ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST ANNOUNCES APPROVED REDUCTION IN BOARD AND MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

Rhea-AI Summary

Ashford Hospitality Trust (NYSE: AHT) has announced significant compensation reductions as part of its 'GRO AHT' initiative, aimed at achieving $50 million in annual run-rate EBITDA improvement. The changes include:

• 50% reduction in board member compensation
• Board size reduced from nine to seven members
• Over 50% reduction in executive management and associate incentive awards

These compensation adjustments are expected to generate more than $11 million in incremental EBITDA. Combined with previously announced ancillary revenue initiatives, the company projects over $14 million in incremental EBITDA towards its $50 million target. The measures reflect Ashford Trust's commitment to financial discipline and operational efficiency in its upper-upscale, full-service hotel portfolio.

Positive

• Expected $11M+ incremental EBITDA from compensation reductions
• Total $14M+ EBITDA improvement identified towards $50M target
• 50% reduction in board and executive compensation demonstrates cost discipline
• Board size optimization from 9 to 7 members improves efficiency

Negative

• Significant reduction in management incentives may impact talent retention
• Only 28% ($14M of $50M) of targeted EBITDA improvement identified so far

DALLAS, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) ("Ashford Trust" or the "Company") announced today that the Board of Directors has approved significant reductions to board and management compensation as part of its broader "GRO AHT" initiative. As announced in December 2024, "GRO AHT" is a transformative strategic initiative designed to drive $50 million in annual run-rate EBITDA improvement and significantly improve shareholder value.

Compensation for board members was reduced by 50%, and the Board of Directors has currently been reduced from nine members down to seven. Additionally, incentive awards granted to executive management and other associates have been reduced by more than 50% in aggregate relative to recent years. Ashford Trust expects that these changes will result in more than $11 million in incremental EBITDA, reinforcing the company's commitment to financial discipline and operational efficiency.

Together with the previously announced implementation of ancillary revenue initiatives, the Company expects to realize more than $14 million in incremental EBITDA towards its $50 million goal.

These changes align with Ashford Trust's strategic vision to optimize performance, improve financial results, and create long-term value for shareholders. The Company continues to partner with its property managers and its advisor, Ashford Inc., on a number of initiatives as part of the "GRO AHT" strategy and will provide additional updates as the plan is further executed.

Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing predominantly in upper-upscale, full-service hotels.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon "forward-looking" information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities regulations. 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: Implementation of our "GRO AHT" plan; expected EBITDA growth from our "GRO AHT" plan; our business and investment strategy; anticipated or expected purchases, sales or dispositions of assets; our projected operating results; completion of any pending transactions; our plan to pay off strategic financing; our ability to restructure existing property-level indebtedness; our ability to secure additional financing to enable us to operate our business; our understanding of our competition; projected capital expenditures; and the impact of technology on our operations and business. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider this risk when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We will not publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise except to the extent required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company also uses certain non-GAAP measures to help our investors evaluate our operating performance. The Company uses EBITDA, which is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense and amortization of 3 discounts and loan costs, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and we are unable to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures because we are unable to provide, without unreasonable effort, a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of amounts that would be necessary for the reconciliation due to the complexity and inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying future amounts or when they may occur. Such unavailable information could be significant to future results.

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SOURCE Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

FAQ

How much EBITDA improvement is Ashford Hospitality Trust targeting with the GRO AHT initiative?

Ashford Hospitality Trust is targeting $50 million in annual run-rate EBITDA improvement through the GRO AHT initiative.

What are the specific compensation cuts announced by AHT in February 2025?

AHT announced a 50% reduction in board member compensation, reduction of board size from 9 to 7 members, and over 50% reduction in executive management and associate incentive awards.

How much incremental EBITDA will AHT generate from the compensation reductions?

The compensation reductions are expected to generate more than $11 million in incremental EBITDA.

What is the total expected EBITDA improvement from AHT's recent initiatives?

Combined with ancillary revenue initiatives, AHT expects to realize more than $14 million in incremental EBITDA towards its $50 million goal.