News & Press
Good news travels fast.
We love sharing our success stories, new developments and upcoming projects with the world. This is where you’ll find our recent press releases, media coverage and stories we just can’t keep to ourselves. It’s also where members of the press can get ahold of us to help meet their deadlines, consult a hospitality industry expert or inquire about one of our recent or upcoming initiatives.
Media Queries
- Lauren Bowles
- Vice President of Communications
Featured Press
Partnership between USF and McKibbon Hospitality creates hospitality teaching lab with iconic hotel brands
The University of South Florida Muma College of Business and McKibbon Hospitality today announced a new partnership that will turn some premier hotel brands into intensive student training grounds. The new affiliation creates an innovative hospitality teaching lab program designed to give School of Hospitality and Tourism Management students first-hand experience in hospitality management at some of the world’s largest hotel brands, including Marriott and Hilton.
Read MoreHotel under construction
Construction workers peer over the edge of the new AC Hotel by Marriott under construction at 221 Township Avenue in Ridgeland, which broke ground in March 2019.
Read MoreDual-brand Courtyard By Marriott, Element By Westin Opens In Midtown
Noble Investment Group Thursday held an official ribbon cutting and grand opening of its new LEED-certified Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Midtown and Element by Westin Atlanta Midtown — the “first-ever” combination of the Courtyard by Marriott and Element by Westin brands under one roof.
Read MoreUrsula Howard Appointed Director of Sales At Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Ponte Vedra Sawgrass
McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning leader in hotel management, today announced the appointment of Ursula Howard as Director of Sales for Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Ponte Vedra Sawgrass.
Read MoreAsheville boasts one of the longest foliage seasons in the US — these 10 central hotels offer striking views
The 128 rooms, suites, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom luxury condos are bright, airy, and filled with natural woods, white and neutral fabrics, textured walls, art by local Asheville artist Catherine Murphy, a desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Read MoreMcKibbon Family Foundation Makes $5 Million Donation to Florida International University
The McKibbon Family Foundation, led by philanthropists John and Letitia McKibbon, today announced a $5 million contribution to Florida International University’s (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The transformational gift was presented during a recent event celebrating well-loved and influential professor emeritus, Rocco M. Angelo’s 90th birthday, and will be used to establish an alumni center, new technology-focused programming, as well as scholarships for hospitality students.
Read MoreNews & Press
Weejen Lynch Appointed Vice President of Engineering At McKibbon Hospitality
McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning leader in hotel management is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Weejen Lynch as Vice President of Engineering. Weejen Lynch brings more than 25 years of engineering, maintenance and operations experience to McKibbon in his new role.
Read MoreHotel companies update leadership teams
McKibbon Hospitality has appointed three key corporate leaders: Weejen Lynch as VP of engineering, Jihad Lotfi as VP of revenue management and Kiel Lombardo as director of food & beverage for lifestyle hotels.
Read MoreProperties under new management
McKibbon Hospitality is now managing the Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville | Ponte Vedra. The 127-room hotel is located in the Ponte Vedra Beach area of Jacksonville, FL at the entrance to TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship golf tournament and the new PGA Tour headquarters.
Read MoreBest Asheville Hotels for a Truly Local Stay (Kimpton Hotel Arras)
The pet-friendly Kimpton Hotel Arras opened in October 2019 as part of a historic transformation of the former BB&T Bank, which was built in 1965 in Asheville’s bustling Pack Square. Now, the building (the tallest in Asheville) features 128 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, some showcasing impressive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Read MoreTop spots for socially-distant, family-friendly weekend getaways: North Carolina
Stay close to Asheville’s restaurants and museums at the Foundry Hotel Asheville or Kimpton Hotel Arras, or retreat to the secluded Omni Grove Park Inn. For even more privacy, cabin rentals are available at the Esmeralda Inn at Lake Lure and Asheville Country Cabins.
Read MoreAsheville Hotel Relaunches Trailblazing Foster Dog Program
In addition to Aloft Asheville Downtown, McKibbon's Aloft Tallahassee Downtown, Aloft Greenville Downtown, and Aloft Orlando Downtown properties have also implemented foster dog programs in partnership with local rescue organizations.
Read MoreMcKibbon Hospitality Celebrates Erin Cerrato's CRME Certification
Cerrato is the first member of McKibbon’s talented in-house revenue management team to receive this certification, elevating the team’s potential to maximize profits and drive market share across its management portfolio.
Read MoreHow COVID-19 shifted fundamentals of hotel management
Bruce Baerwalde, EVP of operations at McKibbon Hospitality, said in an email interview that as the pandemic began to take hold, the company rolled out a cleanliness initiative called “Our Clean Pledge,” a program intended to “provide our team with the tools and guidance necessary to safely and comfortably conduct their duties and ensure our guests’ confidence in the cleanliness and safety of our hotels.”
Read MoreRoof Above will transform west Charlotte hotel into affordable housing community
As temperatures get colder and the pandemic continues, Roof Above plans to transform a west Charlotte hotel into an affordable housing community. The hotel, located at the intersection of Clanton Road and Interstate 77, will be an emergency shelter for women and families this winter. The project is estimated to cost $12 million. Roof Above has raised money through government and philanthropic support including a significant financial contribution from John McKibbon and the McKibbon Family Foundation
Read MoreNew Director of Sales at Aloft Greenville Downtown
Jake O'Dare was recently hired to be the new Director of Sales at the Aloft Greenville Downtown managed by McKibbon Hospitality. Jake has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is moving to Greenville with his wife and two kids to call the Upstate home. He has a degree in Resort Tourism Management from Coastal Carolina University and graduated from Wando High School.
Read MoreKimpton Hotel Arras Receives AAA Four Diamond Designation
Kimpton Hotel Arras, McKibbon Hospitality's boutique, 128-room hotel in the heart of downtown Asheville, announces it has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation for 2020. Awarded to properties with upscale style and amenities enhanced with the right touch of service, just 6.5 percent of the nearly 27,000 AAA Diamond lodgings have received this designation.
Read More“Ode to Buskers & Asheville Music” sculpture unveiled
Kimpton Hotel Arras and local artists today unveiled, “Ode to Buskers & Asheville Music,” a locally created, life-size stainless steel sculpture located outdoors on the corner of Lexington and Patton at Kimpton Hotel Arras.
Read MoreTodd Kinney appointed General Manager of Hyatt House Tampa Avion Park
Todd Kinney has been appointed General Manager of the new Hyatt House Tampa Avion Park under McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning leader in hotel management. Kinney comes with years of experience and is considered to be a veteran of the hospitality industry. In his new role, Kinney will be responsible for overseeing all operations for the 145-room, extended-stay hotel, which is slated to open at the end of this year.
Read MoreLakeland Hospitality Group and McKibbon Hospitality Open New SpringHill Suites in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland Hospitality Group, McKibbon Hospitality, and local officials gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of Lakeland's newest and cleanest hotel, SpringHill Suites Lakeland, with a ribbon-cutting and tours. The hotel, which broke ground on October 1, 2018, and was completed this spring, will be managed by Tampa-based McKibbon Hospitality with General Manager John Loute overseeing all operations and leading the team on property.
Read MoreHotels open doors across the country
Owner Lakeland Hospitality Group opened the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Lakeland, Fla. McKibbon Hospitality manages the property, which is located in Lakeland’s downtown adjacent to the RP Funding Center and 6 miles from the Lakeland Linder International Airport.
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