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July 28, 2016 6:44 pm
Published by dg_admin
ATLANTA, Ga. (July 28, 2016) – Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel ownership and management company, today announced it has acquired two downtown Winston Salem, North Carolina hotels, both adjacent to the Benton Convention Center which is currently under an $18 million renovation: the 315-room Marriott and the 146-room Embassy Suites. The company will invest significant capital to dramatically enhance the product of both hotels.
“North Carolina continues to be one of the more attractive hotel marketplaces in the U.S., with domestic travelers spending more than $20 billion across the state according to the latest available data,” said Robert S. Cole, HVMG president and CEO. “While the Marriott and Embassy Suites mark our entry into Winston-Salem, they also are our fifth and sixth North Carolina properties, adding greater depth to our state and regional market insights and providing economies of scale we can leverage immediately.
“We are working a very active acquisitions and development pipeline, with these two properties becoming the fifth and sixth hotels added to our portfolio over the last seven weeks,” Cole added. “2016 is shaping up to be one of HVMG’s most successful growth years in its history.
“We continue to be optimistic as transaction activities are expected to increase in the second half of 2016, fueled by improving capital markets,” Cole continued.
Winston-Salem Marriott
Located in the downtown area at 425 North Cherry Street, the full-service hotel is part of the Twin City Quarter and connected to the 100,000 sq. ft. Benton Convention Center. Nearby attractions include the Piedmont Triad Research Park, City Hall, Downtown Arts District (DADA), Fourth Street’s restaurant row, Old Salem and the LJVM (Joel) Coliseum.
The guest rooms are amenity-rich and include the new Marriott Revive Beds with 300-count linens, fluffier pillows and down comforters, as well as a 37” flat panel televisions. Dining options include the Graze Restaurant and Lounge, offering seasonal and sharable American breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as room service and two private dining rooms. Additional dining options include the concierge level lounge offering complimentary breakfast and hors d’oeuvres during the evening. Event space is comprised of 15,067 sq. ft. and 14 event rooms with a maximum capacity of 600 people. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, 24-hour business and fitness centers and indoor pool.
Embassy Suites Winston-Salem
Strategically located at 460 North Cherry Street, 10 minutes from Smith-Reynolds Airport and 20 minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport, the Twin City Quarter property is connected to the Benton Convention Center. Nearby attractions include the Winston-Salem arts district, Delta Arts Center, Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Old Salem and more than 75 parks for outdoor activities.
The hotel boasts spacious suites with private bedroom, separate living room with a sofa bed, armchair, work desk, wet bar, refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Dining options include the Grille Restaurant and Bar and complimentary, made-to-order breakfast, as well as free drinks and snacks at the evening reception. The hotel offers more than 57,000 sq. ft. of event space, including an eight-story atrium that accommodates 600 people, the Gaines Ballroom for weddings and the Grand Pavilion Ballroom for banquets, allowing for 1,200 people. Other amenities include the Glass Door Salon & Spa, a 24-hour fitness center and an indoor pool.
About Hospitality Ventures Management Group
Hospitality Ventures Management Group is a privately owned, fully-integrated hotel investment and management group that specializes in turning around and repositioning underperforming hotels as well as maximizing the performance of stabilized hotels. It currently operates 35 hotels in 16 states totaling 7,572 guest rooms. HVMG operates independent and boutique hotels, and resorts, as well as full-service, select service and extended stay hotels under the Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood and IHG brands. Visit www.hvmg.com for more information.
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July 26, 2016 6:40 pm
Published by dg_admin
ATLANTA, Ga., July 26, 2016 – Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel management company, today announced that it was awarded management of the 124-room Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Airport West.
“This new addition to the HVMG portfolio demonstrates the breadth of our hotel management expertise across multiple brands and segments,” said Robert S. Cole, HVMG president and CEO.“HVMG is proud to be a preferred third party operator for Marriott International. We are excited to bring our proven operational platform and deliver premium performance in revenue, market share, guest experience and profitability to the Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Airport West.”
“The addition of this property marks our sixth property in Atlanta and our seventh Marriott-branded hotel,” he added. “We have a strong relationship with Marriott as well as all of the other leading brands including Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Starwood, which aids significantly in seamless takeovers. Coupled with our in-depth knowledge of the Atlanta market, we look forward to adding immediate value to this property’s owner.”
The hotel is conveniently located near the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, off of Camp Creek Parkway. Nearby is Atlanta’s downtown area, the Georgia International Convention Center, Turner Field and the Georgia Aquarium, among other attractions. Well-known shopping options, restaurants, entertainment and prominent businesses also reside nearby.
