CaribPR Wire

The new appointment marks Hotel Equities’ entry into the CALA markets with expansion plans underway through its Trust Hospitality division

CARIBPR WIRE, ATLANTA, GA, Tues. May 14, 2024: Leading hospitality management firm, Hotel Equities (“HE”), is thrilled to announce its selection as the management partner for the highly anticipated Hampton by Hilton hotel in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The hotel is the first new hotel development in the U.S. Virgin Islands in over 30 years. This landmark project, developed by Shaun Miller of Haven Development, also marks the first Hilton focused service hotel in the area, bringing the exceptional service and high standards of quality that Hilton is known for, to the region. The new hotel is the inaugural property under Hotel Equities’ Trust Hospitality division, marking the company’s debut in the Caribbean and Latin American markets.

Nestled adjacent to the picturesque West Indian marina and overlooking downtown Charlotte Amalie, the 126-guest room Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas is set to become a beacon of hospitality catering to both business and leisure travelers visiting the US Virgin Islands. Boasting charming Danish colonial architecture, the hotel will blend seamlessly with the vibrant cultural tapestry of Charlotte Amalie, the capital and largest city in the US Virgin Islands.

“This partnership with Hotel Equities represents a significant milestone for our project,” said Shaun Miller, Founder & Owner of Haven Development. “Together, we are not only opening the first Hampton by Hilton hotel in the market but also contributing to the revitalization of tourism in St. Thomas. Our commitment to enhancing the visitor experience extends beyond hospitality, as evidenced by our investment in infrastructure, including a dedicated power plant and a private FBO airport.”

“Hampton by Hilton is a guest favorite that consistently raises the bar and sets the standard for its category in every country and territory where it debuts and we are excited to bring the Hampton by Hilton brand to the region alongside Haven Development and Hotel Equities,” said Pablo Maturana, vice president of development, Hilton, Caribbean and Latin America. “We are proud to serve quality-driven and value-conscious travelers at more than 3,000 properties in 40 countries and territories around the globe and to be the No. 1 ranked lodging franchise for the past 15 years.”

Scheduled to open in Q1 of 2025, the Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas will offer a range of amenities tailored to travelers to include an indoor/outdoor bar and a restaurant serving tapas-style small plate offerings. Day passes will be available for cruise passengers to also enjoy the hotel’s amenities, further enhancing the island’s tourism offerings.

“This marks an exciting start in the CALA region through our partnership with Trust Hospitality and we could not be more aligned in vision,” remarked Joe Reardon, Chief Development Officer of HE. “Our collaboration with Haven Development to manage this new Hampton by Hilton hotel exemplifies our dedication to expanding in new markets with our Trust Hospitality division to meet the needs of hotel owners and sets the stage for further growth and success.”

“The Charlotte Amalie market cries out for a new, branded hotel like a Hampton by Hilton,” said Michael Register, Principal of Trust Hospitality. “We are confident this hotel will perform extremely well. It will be the first of many that Hotel Equities and Trust Hospitality have planned for the region.”

Bryan DeCort, Chief Operating Officer of HE, emphasized, “With a focus on operational excellence, this partnership lays the groundwork for success. Drawing on our lengthy experience managing award-winning Hampton by Hilton properties [Hotel Equities’ current portfolio of open/operating hotels includes 20 Hampton by Hilton hotels], we are enthusiastic about making the Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas the top choice for travelers seeking comfort and convenience in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

With direct air service from major U.S. cities and its strategic location near the cruise ship port and nearby Havensight Mall, the hotel is ideally located to cater to business and leisure travelers alike.

About Hotel Equities
About Hotel Equities Hotel Equities (HE) is an award-winning full-scale hotel ownership, management, and development firm with a portfolio of approximately 300 hotels and resorts throughout the United States and Canada. Fred Cerrone, CHA, serves as Founder and Chairman; Brad Rahinsky serves as President and CEO. For more information on Hotel Equities, visit hotelequities.com.

