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Associated Luxury Hotels acquires competitor Hinton + Grusich

WASHINGTON, D.C. Associated Luxury Hotels International has acquired Hinton + Grusich, merging two of the largest independent national sales organizations in North America that specifically serve the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition segments exclusively for hotels and resorts

The acquisition results in the significant expansion of ALHI’s national sales team, addressing growing MICE business demand. Terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

“After 25 years of each successfully and passionately serving the meetings and incentive industry with our national sales responsibilities for our member hotels and resorts, it is a logical step for ALHI and the H+G teams to join forces,” says ALHI CEO David Gabri. “This is our silver anniversary, and we’re blessed to add the incredibly talented and well-respected Hinton + Grusich sales executives and leadership to our ALHI team. The timing couldn’t be better as our nation is recovering, and we feel business is eagerly back in the business of business, including using meetings and conventions to effectively advance their goals and objectives.

“This merger enables ALHI to provide even more comprehensive national sales services to our members, and will augment our busy staff to professionally address the needs of our expanding client base and the general growing business demand from planners across the U.S. and Canada.

“Both ALHI and Hinton + Grusich are highly respected, with decades of experience, strong core values and character, top talent, longstanding relationships built on trust and a strong desire to serve our clients. It is a logical marriage that will truly serve our clients and our members. The future is definitely very bright, and it is a great way to start our 25th year with this significant announcement.”

Several H+G principals have been incorporated into the ALHI leadership. Kevin Hinton has been named executive vice president, Bill Grusich will serve as senior vice president and Kathy Kozminske is a vice president. The majority of H + G staff members are joining the ALHI national sales organization.

ALHI will expand its ALHI Chicago office, while all others will remain integrated into the current regional sales operations in their cities. Stacy Lucherini, regional vice president for ALHI Midwest and Canada, will remain in leadership of those regions. Chris Riccardi and Ashly Balding will be leading the ALHI West and Southeast regions, and ALHI’s senior executive team of Don Macumber and Mike Coutu remains unchanged.  

 “We’re very proud to be joining together with such an outstanding and respected organization as ALHI,” Hinton says. “Rather than compete for the same business, we are now able to combine efforts and work together to better serve the business community and the hotel and resort members of ALHI. This is simply a merging of two great companies to become an even stronger resource for the valued clients of today and tomorrow. Planners and our hotel members now have an even stronger national sales team to meet and exceed their needs; as well as having consolidated NSO contacts, which will save them valuable time and resources. We are all excited.”

ALHI may selectively extend membership opportunities to some of the 4- and 5-diamond hotel and resort members in the H+G portfolio, based on market demand.

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