The property’s lobby bistro offers breakfast and dinner options as well as Starbuck’s® coffees and teas. Other amenities include a lobby convenience store, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, a patio with a fire pit and a fitness center. Additionally, the hotel provides three event rooms and a breakout room, totaling over 2,600 sq. ft. of event space that can comfortably accommodate up to 130 guests.
About Hospitality Ventures Management Group
Hospitality Ventures Management Group is a privately owned, fully-integrated hotel investment and management group that specializes in turning around and repositioning underperforming hotels, as well as maximizing the performance of stabilized hotels. It currently operates 33 hotels in 15 states totaling 7,111 guest rooms. HVMG develops, owns, and operates independent and boutique hotels and resorts, as well as full-service, select-service and extended-stay hotels under the Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG brands. Visit www.hvmg.com for more information.
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July 25, 2016 6:55 pm
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Professional Hotel Asset Managers and Senior Executives across the region attend the inaugural General Assembly hosted by Hospitality Asset Managers Association MEA (HAMA MEA) during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC)
July 25, 2016 – The Middle Eastern affiliate of the globally renowned Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) hosted its first annual general assembly during AHIC 2016. The event was attended by professional asset managers & senior executives from leading Hospitality real estate investment organizations from across the region.
“We are excited about today’s milestone event, which now allows us to act upon our mission of the enhancement of hospitality asset managers through education, advancement of the profession, and serving as the collective industry voice of hospitality ownership” says René Beil, President of HAMA MEA.
HAMA represents the interests of more than 400 professionals who are responsible for proactively increasing asset values on behalf of hotel owners worldwide. The newly-formed MEA affiliate is headquartered in Dubai, with members across the Middle East and Africa. HAMA MEA will seek to support the evolution of the hotel asset management profession across the region while furthering the Association’s global footprint, which currently has established affiliates in the USA, Asia Pacific, Japan, China and Europe.
In a region where hotels require shorter periods of time to stabilize, ensuring that performance is sustainable is paramount, and HAMA MEA aims to deliver both the stability and the invaluable experience necessary in order to ensure sustainability and maximize value for hotel owners and investors. HAMA members are directly involved in hotel asset management, acquisitions, development support, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts and are immediately responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and brand as well as management selection.
“‘Expanding into the Middle East and Africa is a huge step forward for our organization as asset managers and owners worldwide face similar challenges and trends including branding, proliferation of OTA’s, financial performance, capital investment decisions, impact of growth in home rentals, etc. We are extremely excited to have HAMA MEA join HAMA and our other affiliate chapters and we look forward to a long and productive partnership.” said Maxine Taylor, Board Member & International Chair HAMA USA.
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July 21, 2016 6:52 pm
Published by dg_admin
Dubai, July 21, 2016: The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), one of the world’s leading hospitality management schools and part of Jumeirah Group, recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Hospitality Asset Managers Association of Middle East and Africa (HAMA MEA).
HAMA is the pre-eminent organization of professionals responsible for proactively increasing asset values on behalf of hotel owners worldwide with more than 400 professionals worldwide representing an estimated 5,000 hotels. The MEA affiliate is based out of Dubai within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), covering the Middle East and Africa, with members reaching as far as South Africa. HAMA MEA will seek to support the evolution of the hotel asset management profession across the region while furthering the Association’s global footprint, which currently has established affiliates in the USA, Asia Pacific, Japan, China and Europe.
This agreement with EAHM serves to educate students on the possibility of Asset Management as a career path and further helps to bridge the gap between an increasingly complex industry and education. In a region where maximisation of value for hotel owners and investors is key, it is critical to educate future hoteliers so that they enter the industry with an investor ready mind-set.
Commenting on the new partnership between EAHM and HAMA MEA, Judy Hou, Managing Director of The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, said: “We are proud of this partnership as this collaboration will give our students the invaluable experience needed before they enter the industry.”
“We are delighted with this collaboration agreement which is in line with our mission of the enhancement of Hospitality Asset Management through education, advancement of the profession, and highlighting the viability of Asset Management as a professional career path” says René Beil, President of HAMA MEA & Managing Director of Beaufort Global Partners.