About Hampton by Hilton
As the No. 1 ranked lodging franchise for the last 15 years by Entrepreneur^®, Hampton by Hilton — including Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton — serves quality-driven and value-conscious travelers at more than 3,000 properties in 40 countries and territories around the globe. The brand continues to lead its segment by providing guests with high quality, thoughtfully designed accommodations and amenities, such as modern, spacious rooms and free hot breakfast featuring the signature Hampton Waffle. Hampton by Hilton is committed to delivering an exceptionally friendly and authentic service all backed by the 100% Hampton Guarantee™. Experience a positive stay at Hampton by Hilton by booking at hampton.com or through the or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Hampton by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/hampton, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Hampton by Hilton at  stories.hilton.com/hampton, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae11b8a6-6fb1-4785-99ae-e166d5b79983

Hotel Equities seleccionada para administrar el primer hotel de la marca Hampton by Hilton en Santo Tomás, Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos

La reciente selección marca la entrada de Hotel Equities a los mercados de América Latina y el Caribe (CALA) con planes de expansión en curso a través de su división Trust Hospitality

CARIBPR WIRE, ATLANTA, GA, May 15, 2024: La firma líder en administración hotelera, Hotel Equities (”HE”), se complace en anunciar su selección como socio administrativo para el muy esperado hotel Hampton by Hilton en Santo Tomás, Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos. El hotel es el primer emprendimiento hotelero en las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos en más de 30 años. Este proyecto histórico, desarrollado por Shaun Miller de Haven Development, también marca el primer hotel centrado en servicios Hilton en el área, brindando el servicio excepcional y altos estándares de calidad por los que la marca Hilton es reconocida en la región. El nuevo hotel es la propiedad inaugural bajo la división Trust Hospitality de Hotel Equities, marcando la entrada de la empresa a los mercados del Caribe y América Latina.

Situada junto a la pintoresca marina en las Indias Occidentales y con vistas al centro de Charlotte Amalie, Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas con 126 habitaciones está diseñado para convertirse en un modelo hospitalario dedicado a atender a viajeros de negocios y placer que visitan las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos. Con una atractiva arquitectura colonial danesa, el hotel se mezcla de manera transparente con el vibrante tapiz cultural de Charlotte Amalie, la capital y ciudad más grande de las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos.

“Esta asociación con Hotel Equities representa un logro significativo para nuestro proyecto”, dijo Shaun Miller, fundador y propietario de Haven Development. “Conjuntamente, no solo abrimos el primer hotel Hampton by Hilton en el mercado, sino que también contribuimos a la revitalización del turismo en Santo Tomás. Nuestro compromiso de mejorar la experiencia del visitante se extiende más allá de la hospitalidad, como lo demuestra nuestra inversión en infraestructura, incluida una planta de energía dedicada y un aeropuerto privado de FBO”.

“Hampton by Hilton es uno de los favoritos de los huéspedes que constantemente eleva el listón y establece el estándar para su categoría en todos los países y territorios donde se posiciona y estamos muy contentos de traer la marca Hampton by Hilton a la región junto con Haven Development y Hotel Equities”, dijo Pablo Maturana, vicepresidente de desarrollo de Hilton, Caribe y América Latina. “Nos enorgullece servir a viajeros motivados por la calidad y conscientes del valor en más de 3.000 propiedades en 40 países y territorios de todo el mundo y ser la franquicia de alojamiento clasificada en primer lugar por los últimos 15 años”.

Programado para ser inaugurado en el primer trimestre de 2025, el Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas ofrecerá una variedad de servicios específicamente diseñados para viajeros, entre ellos un bar interior/exterior y un restaurante que sirve platos pequeños al estilo tapas. Los pases de un día estarán disponibles para que los pasajeros de cruceros también disfruten de las comodidades del hotel, mejorando aún más la oferta turística de la isla.

“Esto marca un comienzo emocionante en la región de CALA a través de nuestra asociación con Trust Hospitality y no podemos estar más alineados con la visión”, comentó Joe Reardon, director de desarrollo de HE. “Nuestra colaboración con Haven Development para administrar este nuevo hotel Hampton by Hilton ejemplifica nuestra dedicación a expandirnos en nuevos mercados con nuestra división Trust Hospitality para satisfacer las necesidades de los propietarios de hoteles y prepara el escenario para un mayor crecimiento y éxito”.

“El mercado de Charlotte Amalie pide a gritos un nuevo hotel de marca como un Hampton by Hilton”, dijo Michael Register, director de Trust Hospitality. “Tenemos la certeza de que este hotel tendrá un rendimiento extremadamente bueno. Será el primero de muchos planificados por Hotel Equities y Trust Hospitality para la región”.

