UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||||||||
CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||||||||
Definitive Proxy Statement | ||||||||
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Soliciting Material under §.240.14a-12 |
Hospitality Properties Trust
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Hospitality Properties Trust
Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders and Proxy Statement
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time
Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 100, Newton, Massachusetts 02458
Hospitality Properties Trust
It is our pleasure to invite you to join our Board of Trustees and executive officers at Hospitality Properties Trust's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Newton, Massachusetts. The enclosed Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement will provide you with information about our Company and the matters to be voted on at the 2016 Annual Meeting.
We are committed to effectively communicating with our shareholders and explaining the matters to be addressed at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. To that end, this Proxy Statement includes a Question and Answer section with information that we believe may be useful to our shareholders.
Your support is important to us and to our Company. I encourage you to use telephone or internet methods or sign and return a proxy card/voting instruction form to authorize your proxy prior to the meeting so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting.
Thank you for being a shareholder and for your continued investment in our Company.
February 25, 2016
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
Donna D. Fraiche
Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee
Hospitality Properties Trust
NOTICE OF 2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
9:30 a.m., Eastern time
Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 100
Newton, Massachusetts 02458
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
RECORD DATE
The Board of Trustees set February 10, 2016 as the record date for the meeting. This means that owners of record of the common shares of the Company as of the close of business on that date are entitled to:
PROXY VOTING
Shareholders as of the record date are invited to attend the 2016 Annual Meeting. All shareholders are encouraged to authorize a proxy to vote in advance of the 2016 Annual Meeting by using one of the methods described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
February 25, 2016
Newton, Massachusetts
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
Jennifer B. Clark
Secretary
The Company encourages each shareholder to promptly sign and return the proxy card or voting instruction form or to use telephone or internet methods to authorize a proxy in advance of the 2016 Annual Meeting. See the "Voting Information" section on page 2 for information about authorizing a proxy by telephone or internet.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 1
VOTING INFORMATION
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUVOTE TODAY
It is important that you vote to play a part in the future of our Company. The New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rules provide that if your shares are held through a bank, broker or other nominee, they cannot vote on your behalf on non-discretionary matters, without your instruction.
ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE
You can vote if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on February 10, 2016.
PROPOSALS WHICH REQUIRE YOUR VOTE
PROPOSAL |
|
MORE INFORMATION |
BOARD RECOMMENDATION |
BROKER NON-VOTES |
ABSTENTIONS |
VOTES REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL |
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1 | Election of Trustees | Page 14 | FOR | Do not impact outcome | Do not impact outcome | Majority of all votes cast | ||||||
2 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation* |
Page 59 |
FOR |
Do not impact outcome |
Do not impact outcome |
Majority of all votes cast |
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3 |
Ratification of Independent Auditors* |
Page 60 |
FOR |
Do not impact outcome |
Do not impact outcome |
Majority of all votes cast |
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4 |
Shareholder Proposal, if properly presented* |
Page 63 |
AGAINST |
Do not impact outcome |
Do not impact outcome |
Majority of all votes cast |
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You can authorize a proxy to vote in advance in one of three ways:
via the internet |
Visit www.proxyvote.com and enter your 12 or 16 digit control number provided in your Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or voting instruction form before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, 2016 to authorize a proxy VIA THE INTERNET. | |
by phone |
Call 1-800-690-6903 if you are a shareholder of record and 1-800-454-8683 if you are a beneficial owner before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, 2016 to authorize a proxy BY TELEPHONE. You will need the 12 or 16 digit control number provided on your Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or voting instruction form. |
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by mail |
Sign, date and return your proxy card if you are a shareholder of record or voting instruction form if you are a beneficial owner to authorize a proxy BY MAIL. |
If the meeting is adjourned, these times will be extended to 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the day before the reconvened meeting.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 2
PLEASE VISIT: www.proxyvote.com
Important Note About Meeting Admission Requirements: If you plan to attend the meeting in person, see the answer to question 14 beginning on page 11 of "Questions and Answers" for important details on admission requirements.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 3
PROXY SUMMARY
This proxy summary highlights matters for consideration by shareholders at our 2016 Annual Meeting. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting. Page references are supplied to help you find further information in this Proxy Statement.
Board Nominees (page 18)
Shareholders are being asked to re-elect the following three Trustees to our Company's Board of Trustees.
Name of Trustee |
Age |
Occupation |
Committee Memberships |
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Donna D. Fraiche* |
64 |
Shareholder in Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC |
Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Governance (Chair) |
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William A. Lamkin* |
56 |
Partner in Ackrell Capital LLC |
Audit (Chair), |
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Adam D. Portnoy |
45 |
Managing Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of The RMR Group Inc. |
None | |||
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Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (page 59)
Shareholders are being asked to approve the executive compensation of the Company's named executive officers through a non-binding advisory vote. In evaluating the Company's compensation process for 2015, the Compensation Committee generally considered the results of the advisory vote of the Company's shareholders on the compensation of the executive officers named in the proxy statement for the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Compensation Committee noted that approximately 94% of votes cast approved the compensation of the named executive officers as described in the proxy statement for the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Compensation Committee considered these voting results as supportive of the committee's general executive compensation practices.
Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors (page 60)
Shareholders are being asked to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of Hospitality Properties Trust for the Company's fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. The Company's Audit Committee evaluates the performance of the Company's independent auditors and determines whether to re-engage the current independent auditors or consider other audit firms. In doing so, the Audit Committee considers the cost, quality and efficiency of the services provided by the auditors and the auditors' technical expertise and knowledge of the Company's operations and industry. Based on its consideration of the aforesaid matters, the Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP to serve as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
Shareholder Proposal, if Properly Presented (page 63)
A shareholder proposal was submitted by UNITE HERE (the "Union"), which is a large labor union representing hotel workers in the United States, including hotel workers who are employees of the
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 4
managers of some of our hotels. If the shareholder proponent, or a representative of the shareholder proponent who is qualified under state law, is present and properly submits the Union's proposal for a vote, then the proposal will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. The Board has carefully considered the Union's proposal. The Board unanimously believes that the Union's proposal is not in the Company's best interests and urges shareholders to vote AGAINST the Union's proposal. As an advisory vote, if approved, the Union's proposal would be a non-binding recommendation to the Board.
Governance Highlights (page 27)
The Company is committed to good corporate governance, which promotes the long term interests of its shareholders, strengthens the Board, increases management's accountability and helps build public trust in the Company. This commitment is reflected in various aspects of the Company's corporate governance, including:
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 5
Hospitality Properties Trust
TWO NEWTON PLACE
255 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 300
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02458
February 25, 2016
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Trustees (the "Board") is furnishing this Proxy Statement to solicit proxies to be voted at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "2016 Annual Meeting") of Hospitality Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (together with its direct or indirect subsidiaries, the "Company," "we," "us" or "our"). The meeting will be held at Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 100, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time.
