to the nearest whole number) of (x) eighty percent (80%) of the Total Purged Value, divided by (y) the Purged PCo Share Value.

“Purged PCo Share Value” shall mean the per share value of the PCo Stock, as disclosed by PCo, that is calculated by PCo in determining the number of shares of PCo Stock to be distributed in the Purging Dividend.

“Purging Dividend” means the dividend that is expected to be distributed after the consummation of the Spin as follows: (i) PCo shall declare and pay to its stockholders as of a record date a dividend for the purposes of distributing its accumulated earnings and profits attributable to its taxable years prior to becoming a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) PCo shall pay such dividend in cash, PCo Stock, or a combination thereof.

“Purging Dividend Election” means the ability of the PCo stockholders to elect to receive either cash or shares of PCo Stock in the Purging Dividend.

“Representatives” mean, with respect to any Party, such Party’s directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, subsidiaries, advisors (including without limitation, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, actuaries and consultants) and agents.

“SAFE” means the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC and/or its competent provincial or local counterparts.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

4


“Spin” means, the previously publicly announced “spin-off” transaction of the Company by which (i) Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (such entity, “PCo”) and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which will hold a portfolio of the Company’s owned and leased hotels and resorts, will be separated from the Company and be operated as an independent, self-administered, and publicly traded lodging real estate investment trust, (ii) Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (such entity, “VCo”) and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which will own and operate the Company’s time share business, will be separated from the Company and be operated as an independent and publicly traded company and (iii) one hundred percent (100%) of the common stock of PCo (“PCo Stock”) and VCo (“VCo Stock”) shall be distributed, on a pro rata basis, to the stockholders of the Company as of a record date prior to the date of such distribution.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are at any time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

“Top-Up Cash” shall mean an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to (x) the Total Purged Value minus (y) the value of the PCo Stock (calculated using the Purged PCo Share Value) received by the PCo Holders in the Purging Dividend (in respect of all of the PCo Stock held by the PCo Holders on the record date of the Purging Dividend, and not just the PCo Shares held by the PCo Holders on such date) minus (z) the Purged Cash.

“Total Purged Value” shall mean the product (rounded to the nearest cent) of (x) the aggregate value of the Purging Dividend (which shall be payable in cash and PCo Stock) as disclosed by PCo, multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of PCo Shares and the denominator of which will be the total number of outstanding shares of PCo Stock as of the record date of the Purging Dividend.

Section 1.02     Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions . The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “or” shall be inclusive and not exclusive. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles, Sections, Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit, Annex or Schedule or in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. As context requires, any masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; any feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and any neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine genders. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any statute shall

 

5


be deemed to refer to such statute as amended from time to time and to any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively. References to “law”, “laws” or to a particular statute or law shall be deemed also to include any Applicable Law. The symbol “$” refers to United States Dollars, the lawful currency of the United States of America. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” References to “day” shall mean a calendar day unless otherwise indicated as a “Business Day.” Each Party has participated in the drafting of this Agreement, which each Party acknowledges is the result of extensive negotiations between the Parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision.

ARTICLE II

THE PURCHASE AND SALE

Section 2.01     Purchase and Sale . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, the Sellers shall sell and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from the Sellers, all right, title and interest in and to the Shares, free and clear of all Liens (other than transfer restrictions arising under applicable securities laws and any Liens created by Buyer) in exchange for payment to the Sellers (or their designees) pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and Section 2.02(d) in the amount of $26.25 per Share, without interest (the “Per Share Purchase Price” and the aggregate amount of Per Share Purchase Price to be paid to the Sellers for all Shares pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and Section 2.02(d), the “Purchase Price”) (such transaction, the “Sale”), subject to adjustment pursuant to Sections 2.03, 6.03 and 6.04. Buyer agrees and acknowledges that all Shares will be delivered to Buyer in restricted book-entry form to the account of Buyer at the Company’s transfer agent; provided that if the Company (and, if the Spin has been consummated prior to Closing, each of PCo and VCo) agrees pursuant to an issuer agreement entered into in connection with Buyer’s debt financing (if any) to allow the Shares to remain registered in the name of, and in the form of book entries on the books of, The Depository Trust Company, without restrictive legends, the Shares will be delivered to any account or accounts as may be specified by Buyer.

Section 2.02     Closing .

(a)    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Sale (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 at 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on a date as Buyer and the Sellers may mutually agree, but in any event no later than seven (7) Business Days after the date the conditions set forth in Article VII (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permissible, waiver of those conditions at the Closing) have been satisfied or, to the extent permissible, waived by the Party or Parties entitled to the benefit of such conditions, or at such other place, at such other time or on such other date as Buyer and the Sellers may mutually agree (such date being the “Closing

 

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Date”); provided, that if the record date for the Spin is announced and the Closing does not occur prior to such record date, then the Closing Date shall occur no earlier than one (1) Business Day after the date of the consummation of the Spin.

(b)    At least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Sellers’ Representative shall deliver to Buyer wire transfer instructions (the “Wire Transfer Instructions”) designating the bank account(s) to which the Purchase Price shall be paid by Buyer at the Closing.

(c)    At the Closing, Buyer shall cause to be paid to the Sellers (or their designees), by wire transfer of immediately available funds, at Buyer’s election, either (i) an amount equal to the Purchase Price, which shall be delivered into the bank account(s) as set forth in the Wire Transfer Instructions or (ii) an amount (the “Closing Date Payment”) equal to the Purchase Price less the Escrow Fund, which Closing Date Payment shall be delivered into the bank account(s) as set forth in the Wire Transfer Instructions, in each case as the Purchase Price may be adjusted by Section 2.03, Section 6.03 or Section 6.04.

(d)    At the Closing, (i) if Buyer delivers or causes to be delivered the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 2.02(c)(i), then Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative shall deliver a Joint Release Notice (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) to the Escrow Agent (pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement) instructing the Escrow Agent to deliver the Escrow Fund to Buyer and (ii) if Buyer delivers or causes to be delivered the Closing Date Payment in accordance with Section 2.02(c)(ii), then Buyer and the Sellers’ Representative shall deliver a Joint Release Notice to the Escrow Agent (pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement) instructing the Escrow Agent to deliver the Escrow Fund to the Sellers (or their designees), by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to the bank accounts specified in the Joint Release Notice.

Section 2.03     Adjustments . If, during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, (x) the Company declares an ordinary, special or extraordinary dividend in respect of Common Stock with a record date during such period, the Per Share Purchase Price shall be decreased by an amount equal to the per share amount of such dividend or (y) the Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, including by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split or combination, the Per Share Purchase Price and the amount of the Shares shall be appropriately adjusted; provided, that (i) the Per Share Purchase Price and the amount of the Shares shall not be adjusted in respect of any regular quarterly dividends, (ii) the Spin shall be governed by Section 6.03, and (iii) the Purging Dividend shall be governed by Section 6.04.

Section 2.04     Withholding Rights . Buyer and its Affiliates and the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration payable hereunder such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold under applicable U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws; provided, however, that if any amounts are required to be deducted or withheld under the laws of the PRC (or any jurisdiction thereof or therein), Buyer shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary so that the amounts received by the applicable recipient, after such withholding or deduction (including any such withholding or deduction on such additional amounts), will not be less than the amounts provided under this Agreement. Any such amounts so withheld and paid over to the applicable taxing authority shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Sellers.

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, the Sellers hereby represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to Buyer that:

Section 3.01     Corporate Existence and Power . Each Seller is an entity duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the Applicable Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, which jurisdiction is set forth on Section 3.01 of the Disclosure Schedules. Each Seller has all corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise have a materially adverse effect on the ability of such Seller to perform its material obligations under this Agreement.

Section 3.02     Authority of Sellers . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Sellers and the consummation by the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the organizational powers of such Sellers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or other organizational) action on the part of each of the Sellers. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Sellers and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Buyer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of each of the Sellers, enforceable against each Seller in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exception”)).

