Hotel Brokers International Celebrates Industry Excellence and Milestone Anniversaries

[Kansas City, MO – February 25, 2025]

Hotel Brokers International Celebrates Industry Excellence and Milestone Anniversaries

Hotel Brokers International (HBI), the nation’s leading hotel brokerage network, celebrated the past year’s successes during the organization’s 66th Annual Business Meeting held on February 19. The event recognized outstanding achievements in hotel brokerage and honored long-term member contributions.

Edward P. Walsh, HBI President, awarded the organization’s highest sales achievement honors to Joseph P. Kennedy, President of Crystal Investment Property, LLC, and Lauren D’Souza-Faze, Vice President of Hotel Sales at Laurel Real Estate Company.

Joseph P. Kennedy, CHB, was named Broker of the Year in recognition of excellence in hotel real estate brokerage, based on outstanding sales volume and active participation in the industry. Kennedy was also recognized for structuring the organization’s Transaction of the Year for negotiating the sale of the Residence Inn by Marriott, Boise, Idaho.

Lauren D’Souza-Faze earned the Sales Associate of the Year award for her stellar performance in hotel real estate sales, top sales volume, and industry engagement.

HBI also recognized long-term membership anniversaries to celebrate the commitment and contributions of its members. Significant membership milestones honored this year include:

• Huff, Niehaus & Associates, Inc., H. Brandt Niehaus, President – Celebrating 50 years
• Merrell Associates, Inc., C. Kem Merrell, President – Celebrating 55 years
• Scoggin Blue LLC, Steven B. Blue, President – Celebrating 65 years

HBI has been at the forefront of hotel real estate transactions for over six decades, offering unmatched expertise and a vast network of professionals dedicated to the hospitality industry. The organization has successfully negotiated more than 11,000 hotel real estate transactions and remains a trusted resource for brokers and investors alike.

HBI’s website hosts a comprehensive inventory of hotels for sale, attracting a global audience. Additionally, the association is the founder and administrator of the Certified Hotel Broker Program (CHB), the only professional designation program for hotel brokers in the real estate industry. This program recognizes brokers who have cultivated the skills and expertise necessary to excel in their field.

Beyond brokerage, 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, please visit HBIhotels.com or contact Glenda Webb at gwebb@hbihotels.com or 816.505.4315.

About Hotel Brokers International

Hotel Brokers International is the leading network of hotel brokerage specialists, providing industry insights, transactional support, and professional development to members worldwide. Founded in 1959, HBI has facilitated thousands of hotel sales and remains a trusted resource for hotel real estate professionals.