The mailing address of the Company's principal executive offices is Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458. The Company commenced mailing to its shareholders a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the Company's Proxy Statement and its 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K on or about February 25, 2016.
All properly executed written proxies, and all properly completed proxies submitted by telephone or internet, that are delivered pursuant to this solicitation will be voted at the 2016 Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions given in the proxy, unless the proxy is revoked prior to completion of voting at the meeting. These proxies also may be voted at any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.
Only owners of record of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Shares") as of the close of business on February 10, 2016 (the "Record Date"), the record date for the meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and at any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. Holders of the Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each Common Share held on the Record Date. On February 10, 2016, there were 151,547,288 Common Shares issued and outstanding.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2016 ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016.
The Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2015, are available at www.proxyvote.com.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 6
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Proxy Materials and Voting Information
1. What is included in the proxy materials? What is a proxy statement and what is a proxy? |
The proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting include the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "Annual Report" and, together with the other materials, the "proxy materials"). If you request a paper copy of these materials, the proxy materials will also include a proxy card or voting instruction form.
A proxy statement is a document that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regulations require the Company to give you when it asks you to return a proxy designating individuals to vote on your behalf. A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote the shares you own. That other person is called your proxy. We are asking you to designate the following three persons as your proxies for the 2016 Annual Meeting: John G. Murray, President and Chief Operating Officer; Jennifer B. Clark, Secretary; and Barry M. Portnoy, Managing Trustee.
2. What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner? |
If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, you are considered a shareholder of record of those shares. If you are a shareholder of record, you should receive only one notice or proxy card for all the Common Shares you hold in certificate form and in book entry form.
If your shares are held in an account you own at a bank or brokerage or you hold shares through another nominee, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of those shares. If you are a beneficial owner, you will receive voting instruction information from the bank, broker or other nominee through which you own your Common Shares.
If you hold some shares of record and some shares beneficially, you should receive a notice or proxy card for all the Common Shares you hold of record and a separate voting instruction information for the shares from the bank, broker or other nominee through which you own Common Shares.
3. What different methods can I use to vote? |
By Written Proxy. All shareholders of record can submit voting instructions by written proxy card. If you are a shareholder of record and receive a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, you may request a written proxy card by following the instructions included in the notice. If you are a beneficial owner, you may request a written proxy card or a voting instruction form from your bank, broker or other nominee. Proxies submitted by mail must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, 2016 or if the meeting is adjourned to a later date by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the day immediately preceding the date of the reconvened meeting.
By Telephone or Internet. All shareholders of record also can authorize a proxy to vote their shares by touchtone telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903, or through the internet at www.proxyvote.com, using the procedures and instructions described in your Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card. Beneficial owners may authorize a proxy by telephone or internet if their bank, broker or other
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 7
nominee makes those methods available, in which case the bank, broker or nominee will include the instructions with the proxy voting materials. To authorize a proxy by telephone or internet, you will need the 12 or 16 digit control number provided on your Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or voting instruction form. The telephone and internet proxy authorization procedures are designed to authenticate shareholder identities, to allow shareholders to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly. Proxies submitted by telephone or through the internet must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, 2016 or if the meeting is adjourned to a later date, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the day immediately preceding the date of the reconvened meeting.
In Person. All shareholders of record may vote in person at the meeting. Beneficial owners may vote in person at the meeting if they have a legal proxy, as described in the response to question 15.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares or authorizing your proxy, please call the firm assisting the Company in the solicitation of proxies:
Morrow & Co., LLC
470 West Avenue
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Shareholders Call Toll Free: (855) 292-8186
Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (203) 658-9400
4. Who may vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting? |
Holders of record of Common Shares as of the close of business on February 10, 2016, the Record Date, may vote at the meeting. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each Common Share held on the Record Date.
5. What are my voting choices for each of the proposals to be voted on at the 2016 Annual Meeting and what are the voting standards? |
Proposal |
Voting Choices and Board Recommendation |
Voting Standard |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
Item 1: Election of Trustees | vote in favor of all Trustee nominees; vote against all Trustee nominees; abstain from voting on the election of all Trustee nominees; vote in favor of one or more Trustee nominees and withhold your vote for or abstain from voting on the other Trustee nominee(s); vote against one or more Trustee nominees and vote for or abstain from voting on the other Trustee nominee(s); or vote in favor of one Trustee nominee, vote against another Trustee nominee and abstain from voting on the other Trustee nominee. |
Majority of all votes cast | ||
Item 2: Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation* |
vote in favor of the advisory proposal; vote against the advisory proposal; or abstain from voting on the advisory
proposal. |
Majority of all votes cast |
||
Item 3: Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors** |
vote in favor of the ratification; vote against the ratification; or abstain from voting on the ratification. The Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification. |
Majority of all votes cast |
||
Item 4: Shareholder Proposal, if presented*** |
vote in favor of the advisory proposal; vote against the advisory proposal; or abstain from voting on the advisory shareholder
proposal. The Board recommends a vote AGAINST the advisory shareholder proposal. |
Majority of all votes cast |
||
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HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 8
Company's executive compensation program, and the Board value the opinions expressed by shareholders and will consider the outcome of these votes, among other factors, when making future compensation decisions.
6. What if I am a shareholder of record and do not specify a choice for a matter when returning a proxy card or authorizing a proxy by internet or telephone? |
If you return a signed proxy card or authorize a proxy by internet or telephone and do not specify a choice for a matter, you will be instructing your proxy to vote in the manner recommended by our Board on that matter:
7. What if I am a beneficial owner and do not give voting instructions to my broker? |
If you are a beneficial owner and do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, the following applies:
Non-Discretionary Items. The election of Trustees, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation and the shareholder proposal are non-discretionary items and may not be voted on by brokers, banks or other nominees who have not received specific voting instructions from beneficial owners.
Discretionary Items. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors is a discretionary item. Generally, banks, brokers and other nominees that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners may vote on this proposal in their discretion.
8. What is a quorum? How are abstentions and broker non-votes counted? |
A quorum of shareholders is required for shareholders to take action at the 2016 Annual Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the 2016 Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are included in determining whether a quorum is present, but are not included in vote totals. Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of any of the items to be voted on at the 2016 Annual Meeting.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 9
9. What may I do if I change my mind after I authorize a proxy to vote my shares? |
Shareholders have the right to revoke a proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting, subject to the proxy voting deadlines described above. Shareholders may revoke a proxy by authorizing a proxy again on a later date by internet or by telephone (only the last internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the meeting will be counted) or by signing and returning a later dated proxy card or by attending the meeting and voting in person. If you are a beneficial owner, see the response to question 15.
