Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton’s award-winning all-suite, extended-stay hotel brands, announced today the winners of the “Travel MANager #1 Dad” Sweepstakes hosted in partnership with the National Military Family Association (NMFA). The grand-prize family, Lieutenant Commander 04 Tiffani Walker and Lieutenant Commander 04 Jared Burgess along with their three kids will enjoy a complimentary stay at any Homewood Suites by Hilton property in the United States along with $2,500. The prize will give the family some much needed “Dad Time” before Jared leaves for Bahrain in 2017; where he will be stationed for one year.
The announcement was made in the family’s hometown of Norfolk, Va. with a surprise event proclaiming the winning family to have “America’s # 1 Dad”. The family’s home was equipped with a larger than life “# 1 Dad” sign, including balloons and lawn ornaments to mark the occasion. Planned without his knowledge, Jared Burgess arrived home with his family after their weekly “Family Date Night” to the surprise and was greeted by Homewood Suites and Home 2 Suites Global Head Adrian Kurre with the announcement that his family had won the sweepstakes.
“We understand the challenges military families face when it comes to being present for life’s little moments,” said Adrian Kurre, global head, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton. “Jared and Tiffani are heroes for their military service to our country and we are grateful to them for their sacrifice. Hopefully, Jared can also be his family’s travel planning hero and can enjoy some well-deserved time away before heading overseas.
“The contest was hosted on the NMFA website and asked military spouses to nominate their significant other to share why they deserve to be surprised with a trip for their family. The winning vacation is being offered as part of Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton’s “Travel MANager” program. The program focuses on helping fathers have a participatory role in travel planning, urging men to join in on family travel planning with tools and resources to orchestrate the perfect family vacation or couple’s weekend.
“We are a dual military family, where both mom and dad are serving, parenting and living out our dreams,” said Tiffani Walker, Jared’s wife who nominated him for the sweepstakes. “Fatherhood for Jared had two abrupt starts, intersections where military service met children. I admire that he doesn’t belabor the time lost, and we all wish there could be more time spent together. This now makes that possible.”
“Giving military families the gift of time is one of the most precious gifts,” said NMFA Executive Director, Joyce Wessel Raezer. “Military families spend so much time apart due to deployments, trainings, and other stressors from the military lifestyle. Nothing can replace the memories they will make on a trip together as whole family.”
Addressing fathers’ desires to spend more time with their families, the Travel MANager program kicked off in June 2016 and encourages men to plan “Dad Time.” According to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research* polling men about travel with their children, 89 percent of respondents felt traveling alone with their kids was one of the best ways to bond, and 89 percent also were interested in recreating a trip they took with their fathers.
Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton participate in Hilton’s award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key.
