Every day, Hilton Team Members work to create exceptional experiences for our guests, and we are committed to ensuring our Team Members receive those same opportunities to experience Hilton’s signature Hospitality. We recently hosted a giveaway awarding three Team Members and their special guests the chance to attend the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome – the biennial men’s golf tournament between teams from the U.S. and Europe.
Keep reading to learn why each Team Member entered the giveaway, highlights of their time attending the 2023 Ryder Cup, and details on how Hilton makes their guest and Team Member dreams come true through exceptional experiences.

Joshua Cerra, Senior Analyst, Content Strategy & Planning, McLean, VA
“I have been with Hilton for just over three years, starting as a corporate intern and then returning full-time after graduation. I am currently on the Content Strategy & Planning team for Marketing and Loyalty, and I couldn’t be happier to work at Hilton!”Why did you want to enter the 2023 Ryder Cup giveaway, and how did you feel when you found out you were selected to attend?
“I grew up loving the game of golf. My mom loves to tell people that while all the other kids were watching cartoons, I was watching golf. I started playing at a young age, and although my sports journey led me down a different path, it has always remained a passion of mine.
When I found out I won, I couldn’t believe it. I have never won a raffle, or anything of the sort, in my life. It was an exhilarating email to receive! My heartrate was through the roof, and I immediately called my family because I had to share the news with someone.What was your experience like attending the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome with Hilton?
“The Ryder Cup is truly a one-of-a-kind sporting event. We were five feet away from the golfers at certain points throughout the weekend, we participated in Hilton-sponsored activities, like the Hilton Chipping Challenge, and we even saw Justin Timberlake during the tournament. The U.S. did not win, which was the team I was rooting for, but it was still one of the top three weekends of my life. Thank you, Hilton, for providing me and my guest with this incredible experience. Hilton truly is a great place to work, and I am honored to have been selected to live out my dream.”
Claudia Mackay, Manager, Sales Governance, Glasgow, Scotland
“I have been with Hilton for about 12 years now, working between on-property sales, marketing, and Hilton Worldwide Sales before joining the Sales Governance Team in 2019. I love being able to support our hotels in doing their jobs as quickly and efficiently as they can. Having been in an on-property position previously, I understand the importance of having the systems in place to support your role.”Why did you want to enter the 2023 Ryder Cup giveaway, and how did you feel when you found out you were selected to attend?
At home, when the Ryder Cup takes place, it is always on the television. My boyfriend, Andrew, is a huge golf fan, so we usually watch together. Entering the competition was a no-brainer for us – the opportunity for us to attend was exciting, especially with it being in Italy for the first time. When we found out I was selected as a winner, Andrew and I couldn’t believe it! It was the best feeling, and we could not wait for the date to come around.”What was your experience like attending the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome with Hilton?
“Almost indescribable! We were supporting Team Europe, as I am based in Glasgow, and the crowds were amazing. There was a good mix of Team Europe and Team USA fans, but the Team Europe fans were loud! We met so many people from different backgrounds, and it was nice to have some fun banter back and forth with the Team USA fans. The hotel we stayed at as part of our prize package, the Hilton Rome Eur La Lama, was incredible. The staff were so friendly and welcoming, and they even had daily amenities in the room that were golf themed, which was a nice surprise to come back to each evening. The cherry on top of the cake was Team Europe winning – it was the perfect end to the weekend for us!

Front Office Manager, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
“I started working at the Rome Cavalieri about 13 years ago, and I have been with Hilton and this hotel ever since. After a few years in the reservations department, I knew I wanted to try out a role that was completely different for me. I moved to the Front Office as a Supervisor, and I’m now celebrating one year in my new position.”

