Appleton council approves new five-year contract for Hilton to manage exhibition center

By Rachel Charniak Jun 18, 2026 | 11:45 AM

Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton, connected to Hilton Paper Valley. Dec. 30, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Appleton Common Council and Hilton Paper Valley Hotel have approved a new contract for the hotel to manage the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

The hotel had already approved the deal, and aldermen approved it Wednesday night, the city confirmed.

It is a five-year deal, starting July 1. The hotel then has an option to renew for another five years. Two additional five-year renewals after that are also possible, according to the terms.

Appleton and the Hilton Paper Valley Hotel failed to reach a long-term agreement before the initial agreement expired last Dec. 31. However, Hilton Paper Valley continued to operate the hotel under a temporary agreement.