Section 3.03     Governmental Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by the Sellers of this Agreement and the consummation by the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby require no consent, approval, authorization or permit of or other action by, or filing, declaration, registration with, or notification to any Governmental Authority other than:

(a)    filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act and competition, merger control, antitrust or similar Applicable Law of any jurisdiction outside of the United States (“Foreign Antitrust Laws”);

(b)    such consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications required as a result of the identity of Buyer or any of its Affiliates;

(c)    any filings required under, and compliance with any other applicable requirements of, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and any other Applicable Laws concerning state or federal securities or the rules and regulations of the NYSE; or

 

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(d)    any consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 3.04     Non-contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by the Sellers of this Agreement and the consummation by the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of any of the Sellers, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, declarations, actions, or registrations described in Section 3.03 have been obtained and all filings and notifications described in Section 3.03 have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Applicable Law with respect to the Sellers, (iii) except as set forth on Section 3.04 of the Disclosure Schedules and assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, declarations, actions, or registrations described in Section 3.03 have been obtained and all filings and notifications described Section 3.03 have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, require any consents of, approvals of, authorizations of, permits with, filings with, declarations of, actions of, registrations with, or notifications to any Person the absence of which would cause, permit or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation, an acceleration of performance required or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which any Seller is entitled under any term, condition or provision of any material agreement or other instrument binding upon any Seller or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property or other asset of any Seller, with only such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) through (iv), as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially impair or delay the ability of the Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 3.05     Capitalization . Each Seller is the owner of, and has good, valid and marketable title to, the Shares set forth next to such Seller’s name on Exhibit A (as such Exhibit may be updated from time to time pursuant to Sections 6.03 and 6.04), free and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws or under the agreements set forth on Section 3.05 of the Disclosure Schedules. Upon transfer of the Shares to Buyer at the Closing in accordance with this Agreement, Buyer will own all of the Shares free and clear of any Liens, except for transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws and any Liens created by Buyer.

Section 3.06     Absence of Litigation . As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, suit, investigation, proceeding or claim pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Sellers, threatened against, or any order, judgment, ruling or decree imposed upon, the Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates before (or, in the case of threatened actions, suits, investigations, proceedings or claims, would be before) or by, or any settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 3.07     Finders’ Fees . No Seller has entered into any agreement or arrangement entitling any investment banker, broker, finder or financial advisor to any fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer or its Affiliates would be responsible.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER HOLDCOS

Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, the Seller HoldCos hereby represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to Buyer that:

Section 4.01     Corporate Existence and Power . Each Seller HoldCo is an entity duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the Applicable Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, which jurisdiction is set forth on Section 4.01 of the Disclosure Schedules. Each Seller HoldCo has all corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise have a materially adverse effect on the ability of such Seller HoldCo to perform its material obligations under this Agreement.

Section 4.02     Authority of Seller HoldCos . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Seller HoldCos and the consummation by the Seller HoldCos of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the organizational powers of the Seller HoldCos and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or other organizational) action on the part of each of the Seller HoldCos. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Seller HoldCos and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Buyer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of each of the Seller HoldCos, enforceable against each Seller HoldCo in accordance with its terms (subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception).

Section 4.03     Governmental Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by the Seller HoldCos of this Agreement and the consummation by the Seller HoldCos of the transactions contemplated hereby require no consent, approval, authorization or permit of or other action by, or filing, declaration, registration with, or notification to any Governmental Authority other than:

(a)    filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act and Foreign Antitrust Laws;

(b)    such consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications required as a result of the identity of Buyer or any of its Affiliates;

(c)    any filings required under, and compliance with any other applicable requirements of, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and any other Applicable Laws concerning state or federal securities or the rules and regulations of the NYSE; or

 

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(d)    any consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 4.04     Non-contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by the Seller HoldCos of this Agreement and the consummation by the Seller HoldCos of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of any of the Seller HoldCos, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, declarations, actions, or registrations described in Section 4.03 have been obtained and all filings and notifications described in Section 4.03 have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Applicable Law with respect to the Seller HoldCos, (iii) except as set forth on Section 4.04 of the Disclosure Schedules and assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, declarations, actions, or registrations described in Section 4.03 have been obtained and all filings and notifications described in Section 4.03 have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, require consents of, approvals of, authorizations of, permits with, filings with, declarations of, actions of, registrations with, or notifications to any Person the absence of which would cause, permit or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation, an acceleration of performance required or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which any Seller HoldCo is entitled under any term, condition or provision of any material agreement or other instrument binding upon any Seller HoldCo or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property or other asset of any Seller HoldCo, with only such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) through (iv), as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially impair or delay the ability of the Seller HoldCos to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement

Section 4.05     Capitalization . All of the equity interests of the Sellers is owned by a Seller HoldCo or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Seller HoldCo.

Section 4.06     Absence of Litigation . As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, suit, investigation, proceeding or claim pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Seller HoldCos, threatened against, or any order, judgment, ruling or decree imposed upon, the Seller HoldCos or any of their respective Affiliates before (or, in the case of threatened actions, suits, investigations, proceedings or claims, would be before) or by, or any settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.07     Finders Fees . No Seller HoldCo has entered into any agreement or arrangement entitling any investment banker, broker, finder or financial advisor to any fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer or its Affiliates would be responsible.

 

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ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Seller Parties that:

Section 5.01     Corporate Existence and Power . Buyer is duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. Buyer has all corporate or other organizational powers and all authority necessary to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise have a materially adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to perform its material obligations under this Agreement.

Section 5.02     Corporate Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the organizational powers of Buyer and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action on the part of Buyer and no approval by any of the equityholders of Buyer or its Affiliates is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Seller Parties, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms (subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception).

Section 5.03     Governmental Authorization .

(a)    The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby require no consent, approval, authorization or permit of or other action by, or filing, declaration, registration with, or notification to any Governmental Authority other than:

(i)    filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act and Foreign Antitrust Laws;

(ii)    such consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications required as a result of the identity of the Seller Parties or any of their respective Affiliates;

(iii)    the filings with and/or approvals of NDRC and MOFCOM, and the completion of the outbound investment related foreign exchange filing with the relevant bank authorized by the SAFE required with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Buyer (collectively, the “PRC Approvals”);

(iv)    any filings required under, and compliance with any other applicable requirements of, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and any other Applicable Laws concerning state or federal securities or the rules and regulations of the NYSE; or

 

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(v)    any consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b)    Other than the PRC Approvals, no consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, declarations, actions, registrations, or notifications by any Governmental Authorities in the PRC are required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement.

Section 5.04     Non-contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of Buyer, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, declarations, actions, or registrations described in Section 5.03 have been obtained and all filings and notifications described in Section 5.03 have been made and any waiting periods thereunder have terminated or expired, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Applicable Law with respect to Buyer, (iii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, declarations, actions, or registrations described in Section 5.03 have been obtained and all filings and notifications described in Section 5.03, require consents of, approvals of, authorizations of, permits with, filings with, declarations of, actions of, registrations with, or notifications to any Person the absence of which would cause, permit or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation, an acceleration of performance required or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which Buyer is entitled under any term, condition or provision of any material agreement or other instrument binding upon Buyer or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property or other asset of Buyer, with only such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (iii) and (iv), that would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially impair or delay the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 5.05     Finders Fees . Buyer has not entered into any agreement or arrangement entitling any investment banker, broker, finder or financial advisor to any fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the Seller Parties or their Affiliates would be responsible.

Section 5.06     Financing . At the Closing, Buyer will have sufficient funds (including under any financing arrangements) to, together with the Escrow Fund, pay the Purchase Price and all fees and expenses payable by Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Buyer affirms, represents and warrants that it is not a condition to the Closing or to any of its obligations under this Agreement that it obtain financing for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 5.07     Absence of Litigation . As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, suit, investigation, proceeding or claim pending against, or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against, or any order, judgment, ruling or decree imposed upon, Buyer or any of its Affiliates before (or, in the case of threatened actions, suits, investigations, proceedings or

 

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claims, would be before) or by, or any settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 5.08     Ownership of Company Stock . None of Buyer or any of its Affiliates owns (directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record), or is a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, any shares of capital stock of the Company other than this Agreement and the Company Stockholders Agreement.