A shareholder's attendance at the 2016 Annual Meeting will not revoke that shareholder's proxy unless that shareholder votes again at the meeting or files a written statement with the Secretary of the Company requesting that the prior proxy be revoked. An original written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy should be delivered to Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458, Attention: Secretary, or hand delivered to the Secretary before the taking of the vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting.
Beneficial owners who wish to change their votes should contact the organization that holds their shares.
10. Can I access the proxy materials on the internet? How can I sign up for the electronic proxy delivery service? |
The Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. You may access these proxy materials on the internet through the conclusion of the 2016 Annual Meeting.
Instead of receiving future copies of the proxy materials by mail, shareholders of record and most beneficial owners may elect to receive these materials electronically. Opting to receive your future proxy materials electronically will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents, and also will give you an electronic link to the proxy voting site. Your Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials instructs you as to how you may request electronic delivery of future proxy materials.
11. When will the Company announce the voting results? |
The Company will report the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC following the completion of the 2016 Annual Meeting.
12. How are proxies solicited and what is the cost? |
The Company bears all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies. The Company has engaged Morrow & Co., LLC ("Morrow") to assist with the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $25,000 plus reimbursement of expenses. The Company has agreed to indemnify Morrow against certain liabilities arising out of the Company's agreement with Morrow. We will also request banks, brokers and other nominees to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of Common Shares and to obtain their voting instructions. We will reimburse those firms for their expenses of forwarding proxy materials.
Proxies may also be solicited, without additional compensation, by the Company's Trustees and officers, and by The RMR Group LLC ("RMR LLC") and its officers and employees and its parent's and subsidiaries' officers and employees, by mail, telephone or other electronic means or in person.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 10
13. What is householding? |
As permitted by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), we may deliver only one copy of the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to shareholders residing at the same address, unless the shareholders have notified us of their desire to receive multiple copies of those documents. This practice is known as "householding."
We will deliver a separate copy of any of those documents to you if you write to the Company at Investor Relations, Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458, or call the Company at (617) 796-8232. If you want to receive separate copies of our notices regarding the availability of proxy materials, notices of annual meetings, proxy statements and annual reports in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee, or you may contact us at the above address or telephone number.
2016 Annual Meeting Information
14. How do I attend the 2016 Annual Meeting in person? |
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to attend the 2016 Annual Meeting, you must follow these instructions to ensure admission.
ll attendees will need to bring photo identification for admission. Please note that cameras and audio or video recorders are not permitted at the meeting. Any cell phones, pagers or similar electronic devices must be shut off for the duration of the meeting.
Attendance at the meeting is limited to our Trustees and officers, shareholders as of the Record Date (February 10, 2016) or their duly authorized representatives or proxies, and persons permitted by the Chairman of the meeting.
Please include the following information when submitting your request:
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 11
Upon receipt of proper documentation, you and your named representative will receive confirmation that your named representative has been authorized to attend the meeting. For admission to the meeting, the photo ID presented must match the documentation provided in response to item (3) above. The Company reserves the right to limit the number of representatives who may attend the meeting.
If you have questions regarding these admission procedures, please call Investor Relations at (617) 796-8232.
15. How can I vote in person at the meeting if I am a beneficial owner? |
If you are a beneficial owner and want to vote your shares at the 2016 Annual Meeting, you need a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee. You also need to follow the procedures described in the response to question 14 and to bring the legal proxy with you to the meeting and hand it in with a signed ballot that will be provided to you at the meeting. You will not be able to vote your shares at the meeting without a legal proxy. If you do not have a legal proxy, you can still attend the meeting by following the procedures described in the response to question 14. However, you will not be able to vote your shares at the meeting without a legal proxy. The Company encourages you to vote your shares in advance, even if you intend to attend the meeting.
Company Documents, Communications and Shareholder Proposals
16. How can I view or request copies of the Company's SEC filings and other documents? |
You can visit our website to view our SEC filings and our Governance Guidelines, Board committee charters and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"). To view these documents, go to www.hptreit.com, click on "Investors" and click on "Governance." To view the Company's SEC filings and Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed by the Company's Trustees and executive officers go to www.hptreit.com, click on "Investors," click on "Financial Information" and click on "SEC Filings."
We will deliver free of charge, upon request, a copy of the Company's Governance Guidelines, Board committee charters, Code or Annual Report to any shareholder requesting a copy. Requests should be directed to the Company's Investor Relations Department at Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458.
17. How can I communicate with the Company's Trustees? |
Any shareholder or other interested person who wants to communicate with the Company's Trustees, individually or as a group, should fill out a report at the Company's website, www.hptreit.com, call the Company's toll free confidential message system at (866) 511-5038, write to the party for whom the communication is intended, c/o Secretary, Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 or email secretary@hptreit.com. The communication will then be delivered to the appropriate party or parties.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 12
18. How do I submit a proposal for action at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders? |
A proposal for action to be presented by any shareholder at the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be submitted as follows:
Proposals should be sent to the Company's Secretary at Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458.
For additional information regarding how to submit a shareholder proposal, see page 35 of this Proxy Statement.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 13
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES (ITEM 1)
The Board serves as the decision making body of the Company, except for those matters reserved to the shareholders. The Board selects and oversees the Company's officers, who are charged by the Board with conducting the day to day business of the Company.
Election Process |
In accordance with our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, our Board consists of five members. Pursuant to our Bylaws three of our Trustees are Independent Trustees and two of our Trustees are Managing Trustees. In 2014, our Declaration of Trust was amended to provide for the annual election of Trustees. This amendment was recommended by the Board and approved by holders of more than 71% of the outstanding Common Shares at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Trustees elected prior to the effectiveness of this amendment were elected to serve three-year terms. Beginning with the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Trustees up for election at an Annual Meeting of Shareholders stand for election for a one-year term expiring at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Three Trustees stand for election at the 2016 Annual Meeting. All Trustees are scheduled to stand for election at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
A majority of all the votes cast at the meeting is required to elect a Trustee at the 2016 Annual Meeting.
Trustee Nominations |
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and evaluating nominees for Trustee and for recommending to the Board nominees for election at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee may consider candidates suggested by the Company's Trustees, officers or shareholders or by others.
