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THE PARTNER PROGRAM of American Hotel & Lodging Association reached a record 27 members with the addition of six new partners. The program offers industry suppliers and service providers an opportunity to engage directly with AHLA members at an executive level and increase brand visibility. Proskauer's Hospitality, Gaming & Leisure Group becomes a Gold Partner in the program, the association said. It has one of the broadest and longest-standing commitments to the hotel and lodging sector among major global law firms and has experience in handling every relevant issue in the industry. The five Silver Partners are Guest Worldwide, Marsh, NewGen Advisory, Relay and WizeHire, said AHLA.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT management firm Noble Investment Group partnered with Host Hotels & Resorts to tap and expand travel, leisure and hospitality opportunities, a statement said. As part of the initiative, Host will invest $150 million as a limited partner in an existing Noble investment vehicle and provide Noble with first-look at select-service and extended-stay hotel opportunities sourced through Host's channels. Host also will become a minority investment partner in Noble's fee-based asset management business, according to Noble's press release. "As we continue to expand our institutional investment management platform, this strategic partnership further augments Noble's ability to develop, source, and execute innovative growth strategies in travel, leisure, and hospitality," said Mit Shah, Noble's CEO. According to the statement, the partnership will combine Noble's operational expertise and development acumen with Host's scale, market insights, data analytics, and breadth of resources. They aim to source differentiated investment strategies including property technology solutions, development, and alternative lodging.

URBAN PARK HOTEL Collection, an independent budget-conscious hotel group, has partnered with technology firm LodgeTender to integrate its latest hotel technology platform. The new technology offers hotel owners an extra revenue stream, while eliminating the need to pay for a hotel PMS, booking engine, and channel manager, Urban Park Hotel said in a statement. "The partnership with LodgeTender offers our hotel portfolio an opportunity to earn rather than pay for a technology package," said Jay Patel, managing partner of Urban Park Hotel Collection. "We're delighted to introduce products and services that not only save our owners money, but also generate additional revenue for our member hotels." "Hotel owners now have the chance to upgrade their technology while staying ahead with productive features for added revenue and seamless guest service connections," added Kent Comfort, president of LodgeTender.

IHG HOTELS & Resorts hotel Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia in Atlanta partnered with food waste management firm Goodr to rescue its surplus food, according to IHG. It will be the first IHG property to use the service. As part of the partnership, edible, unsold food from the location's restaurants and corporate dining events will now be donated to Goodr's local non-profit partners, according to IHG. It also supports IHG's Journey to Tomorrow, a 10-year responsible business plan, which includes combating food insecurity in communities around the world and minimizing food waste. "We're excited about our new partnership with Goodr to help do our part to combat the issue of food insecurity in the local Atlanta area," said Sharon Kilmartin, the Crowne Plaza's area general manager. "Together, we can help make a difference in the lives of many people in our community and we urge other hotels to do the same."

DALLAS-BASED NEWCRESTIMAGE formed a joint venture with Dabu Hotels, and Countrywide Hospitality to acquire the 130-room Best Western Plus at Lake Powell in Page, Arizona, operated by Terrapin Hospitality, a statement said. The company said that the Arizona property is located in a leisure destination area that is visited by more than 4.5 million visitors. Nearby attractions are the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, the statement added. "This hotel is a key stop for travelers who are making the 'grand circle' tour of western national parks such as Zion Park and Bryce National Park," said Mehul Patel, managing partner and CEO of NewcrestImage. "We are always looking to acquire well-positioned properties such as this one, and we are excited to partner with strong investment partners like Dabu Hotels and Countrywide Hospitality."

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE direct lender Stonehill recently originated a $79.8 million, three-year, floating-rate bridge loan for New York-based Churchwick Partners for the acquisition of a 12-property, extended-stay hotel portfolio. The deal was premised on the strong performance by extended-stay hotels even during the pandemic. Stonehill is an affiliate of Peachtree Hotel Group, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. The deal includes 1,432 rooms in nine states, mostly Sonesta Hotels brands. "Our sponsors benefit from experienced real estate lenders able to originate and close complex transactions," said Nick Baer, Stonehill's vice president for business development. "With funding options from traditional lenders limited for hotels and other commercial real estate properties, we are pleased to provide Churchwick Partners with the lending solution, financial capacity and hospitality expertise to close this transaction in a challenging capital market environment."

