GVA Advantis Announces Strategic Alliance With Urban Realty Advisors

ORLANDO, FL, Feb. 9, 2009 – GVA Advantis, a real estate services firm based in Washington, DC with 16 offices throughout the southern United States, announces a strategic alliance with Urban Realty Advisors, a Washington-based firm known for its expertise in development services and project management.

Urban Realty Advisors (URA) will provide development services as part of the GVA Advantis group of companies, adding to GVA Advantis’ diverse and significant service lines.

URA will provide development, project and construction management from conceptual planning through final occupancy for third-party clients.

Additionally, it will provide advisory and consulting expertise to include due diligence, feasibility analyses, asset valuation and asset management for single properties and diverse real estate portfolios.

Joining the GVA Advantis family as Principals of URA are William Herman (middle left photo) and Eric May (middle right photo).

Herman is a seasoned real estate executive in the Washington, DC region with over 28 years of experience, having co-founded Concord Partners in 1995 and Urban Realty Advisors in 2004.

During his career, Herman has been involved in over 10 million square feet of development including office, hotel and multifamily projects.

May co-founded URA with Herman and has been involved in numerous development projects and consulting assignments both locally and nationally over the last 12 years.

“GVA Advantis continues to expand its capabilities and add new product areas that strengthen our clients’ businesses. By offering development services, we have truly become a full-service real estate firm,” said Rich Pogue, (top right photo) CEO of GVA Advantis.

“Bill Herman and Eric May are talented development professionals with an exceptional track record, and our clients will benefit from their time-tested approach in an ever evolving market.”

Lisa Bailey, (bottom left photo) senior director of office and industrial services in GVA Advantis’ Orlando office, said, “This is an exciting move forward in the redevelopment of our company since its recapitalization last year.

"It is another great stride in our ability to provide our clients the most comprehensive services in a market where every advantage we can offer is a plus.”

Media Contact: Shelli Browning, 255 South Orange Avenue, Suite 750, Orlando, FL 32801. PH 407.999.4775. sbrowning@gvaadvantis.com

Hilton to Announce New Lifestyle Brand at 2009 International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF)

BERLIN, Feb. 9, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilton Family of Hotels will unveil Project Global21, a global lifestyle brand which complements its existing luxury brands, on 10 March 2009 at the International Hotel Investment Forum held 9-11 March.

The brand reveal will take place at a press conference at 11:15 and conclude with an evening reception at a Berlin landmark to be announced.

"We are so pleased that the Hilton Hotels Corporation has chosen IHIF as the location for their exciting brand reveal. IHIF has long been known as the place where new initiatives are launched, and this positively re-enforces that position," says Jon Leibowitz, (middle left photo) EVP of Questex Media Group, organisers of IHIF.

"We believe this will hold great global appeal for our attendees.

"Project Global21 reaffirms the Hilton Family of Hotels' commitment to the expansion and development of the luxury and lifestyle brands.

The brand will primarily target local influencers, tech-savvy individuals with a global vision and a high disposable income or those just looking for a sensuous retreat. It will offer guests modern convenience, unparalleled personalization, a smart design and will be committed to innovation."

"Project Global21 is a junction where business meets pleasure forever redefining how guests stay and play.

"Our hotels will be born modern through smart design, cultural character and sensitive service delivery-- ever enhancing how guests live now and how guest will live in the future," said Ross Klein, (top right photo) global head, luxury & lifestyle brands, Hilton Family of Hotels.

"Together, with the Hilton Prestige Portfolio, Project Global21 will add to the balance of global connectivity with local destination flavor, offering travelers a wealth of authentic and unique experiences around the globe."

As organisers of top conferences for the hotel and investment industry, Bench Events is a growing entity that currently hosts hotel investment conferences in Berlin, Dubai and Moscow in partnership with other leading providers.

Jonathan Worsley, (bottom right photo) chairman of Bench Events is one of the organizers and founders of the International Hotel Investment Forum held each year in Berlin.

CONTACT:

Michelle Mitchell, +1-216-706-3733, mmitchell@questex.com,

or Christina Harrison, +1-216-706-3770, charrison@questex.com

Web Site: http://www.berlinconference.com/