About The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management:
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) in Dubai is one of the world’s leading hospitality business management schools and an integral part of the global luxury hotel company, Jumeirah Group. It is a leading provider of University-level hospitality business education and offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees designed to develop the hospitality leaders of the future. EAHM works in academic association with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and all programmes of study are fully accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates, the Institute of Hospitality in the United Kingdom and THE-ICE (International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education) in Australia. It is also a higher education member of the Council of International Schools (CIS). For further information and enrolment requirements, please visit The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management online: www.emiratesacademy.edu
About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts manages properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Kuwait in the Middle East; Baku, Bodrum, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Mallorca (Spain) and Rome in Europe; the Maldives and Shanghai in Asia. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah LivingTM with properties in London and Dubai; the new contemporary lifestyle hotel brand VenuTM; the wellness brand TaliseTM; Jumeirah Restaurant Group DubaiTM; Wild Wadi WaterparkTM; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality ManagementTM; and SiriusTM, its global loyalty programme. Future openings include luxury and lifestyle hotels in China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mauritius, Oman, Russia and the UAE. www.jumeirah.com
ABOUT Hospitality Asset Managers Association Middle Ease East & Africa
Established in 1992, the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) has a global footprint with affiliates in USA, Europe, Asia Pacific, China, Japan & MEA. HAMA MEA aims to deliver both the stability and the invaluable experience necessary in order to ensure sustainability and maximize value for hotel owners and investors. HAMA members are directly involved in hotel asset management, acquisitions, development support, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts and are immediately responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and brand as well as management selection. Through its members presence at HAMA meetings and industry events as well as having established a strong networking and educational foundation the organization continues to further advance its stated purpose to promote the enhancement of hotel asset values. www.hamamea.org
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July 13, 2016 6:38 pm
Published by dg_admin
Atlanta, GA (June 13, 2016): The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) today announced that nominations now are open for the second annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Launched last year in honor of Lori Raleigh, founder of the Travers Group and executive director of ISHC 2000-2013, the award honors young, successful industry professionals with leadership qualities in hospitality consulting.
“The Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting gives young professionals with early career success a chance to be recognized for their leadership qualities and efforts,” said Kristie Dickinson, ISHC award committee chair and senior vice president of CHMWarnick. “For any industry to succeed, there must be a constant influx of new talent and voices. The ISHC would like to recognize the best-of-the-best in the emerging class of today’s hospitality consultants as the nominees and winner help to mold tomorrow.”
This year, ISHC is looking to expand their reach for nominations with new criteria and more emphasis on third-party consulting. Nominations are due by August 1, 2016. The winner will be announced in mid-August and presented at the ISHC Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, September 22 – 24, 2016 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Winners will receive a one-year associate membership in ISHC, where networking opportunities with the industry’s top consultants become available with this invitation-only group of hospitality experts, as well as an all-expense invitation to attend the event itself.
Candidates for The Lori Raleigh Award must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of the award presentation and have five years’ experience in a hospitality-related field with a minimum of three years of specific hospitality consulting experience. They must also be recognized by leaders within their company or other industry constituents familiar with their work as an exceptional example of a future leader within the field of hospitality consulting. At the time of nomination, a candidate must be working for a company that provides third-party consulting or advisory services to the hospitality industry and be actively involved or responsible for providing advisory services to clients of the firm (e.g., hospitality consulting firms, third party asset managers, architects, designers, food and beverage consultants, hospitality lawyers, purchasing companies, etc.). Prior award winners are not eligible for nomination, while prior nominees who have not previously won remain eligible.
Last year’s inaugural winner, Jonathan Jaeger, is managing director at LW Hospitality Advisors, a provider of advisory, valuation, feasibility, investment counseling, asset and property management and transactional services focused exclusively on hotels, resorts, gaming properties and conference center assets worldwide. Jaeger has progressed in his career early on with a strong work ethic, having completed more than 1,000 consulting and valuation assignments on behalf of a variety of clients across North America and the Caribbean. As an adjunct professor for New York University’s Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, Mr. Jaeger enjoys giving back and working with students aspiring to be future hotel investment and consulting professionals. Prior to joining LWHA, Jaeger was vice president at Pinnacle Advisory Group based in Boston, MA and New York, NY. He received his B.A. in hospitality administration from the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration and his MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. He also is an active member of the Young Hospitality Investment Professionals Group, the Metro NY Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the NYC & Company Hotel Committee.
“Not only is Jonathan an exceptional talent, particularly for his age, but perhaps more importantly, he constantly gives back to the industry, as evidenced by his numerous mentoring and industry speaking efforts,” said Andrea Belfanti, executive director of ISHC. “He has proven his resilience as a leader in hospitality, and I am confident that he will continue to grow as an important and influential figure in the industry.”
“I am deeply humbled to have been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Lori Raleigh Award, the impact of which continues to positively influence my career on a daily basis,” Jaeger said. “Everything from attending the 2015 ISHC Annual Conference in Berlin, Germany to having the opportunity to interact and network with top names in the industry has been an unforgettable experience. I encourage all young hospitality consulting professionals to become involved in ISHC by going to as many events as possible, and developing relationships with the group’s distinguished members, which is what I have done over the past year. It’s a unique experience for someone under 35 and I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. I also look forward to meeting future Lori Raleigh Award winners for many years to come.”