DD PARTNERS, PEACHTREE Group, and Woodbine Development are collaborating on Embassy Suites Gulf Shores, a resort with a Gulf of Mexico view located in tourism spot in Alabama. DD Partners and Woodbine lead the development and asset management of the 8-story joint venture project, with Peachtree overseeing resort operations. The project is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025, the companies said in a joint statement. The 8-story property will feature 257 all-suite beachfront guestrooms, along with 13,620 square feet of enclosed meeting and pre-function space, including a 7,800-square-foot ballroom, the statement said. The resort will also feature a 3-story parking garage and 7,618 square feet of leasable retail space.

VIRDEE, THE CONTACTLESS check-in technology firm, secured $12.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round led by Moneta Ventures, bringing its total funding to $21 million. These funds will be used to finance research, expand product features, grow the workforce, and strengthen the company's presence in the hospitality sector, the company said. Other participants in the latest fundraising process include Silverton Partners, Koch Real Estate Investments, Alumni Ventures, DJR Advisors, Capital Factory, and strategic partners, Virdee said. This investment follows Series Seed financing led by Silverton Partners in February 2022 and a 2020 angel investment led by Rajiv Trivedi, former brand president for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.'s La Quinta Inn and chairman of TST Capital.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has partnered with hiring software provider Hireology to provide AHLA members access to industry-specific tools and services, AHLA and Hireology said in a joint statement. Hireology also will organize a series of leadership exchange events, aiming to bring together professionals in the hospitality sector to discuss current challenges, trends, and solutions. "Hireology is a hiring technology leader and provider of hotel-specific workforce knowledge," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "Joining forces will allow us to take our services to the next level and further our mission to empower the American hospitality industry." Partnering with Hireology brings hiring technology and expertise into the association's catalog of resources, the statement said. The program stands as a practical resource for hotel operators addressing their business challenge in the coming years.

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We introduce five of Charter scanner's private jet charter partners. Learn more about the airlines that can be accessed through Charter scanner's service.

Aly-khan S. Merali is now president and managing partner of Stonebridge Cos. in Denver. Founder Navin C. Dimond will remain CEO and will assume chairman duties for the company. Previously, Merali was president and chief financial officer of Turnberry Associates since 2013, according to Stonebridge. Prior to that, he was executive vice president and head of acquisitions for a U.S.-based investment firm with properties in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Merali also held leadership and ownership positions in real estate companies in the United Kingdom, Canada and East Africa with assets in hospitality, industrial, manufacturing, office and senior living. "I have known Aly-khan for many years and have the utmost respect for him and his ability to lead Stonebridge Companies as we move forward and continue to grow and prosper," said Dimond. "His background and extensive experience in the hospitality industry is impressive and makes him a perfect fit for this role."

Stuckey also worked for ShawContract where he directed that company's partnership with AAHOA. He also worked for InterContinental Hotels Group. "[Stuckey] brings substantial experience to his position and a sound strategic vision for the association's important business development work. He has an exceptional understanding of our members and the hospitality industry," said Cecil Staton, AAHOA president and CEO. Now is an important moment in the hospitality industry, Stuckey said. "AAHOA, its members, and industry partners have always been an important part of my hospitality career, including working and consulting directly with members," he said. "Feedback, partnership, growth, and innovation will be my mantra as we look to grow our value and connection with AAHOA members and industry partners, carrying out AAHOA's 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, and continuing down the road to recovery for the entire AAHOA community."

WAYSIDE INVESTMENT GROUP of Houston and Iridescent Hotels of Dallas are partnering on the management of two hotels in San Antonio, Texas, and Houston. Both companies are relatively new ventures by established hoteliers. The hotels are the 126-room Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest/Medical Center and the 113-room Holiday Inn Houston West - Westway Park, and the hotels' new owners are also based in Houston. The Hyatt Place is near San Antonio International Airport, several company headquarters, medical centers and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The Holiday Inn is near USA Baseball, Memorial City Mall, Houston's Energy Corridor, the Galleria, Downtown Houston, Reliant Park and Minute Maid Park. "The addition of these two hotels is testimony to the continued steady growth and expansion of Iridescent Hotels' third-party management team and the collaboration with Wayside Investment Group," the companies said in a statement. "Several more additions are on the horizon for late first quarter and early second quarter."