Bryan DeCort, director de operaciones de HE, enfatizó: “Con un enfoque en la excelencia operativa, esta asociación sienta las bases para el éxito. Sobre la base de nuestra larga experiencia en administración de propiedades galardonadas de Hampton by Hilton [la cartera actual de hoteles abiertos/operativos de Hotel Equities incluye 20 hoteles Hampton by Hilton], estamos entusiasmados en hacer del Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas la mejor opción para los viajeros que buscan comodidad y conveniencia en las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos”.

Con servicio aéreo directo desde las principales ciudades de Estados Unidos y su ubicación estratégica cerca del puerto de cruceros y cerca del Havensight Mall, el hotel tiene una localización ideal para atender tanto a los viajeros de negocios y de placer.

Acerca de Hotel Equities
Hotel Equities (HE) es una empresa galardonada de propiedad, administración y desarrollo de hoteles a gran escala con una cartera de aproximadamente 300 hoteles y resorts en Estados Unidos y Canadá. Fred Cerrone, CHA, es su fundador y presidente; Brad Rahinsky se desempeña como presidente y director ejecutivo. Para más información acerca de Hotel Equities, visite hotelequities.com.

Acerca de Hampton by Hilton
Como la franquicia de alojamiento clasificada en primer lugar por los últimos 15 años por Entrepreneur^®, Hampton by Hilton, incluyendo Hampton Inn by Hilton y Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, atiende a viajeros motivados por la calidad y conscientes del valor en más de 3.000 propiedades en 40 países y territorios en todo el mundo. La marca continúa liderando su segmento ofreciendo a los huéspedes alojamiento y comodidades de alta calidad y cuidadosamente diseñadas, como habitaciones modernas y espaciosas y desayuno caliente gratuito con el exclusivo Hampton Waffle. Hampton by Hilton mantiene su compromiso de ofrecer un servicio excepcionalmente amigable y auténtico, todo respaldado por la garantía 100% Hampton Guarantee™. Disfruta de una estadía positiva en Hampton by Hilton reservando en hampton.com o a través de la aplicación Hilton Honors, líder en la industria. Los miembros de Hilton Honors que reserven directamente a través de los canales preferidos de Hilton tienen acceso a beneficios instantáneos. Para más información sobre Hampton by Hilton visite, stories.hilton.com/hampton, y siga la marca en Facebook, Instagram y Twitter. Los miembros de Hilton Honors que reserven directamente a través de los canales preferidos de Hilton tienen acceso a beneficios instantáneos. Para más información sobre Hampton by Hilton visite, stories.hilton.com/hampton, y siga la marca en Facebook, Instagram y Twitter.

Una foto asociada con este comunicado de prensa está disponible en https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae11b8a6-6fb1-4785-99ae-e166d5b79983

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Apr. 17, 2019: The countdown is on to an exciting free benefit concert for the US Virgin Islands this May 18th in St. John.

The “Music Is Life” benefit is being presented by Intellectual Global Concepts, (IGC), in collaboration with The Coral Bay Caribbean Oasis, The RTPark, The University of The Virgin Islands, (UVI) and Grammy-Award winning Jazz Drummer, Dion Parson.

It is set for May 18^th-19^th from 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. at The St. John Bayfront at The Coral Bay Caribbean Oasis.

The event will feature world renowned South African electronic music maestro, Hyenah, who is known for his elusive identity, top charting tracks on ‘Resident Advisor,’ and his performances at top clubs across the globe. Additionally, the event will showcase USVI’s own Cool Session Brass Band and UVI’s SHUT Down Band along with DJ Mike Swells of NYC and local fire dancers and drum circle.

Event attendees will also be able to experience the local food culture with several amazing food vendors placed throughout the venue and an online Silent Auction at 32auctions.com/musicislife, that will feature a fantastic selection of prizes with winners of the auction announced live at the event.

Taxis will be available to bring guests to the venue and back for US $6 each way, while boat operators will offer trips from St. Thomas to St. John throughout the entirety of the event along with late night options for transportation after the event ends.

Proceeds from the event, merchandise sales, food, art, merchant vendor fees and sponsor donations will be used to bolster music education via the Music Education Program at the University of The Virgin Islands lead by Mr. Parson. Both the St. Croix and St. Thomas campuses were heavily impacted by the 2017 back-to-back Hurricanes Irma and Maria that damaged the university and the RTPark’s 64 West Center Building, leaving a long-lasting impact on the local economy.

This event has a limited number of attendees so music fans must register for free tickets only on Eventbrite or donate US $10-50 for a variety of donation packages, including items like T-shirts and free drinks at the venue.