Shareholder Recommendations for Nominees. Shareholders who would like to recommend a nominee for the position of Trustee should submit their recommendations in writing by mail to the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee c/o Hospitality Properties Trust Secretary at Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 or by e-mail at secretary@hptreit.com. A shareholder's recommendation should include any information that the recommending shareholder believes relevant or helpful to the Nominating and Governance Committee's deliberations. The Nominating and Governance Committee may request additional information about the shareholder recommended nominee or about the shareholder recommending the nominee. Recommendations by shareholders will be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee in its discretion using the same criteria as other candidates it considers.
Shareholder Nominations for Trustee. The Company's Bylaws also provide that shareholders of the Company may nominate a person for election to the Board provided the shareholders comply with the advance notice provisions set forth in our Bylaws, which include, among other things, requirements as to the proposing shareholder's timely delivery of advance notice, continuous requisite ownership of Common Shares and submission of specified information. For more information on how shareholders can nominate Trustees for election to the Board, see "Shareholder Nominations and Other Proposals" on page 35.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 14
Trustee Qualifications |
Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Company's business. This significant responsibility requires highly skilled individuals with various qualities, attributes and professional experience. The Board believes that there are general requirements that are applicable to all Trustees, qualifications applicable to Independent Trustees and other skills and experience that should be represented on the Board as a whole, but not necessarily by each Trustee. In accordance with our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, our Board consists of five Trustees: two Managing Trustees and three Independent Trustees. Independent Trustees are not employees of RMR LLC, are not involved in the Company's day to day activities and are persons who qualify as independent under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and the SEC. Managing Trustees have been employees, officers or directors of RMR LLC or involved in the Company's day to day activities for at least one year prior to their election. The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee consider the qualifications of Trustees and Trustee candidates individually and in the broader context of the Board's overall composition and the Company's current and future needs.
In addition, the Company's Bylaws require that candidates submit detailed personal and financial information required in connection with the Company's regulation by state gaming authorities.
Qualifications for All Trustees
In its assessment of each potential candidate, including those recommended by shareholders, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers the potential nominee's integrity, experience, achievements, judgment, intelligence, competence, personal character, likelihood that a candidate will be able to serve on the Board for an extended period and other matters that the Nominating and Governance Committee deems appropriate. The Nominating and Governance Committee also takes into account the ability of a potential nominee to devote the time and effort necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities to the Company.
The Board and Nominating and Governance Committee require that each Trustee candidate be a person of high integrity with a proven record of success in his or her field. Each Trustee candidate must demonstrate the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, familiarity with and respect for corporate governance requirements and practices and a commitment to serving the Company's long term best interests. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee may conduct interviews of potential Trustee candidates to assess intangible qualities, including the individual's ability to ask appropriate questions and to work collegially. The Board does not have a specific diversity policy in connection with the selection of nominees for Trustee, but due consideration is given to the Board's overall balance of diversity, including professional background, experience, perspective, gender and ethnicity.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 15
Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience to be Represented on the Board
The Board has identified particular qualifications, attributes, skills and experience that are important to be represented on the Board as a whole, in light of the Company's long term interests. The following table summarizes certain key characteristics of the Company's business and the associated qualifications, attributes, skills and experience that the Board believes should be represented on the Board.
Business Characteristics |
Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience |
|
---|---|---|
| | |
The Board's responsibilities include understanding and overseeing the various risks facing the Company and ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to effectively manage such risks. | Risk oversight/management expertise. Service on other public company boards and committees. Operating business experience. |
|
| | |
The Company's business involves complex financial and real estate transactions. | High level of financial literacy. Knowledge of commercial real estate industry and real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). Familiarity with hospitality and entertainment businesses and management contract and franchise agreement trends. Familiarity with travel center, quick service restaurant, truck repair and convenience store businesses, and related leasing trends. Management/leadership experience. Knowledge of the Company's historical business activities. Familiarity with the public capital markets. Work experience. |
|
| | |
The Board must constantly evaluate the Company's strategic direction in light of current real estate trends and trends in the hotel and travel center industries. | Experience at a strategic or policymaking level in a business, government, non-profit or academic organization of high standing. Commitment to serve on the Board over a period of years in order to develop knowledge about the Company's operations. Understanding of the impact of financial market trends on the real estate industry. |
|
| | |
The Board meets frequently and, at times, on short notice to consider time sensitive issues. | Sufficient time and availability to devote to Board and committee matters. Practical wisdom and mature judgment. |
|
| | |
The Board is comprised of two Managing Trustees and three Independent Trustees. | Qualifying as a Managing Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the Company's Bylaws. Qualifying as an Independent Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE and the SEC, and the Company's Bylaws. |
|
| | |
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 16
2016 Nominees for Trustee |
The following table sets forth the names of the Trustee nominees and those Trustees who will continue to serve after the 2016 Annual Meeting, as well as certain other information about the Trustees:
Name |
Position |
Current Term Expires |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Donna D. Fraiche* | Independent Trustee | 2016 | ||
John L. Harrington |
Independent Trustee |
2017 |
||
William A. Lamkin* |
Independent Trustee |
2016 |
||
Adam D. Portnoy* |
Managing Trustee |
2016 |
||
Barry M. Portnoy |
Managing Trustee |
2017 |
||
* 2016 Trustee nominee
Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board has nominated Ms. Donna D. Fraiche for election as an Independent Trustee, Mr. William A. Lamkin for election as an Independent Trustee and Mr. Adam D. Portnoy for election as a Managing Trustee. Each of the Trustee nominees currently serves on the Board. If elected, each nominee would hold office until the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, subject to the individual's earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.
We expect each nominee for election as a Trustee will be able to serve if elected. However, if a nominee should become unable or unwilling to serve, proxies may be voted for the election of a substitute nominee designated by the Board.
The Board believes that the combination of the various qualifications, attributes, skills and experiences of the Trustee nominees would contribute to an effective Board serving the Company's long term best interests. The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee believe that the Trustee nominees possess the necessary qualifications to provide effective oversight of the business and quality advice and counsel to the Company's management. Below is a summary of the key experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board to conclude such person is currently qualified to serve as a Trustee.
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote "FOR" the election of all of the Trustee nominees.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 17
Trustees and Executive Officers |
The following is some important biographical information, including the ages and recent principal occupations, as of February 10, 2016, of the Company's Trustees, Trustee nominees and executive officers. The business address of the Trustees, Trustee nominees and executive officers is c/o Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458. Included in each Trustee's biography below are the attributes of that Trustee consistent with the qualifications, attributes, skills and experience the Board has determined are important to be represented on the Board. For a general discussion of the particular Trustee qualifications, attributes, skills and experience, and the process for selecting and nominating individuals for election to serve as a Trustee, please see "Election of Trustees" beginning on page 14.
Trustee Nominees
Donna D. Fraiche
|
|
Independent Trustee since 2015 Term: Term expiring at the 2016 Annual Meeting Age: 64 Board Committees: Audit; Compensation; Nominating and Governance (Chair) Other Public Company Boards: Five Star Quality Care, Inc. (since 2010); Select Income REIT (since 2012) Ms. Fraiche is a shareholder in, and serves as chair of the nominating and governance committee of, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC and has practiced law in that firm since 2004. Previously, Ms. Fraiche practiced law with the firm now known as Locke Lord LLP in New Orleans. Ms. Fraiche is former Chair of the Louisiana Health Care Commission and has previously served as Chair of the Long Term Community Planning Task Force and Health Care Committee of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, delegate of the Louisiana Recovery Authority to the Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative, Chair of the Louisiana Office of State Planning Task Force and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Loyola University, among numerous other business and civic responsibilities. She serves on the Investments Committee of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the Real Estate Committee of Women's Hospital. Ms. Fraiche also serves as Honorary Consul General for Japan in New Orleans. Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: professional legal skills; many leadership roles and experiences, including her service in numerous public policy and civic leadership roles; work on public company boards and board committees; institutional knowledge earned through prior service on the Board since shortly after the Company's formation; and qualifying as an Independent Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE and the SEC, and the Company's Bylaws. |
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HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 18
William A. Lamkin
|
|
Independent Trustee since 2007 Term: Term expiring at the 2016 Annual Meeting Age: 56 Board Committees: Audit (Chair); Compensation; Nominating and Governance Other Public Company Boards: Select Income REIT (since 2012) Mr. Lamkin has been a partner in Ackrell Capital LLC, a San Francisco based investment bank, since 2003. Mr. Lamkin was an independent trustee of Equity Commonwealth from 2006 until 2014. Prior to being a partner in Ackrell Capital LLC, he was employed as a financial consultant and as an investment banker, including as a Senior Vice President in the investment banking division of ABN AMRO, Incorporated. Prior to working as a financial consultant and as an investment banker, Mr. Lamkin was a practicing attorney. Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: experience in and knowledge of the commercial real estate and investment banking industries; demonstrated management ability; experience in capital raising and strategic business transactions; professional training, skills and expertise in, among other things, legal and finance matters; work on public company boards and board committees; institutional knowledge earned through prior service on the Board since shortly after the Company's formation; and qualifying as an Independent Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE and the SEC, and the Company's Bylaws. |
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HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 19
Adam D. Portnoy
|
|
Managing Trustee since 2007 Term: Term expiring at the 2016 Annual Meeting Age: 45 Other Public Company Boards: Government Properties Income Trust (since 2009); Select Income REIT (since 2011); Senior Housing Properties Trust (since 2007); RMR Real Estate Income Fund, including its predecessor funds (since 2009); The RMR Group Inc. (since 2015) Mr. Portnoy has been one of RMR Inc.'s Managing Directors and its President and Chief Executive Officer since shortly after its formation in 2015. Mr. Portnoy is President and CEO of RMR LLC and was a director of RMR LLC from 2006 until June 5, 2015 when RMR LLC became a majority owned subsidiary of RMR Inc. and RMR Inc. became RMR LLC's managing member. Mr. Portnoy has been a director and the president of RMR Advisors LLC since 2007 and chief executive officer of RMR Advisors LLC since 2015. Mr. Portnoy is an owner, trustee and officer of ABP Trust (formerly known as Reit Management & Research Trust), the controlling shareholder of RMR Inc. Mr. Portnoy has been an owner and director of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation since 2012. Mr. Portnoy served as president of RMR Real Estate Income Fund, including its predecessor funds, from 2007 to 2015 and as managing trustee of Select Income REIT since 2011. Mr. Portnoy was a managing trustee of Equity Commonwealth from 2006 until 2014 and served as its president from 2011 to 2014. Prior to joining RMR LLC in 2003, Mr. Portnoy held various positions in the finance industry and public sector, including working as an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and ABN AMRO as well as working in private equity at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and at the International Finance Corporation (a member of The World Bank Group). In addition, Mr. Portnoy previously founded and served as CEO of a privately financed Internet telecommunication company. Mr. Portnoy is also currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Occidental College and serves as the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Massachusetts. Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: extensive experience in and knowledge of the commercial real estate industry and REITs; leadership position with RMR LLC and demonstrated management ability; public company director service; experience in investment banking and private equity; government organization service; experience in starting a business and serving as its senior executive at an Internet telecommunication company; institutional knowledge earned through prior service on the Board since the Company's formation and in key leadership positions with the Company's manager; and qualifying as a Managing Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the Company's Bylaws. |
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HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 20
Trustees
John L. Harrington
|
|
Independent Trustee since 1995; Lead Independent Trustee since 2015 Term: Term expiring at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Age: 79 Board Committees: Audit; Compensation (Chair); Nominating and Governance Other Public Company Boards: Senior Housing Properties Trust (since 1999); RMR Real Estate Income Fund, including its predecessor funds (since 2002); Government Properties Income Trust (since 2009) Mr. Harrington has been Chairman of the Board of the Yawkey Foundation (a charitable foundation) since 2007 and prior to that from 2002 to 2003. He served as a Trustee of the Yawkey Foundation since 1982 and as Executive Director from 1982 to 2006. He was also a Trustee of the JRY Trust from 1982 through 2009. Mr. Harrington was Chief Executive Officer and General Partner of the Boston Red Sox Baseball Club from 1986 to 2002 and served as that organization's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer prior to that time. He was President of Boston Trust Management Corp. from 1981 to 2006 and a principal of Bingham McCutchen Sports Consulting LLC from 2007 to 2008. Mr. Harrington represented the Boston Red Sox majority interest in co-founding The New England Sports Network ("NESN"), managing NESN from 1981 to 2002. Mr. Harrington served as a Director of Fleet Bank from 1995 to 1999 and of Shawmut Bank of Boston from 1986 to 1995, a Member of the Major League Baseball Executive Council from 1998 to 2001, Assistant Secretary of Administration and Finance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1980, Treasurer of the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs from 1970 to 1972, Assistant Professor and Director of Admissions, Carroll Graduate School of Management at Boston College from 1967 through 1970 and as Supervisory Auditor for the U.S. General Accounting Office from 1961 through 1966. He was an Independent Trustee of RMR Funds Series Trust from shortly after its formation in 2007 until its dissolution in 2009. Mr. Harrington has held many civic leadership positions and received numerous leadership awards and honorary doctorate degrees. Mr. Harrington holds a Massachusetts license as a certified public accountant. Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: demonstrated leadership capability; service on the boards of several private and charitable organizations; professional skills and expertise in accounting, finance and risk management and experience as a chief financial officer; expertise in compensation and benefits matters; service with government and experience in public policy matters; work on public company boards and board committees and in key management roles in various enterprises; institutional knowledge earned through prior service on the Board since shortly after the Company's formation; and qualifying as an Independent Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE and the SEC, and the Company's Bylaws. |