Section 5.09     Investment Intention . Buyer has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of acquiring the Shares. Buyer is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act and is a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A promulgated under the 1933 Act. Buyer will acquire the Shares for investment purposes, for its own account and not with a view towards distribution or for sale in violation of the 1933 Act. Buyer is acting as principal, and not as agent, in connection with the Sale and Applicable Laws concerning federal and state securities. Buyer understands that the Shares have not been registered under the 1933 Act, or any applicable state or foreign securities Law, and cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the 1933 Act or Applicable Laws concerning foreign securities or pursuant to an applicable exemption therefrom and pursuant to Applicable Laws concerning state securities, as applicable.

Section 5.10     Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Laws and Similar Laws .

(a)    None of Buyer, any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by Buyer, or, to Buyer’s knowledge, after reasonable review of publicly available information, any of Buyer’s beneficial owners is included on a Government List or is owned in any amount or controlled by any Person on a Government List, as amended from time to time.

(b)    None of Buyer, any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by Buyer, or, to Buyer’s knowledge, after reasonable review of publicly available information, any of Buyer’s beneficial owners is acting, directly or indirectly, on behalf of terrorists, terrorist organizations or narcotics traffickers, including those Persons or entities that appear on any Government List, as amended from time to time.

(c)    None of the funds to be used to purchase the Shares or in connection with the transactions identified in this Agreement shall be knowingly derived from any activities that contravene any Applicable Laws concerning money laundering, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, or bribery, or from any Person, entity, country, or territory on a Government List.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

Section 6.01     Conduct of the Parties . Buyer shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to from the date of this Agreement until the first to occur of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, take any action or fail to take any

 

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action that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of Buyer to consummate the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this of this Agreement.

Section 6.02     Reasonable Best Efforts .

(a)    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to) use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under Applicable Law to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable, including (i) preparing and filing as promptly as practicable with any Governmental Authority or other third party all documentation to effect all filings, notices, petitions, statements, registrations, submissions of information, applications and other documents necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) obtaining and maintaining all approvals, consents, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations required to be obtained from any Governmental Authority or other third party that are necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b)    In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to) (i) make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby within fifteen (15) Business Days hereof, (ii) make an appropriate filing or filings pursuant to any Foreign Antitrust Laws in the jurisdictions listed on Section 6.02 of the Disclosure Schedules with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable, (iii) supply as promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act or any Foreign Antitrust Law and (iv) use its reasonable best efforts to take all other actions necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act or any Foreign Antitrust Law, as applicable, as soon as practicable; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit Buyer or the Seller HoldCos from, in good faith, seeking to limit the scope or content of any such request.

(c)    In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to, Buyer shall cause its Subsidiaries to use their reasonable best efforts to, and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to use their reasonable best efforts to (i) cooperate in all respects with each other in connection with any filing or submission with a Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry by or before a Governmental Authority relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, including any proceeding initiated by a private party, including by (A) defending against all lawsuits or other legal, regulatory, administrative or other proceedings to which it or any of its Affiliates is a party challenging or affecting this Agreement or the consummation or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case until the issuance of a final, non-appealable order with respect to each such lawsuit or other proceeding, (B) seeking to have lifted or rescinded any injunction or restraining order which may adversely affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case until the issuance of a final, non-appealable order

 

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with respect thereto and (C) executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) keep the other Party informed in all material respects and on a reasonably timely basis of (x) any substantive communications received by such Party from, or given by such Party to, the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice or any other Governmental Authority and of any substantive communications received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private party, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) the status of any request, inquiry, investigation, action or legal proceeding from, by or before any Governmental Authority or third party with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to Applicable Law relating to the exchange of information, each of Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall have the right to review in advance, and will consult the other Parties or Party on and consider in good faith the views of the other Parties or Party in connection with any filing, analysis, appearance, presentation, memorandum, brief, argument, opinion or proposal made or submitted in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, except as may be prohibited by any Governmental Authority or by any Applicable Law, in connection with any request, inquiry, investigation, action or legal proceeding by or from any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of Buyer, on the one hand, and the Seller HoldCos, on the other hand, will permit authorized Representatives of the other Parties or Party to be present at each substantive meeting or conference with a Governmental Authority relating to such request, inquiry, investigation, action or legal proceeding and to have access to and be consulted in connection with any document, opinion or proposal made or submitted to any Governmental Authority in connection with such request, inquiry, investigation, action or legal proceeding. With respect to any materials required to be given by either Party to the other Party pursuant to this Section 6.02(c), such first Party may give such materials to such second Party’s outside counsel, instead of directly to such second Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the obligations set forth in this Section 6.02(c) shall not apply with respect to the PRC Approvals, except that Buyer shall regularly update the Seller HoldCos and keep the Seller HoldCos informed on a reasonably timely basis as to the status and timing of all notifications and other substantive submissions to any PRC Governmental Authority, the associated reviews by the applicable PRC Governmental Authorities (including any objections from any PRC Governmental Authority) and the expected timing of the PRC Approvals.

(d)    In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to use their reasonable best efforts to) resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by a Governmental Authority or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

(e)    In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Buyer shall:

(i)    make all appropriate filings required in connection with the PRC Approvals (except for the foreign exchange registration with the relevant bank and, as necessary, SAFE) as promptly as practicable within the applicable period required by Applicable Law, and in any event, make the initial filing to NDRC and to MOFCOM within thirty (30) days of the date hereof and with respect to the foreign exchange registration with the relevant bank as necessary and all other

 

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filings as promptly as practicable after obtaining required prerequisite approvals with respect to the outbound investment by Buyer contemplated hereby, and supply as promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to Applicable Law in connection with the PRC Approvals; and

(ii)    use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain the PRC Approvals as soon as practicable and to avoid any impediment to the consummation of the Sale under any Applicable Laws of the PRC or orders from any PRC Governmental Authority, including using reasonable best efforts to take all such action as reasonably may be necessary to resolve such objections, if any, as any PRC Governmental Authority or Person may assert under any Applicable Laws of the PRC or orders from any PRC Governmental Authority with respect to the Sale.

(f)    In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, if (i) a filing is formally or informally requested by CFIUS; (ii) Buyer and the Seller HoldCos mutually agree to make a CFIUS filing related to the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (iii) a CFIUS Investigation is commenced for any other reason, then, in each case, Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to) as soon as practicable submit to CFIUS a draft of a joint voluntary notice of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (the “CFIUS Notice”). Each of Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall use its reasonable best efforts to (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to use their reasonable best efforts to) provide any requested supplemental information and other related information pursuant to the Exon-Florio Amendment, and submit a final CFIUS Notice and other related information pursuant to the Exon-Florio Amendment as soon as practicable after receiving any comments to the draft CFIUS Notice during the pre-notice consultation process; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit Buyer or the Seller HoldCos from, in good faith, seeking to limit the scope or content of any such request. Each of Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to), as soon as practicable, provide, or cause to be provided, all agreements, documents, instruments, affidavits or information that may be required or requested by CFIUS relating to such Party or its Affiliates or its or their structure, ownership, businesses, operations, regulatory and legal compliance, assets, liabilities, financing, financial condition or results of operations, or any of its or their directors, officers, employees, partners, members or shareholders; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit Buyer or the Seller HoldCos from, in good faith, seeking to limit the scope or content of any such request.

 

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(g)    For the purposes of this Section 6.02, “reasonable best efforts” shall be deemed to include, subject to the proviso below, complying with any requirements of Applicable Law or order of any Governmental Entity that may be imposed in connection with seeking and obtaining any consents, approvals, authorizations, waivers or exemptions of any Governmental Entity necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that, for the purposes of this Section 6.02, “reasonable best efforts” shall not require, or be deemed to require:

(i)    Buyer or any of its Affiliates to agree to or take any action that would result in any arrangements, conditions or restrictions imposed by any Governmental Authority that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have (A) a material adverse effect on the anticipated economic benefit or value that Buyer reasonably expects to be realized from the transactions or (B) a material adverse effect on the businesses of Buyer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such arrangements, conditions or restrictions, a “Burdensome Condition”); provided that any arrangements, conditions or restrictions relating to Buyer’s physical or other access to (x) the Company’s information technology systems or servers or (y) personal identifier, financial or other data pertaining to individual hotel guests, shall not contribute to or constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Burdensome Condition; or

(ii)    The Seller HoldCos to be obligated to (and the Seller HoldCos shall not be obligated to cause any the Sellers to) agree to or take any action, make any commitment or incur any liability or other obligation other than to take the actions specifically described in clause (i) of Section 6.02(a), clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 6.02(b), Section 6.02(c) and Section 6.02(f).

