On March 28, Hilton Hotels, HCW Development Company, and the city of Branson will lose a key member of its convention center – hotel complex team. Mark Hartman, General Manager, Hiltons of Branson, and the personification of the Hilton image within the Branson community, has announced his retirement effective March 27.
Hartman has had a 25 year career with Hilton Hotels during which he spent most of that time traveling throughout the country opening hotels. Prior to coming to Branson he had opened 13 hotels for Hilton including a number that had extensive meeting and conference centers in them as well as those that were immediately adjacent to separate independently owned convention centers.
When asked if he had ever opened two hotels and a convention center at one time before Hartman said, “I don’t think anybody has ever opened two hotels and a convention center in one year.” He described it as a huge accomplishment for his team while saying that he didn’t think that he would want to try for four. The Hilton Promenade Hotel at Branson Landing opened on Valentines Day 2007 followed by the Branson Convention Center on Aug. 17, and the Hilton Convention Center Hotel on Aug.27. When asked what advice he would give to someone who was contemplating trying to do the same thing, he replied, “Do one.”
Recent reports by Hilton Hotels to the city of Branson, verified by the city independent asset manager, Senate Hospitality, indicate that the operation of the Branson Convention Center is going very well and exceeding forecasted expectations. Hartman attributes the success of the convention center operation to, among other things, the support and structure that Hilton Hotels has provided, the support of city staff, and the Hilton management philosophy of staying focused on the “customer.”
In going over his career Harman said that he draws the most personal satisfaction from seeing employees succeed. He went on to describe his excitement as he walks through the two hotels and the convention center and senses the pride that the employees have for the opportunity to work in such a facility.
When asked why he is retiring now Hartman said, “One of my goals was to retire by the age of 50. I exceeded that goal by a year.” He went on to say that with the opening basically completed and an excellent operational, management, and sales team in place that now was an excellent time for a transition.
He pointed out that since being in Branson the scope, intensity, and magnitude of the project has taken up the vast majority of his time. When asked the usual question, “How do you plan to spend your retirement?” he gave a very unusual answer.
Oh, it started off with the usual, like catching up on a lot of projects and responsibilities that he has put off but then, in an almost sudden but reflective manner he stopped. With obvious sincerity, affection and appreciation in his voice he simply acknowledged how much he owed his wife, Stephanie, for all the support, accommodation, and sacrifice she has given for him and his career over the years and indicated that one of the first things he wanted to do was to spend more time with her and do some of the things that they have not been able to do up to this point.
Furnished Courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent
