Carver & Associates Acquires Jaguar Hospitality Services

• Carver & Associates, a leading FF&E and OS&E procurement firm, has expanded its reach by acquiring hospitality procurement group Jaguar Hospitality Services.
• This acquisition enhances Carver’s capabilities across key U.S. markets by combining resources, expertise, and the networks of both companies.

Carver & Associates, a prominent player in the hospitality industry, has recently announced a significant acquisition. The company has acquired hospitality procurement group Jaguar Hospitality Services, further solidifying its position in the market. This acquisition not only enhances Carver’s capabilities but also brings together the resources and expertise of both organizations, creating a more formidable presence in the U.S. market.

Awards and Honors

“Ben Weprin has made an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry, and his dedication to innovative and collaborative leadership is truly admirable.” —ISHC

1. Ben Weprin, founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners and creator of hospitality brands including Graduate Hotels, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, and Field & Stream Lodge Co., has been honored with ISHC’s 2025 Pioneer Award.
2. This annual award, presented by ISHC in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement, or improvement in the hospitality industry.

Awards and honors were recently bestowed upon Ben Weprin, the founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. He has been recognized with ISHC’s 2025 Pioneer Award, a prestigious honor that acknowledges his significant contributions to the hospitality industry. The award, presented by the International Society of Hotel Chefs (ISHC) in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact, achieved remarkable milestones, or introduced innovative solutions to the industry.

Global Architecture and Design Firm WATG Celebrates 80th Anniversary

• WATG, a renowned global architecture and design firm, is celebrating its 80th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history.
• Founded in 1945 in Honolulu by Pete Wimberly, Jerry Allison, Greg Tong, and Don Goo, WATG has a rich history of providing advisory, master planning, architecture, and landscape architecture services.
• The firm’s interior design studio, Wimberly Interiors, was established in 2011, further expanding its capabilities and services.

WATG, a respected global architecture and design firm, is celebrating a significant milestone – its 80th anniversary. Founded in 1945 by four visionary founders in Honolulu, WATG has a long and storied history of providing comprehensive services in architecture, master planning, and landscape architecture. Over the years, the firm has grown and evolved, introducing its interior design studio, Wimberly Interiors, in 2011.

Hospitality Investment and Development Firm Highgate Names New Executive Leadership

1. Highgate, a leading hospitality investment and development firm, has appointed Ben Thomas as chief operating officer for Europe, overseeing the company’s operations across the continent.
2. Thomas will drive strategic growth initiatives and optimize performance throughout Highgate’s expanding portfolio.

Hospitality investment and development firm Highgate has recently announced the appointment of Ben Thomas as its new chief operating officer for Europe. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Thomas will oversee the company’s operations across the continent, driving strategic growth initiatives and optimizing performance throughout Highgate’s expanding portfolio.

Woods Bagot Forms New Company 7C, Focusing on Total Place Design

• Woods Bagot has formed a new company, 7C, bringing together four brands: ERA-co, Impact Futures, Woods Bagot, and Customs Bureau to provide holistic, integrated solutions for the built environment.
• 7C will focus on ‘total place design,’ creating comprehensive and sustainable design solutions that consider the interplay between people, place, and the environment.

A significant development in the architecture and design world is the formation of a new company by Woods Bagot. The firm has created 7C, a venture that brings together four brands to provide holistic, integrated solutions for the built environment. This new company will focus on “total place design,” a comprehensive approach that considers the interplay between people, place, and the environment.

NEHW Elects New International Board of Directors

1. NEHW has revealed its newly elected 2025 International Board of Directors, featuring Deidre Schwartz as president-elect.
2. Schwartz will assume the role of president-elect and work alongside current president Sandy Banks for the remainder of the year.
3. The newly elected board members will serve for two years, with Schwartz’s term beginning in January 2026.

The Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEHW) has announced the election of its newly elected 2025 International Board of Directors. Deidre Schwartz has been chosen as president-elect, who will assume the role alongside the current president, Sandy Banks, for the remainder of the year. The newly elected board members will serve for two years, with Schwartz’s term beginning in January 2026.

Michael Graves Architecture Acquires Kollin Altomare Architects

Michael Graves Architecture (MG), a Princeton, New Jersey-based architecture firm, has recently announced the acquisition of Kollin Altomare Architects, a Los Angeles-based architecture and design firm. This significant acquisition has broadened MG’s reach and strengthened its capabilities in the luxury hospitality sector, enabling the firm to deliver high-quality design solutions for luxury hospitality projects.

Kempinski Hotels Appoints New Executive Leadership

1. Kempinski Hotels has appointed a new executive leadership team, featuring Gordon Drake as chief financial officer and Rasha Lababidi as chief product officer.
2. Lababidi is also cofounder of Meraki & Modus, a concept and strategy firm for luxury lifestyle destinations.

Kempinski Hotels has recently announced the appointment of a new executive leadership team, comprising Gordon Drake as chief financial officer and Rasha Lababidi as chief product officer. With over 30 years of global experience, Drake will oversee the financial aspects of the company, while Lababidi, a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience, will drive the development of new products and services. Lababidi is also a co-founder of Meraki & Modus, a concept and strategy firm for luxury lifestyle destinations.

Method Co. Adds Real Estate Industry Veterans to Leadership Team

• Method Co., known for development and hospitality projects including the ROOST Apartment Hotel brand, Forth Atlanta, and the Pinch, has added Dan Mullen as chief business officer and president of Method Concepts.
• Mullen will leverage his expertise in urban innovation, strategic planning, and hospitality development to support the company’s growth.
• James Nozar has joined as chief development officer and president of Method Development, bringing decades of experience in large-scale urban development projects.

Method Co., a prominent developer and hospitality company, has recently added two real estate industry veterans to its leadership team. Dan Mullen has been appointed as chief business officer and president of Method Concepts, bringing his expertise in urban innovation, strategic planning, and hospitality development to support the company’s growth. James Nozar has also joined as chief development officer and president of Method Development, bringing decades of experience in large-scale urban development projects.