(iii)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to Buyer being entitled to invoke a Burdensome Condition, Buyer and the Seller HoldCos and their respective Representatives shall meet and confer in good faith in order to (x) exchange and review their respective views and positions as to such Burdensome Condition and (y) discuss and present to, and engage with, the applicable Governmental Authority regarding any potential approaches or workarounds that would avoid such Burdensome Condition or mitigate its impact so it is no longer a Burdensome Condition.

(h)    For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the Seller Group shall have any obligation under this Agreement to request or cause the Company or its Affiliates to take or refrain from taking any action pursuant to this Section 6.02 or any other provision of this Agreement and neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligations pursuant to this Section 6.02 or any other provision of this Agreement.

Section 6.03     The Spin .

(a)    In the event that the Spin is consummated prior to the Closing Date and the Sellers or their Affiliates receive PCo Stock and/or VCo Stock as a distribution in respect of the Shares (any PCo Stock distributed in respect of the Shares, the “PCo Shares”, and any VCo Stock distributed in respect of the Shares, the “VCo Shares” and together with the PCo Shares, the “Spinoff Shares”), the Parties agree that, at the Closing, the Sellers shall sell and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from the Sellers, the Shares and the Spinoff Shares (as if such Spinoff Shares were “Shares”); provided that the Purchase Price shall still be calculated only on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock being sold.

(b)    In the event that the Closing occurs after the Spin, but prior to the record date for the Purging Dividend, the Parties shall allocate the Purchase Price among the Shares, the

 

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PCo Shares and the VCo Shares based on the final trading price of the Shares, the PCo Shares and the VCo Shares (multiplied in the case of the PCo Shares and the VCo Shares by the number of shares issued as a dividend in respect of one Share in the Spin) at the end of trading on the date of the consummation of the Spin. Such allocation shall not change the Purchase Price to be paid by Buyer under the Agreement, but would be used by the Parties to allocate the Purchase Price among the Shares, the PCo Shares and the VCo Shares.

(c)    Buyer acknowledges and agrees that, if the Closing occurs after the consummation of the Spin, the PCo Shares may be held by one or more Affiliates of the Sellers (rather than the Sellers) (such holders of the PCo Shares, the “PCo Holders”). The Seller HoldCos shall cause each PCo Holder to execute a joinder to this Agreement immediately upon receipt of the PCo Shares in order to become a party to this Agreement as a “Seller” hereunder as of the date of such joinder. Such joinder shall be in a form that is reasonably acceptable to Buyer and shall provide that a PCo Holder shall be deemed to make each of the representations and warranties in Article III as if such PCo Holder were a Seller, provided, that (i) such representations and warranties would be made as of the date that such PCo Holders executes and delivers such joinder (and not as of the date of this Agreement) and (ii) to the extent that any representation or warranty in Article III is made with respect to the Shares, such representations and warranties shall be made with respect to the PCo Shares.

(d)    If the Closing occurs after the consummation of the Spin and (x) PCo or VCo declares an ordinary, special or extraordinary dividend in respect of the PCo Shares or the VCo Shares, as applicable, with a record date prior to the Closing, the Purchase Price shall be decreased by an amount equal to the aggregate value of such dividend in respect of the PCo Shares and/or the VCo Shares, as applicable or (y) the PCo Shares or the VCo Shares shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, including by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split or combination, the Purchase Price and the amount of the PCo Shares or the VCo Shares, as applicable, shall be appropriately adjusted; provided, that (i) the Purchase Price and the amount of the PCo Shares or the VCo Shares shall not be adjusted in respect of any regular quarterly dividends of PCo or VCo and (ii) the Purging Dividend shall be governed by Section 6.04.

(e)     Exhibit A shall be updated by the Parties to reflect the inclusion of the Spinoff Shares in the Sale and/or the addition of any PCo Holders as Sellers pursuant to this Section 6.03.

Section 6.04     The Purging Dividend .

(a)    In the event that (i) the Spin has been consummated prior to the Closing, (ii) the Closing occurs on or after the record date for the Purging Dividend and (iii) pursuant to such Purging Dividend, the PCo Holders have received (or following the Closing, will be entitled to receive as contemplated by Section 6.04(b)) cash and/or PCo Stock as a distribution in respect of the PCo Shares which the PCo Holders held on the record date for the Purging Dividend, the Parties agree that, at the Closing: (x) the Sellers shall sell and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from the Sellers, the Shares, the Spinoff Shares and the Purged PCo Shares (or right to receive the Purged PCo Shares following the Closing as contemplated by Section 6.04(b)), if any, for the Purchase Price (as decreased pursuant to clause (y)) with such delivery to be in accordance with Section 2.01 of this Agreement (as if such Purged PCo Shares and the

 

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Spinoff Shares were “Shares”; provided that the Purchase Price shall still be calculated only on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock being sold), and (y) (A) the Purchase Price payable pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 shall be reduced by the amount of the Purged Cash and (B) if Closing occurs prior to the payment of the Purging Dividend, the Purchase Price payable at Closing shall be further reduced by eighty percent (80%) of the Total Purged Value (such amount, the “Purge Delay Price”). The Purge Delay Price, if any, shall be payable by Buyer to the Sellers (or their designees) in accordance with the Wire Transfer Instructions substantially simultaneous with the delivery by the Sellers of the Purged PCo Shares as contemplated on the date of payment of the Purging Dividend.

(b)    In the event the Closing occurs on or after the record date for the Purging Dividend but prior to the payment of the Purging Dividend, (i) promptly after the public announcement of the Purged PCo Share Value by PCo, the Seller HoldCos shall cause the PCo Holders to irrevocably instruct PCo and its transfer agent to deliver an amount of PCo Stock to be received by the PCo Holders in the Purging Dividend equal to the Purged PCo Shares directly to Buyer (or its designee), pursuant to an irrevocable instruction letter that is reasonably acceptable to the Seller HoldCos and Buyer and (ii) the Seller Parties shall take all action necessary to ensure that the Purged PCo Shares are delivered to Buyer (or its designee) in accordance with this Agreement (including in accordance with Section 2.01, which shall apply to the Purged PCo Shares and the Spinoff Shares as if they were “Shares”) upon distribution of the Purging Dividend or promptly thereafter.

(c)    In the event the Closing occurs on or after the record date for the Purging Dividend, the Parties shall allocate the Purchase Price (including the Purge Delay Price if payable pursuant to Section 6.04(a); but as it may be decreased (i) pursuant to Section 6.04(a)(y) and (ii) by any Top-Up Cash that decreases the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 6.04(d)) among the Shares, the PCo Shares (including for purposes of this Section 6.04(c), the Purged PCo Shares) and the VCo Shares based on the final trading price of the Shares, the PCo Shares and the VCo Shares at the end of trading on the date of the consummation of the Spin (reduced, in the case of the PCo Shares, by the amount of any Purged Cash that reduces the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 6.04(a)(y) and by any Top-Up Cash that reduces the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 6.04(d)). Such allocation shall not change the Purchase Price (including the Purge Delay Price if payable pursuant to Section 6.04(a)(y); but as it may be decreased pursuant to Section 6.04(a)(y) and as it may be further decreased pursuant to Section 6.04(d)) to be paid by Buyer under the Agreement, but would be used by the Parties to allocate the Purchase Price (including the Purge Delay Price if payable pursuant to Section 6.04(a)(y)) among the Shares, the PCo Shares and the VCo Shares.