For more information see Facebook at facebook.com/musicislifeusvi/ and Eventbrite at usvimusicislife.eventbrite.com

Sponsors interested in collaborating with IGC on this event can contact organizers at [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

(P): 718-476-3616

Email: [email protected]

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, May 19, 2017: The University of the Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park, (UVI RTPark), will celebrate Caribbean Week in New York and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the USA with a Big Apple VIP Investment Showcase Reception this June.

The event is set to introduce the opportunities of the RTPark program to business leaders and key members of the Caribbean Diaspora in New York and highlight the many advantages to doing business with the RTPark program and the US Virgin Islands.

The UVI RTPark program, established in 2002, is a specialist economic development agency that aims to successfully establish the U.S. Virgin Islands as a premier business destination of choice for firms in knowledge and technology intensive sectors. It gives many qualified entrepreneurs and business owners an opportunity to #WorkFromTheBeach by benefiting from generous tax incentives while they enjoy the lifestyle of an island paradise.

Investment projects that are focused on quality are screened for their likelihood of fit in the RTPark program. The priority sectors include bio-medical devices, personalized medicine applications, wellness and healthcare management, energy research and systems, including renewable and clean technology, energy efficiency, energy management and sustainability solutions, as well as firms that will draw on advances in marine science. The RTPark has also had success in attracting Internet advertising firms, technology-mediated entertainment companies and advanced logistics and supply-chain management firms and recently welcomed Intellectual Global Concepts LLC and Anvil 1 LLC as clients.

“The RT Park program is at a very exciting stage. Ten years after our first client, we have fine-tuned the application process and now offer impact investors a unique opportunity and have drawn twenty new companies to the Virgin Islands since 2015,” said RTPark executive director Dr. Gillian Marcelle. “Our recent clients are involved in projects that build the pipeline of skills in the US Virgin Islands and bring new ways of doing business to the Territory while the owners of these businesses enjoy living in an island Paradise.”

The RTPark program is headquartered in a US $13 million, LEED certified green two-storey, 18,000 square foot building near the main entrance of the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen campus just off of the Queen Mary highway, in St. Croix.

For more information about the UVI RTPark, call 340-692-4300, email [email protected].

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SOURCE: UVI RTPark

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia J. Persaud

[email protected]

718-476-3616

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Joins other major lenders in a response to territory’s lengthy foreclosure process

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – Kennedy Funding Financial, LLC, one of the world’s largest private lenders, has suspended all lending in the U.S. Virgin Islands, encompassing St. Croix and St. Thomas, citing bureaucratic problems in the territory’s foreclosure process.

“Due to the incredible delays in the foreclosure process, we have decided to join many other U.S.-based lenders in this action,” said Kevin Wolfer, the firm’s CEO, citing the territory’s governmental process and courts. “These delays are preventing lenders from recouping their investment dollars in the islands.

“While the principals of our firm enjoy vacationing in St. Thomas and the other islands, and have found the local people incredibly hospitable, the exorbitant delays in completing a foreclosure process and the inability to even protect and preserve a property when it is being pillaged, we and other lenders have unfortunately been forced to make this difficult decision,” said Wolfer. “Because of the ongoing negative impact on the islands’ financial and real estate markets, it is incumbent upon local officials to correct these problems.”

Kennedy Funding will continue to lend throughout the U.S. and internationally, however. “We will continue to fund loans throughout the Caribbean region—we have recently closed loans in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, in fact,” said Wolfer. “We are actively pursuing opportunities and hope to one day resume lending in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Kennedy Funding Financial, LLC, one of the largest direct private lenders in the country, specializes in bridge loans for commercial property and land acquisition, development, workouts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. The principals of the company have closed over $2.5 billion in loans to date. The firm’s creative financing expertise enables the closing of equity-based loans of up to a 70% loan-to-value ratio, from $1 million to more than $50 million, in as little as five days. Kennedy Funding Financial, LLC continues to actively seek new funding opportunities throughout the world.

www.kennedyfundingfinancial.com

CONTACT: David Green, [email protected], 201-288-7888

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 3, 2013: The deadline for exhibitors and advertisers to sign up for the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013 forum is drawing to a close and so is the opportunity to reach and do business with almost a dozen Caribbean governments, investors and high net worth delegates.