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HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 21
Barry M. Portnoy
|
|
Managing Trustee since 1995 Term: Term expiring at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Age: 70 Other Public Company Boards: Government Properties Income Trust (since 2009); Senior Housing Properties Trust (since 1999); Five Star Quality Care, Inc. (since 2001); RMR Real Estate Income Fund, including its predecessor funds (since 2002); TravelCenters of America LLC (since 2006); Select Income REIT (since 2011); The RMR Group Inc. (since 2015) Mr. Portnoy has been one of the Managing Directors of The RMR Group Inc. ("RMR Inc.") since shortly after its formation in 2015. Mr. Portnoy is a Chairman of RMR LLC and was a director of RMR LLC from its founding in 1986 until June 5, 2015 when RMR LLC became a majority owned subsidiary of RMR Inc. and RMR Inc. became RMR LLC's managing member. Mr. Portnoy is an owner and trustee of ABP Trust, the controlling shareholder of RMR Inc. Mr. Portnoy has been a director and a vice president of RMR Advisors LLC since its founding in 2002 and Chairman of RMR Advisors LLC since 2015. Mr. Portnoy has been an owner and director of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation since 2012. Mr. Portnoy was a trustee of Equity Commonwealth from its founding in 1986 until 2014. Prior to his becoming a full time employee of RMR LLC in 1997, Mr. Portnoy was a partner in, and chairman of, the law firm of Sullivan & Worcester LLP. Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: demonstrated leadership capability; extensive experience in and knowledge of the commercial real estate industry and REITs; leadership position with RMR LLC; extensive public company director service; professional skills and expertise in, among other things, legal and regulatory matters; institutional knowledge earned through prior service on the Board and in key leadership positions with the Company's manager; and qualifying as a Managing Trustee in accordance with the requirements of the Company's Bylaws. |
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HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 22
Executive Officers
John G. Murray
President and Chief Operating Officer since 1996; Assistant Secretary since 2008 Age: 55 Mr. Murray has served in various capacities with RMR LLC and its affiliates since 1993, including as an executive vice president of RMR LLC since 2001 and as a senior vice president of RMR LLC from 1993 to 2001. Since 2014, Mr. Murray has been a member of the board of directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association representing the owners' segment of the association. Prior to joining RMR LLC, Mr. Murray was employed at Fidelity Brokerage Services Inc. and at Ernst & Young LLP. |
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Mark L. Kleifges
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since 2002 Age: 55 Mr. Kleifges has been an executive vice president of RMR LLC since 2008 and has served in various capacities with RMR LLC and its affiliates for more than ten years. Mr. Kleifges has been treasurer and chief financial officer of Government Properties Income Trust since 2011. Mr. Kleifges was a vice president of RMR Advisors LLC from 2003 to 2004 and since 2004 has been its chief financial officer and treasurer. He has also served as chief financial officer and treasurer of RMR Real Estate Income Fund and its predecessor funds since 2003. Mr. Kleifges has also been chief financial officer and treasurer of Government Properties Income Trust since 2011. Mr. Kleifges is a certified public accountant and, prior to joining RMR LLC, was a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP. |
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Ethan S. Bornstein
Senior Vice President since 2008; Vice President from 1999 to 2008 Age: 42 Mr. Bornstein has served in various capacities with RMR LLC and its affiliates, including the Company, for more than twelve years, including as a Senior Vice President of RMR LLC since 2008. |
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Barry M. Portnoy is the father of Adam D. Portnoy. Mr. Bornstein is the son-in-law of Barry M. Portnoy and the brother-in-law of Adam D. Portnoy. There are no other family relationships among any of the Company's Trustees or executive officers. The Company's executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board.
RMR LLC provides management services to public and private companies, including the Company, Government Properties Income Trust, Select Income REIT, Senior Housing Properties Trust, Five Star Quality Care, Inc., TravelCenters of America LLC, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation and Affiliates Insurance Company. Government Properties Income Trust is a publicly traded REIT that primarily invests in properties that are majority leased to government tenants ("GOV"). Select Income REIT is a publicly traded REIT that primarily owns net leased, single tenant properties ("SIR"). Senior Housing Properties Trust is a publicly traded REIT that primarily owns healthcare, senior living and medical office buildings
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 23
("SNH"). Five Star Quality Care, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate based operating company in the healthcare and senior living services business ("FVE"). TravelCenters of America LLC is a publicly traded real estate based operating company in the travel center and convenience store businesses ("TA"). Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is a private company that operates and franchises hotels, resorts and cruise ships. Affiliates Insurance Company is a privately owned Indiana insurance company ("AIC"). RMR LLC is a majority owned subsidiary of RMR Inc., a publicly owned company whose controlling shareholder is ABP Trust, which is owned by our Managing Trustees. RMR Advisors LLC, a subsidiary of RMR LLC, is an SEC registered investment adviser to the RMR Real Estate Income Fund, which is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("RIF"). The foregoing entities may be considered to be affiliates of the Company.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 24
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and determining the Common Share grants awarded to Trustees and making recommendations to the Board regarding cash compensation paid to Trustees for Board, committee and committee chair services. Managing Trustees do not receive cash compensation for their services as Trustees but do receive Common Share grants. The number of Common Shares granted to each Managing Trustee is the same as the number granted to each Independent Trustee.
All Trustees receive compensation in Common Shares to align the interests of Trustees with those of the Company's shareholders. To this end, the Company's Governance Guidelines codify its expectation that, subject to certain exemptions, each Trustee retain at least 20,000 Common Shares within five years of the later of: (i) June 10, 2014 or (ii) the Annual Meeting of Shareholders at which the Trustee was initially elected or, if earlier, the first Annual Meeting of Shareholders following the initial appointment of the Trustee to the Board.
In determining the amount and composition of Trustee compensation, the Compensation Committee and the Board take various factors into consideration, including, but not limited to, the responsibilities of Trustees generally, as well as for service on committees and as committee chairs, and the forms of compensation paid to trustees or directors by comparable companies, including the compensation of trustees and directors of other companies managed by RMR LLC. The Board reviews the Compensation Committee's recommendations regarding Trustee cash compensation and determines the amount of such compensation.