RED ROOF IS putting its money to good use, fighting human trafficking in cooperation with anti-child trafficking and exploitation organization ECPAT-USA. The hotel company and the not-for-profit kicked off their new partnership with a $10,000 check presentation at the AAHOA 2022 Annual Conference & Trade Show last week. Red Roof is a member of ECPAT-USA's Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, known as "The Code," a voluntary set of business principles travel and tour companies can implement to prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. Through the summer months, Red Roof also will promote The Code and encourage more donations from its franchise partners and vendors and the entire hospitality industry. "Red Roof stands shoulder-to-shoulder with ECPAT-USA," said George Limbert, president of Red Roof. "We encourage all of our partners and peers in travel and hospitality to join us and stand by ECPAT-USA in the fight against human trafficking."

NEWBOND HOLDINGS HAS acquired Aloft Tampa Downtown in Tampa, Florida, marking its third downtown riverfront hotel investment in the city in 24 months. This takes the company's total to more than 700 hotel rooms and more than 800 ft. of frontage along the Hillsborough River, Newbond said in a statement. Niel Luthra is the founding partner of New York-based Newbond Holdings. The 130-key hotel, located on the Riverwalk, provides both indoor and outdoor amenities, featuring a waterfront pool, gym, corporate meeting and event spaces, as well as a bar and lounge, the statement added. Newbond is planning a comprehensive hotel renovation to include all guestrooms, public areas and the pool deck. "Our third hotel investment in downtown Tampa since 2021 demonstrates our conviction in the long-term Tampa growth story," said Neil Luthra, founding partner of Newbond. "Tampa's robust job and population growth; flourishing convention and tourism business; and continued institutional investment have created one of the strongest real estate and hospitality markets in the country."

VERAKIN CAPITAL, A real estate investment group, exceeded its $350 million investment milestone in the first quarter of this year. The company has made collective investments in three hotel properties that are currently in various stages of development; the Moxy in downtown Atlanta, Georgia; Hampton Inn/Home 2 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; and Courtyard by Marriott in Pittsburg, California, the company said in a statement. Verakin, led by partners Rupesh and Bimal Patel and Hiten Suraj, is the lead developer of the Courtyard by Marriott, while the company is co-investing in the other two projects alongside RevPar Development and Emerge Hospitality Group, according to the statement. RevPar Development is a privately-owned hotel development and management company on the East Coast, while Emerge Hospitality Group is a family-owned and -operated hotel ownership, development and management company. "We are developing both on our own behalf and in joint ventures with like-minded investment groups," Rupesh Patel said. "We are seeing that newer hotels and brands are faring better than their older counterparts as travel rebounds in many markets and segments. To help satiate our investment growth appetite, we will continue to seek best-in-class partners, such as RevPar Development and Emerge Hospitality Group, who have proven track records as credible institutional investors, developers and operators." The Moxy hotel in downtown Atlanta, will feature 181 rooms spread across 13 floors and is scheduled to open mid-2026 before the FIFA World Cup. The centrally located hotel will cater to both business and leisure travelers and will offer three food and beverage options, including a roof top bar and lounge with views of the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport, marking the Denver-based companies entrée in the Las Vegas market. The company, led by Aly-khan Merali as president and managing partner and founder and CEO Navin Dimond, plans to renovate the 190-room hotel. The DoubleTree, built in 1998, is near both the Harry Reid International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip. The planned renovations will include guest rooms and common areas, with work is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2023 and anticipated to end in the fourth quarter of that year. "We are excited to continue our growth with the recent acquisition of the DoubleTree Las Vegas Airport hotel. Our new partnership with TowerBrook Capital Partners and other private investors provides us a tremendous platform for us to achieve our significant growth plans throughout the U.S. and this acquisition is the first of many going forward," said Tom Brinkman, Stonebridge's president and chief operating officer. "Through our growth, we look forward to not only creating new jobs but also providing our team members exciting new opportunities, and we look forward to welcoming our newest team members at the DoubleTree to our Distinguished Hospitality team here at Stonebridge."