Articles

Hotel Brokers International News

Hotel Brokers International Installs 2008 Board of Directors

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 29 PRNewswire — Hotel Brokers International (HBI), the nation's largest brokerage organization with more than 30 offices coast to coast, today announced the election of their 2008 board of directors. H. Brandt Niehaus, CHB, of Huff, Niehaus & Associates, Inc., will succeed Charles Fritsch, CHB, of MBA Hotel Brokers as board president.

The 2008 HBI board of directors includes: President Brandt Niehaus, CHB Huff, Niehaus & Associates, Inc. President-elect Jeff Westgor, CHB Westgor & Associates, Inc. Secretary Joe McCann, CHB Optimum Hotel Brokerage, LLC Treasurer Tony DeGeorge, CHB Greene, Canfield, DeGeorge, Ltd. Director Jennifer Church, CHB Milmark Hotel/Motel Investments, LLC Director Greg Meinhold, CHB Swoboda Hospitality Specialists Director Steve Ferrarini, CHB ProCom Lodging Brokers, Inc. Associate Director Diana Alt Scoggin Blue LLC Associate Director Lee Vasche, CHB Western Hotel Brokers, Inc. Member-at-large Dick Lopez, CHB Lodging Property Brokers, Inc. Member-at-large Charles Fritsch, V, CHB MBA Hotel Brokers

"We had record sales in 2007 and made significant strides in developing an overseas network," said Immediate Past President Charles Fritsch. "HBI is entering its 49th year stronger than ever. We are gathering 'war stories' and memorabilia from members and clients for our 50th anniversary. Anyone who would like to participate, please contact HBI."

"The coming year presents a new set of challenges, led by the subprime lending crisis, tightening financing and a jittery stock market," Niehaus said. "We believe 2008 will be a transition year with advantages for both buyers and sellers. HBI is responding with a number of initiatives to help our members list and sell more properties. One of our main actions will be a major revamping of our highly successful Marketplace program to keep it fresh and more accessible to buyers."

Hotel Brokers International, with more than 100 hotel brokerage specialists, is the world's leading hotel sales organization. The organization annually accounts for the greatest market share of mid-market transactions in the United States. HBI also hosts the Hotel Investor's Marketplace, sponsors the Certified Hotel Broker program and publishes TransActions Recap, the leading source of hotel real estate sales data.

HBI currently has more than 150 properties listed for sale in its proprietary database and access to more than 10,000 hotel investors and owners. In addition to broker services, HBI offers affiliate membership to professionals in allied fields, including franchising, lending, appraisals and investment services. For more information about HBI's hotel listings or to become a broker or affiliate member, HBI may be reached at (816) 505-4315 or via the Internet at www.hbihotels.com.

Contact: Glenda Webb Melanie Boyer Hotel Brokers International Daly Gray Public Relations (816) 505-4315 (703) 435-6293

SOURCE Hotel Brokers International