(d)    In the event the total number of shares of PCo Stock distributed (or to be distributed) to the PCo Holders pursuant to the Purging Dividend (in respect of all of the PCo Stock held by the PCo Holders on the record date of the Purging Dividend, and not just the PCo Shares held by the PCo Holders on such date) is less than the Purged PCo Shares, then, for purposes of this Agreement, (x) the amount of “Purged PCo Shares” shall mean all of the PCo Stock received (or to be received) by the PCo Holders in the Purging Dividend (in respect of all of the PCo Stock held by the PCo Holders on the record date of the Purging Dividend, and not just the PCo Shares held by the PCo Holders on such date), and (y) (1) in the event the Closing occurs prior to the payment of the Purging Dividend, the Purge Delay Price payable by Buyer

 

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pursuant to Section 6.04(a) shall be reduced by the Top-Up Cash, and (2) in the event the Closing occurs after the payment of the Purging Dividend, the Purchase Price payable pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 shall be reduced by an amount in cash equal to the Purged Cash (as contemplated by Section 6.04(a)(y)) plus the Top-Up Cash, if any.

(e)    Each of Buyer and the Seller Parties agree that, in the event the PCo Holders are entitled to the Purging Dividend Election, with respect to the PCo Shares, the PCo Holders shall be able to exercise such Purging Dividend Election in their sole discretion.

(f)     Exhibit A shall be updated by the Parties to reflect the inclusion of the Purged PCo Shares in the Sale pursuant to this Section 6.04.

Section 6.05     Release of any Liens ; Margin Loan . The Seller HoldCos shall (and shall cause the Sellers to) take all actions reasonably necessary or advisable to ensure that all Liens on the Shares pursuant to the Margin Loan Documentation (the “Margin Loan Liens”) are released substantially simultaneously with the Closing (it being understood and agreed that the shares shall be delivered to Buyer in restricted book-entry form as contemplated by Section 2.01); provided, that Buyer and the Seller HoldCos shall (and the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers to) each use its reasonable best efforts to provide all cooperation reasonably necessary or advisable to allow the Seller Parties to comply with the requirements of the Margin Loan Documentation to effect the release of the Margin Loan Liens, including paying, or causing to be paid, a portion of the Purchase Price on a delivery versus payment basis against the delivery of the Shares from the collateral accounts and/or pursuant to escrow arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the lenders under the Margin Loan Documentation and the debt financing for Buyer, and entry into an agreement or agreements with the Buyer, Sellers and the lenders under the Margin Loan Documentation and the debt financing for Buyer to effect the foregoing release and delivery as contemplated by Section 2.01. Further to the foregoing, substantially concurrent with the Closing, the Seller Parties shall repay no less than $1,650,000,000 of the loans outstanding under the Margin Loan Documentation. Until the first to occur of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Seller HoldCos shall cause the Sellers not to increase the principal amount or commitments outstanding under the Margin Loan Documentation (other than interest and other obligations that may be paid in kind in accordance with the terms thereof).

Section 6.06     Public Announcements . The initial press release with respect to the execution of this Agreement shall be a joint press release to be reasonably agreed upon by Buyer, on the one hand, and the Seller Parties, on the other hand. Thereafter, each of Buyer, on one hand, and the Seller Parties, on the other hand, shall obtain the other Parties’ or Party’s prior written consent before such Party or Parties issue(s) a press release concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided , that each Party may make any disclosures or filings with the SEC as required by the 1934 Act.

Section 6.07     Confidentiality .

(a)    This Agreement and the terms hereof are confidential and shall be deemed to be “Confidential Information” for purposes of this Section 6.07. In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Buyer, on one hand, and the Seller

 

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HoldCos, on the other hand, may exchange certain Confidential Information (the Party disclosing such Confidential Information shall be referred to herein as the “Disclosing Party” and the Party receiving such Confidential Information shall be referred to herein as the “Receiving Party”). Each Receiving Party shall, and shall instruct its respective Affiliates and Representatives (including as “Representatives”, for purposes of this Section 6.07, any potential debt financing sources) to, maintain in confidence and not disclose the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to any Person other than its Representatives who have a need to know such information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Receiving Party shall be liable for any breach of this Section 6.07 by such Persons; provided , that (i) a Party may disclose the terms of this Agreement in any filings with the SEC as required by the 1934 Act, (ii) a Party may disclose the terms of this Agreement in connection with the submissions contemplated by Section 6.02, and (iii) any Receiving Party may disclose such Confidential Information to the extent such Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by Applicable Law, as advised by outside legal counsel, in which case the Receiving Party shall promptly notify, to the extent legally permissible, the Disclosing Party so that the Disclosing Party may take reasonable steps to contest such requirement or in protecting the Disclosing Party’s rights prior to disclosure, and the Receiving Party shall cooperate in a reasonable manner with the Disclosing Party in obtaining any such remedy. If such remedy is not obtained, the Receiving Party shall only disclose such Confidential Information that it is advised by its outside counsel that it is legally bound to disclose under such Applicable Law.

(b)    Promptly upon written demand by the Disclosing Party at any time, the Receiving Party agrees promptly to return or destroy (to the extent legally permissible), at the Receiving Party’s option, all Confidential Information (other than this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence of this Section 6.07(b), the Receiving Party and its Representatives shall each have the right to retain the Confidential Information to the extent required by applicable legal, professional or regulatory obligation, including any bona fide internal policies and procedures implemented in connection therewith, and the Receiving Party and its Representatives may retain electronic copies of Confidential Information created pursuant to standard archival/back-up procedures; provided, that notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement and subject to Section 6.07(c), so long as the Receiving Party or its Representatives retain any such Confidential Information, such Confidential Information shall continue to remain confidential pursuant to the terms of this Section 6.07 as if such Section shall have continued to remain in full force and effect.

(c)    This Section 6.07 shall terminate upon the two year anniversary of the earlier of the (i) Closing Date and (ii) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01.

(d)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean oral and written proprietary or confidential information concerning any Person; provided , that “Confidential Information” shall not include any information that any Receiving Party can demonstrate that: (i) at the time of disclosure or thereafter is available to the public (other than as a result of a disclosure directly or indirectly by the Receiving Party

 

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or its Representatives in violation of this Section 6.07), (ii) is or becomes available to the Receiving Party on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Disclosing Party or its Representatives, provided that, to the Receiving Party’s knowledge, such source was not prohibited from disclosing such information to the Receiving Party by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation owed to the Disclosing Party, (iii) is already in the Receiving Party’s possession (other than information furnished by or on behalf of the Disclosing Party) or (iv) is independently developed or acquired by the Receiving Party without reference to, or use of, any Confidential Information and without otherwise violating this Section 6.07.

Section 6.08     Sellers Representative .

(a)    Each Seller Party hereby designates HLT HoldCo LLC as the initial representative for and on behalf of the Seller Parties (the “Sellers’ Representative”) as attorney-in-fact and agent to act on behalf of such Seller Party in this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, including the power and authority to:

(i)    enter into the Escrow Agreement and to authorize payments from the Escrow Fund to the Sellers or Buyer;

(ii)    determine any adjustments to Purchase Price and the amount of Shares as provided in Sections 2.03, 6.03 and 6.04; and

(iii)    take all actions necessary or appropriate or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents, as the Sellers’ Representative shall deem appropriate in conjunction for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing.

(b)    The Sellers’ Representative may resign at any time upon giving notice thereof to Buyer. Upon any such resignation, the resigning Sellers’ Representative may, on behalf of the Seller Parties, appoint its successor. Upon any appointment as the Sellers’ Representative hereunder, such successor Sellers’ Representative shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Sellers’ Representative, and the retiring Sellers’ Representative shall be discharged from its duties and obligations as the Sellers’ Representative hereunder. After any retiring Sellers’ Representative’s resignation as the Sellers’ Representative, the provisions of this Section 6.08 shall continue in effect for such retiring Sellers’ Representative benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Seller’s Representative.

Section 6.09     Notice of Sale .

(a)    After the Closing and subject to the terms and conditions specified in this Section 6.09, in the event that any of the Sellers proposes to sell, individually or in the aggregate, in one or a series of related transactions, to a Person who is not an Affiliate of the Sellers 1% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 2.5% or more of the outstanding PCo Stock or VCo Stock, respectively (“Subject Shares”), the Seller HoldCos shall use their reasonable best efforts to notify Buyer of such proposal by e-mail

 

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transmission to Fei Qiao (email address: fei.qiao@fangdalaw.com) and Liang Du (email address: duliang@hnair.com), prior to the consummation of such proposed transaction. The provisions of this Section 6.09(a) shall not be applicable to a sale in a public offering (including a shelf takedown).