2015 Annual Compensation |
Each Independent Trustee received an annual fee of $40,000 for services as a Trustee, plus a fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended. The annual fee for new Trustees is pro rated for the initial year. Up to two $1,000 fees are paid if a Board meeting and one or more Board committee meetings are held on the same date. In addition, each Trustee received a grant of 2,500 Common Shares in 2015.
Each Independent Trustee who served as a committee chair of the Company's Audit, Compensation or Nominating and Governance Committees received an additional annual fee of $12,500, $7,500 and $7,500, respectively. The committee chair fee for new Trustees is pro rated for the initial year. The lead Independent Trustee received an additional annual cash retainer fee of $10,000 pro rated for serving in this role. Trustees are reimbursed for out of pocket costs they incur from attending continuing education programs and for travel expenses incurred in connection with their duties as Trustees.
The following table details the total compensation of the Company's Trustees for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)1 |
Stock Awards ($)2 |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donna D. Fraiche3 |
$ | 38,144 | $ | 62,950 | $ | | $ | 101,094 | |||||
Bruce M. Gans3 |
69,500 |
76,475 |
|
145,975 |
|||||||||
John L. Harrington4 |
| 87,767 | | 76,475 | | | | 164,242 | |||||
William A. Lamkin |
78,500 |
76,475 |
|
154,975 |
|||||||||
Barry M. Portnoy5 |
| | | 76,475 | | | | 76,475 | |||||
Adam D. Portnoy5 |
|
76,475 |
|
76,475 |
|||||||||
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 25
for service as a committee chair in 2015. Ms. Fraiche was entitled to the compensation the Company generally provides to its Independent Trustees and the Chair of the Company's Nominating and Governance Committee, with the annual cash fees pro rated for her period of service on the Board in 2015. Messrs. Gans, Harrington and Lamkin and Ms. Fraiche earned an additional $22,000, $33,500, $26,000, and $6,000, respectively, in fees for meetings attended in 2015.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 26
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company is committed to corporate governance which promotes the long term interests of our shareholders, strengthens Board and management accountability and helps build trust of investors and others in the Company. The Board has established Governance Guidelines which provide a framework for effective governance. The guidelines address matters such as general qualification standards for the Board, Trustee responsibilities, Board and committee meetings, Trustee compensation, evaluation of management, management succession and other matters. The Board regularly reviews developments in corporate governance and updates our Governance Guidelines and other governance materials as it deems necessary and appropriate.
The governance section of our website makes available our corporate governance materials, including the Governance Guidelines, the charter for each Board committee, the Code and information about how to report matters directly to management, the Board or the Audit Committee. To access these documents on the Company's website, www.hptreit.com, click on "Investors" and then "Governance." In addition, instructions on how to obtain copies of the Company's corporate governance materials are included in the response to question 16 in the "Questions and Answers" section on page 12.
Board Leadership Structure |
Our Board is comprised of five Trustees, including three Independent Trustees and two Managing Trustees. All Trustees play an active role in overseeing the Company's business both at the Board and committee levels. As set forth in the Company's Governance Guidelines, the core responsibility of our Trustees is to exercise sound, informed and independent business judgment in overseeing the Company and its strategic direction. Our Trustees are skilled and experienced leaders and currently serve or have served as members of senior management in public and private for profit organizations and law firms, and have also served in academia. Our Trustees may be called upon to provide solutions to various complex issues and are expected to, and do, ask hard questions of the Company's officers and advisors. Our Board is small, which facilitates informal discussions and communication from management to the Board and among Trustees.
We do not have a Chairman of the Board. Our President and Treasurer are not members of the Board, but they regularly attend Board and Board committee meetings, as does our Director of Internal Audit. Other officers of RMR LLC also sometimes attend Board meetings at the invitation of the Board. The Company's President, any Managing Trustee or any two Independent Trustees may call a special meeting of the Board. Our Managing Trustees, in consultation with the Company's President, Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Internal Audit, set the agenda for Board meetings. Any Independent Trustee may place an item on an agenda by providing notice to a Managing Trustee or our President, Treasurer or Secretary. Discussions at Board meetings are led by the Managing Trustee or Independent Trustee who is most knowledgeable on a subject.
On September 28, 2015, the Board amended the Company's Governance Guidelines to provide for the role and responsibilities of a lead Independent Trustee, and our Independent Trustees selected Mr. Harrington to serve in such role. Among other things, the lead Independent Trustee's responsibilities include: serving as a liaison between the Company's management and the Independent Trustees; presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the Managing Trustees are not present, including each executive session of the non-management Trustees or the Independent Trustees, as the case may be; assisting the Compensation Committee in its annual evaluation of the performance of the Company's management; being reasonably available for consultation and direct communication with shareholders upon request; and such other responsibilities as the Board may determine. The lead Independent Trustee may call meetings of the Independent Trustees or executive sessions of non-management Trustees and presides at any such meeting.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 27
Pursuant to the Company's Governance Guidelines, the Company's Independent Trustees meet at least once each year without management. The presiding Trustee at these meetings is the Chair of the Audit Committee, unless the Independent Trustees in attendance select another Independent Trustee to preside. Our Independent Trustees also meet to consider Company business without the attendance of the Managing Trustees or officers, and they meet separately with the Company's officers, with the Company's Director of Internal Audit and with the Company's independent auditors. In such meetings of the Company's Independent Trustees, the Chair of the Audit Committee presides unless the Independent Trustees determine otherwise.
In 2015, the Board held 12 meetings. In 2015, each Trustee attended 75% or more of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and the committees on which he or she served. All of the Trustees attended last year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Company's policy with respect to Board members' attendance at meetings of the Board and Annual Meetings of Shareholders can be found in the Company's Governance Guidelines, the full text of which appears at the Company's website, www.hptreit.com.
Independence of Trustees |
Under the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE, the Board must consist of a majority of Independent Trustees. To be considered independent:
The Company's Bylaws also require that a majority of the Board be Independent Trustees. Under the Company's Bylaws, Independent Trustees are not employees of RMR LLC, are not involved in the Company's day to day activities and are persons who qualify as independent under the applicable rules of the NYSE and SEC.
The Board affirmatively determines whether Trustees have a direct or indirect material relationship with the Company, including the Company's subsidiaries, other than serving as the Company's Trustees or trustees or directors of the Company's subsidiaries. In making independence determinations, the Board observes NYSE and SEC criteria, as well as the Company's Bylaws. When assessing a Trustee's relationship with the Company, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances, not merely from the Trustee's standpoint, but also from that of the persons or organizations with which the Trustee has an affiliation. Based on this review, the Board has determined that Donna D. Fraiche, John L. Harrington and William A. Lamkin currently qualify as independent trustees under applicable NYSE rules and SEC criteria and are Independent Trustees under the Company's Bylaws. In making these determinations, the Board reviewed and discussed additional information provided by the Trustees and the Company with regard to each of the Trustees' relationships with RMR Inc. or RMR LLC and the companies to which RMR LLC and its affiliates provide management and advisory services. The Board has concluded that none of these three Trustees possessed or currently possesses any relationship that could impair his or her judgment in connection with his or her duties and responsibilities as a Trustee or that could otherwise be a direct or indirect material relationship under applicable NYSE and SEC standards.