Invest Caribbean Now, (ICN), which is presented annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO), and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications during Caribbean Week in New York and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States, is set for June 5^th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Martinique Hotel, 49 West 32 Street in New York City. An invitation only VIP reception at The Yale Club, presented by The Government of The Turks & Caicos Islands, will precede the event on June 4th.

The definitive Caribbean investment forum, will feature a United Nations-type “general assembly” of ministers from about a dozen nations from the Caribbean, including a delegation from the Turks & Caicos Islands led by Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing Finance Minister and Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Chairman of the CTO and Commissioner of Tourism for the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty and Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago, among others.

Only six exhibitor table spots are available and four ad spots remain in the 2013 Program Directory. Interested companies can email Joe Bernstein at [email protected] before May 7^th to sign up or get more information at http://investcaribbeannow.com/partnership-options/

Speakers will include Alan Loewenstein of Wedgewood Capital; Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and Minister Washington Misick of the Turks & Caicos Islands; Sun Guoxiang, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York City; Chair of the CTO, Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Brian Lilly, CEO of Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television, Ganesh Ramanathan of Hard Beat Communications, and Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners.

Tickets for the June 5th forum are now $185 and only a few remain at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Invest Caribbean Now is the most promoted event on the Caribbean Week in New York calendar, with over 200 media placements to date in the US, Caribbean and Latin American media and advertising via 30 media partners – on television, on radio and the web.

ICN 2013 is made possible with sponsorship dollars from marquee sponsor Avalon Partners, gold and reception sponsor, The Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands; and bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television.

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Salutes the Government Retirement System of the Virgin Islands 

Seaborne to operate more seats in the Virgin Islands than any other carrier by April, 2013

SAINT CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Seaborne Airlines, the regional carrier based in St. Croix, USVI, today announced its capacity plans to and from the US Virgin Islands (USVI) for Spring, 2013 and beyond.

Starting in February 2013 Seaborne plans to introduce new equipment to the USVI on select flights – - the 34-seat Saab turboprop – - to both Cyril E. King Airport at St. Thomas and Henry Rohlsen International Airport at St. Croix from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport at San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Saab operates with two pilots, a flight attendant, in-flight service and a lavatory.

 Effective April 1, 2013 more flights will be added between St. Thomas’ Cyril King International Airport and St. Croix’s Henry Rohlsen International Airport with 17-seat Twin Otter aircraft. Combined with existing Twin Otter Seaplane service between the seaplane bases in Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted, Seaborne plans to operate 300 weekly flights with over 10,000 seats into and out of the USVI – becoming the Virgin Islands’ largest carrier in terms of capacity.

 USVI travelers will also have access to Seaborne’s premium lounge at San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marín International Airport. The lounge offers comfortable seating, work areas, charging stations, light refreshments, WIFI access, and Direct TV. Additionally, Corporate Seaborne customers have access to FasTrak SJU security access, which allows travelers to go to the head of the TSA line. This new capacity to and from San Juan International as well as continued seaplane equipment upgrades have been made possible by the expanded business partnership between Seaborne and the Government Employee Retirement System (GERS) of the US Virgin Islands, according to Gary Foss, Seaborne Airlines President. "As we move forward with this historic expansion – we want to thank GERS and the Government of the US Virgin Islands for their support and confidence in the Seaborne business model and growth plan. We also want to thank our customers who have supported us for over 17 years. As one of the largest private employers in the USVI, we understand the importance transportation plays. In concert with the GERS investment that makes possible additional capacity with larger aircraft, we will enhance tourism and commerce, while adding more jobs in the USVI as we move forward through 2013."

Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty concluded, "We are extremely pleased about Seaborne Airlines plans to increase service to the Territory and between our islands. She said, "The added capacity and equipment upgrades encourage more inter-island travel and ensure that travelers enjoy improved access to the Territory, better connections, and greater comfort. This news is especially welcome from a locally-based airline that is uniquely positioned to bring additional employment and revenue to the Territory."

 About Seaborne Airlines:
Seaborne Airlines – named Best Small Air Transport serving the U.S. Virgin Islands every year since 2007 – operates over 350 weekly departures between San Juan, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Vieques and starting December 2012, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Operating for 17-years in the Caribbean, Seaborne has carried more than 2 million customers since 1995. With both seaplane and Airport airshuttle operations, all aircraft operate with two pilots under US FAR Part 121 flight rules. Flights can be reserved via the Internet at www.seaborneairlines.com or calling 866-359-8784.

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