(b)    Such notice to Buyer shall state the applicable Seller’s bona fide intention to sell the Subject Shares and specify the number of Subject Shares proposed to be sold; provided that such notice shall not be required to include any other information (including the price at which the Subject Shares may be sold or any other terms of such proposed transaction).

(c)    Upon sending such notice to Buyer, no Seller Party shall have any further obligation to Buyer with respect to such proposed sale of Subject Shares.

ARTICLE VII

CONDITIONS TO THE CLOSING

Section 7.01     Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party . The respective obligations of each of the Parties to consummate the Sale are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under Applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

(a)    No restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Sale (an “Order”) shall have taken effect after the date hereof and shall still be in effect.

(b)    Any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the HSR Act relating to the Sale shall have expired or been terminated and all approvals under those Foreign Antitrust Laws in the jurisdictions listed on Section 7.01(b) of the Disclosure Schedules, to the extent required to be obtained at or prior to the Closing in respect of the Sale, shall have been obtained at or prior to the Closing.

(c)    The PRC Approvals shall have been obtained at or prior to the Closing.

(d)    CFIUS Approval (if applicable) shall have been obtained at or prior to the Closing.

Section 7.02     Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer . The obligations of Buyer to consummate the Sale are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under Applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following further conditions:

(a)    (i) each of the Seller Parties shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing, (ii) (A) the representations and warranties of the Sellers contained in Section 3.05 (Capitalization) shall be true and correct in all respects (except for de minimis inaccuracies) at and as of the date hereof and the Closing as if made at and as of such

 

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time and (B) all other representations and warranties of the Seller Parties contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or other writing delivered by the Seller Parties pursuant hereto (disregarding all materiality qualifications contained therein) shall be true and correct at and as of the date hereof and the Closing as if made at and as of such time (other than representations and warranties that by their terms address matters only as of another specified time, which shall be true and correct only as of such time), with only such exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be likely to prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of the Seller Parties to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) Buyer shall have received a certificate signed by the general partner, the sole member, the managing member or an authorized signatory of each of the Seller HoldCos to the foregoing effect.

(b)    Each of the Seller Parties shall have delivered to Buyer a duly executed certificate of non-foreign status satisfying the requirements set forth in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2).

Section 7.03     Conditions to the Obligations of the Seller Parties . The obligations of the Seller Parties to consummate the Sale are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under Applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following further conditions:

(a)    (i) Buyer shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing, (ii) the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or other writing delivered by the Seller Parties pursuant hereto (disregarding all materiality qualifications contained therein) shall be true and correct at and as of the date hereof and the Closing as if made at and as of such time (other than representations and warranties that by their terms address matters only as of another specified time, which shall be true and correct only as of such time), with only such exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be likely to prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of Buyer to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby; and (iii) the Seller Parties shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of Buyer to the foregoing effect.

Section 7.04     Frustration of Closing Conditions . Prior to the End Date, none of the Seller Parties or Buyer may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Article VII to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s failure to use the standard of efforts required from such Party to comply with this Agreement and to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

TERMINATION

Section 8.01     Termination . This Agreement may be terminated and the Sale may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing:

(a)    by mutual written agreement of the Seller Parties and Buyer;

 

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(b)    by either Buyer or the Seller Parties, by written notice to the other Parties or Party, as applicable, if:

(i)    The Sale has not been consummated on or before March 15, 2017 (as such date may be extended pursuant to the following proviso, the “End Date”); provided, that if on March 15, 2017, a CFIUS Investigation has been commenced but CFIUS Approval has not been obtained but all other conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII shall have been satisfied or, if permissible under Applicable Law, waived by the Party entitled to waive such condition (or in the case of conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, shall be capable of being satisfied on such date), then the End Date may be extended to April 15, 2017 if the Seller Parties notify Buyer in writing on or prior to March 15, 2017 of their election to so extend the End Date; provided , further , that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(b)(i) shall not be available to any Party or Parties whose breach or breaches of any provision of this Agreement results in the failure of the Sale to be consummated by such time;

(ii)    There shall be any Order preventing the consummation of the Sale in effect that shall have become final and nonappealable; provided , that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(b)(ii) shall not be available to any Party or Parties whose breach or breaches of any provision of this Agreement results in such Order; or

(iii)    The President of the United States of America shall have made a determination under the Exon-Florio Amendment to suspend or to block the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(b)(iii) shall not be available to any Party or Parties whose breach or breaches of any provision of this Agreement results in such action by the President of the United States of America.

(c)    By Buyer, by written notice to the Seller Parties, if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of any Seller Party set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred that (A) would cause the conditions set forth in clauses (i) or (ii) of Section 7.02(a) not to be satisfied, and (B) is incapable of being cured by the End Date or, if curable, is not cured by the Seller Parties within thirty (30) days of receipt by the Seller Parties of written notice of such breach or failure (or, if the End Date is less than thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of such notice, by the End Date); provided , that Buyer shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(c) if, at the time of the delivery of such notice, Buyer is in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement.

(d)    By the Seller Parties, by written notice to Buyer, if:

(i)    A breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of Buyer set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred that would (A) cause the conditions set forth in clauses (i) or (ii) of Section 7.03(a) not to be satisfied, and (B) is incapable of being cured by the End

 

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Date or, if curable, is not cured by Buyer within thirty (30) days of receipt by Buyer of written notice of such breach or failure (or, if the End Date is less than thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of such notice, by the End Date); provided , that the Seller Parties shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(d)(i) if, at the time of the delivery of such notice, the Seller Parties are in material breach of their obligations under this Agreement; or

(ii)    (A) All of the conditions set forth in Section 7.01 and Section 7.02 (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied or waived (subject to Section 7.04), (B) the Seller Parties have delivered to Buyer an irrevocable written notice confirming that all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.03 have been satisfied (or that the Seller Parties are willing to waive any unsatisfied conditions in Section 7.03) and that the Seller Parties are ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing, and (C) Buyer fails to complete the Closing within seven (7) Business Days following the date on which the Closing should have occurred pursuant to Section 2.02(a).

Section 8.02     Effect of Termination . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.01, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect and without liability of any member of the Buyer Group or Seller Group (any of their respective Representatives (including as “Representatives”, with respect to Buyer and solely for purposes of this Section 8.02, any actual debt financing sources of the Buyer)) to the other Parties, in each case, relating to, based on or arising under or out of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the subject matter hereof (including the negotiation and performance of this Agreement), in each case whether based on contract, tort, equity or strict liability, by the enforcement of any assessment, by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any laws or otherwise and whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil; provided that the provisions of this Section 8.02, Section 6.07 and 8.03 and Article IX shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to Section 8.01 and, subject to Section 8.03, none of the Seller Parties or Buyer shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its willful and intentional breach of any provision of this Agreement.    

Section 8.03     Release of Escrow Fund Following Termination .

(a)     Release to Seller Parties . Immediately following the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01, each of the Sellers’ Representative and Buyer shall take all actions necessary, required or advisable (including executing any joint instructions required pursuant to the Escrow Agreement) to cause the Escrow Fund to be immediately released to the Seller Parties pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement in the following circumstances:

(i)    (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.01 and Section 7.02 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing), except for any one or more of the conditions set forth in Section 7.01(a) (solely as a result of an Order from a Governmental Authority in the PRC) and Section 7.01(c) and (B) this Agreement is terminated by either the Seller Parties or Buyer pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(i);

 

27


(ii)    this Agreement is terminated by either the Seller Parties or Buyer pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(ii) (solely as a result of an Order from a Governmental Authority in the PRC); or

(iii)    this Agreement is terminated by the Seller Parties pursuant to Section 8.01(d)(i) or Section 8.01(d)(ii).

(b)     Release to Buyer . Immediately following the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01, each of the Sellers’ Representative and Buyer shall take all actions necessary, required or advisable (including executing any joint instructions required pursuant to the Escrow Agreement) to cause the Escrow Fund to be immediately released to Buyer pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement in the following circumstances:

(i)    This agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.01(a);

(ii)    This Agreement is terminated by either the Seller Parties or Buyer pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(i) in any circumstance other than the circumstances described in Section 8.03(a)(i) above;

(iii)    this Agreement is terminated by either the Seller Parties or Buyer (x) pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(ii) in any circumstance other than the circumstances described in Section 8.03(a)(ii) above or (y) pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(iii); or

(iv)    this Agreement is terminated by Buyer pursuant to Section 8.01(c).

(c)    The Parties acknowledge that the Escrow Fund is a reasonable forecast of the actual damages to the Seller Parties and constitutes liquidated damages and not a penalty. The Parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this Section 8.03 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that, without these agreements, the Parties would not enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if either Buyer or the Sellers’ Representative fails to cause the Escrow Fund to be released pursuant to the terms of this Section 8.03, such Party shall also pay any documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorney fees) incurred by the other Party in connection with a legal action to enforce this Agreement that results in a judgment against the Party failing to cause the Escrow Fund to be released pursuant to Section 8.03.

(d)    Subject to Section 9.13, in the event that Buyer fails to effect the Closing for any reason or no reason or it otherwise breaches this Agreement (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) or otherwise fails to perform hereunder (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise), then the Seller Parties’ rights (i) to terminate this Agreement and receive the Escrow Fund pursuant to Section 8.03(a) and (ii) to receive any amounts due to the Seller Parties pursuant to Section 8.03(c) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy (whether based on contract, tort, equity or strict liability, by the enforcement of any assessment, by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any laws or otherwise and whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil) of the Seller Parties and any of their respective Affiliates against (A) Buyer, (B) the former, current and future holders of any equity, partnership or limited liability company interest, controlling Persons, directors, officers,

 

28


employees, agents, attorneys, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, stockholders, or assignees of Buyer, (C) any lender or prospective lender, lead arranger, arranger, agent or representative of or to Buyer or (D) any holders or future holders of any equity, stock, partnership or limited liability company interest, controlling Persons, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, stockholders, assignees of any of the foregoing (clauses (A) – (D), collectively, the “Buyer Group”), for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) or failure to perform hereunder (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) or other failure of the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise). For the avoidance of doubt, none of Buyer or any other member of the Buyer Group shall have any liability for monetary damages of any kind or nature or arising in any circumstance in connection with this Agreement, the Sale or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 8.03(d), and in no event shall (X) the Seller Parties or the Company, (Y) the former, current and future holders of any equity, partnership or limited liability company interest, controlling Persons, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, stockholders, or assignees of the Seller Parties or the Company or (Z) any holders or future holders of any equity, stock, partnership or limited liability company interest, controlling Persons, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, stockholders, assignees of any of the foregoing (clauses (X) – (Z), collectively, the “Seller Group”) seek, or permit to be sought, on behalf of any member of the Seller Group, any monetary damages from any member of the Buyer Group in connection with this Agreement, the Sale or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than from Buyer pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 8.03(d).

(e)    Subject to Section 9.13, in the event that the Seller Parties fails to effect the Closing for any reason or no reason or it otherwise breaches this Agreement (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) or otherwise fails to perform hereunder (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise), then Buyer’s right to (i) terminate this Agreement and receive the Escrow Fund pursuant to Section 8.03(b), (ii) to receive any amounts due to Buyer pursuant to Section 8.03(c) and (iii) in the event that the remedy of specific performance is not available, to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01(c) and to seek to recover from the Seller Parties any damages as a court of competent jurisdiction may find Buyer to be entitled arising out of or resulting from the Seller Parties’ breach or breaches of any provision of this Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000,000, shall be the sole and exclusive remedy (whether based on contract, tort, equity or strict liability, by the enforcement of any assessment, by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any laws or otherwise and whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil) of any member of the Buyer Group against any member of the Seller Group for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) or failure to perform hereunder (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise) or other failure of the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated (whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise). None of the Seller Parties or any other member of the Seller Group shall have any liability for monetary damages of any kind or nature or arising in

 

29


any circumstance in connection with this Agreement, the Sale or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 8.03(e), and in no event shall Buyer or any other member of the Buyer Group seek, or permit to be sought, on behalf of any member of the Buyer Group, any monetary damages from any member of the Seller Group in connection with this Agreement, the Sale or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than from the Seller Parties pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 8.03(e). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8.03(e) shall not limit the ability of Buyer after the Closing to seek to recover from the Seller Parties any damages as a court of competent jurisdiction may find Buyer to be entitled arising out of or relating from the Seller Parties’ breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.05 in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Purchase Price.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01     Notices . All notices, requests and other communications to any Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopy faxed (which is confirmed), sent by electronic mail transmission (with confirmation of receipt of such electronic mail received by return electronic mail) or sent by international overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the addresses set forth below. Each Party agrees that notices, requests and other communications required to be given by or to any of the Seller Parties shall be deemed to be given if delivered by or to the Sellers’ Representative pursuant to the requirements of this Section 9.01.

if to Buyer, to:

 

HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.
HHA Building, No. 7 Guoxing Road
Haikou, P.R.C. 570203
Facsimile:   +86 139 7686 0822
E-mail:   duliang@hnair.com
  wang-xun@hnair.com
Attention:   Mr. Liang Du
  Mr. Xun Wang

with a copy to:    

 

Fangda Partners
27/F, North Tower, Beijing Kerry Centre
1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing 100020
People’s Republic of China
Facsimile:   +86-10-5769-5788
E-mail:   fei.qiao@fangdalaw.com
Attention:   Fei Qiao

 

30


Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Alexandra House, 29th Floor
18 Chater Road
Hong Kong, China
Facsimile:   +852 3015 9354
Email:   akiko.mikumo@weil.com
  charles.ching@weil.com
Attention:   Akiko Mikumo
  Charles Ching
and  
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
Facsimile:   (212) 310-8007
Email:   jackie.cohen@weil.com
Attention:   Jackie Cohen

if to the Seller Parties, to:

 

HLT Holdco LLC
c/o The Blackstone Group
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Facsimile:   (646) 253-8712
Email:   Henritze@Blackstone.com
Attention:   Tyler S. Henritze

with a copy to:

 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile:   (212) 455-2502
Email:   bstadler@stblaw.com
  cmay@stblaw.com
Attention:   Brian M. Stadler
  Christopher R. May

or to such other address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as such Party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other Parties. All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.

Section 9.02     Survival . Other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.05, which shall survive until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable

 

31


statute of limitations, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and in any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto shall not survive the Closing (except for any covenant or agreement of the Parties that by its express terms contemplates performance after the Closing) and all rights, claims and causes of action (whether based on contract, tort, equity or strict liability, by the enforcement of any assessment, by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any laws or otherwise and whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil) with respect to such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall terminate at the Closing.

Section 9.03     Amendments and Waivers .

(a)    Any provision of this Agreement may be amended, supplemented or waived in any and all respects at any time prior to the Closing, if, but only if, such amendment, supplement or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment or supplement, by each Party or, in the case of a waiver, by each Party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

(b)    At any time prior to the Closing, the Seller Parties, on one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, may, by prior written notice to the other Party or Parties, and subject to Applicable Law, (i) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other Party or Parties, (ii) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other Party or Parties, (iii) waive compliance by the other Party or Parties with any of the agreements contained herein or (iv) except as otherwise provided herein, waive any of the other Party’s or Parties’ conditions. No failure or delay by any Party or Parties in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder 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. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Applicable Law.

Section 9.04     Costs and Expenses . Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring such cost or expense.

Section 9.05     Disclosure Schedule References . The Parties agree that any reference in a particular Section of the Disclosure Schedules shall only be deemed to be an exception to (or, as applicable, a disclosure for purposes of) (a) the representations and warranties (or covenants, as applicable) of the Seller Parties that are contained in the corresponding Section of this Agreement and (b) any other representations and warranties of the Seller Parties that is contained in this Agreement, but only if the relevance of that reference as an exception to (or a disclosure for purposes of) such representations and warranties would be readily apparent to a reasonable person who has read that reference and such representations and warranties, without any independent knowledge on the part of the reader regarding the matter(s) so disclosed .   The inclusion of an item in the Disclosure Schedules as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission that such item represents a material exception or material fact, event or circumstance or that such item would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of the Seller Parties to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.06     Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment .

