As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless the context otherwise indicates, the references to “we,” “us,” “our”, the “Company” refer to Ashford Inc., a Delaware corporation and, as the context may require, its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which we refer to as “Ashford LLC” or “our operating company.” “AIM” refers to Ashford Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. “Ashford Prime” or “AHP” refers to Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and, as the context may require, its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as “Ashford Prime OP.” “Ashford Trust” or “AHT” refers to Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and, as the context may require, its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership and Ashford Trust’s operating partnership, which we refer to as “Ashford Trust OP.” “Remington Lodging” refers to Remington Lodging and Hospitality LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and, as the context may require, its consolidated subsidiaries, a property management company owned by Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our chief executive officer and chairman, and his father, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., chairman emeritus of Ashford Trust.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K and documents incorporated herein by reference contain certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximately,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” or other similar words or expressions. Additionally, statements regarding the following subjects are forward-looking by their nature:
Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain financial and operating projections or state other forward-looking information. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future events, actions, plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, taking into account all information currently available to us, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this annual report. The matters summarized under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere, could cause our actual results and performance to differ significantly from those contained in our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee future results or performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect our views as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, we do not intend to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report to conform these statements to actual results and performance, except as may be required by applicable law.
Item 1. Business
Our Company
We are a Delaware corporation, incorporated in April 2014, that provides asset management and advisory services to other entities, primarily within the hospitality industry. We became a public company on November 12, 2014, when Ashford Trust, a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust (“REIT”), completed the spin-off of our company through the distribution of shares of our common stock to the Ashford Trust stockholders. We serve as the advisor to Ashford Prime, an NYSE-listed REIT that invests primarily in high revenue per available room (“RevPAR”), luxury, upper-upscale and upscale hotels in gateway and resort locations. High RevPAR, for purposes of Ashford Prime’s investment strategy means RevPAR of at least twice the then-current U.S. national average RevPAR for all hotels as determined by STR, Inc.. Ashford Prime became a publicly traded company in November 2013 upon the completion of its spin-off from Ashford Trust. We also serve as the advisor to Ashford Trust, which is focused on investing opportunistically in the hospitality industry with a focus on full-service upscale and upper-upscale hotels in the U.S. that have a RevPAR generally less than twice the U.S. national average. Ashford Trust has been a public company since August 2003.
In our capacity as the advisor to Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime, we are responsible for implementing the investment strategies and managing the day-to-day operations of Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime, in each case subject to the supervision and oversight of the respective board of directors of such entity. We provide the personnel and services necessary to allow each of Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime to conduct its respective business. We may also perform similar functions for new or additional platforms. We are not responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the individual hotel properties owned by either Ashford Trust or Ashford Prime, which duties are the responsibility of the hotel management companies that operate the hotel properties owned by Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime.
We conduct our business and own substantially all of our assets through an operating entity, Ashford LLC. We own 99.8% of the outstanding common units of Ashford LLC and serve as its sole manager.
Our Business Strategy
Our principal business objectives are to provide asset management and other advisory services to other entities. Currently, we, through our operating subsidiary Ashford LLC, act as the advisor to Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime.