Wednesday, June 18, 2008

New Marketplace Format Attracts Large Number of First-Time Hotel Buyers

High Interest Despite Large Drop in Industry First Quarter Transactions

KANSAS CITY, MO—Hotel Brokers International (HBI), the nation’s largest hotel brokerage organization with more than 30 offices from coast to coast, announces its revamped U.S. Hotel Investor’s Marketplace program, recently held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, attracted a strong mix of seasoned and first-time hotel buyers.

Attendees received a broad overview of the industry, as well as information on first quarter hotel transaction activity, which was down significantly.

“We believe the change in format has uncovered a pent-up demand for hotel investment,” said H. Brandt Niehaus, (top right photo) CHB, president of HBI and Louisville-based Huff, Niehaus & Associates, Inc. “Hotels arguably are the most difficult real estate asset class to own and can be intimidating to someone outside the industry.

"By providing a solid grounding in the basics of hotel real estate, potential new investors receive both a great overview and a look at investment opportunities available today.”

The revised one-day event is comprised of a half-day of education and updates on hotel trends, financing, hotel brands and hotel real estate pricing for hotel owners, investors, hotel management company executives and acquisition specialists.

Panels of lenders, operators, franchising executives and consultants provided a combination of cutting-edge trends and outlooks along with hotel basics. The second half of the day showcased 20 hotels currently being marketed for sale, as well as in-depth information on an additional 150 hotels listed for sale.

The two newly added panel discussions on lending and franchise financing were both well received, according to Niehaus.

The lender panel was moderated by Ron McCord, (top left photo) Milmark Hotel/Motel Investments, LLC, Wisconsin, and featured Brad Black, Hospitality Lending Specialist, CIT Small Business Lending, Adam Wonus, Vice President Franchise Finance, Mercantile Commercial Capital, and Melissa Butler, Senior Business Development Officer, PMC Commercial Trust.
Sponsors of the Chicago Marketplace include CIT Small Business Lending, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Choice Hotels International, La Quinta Inns, Inc., Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC, and PMC Commercial Trust.

HBI also will host Marketplace events later in the year in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area on October 8 and in Dallas on November 5. To register, go to http://www.hbihotels.com/marketplace.php.

CONTACTS:

Julie Tullbane, Daly Gray Public Relations,
T 703-435-6293. F 703-435-6297
julie@dalygray.com

Glenda Webb, Hotel Brokers International,
(816) 505-4315

Melanie Boyer, Daly gray Public Relations, 703 435 6293

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