(a)    The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

(b)    No Party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of each other Party, except for an assignment by Buyer of its rights under Section 6.04(b) in connection with Buyer’s debt financing (if any) and except that, (x) with prior written notice to the Seller Parties, Buyer may transfer or assign its rights to purchase the Shares at the Closing to one or more of its controlled Affiliates prior to the Closing or designate a controlled Affiliate to purchase the Shares at the Closing and (y) with prior written notice to Buyer, any Seller may transfer or assign its rights to sell Shares at the Closing to one or more other Sellers so long as the total number of Shares remains the same; provided, that, in each case, (i) any such assignment or designation shall not impede or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Article III or V, as applicable, shall be true and correct with respect to such assignee or designee and (iii) such transfer or assignment shall not relieve Buyer or any Seller Party, as applicable, of its obligations hereunder or enlarge, alter or change any obligation of any other Party or due to any Party. Any purported assignment, delegation or transfer not permitted by this Section 9.06(b) is null and void.

Section 9.07     Governing Law . This Agreement, the Disclosure Schedules, the Escrow Agreement and any other document or instrument delivered pursuant hereto, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution, termination, performance or nonperformance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state.

Section 9.08     Jurisdiction . The Parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought exclusively in the Delaware Chancery Court and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Chancery Court shall not have or declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court located in the State of Delaware or other Delaware state court), and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any Party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party agrees that service of process on such Party as provided in Section 9.01 shall be deemed effective service of process on such Party.

Section 9.09     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

33


Section 9.10     Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each Party shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by all of the other Parties. Until and unless each Party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other Parties, this Agreement shall have no effect and no Party shall have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other communication).

Section 9.11     Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Disclosure Schedules and the Escrow Agreement (and all exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral and written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 9.12     Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable by any rule of law or public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby are not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law and in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

Section 9.13     Specific Performance; Remedies . The Parties agree that (i) irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the Seller Parties do not perform the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breach such provisions and (ii) the right of Buyer to specific enforcement is an integral part of the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right, Buyer would not have entered into this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that Buyer shall be entitled to seek an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement by the Seller Parties and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition to any other remedy, subject to Section 8.03(e), to which Buyer is entitled at law or in equity. The Seller Parties agree that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that (x) Buyer has an adequate remedy at law or (y) an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity. If Buyer seeks an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, it shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction. The Parties agree that the Seller Parties shall not be entitled to an injunction to

 

34


prevent breaches of this Agreement by Buyer or to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement or any other equitable relief and that the sole and exclusive remedy of the Seller Parties relating to a breach of this Agreement by Buyer shall be the remedy set forth in the first sentence of Section 8.03(d); provided, that the Seller Parties shall be entitled to seek specific performance to prevent any breach by Buyer of Section 6.07.

Section 9.14     Controlling Language of this Agreement . This Agreement has been negotiated and executed in the English language, and this English language execution version shall govern in all respects and prevail over any translation of the same, including for the purposes of enforcing this Agreement in any court or other tribunal.

Section 9.15     Acknowledgement of No Other Representations or Warranties .

(a)    Buyer acknowledges that in making the determination to proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it has relied solely on the results of its own independent investigation and the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III and Article IV. None of the Seller Parties, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives or any other Person makes any other express or implied representation or warranty, at law or in equity, with respect to the Seller Parties, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates or as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects or any other information provided to Buyer or its Affiliates or Representatives (including as “Representatives”, with respect to Buyer and solely for purposes of this Section 9.15, any actual debt financing sources of the Buyer) (any such information described in this Section 9.15(a), the “Seller Provided Information”), notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to Buyer or its Affiliates or Representatives of any documentation, estimates, projections, forecasts or other information by the Seller Parties, the Company or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates with respect to any one or more of the foregoing, including any projections, forecasts or other estimates, plans or budgets of future revenues, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Seller Parties, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates or the future business, operations or affairs of the Seller Parties, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates heretofore or hereafter delivered to or made available to Buyer or its Representatives or Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law and subject to Section 9.13, except with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Article III and Article IV or any breach of any covenant or other agreement of the Seller Parties contained herein, none of the Seller Parties or the Company, their Affiliates or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability to Buyer or its Affiliates, or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives on any basis (whether based on contract, tort, equity or strict liability, by the enforcement of any assessment, by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any laws, including any applicable federal or state securities laws, or otherwise and whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil) based upon any Seller Provided Information or statements (or any omissions therefrom) provided or made available by the Seller Parties or its Affiliates and Representatives to Buyer or its Affiliates and Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

35


(b)    Each of the Seller Parties acknowledges that in making the determination to proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it has relied solely on the results of its own independent investigation and the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V. None of Buyer or any other Person makes any other express or implied representation or warranty, at law or in equity, with respect to Buyer or its Affiliates or as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects or any other information provided to the Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates or Representatives (any information described in this Section 9.15(b), the “Buyer Provided Information”), notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates or Representatives of any documentation, estimates, projections, forecasts or other information by Buyer or any of its Representatives or Affiliates with respect to any one or more of the foregoing, including any projections, forecasts or other estimates, plans or budgets of future revenues, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of Buyer or its Affiliates or the future business, operations or affairs of Buyer or its Affiliates heretofore or hereafter delivered to or made available to the Sellers Parties or their Representatives or Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law and subject to Section 9.13, except with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Article V or any breach of any covenant or other agreement of Buyer contained herein, none of Buyer, its Affiliates or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability to any Seller Party or its Affiliates, or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives on any basis (whether based on contract, tort, equity or strict liability, by the enforcement of any assessment, by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any laws, including any applicable federal or state securities laws, or otherwise and whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil) based upon any Buyer Provided Information or statements (or any omissions therefrom) provided or made available by Buyer or its Affiliates and Representatives to the Seller Parties or their Affiliates and Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank; signature pages follow.]

 

36


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers or signatories as of the date set forth on the cover page of this Agreement.

 

HNA TOURISM GROUP CO., LTD.
By:  

/s/ Ling Zhang

Name:  

Ling Zhang

Title:  

Chairman of the Board


HLT HOLDCO II LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:  

Vice President, Secretary and Senior

Managing Director

 

HLT HOLDCO III LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director

 

HLT BREH VI HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:  

Vice President, Secretary and Senior

Managing Director

 

HLT BREP VI.TE.2 HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director

 

HLT BREH INTL II HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director

 

HLT A23 BREH VI HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director

 

HLT A23 HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director

 

38


HLT HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT BREP VI.TE.2 HOLDINGS HOLDCO LLC
By: Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI.TE.2 L.P., its sole member
By: Blackstone Real Estate Associates VI L.P., its general partner
By:   BREA VI L.L.C., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Senior Managing Director
HLT BREH VI HOLDINGS HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
HLT BREH INTL II HOLDINGS HOLDCO LLC
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Vice President, Secretary and Senior
  Managing Director
BLACKSTONE A23 HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ William Stein

Name:   William Stein
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Senior
  Managing Director

 

39


HLT BREH VI-A HOLDINGS HOLDCO LLC
By: Blackstone Real Estate Holdings VI L.P. its sole member
By: BREP VI Side-by-Side GP L.L.C., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Tyler S. Henritze

Name:   Tyler S. Henritze
Title:   Senior Managing Director

 

40


Exhibit A

 

Seller

  

Number of Shares

 

HLT Holdco III LLC

     203,199,679   

HLT Holdco II LLC

     14,032,755   

HLT BREP VI.TE.2 Holdco LLC

     21,842,543   

HLT BREH VI Holdco LLC

     765,063   

HLT BREH Intl II Holdco LLC

     128,934   

HLT A23 Holdco LLC

     7,486,009   

HLT A23 BREH VI Holdco LLC

     45,017   
  

 

 

 

Total

     247,500,000   
  

 

 

 

 

41


Exhibit B

 

  1. HLT Holdco LLC

 

  2. HLT BREP VI.TE.2 Holdings Holdco LLC

 

  3. HLT BREH VI Holdings Holdco LLC

 

  4. HLT BREH Intl II Holdings Holdco LLC

 

  5. Blackstone A23 Holdings LLC

 

  6. HLT BREH VI-A Holdings Holdco LLC