For more information on The Lori Raleigh Award, please visit www.ishc.com/awards or go directly to the nomination form here.
About ISHC
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is truly the leading source for global hospitality expertise, represented by over two hundred of the industry’s most respected professionals from across six continents. Collectively, ISHC members provide expert services in over fifty functional areas and have specialized skills in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry. ISHC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of professional consulting standards and practices for the hospitality industry. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues. Additional information about the organization, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at www.ishc.com.
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July 12, 2016 6:48 pm
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With Over 110 Years In The “Remaking,” Old New York Meets New New York This July
(NEW YORK, NEW YORK – July 12th) – Alfa Development, one of Manhattan’s leading real estate companies, will be opening its first boutique hotel project, HGU New York. Alfa Development has invested $18 million in renovations of HGU New York, located in the NoMad District at 34 East 32nd Street. The hotel will manifest the city’s history through its original architecture, curated art programming and multifaceted eclectic design.
The hotel lobby preserves the history of the 1905 landmark Beaux-Arts structure designed by architect Frederick C. Browne. To inject a modern New York sensibility to the property, Alfa Development has enlisted hospitality designer Peter Guzy of Asfour Guzy Architects as well as DD Allen of Pierce Allen Design. The fusion of these two visions is a mindfully designed and eco-conscious hotel, where guests enjoy in the ambience of communal spaces. Alfa Development brings a sensibility in design and modern infrastructure to hospitality, including a state of the art HVAC system decreasing the carbon footprint by 50%.
“We look forward to introducing our motto, history, architecture, and sustainability on a human scale into one of the world’s most robust hotel markets,” adds Michael Namer, CEO of Alfa Development. “While the renovation brings new life to this landmark hotel, we are preserving the historic elements to what we believe the hotel would have offered, providing guests with an experience grounded in a century-long New York point of view.”
HGU New York has also partnered with Gallery 151, a premier contemporary art gallery based in lower Manhattan. The curated art will showcase contemporary pieces, drawing inspiration from urban backdrops of New York City’s emerging artists and feature icons such as Fab 5 Freddy and Liz Markus, among many others.
Sanctuary Spaces:
Highlighting a residential style of living, the entryway to guest rooms serves as a place to decompress, with soft tones creating a serene atmosphere, while wood cabinets and furniture are complimented by hand-woven patchwork Turkish rugs and plush velvet headboards. Luxury 300-thread count Frette bedding, bath and beauty products from C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, 24-hour room service and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi and in room iPad minis are just some of the amenities available to guests.
Communal Spaces:
HGU New York’s lounge aptly called 1905 is complete with a fireplace from the building’s original structure. 1905 will serve as the perfect place for meetings and events, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, intimate recording artist sessions, Q&A series, and private film screenings.
The ten-story hotel will feature 90 well-appointed guest rooms, ranging from a Standard Queen to King Suite. Room rates will start from $329 and reservations can be made at www.hgunyc.com, or by calling 212.779.3432.
About HGU New York
Alfa Development’s first hotel property, HGU New York, is situated in New York City’s coveted NoMad district. The 90-room boutique hotel offers guests a truly authentic experience of New York City showcasing the history of the 1905 Beaux-Arts foundation, complimented by contemporary art and modern renovations and amenities. Located at 34 East 32nd Street between Park and Madison Avenues, the property is set to open July 2016. For additional information, please visit www.hgunyc.com, or call 212.779.3432.
About Alfa Development
Always mindful of how their buildings will become part of the fabric of their community, Alfa Development’s guiding principle is best articulated by the theme line: “History, architecture, and sustainability on a human scale.” With an aesthetic attuned to the unique harmonies of each neighborhood, their buildings combine architecturally contextual exteriors with fine appointed modern interiors. Alfa Development has produced close to a billion dollars of luxury residential condominium and developments—all in downtown Manhattan. In 2007, the company launched its commitment to sustainability with there Green Collection of Sustainable Properties, all targeted for LEED-Gold certification. Alfa Development has now established an expertise in green building and continues to follow their mission of creating more sustainable living experiences in all of their future projects. Michael Namer, Founder and CEO of Alfa Development, has been developing real estate in downtown New York for the
last 36 years. As the founder, principal, and Managing Member of Alfa Development, Michael brings his attention to detail, construction expertise, and hands-on approach to real estate development to every project.
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