Board Committees |
The Board has an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Each committee has adopted a written charter, which is available on our website, www.hptreit.com, by clicking on "Investors" and then "Governance." Shareholders may also request
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 28
copies free of charge by writing to Investor Relations, Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458.
Our Board may from time to time establish other committees. Our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees are comprised entirely of Independent Trustees and an Independent Trustee serves as Chair of each committee. The Chairs of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees set the agendas for their respective committee meetings, but any Trustee, member of management or the Director of Internal Audit may suggest agenda items to be considered by these committees. Additionally, the charter of each of our standing committees provides that the committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of one or more members when appropriate. Subcommittees are subject to the provisions of the applicable committee's charter. Additional information about the committees is provided below.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 29
William A. Lamkin* Committee Chair |
"The Audit Committee is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Company's financial reporting; monitoring and controlling the Company's financial risk exposure; selecting, assessing the independence and performance of, and working productively with, the Company's independent auditors; overseeing and collaborating with the Company's internal audit function; and monitoring the Company's legal and regulatory compliance."
Additional Committee Members: Donna D. Fraiche, John L. Harrington
Meetings Held in 2015: 7
Primary Responsibilities:
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board in fulfilling its
responsibilities for oversight of: (i) the integrity of the Company's financial statements; (ii) the Company's accounting and financial reporting processes; (iii) compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements; (iv) the Company's independent auditors' qualifications and independence; and (v) the performance of the Company's internal audit function and
independent auditors. Under its charter, the Audit Committee has the final authority and responsibility to select the Company's independent auditors and to appoint the Company's Director of Internal
Audit.
Independence:
Each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence requirements of the NYSE, the Exchange Act and the Company's Governance Guidelines. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially
literate, knowledgeable and qualified to review financial statements. The Board has determined that Mr. Harrington is the Audit Committee's "financial expert" and is independent as defined by
the rules of the SEC and the NYSE. The Board's determination that Mr. Harrington is a financial expert was based on his experience as: (i) Executive Director of a large charitable
organization; (ii) Chief Executive Officer of a major professional sports business; (iii) a member of the Audit Committee and of the audit committees of other publicly owned companies;
(iv) a certified public accountant; (v) a Director of a large national bank; and (vi) a college assistant professor of accounting. Additionally, the Board has determined that
Mr. Harrington's simultaneous service on the audit committees of GOV, SNH and RIF will not impair his ability to effectively serve as a member of the Company's Audit Committee.
* Mr. Lamkin was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee in 2009.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 30
John L. Harrington* Committee Chair |
"The Compensation Committee regularly evaluates the Company's compensation practices and considers the incentives and risks associated with the Company's compensation practices."
Additional Committee Members: Donna D. Fraiche, William A. Lamkin
Meetings Held in 2015: 5
Primary Responsibilities:
The Compensation Committee's primary responsibilities include: (i) reviewing the terms of RMR LLC's business management and property management agreements with the Company, evaluating
the performance of RMR LLC under those agreements, approving the fees and certain other costs that the Company is required to pay under those agreements and making determinations regarding
continuance of or changes to those agreements; (ii) evaluating the performance of the Company's President and determining and approving any compensation, including any equity compensation, paid
directly by the Company to the President; (iii) reviewing and approving any compensation that the Company directly pays to its Treasurer and any other executive officer of the Company who is
also a senior executive of RMR LLC; (iv) evaluating the performance of the Company's Director of Internal Audit and determining the compensation payable to him and the costs of the
Company's internal audit function generally; (v) evaluating, approving and administering all of the Company's equity compensation plans; (vi) evaluating whether the Company's executive
compensation programs encourage appropriate levels of risk taking by the Company's executives; and (vii) reviewing and considering the incentives and risks associated with the Company's
compensation policies and practices.
Independence:
Each member of the Compensation Committee meets the independence requirements of the NYSE.
* Mr. Harrington was appointed Chair of the Compensation Committee in 2015.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 31
Nominating and Governance Committee
Donna D. Fraiche* Committee Chair |
"The Nominating and Governance Committee regularly evaluates the Board's leadership structure and corporate governance to promote the best long term interests of the Company."
Additional Committee Members: John L. Harrington, William A. Lamkin
Meetings Held in 2015: 2
Primary Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee include: (i) identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board and recommending to the Board the nominees for
Trustee for each Annual Meeting of Shareholders or when Board vacancies occur; (ii) reviewing and assessing the Board's leadership structure; (iii) developing and recommending to the
Board governance guidelines; and (iv) evaluating the performance of the Board.
Independence:
Each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee meets the independence requirements of the NYSE.
* Ms. Fraiche was appointed Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee in 2015.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 32
Board Oversight of Risk |
The Board is elected by shareholders to oversee the Company's business and long term strategy. As part of fulfilling its responsibilities, the Board oversees the proper safeguarding of the assets of the Company, the maintenance of appropriate financial and other internal controls and the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Inherent in these responsibilities is the Board's understanding and oversight of the various risks facing the Company. The Board considers that risks should not be viewed in isolation and should be considered in virtually every business decision and as part of the Company's business strategy.
Oversight of Risk
The Board oversees risk as part of its general oversight of the Company, and oversight of risk is addressed as part of various Board and Board committee activities and through regular and special Board and Board committee meetings. The actual day to day business of the Company is conducted by RMR LLC, and RMR LLC and the Company's officers and Director of Internal Audit are responsible to incorporate risk management in their activities. The Company's Director of Internal Audit provides the Company advice and assistance with the Company's risk management function.
In discharging their oversight responsibilities, the Board and Board committees review regularly a wide range of reports provided to them by RMR LLC and other service providers, including:
The Board and Board committees discuss these matters among themselves and with representatives of RMR LLC, officers of the Company, the Director of Internal Audit, counsel and the Company's independent auditors.
The Audit Committee, which meets at least quarterly and reports its findings to the Board, takes a leading role in helping the Board fulfill its responsibilities for oversight of the Company's financial reporting, internal audit function, risk management and the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Board and Audit Committee review periodic reports from the Company's independent auditors regarding potential risks, including risks related to the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also reviews annually, approves and oversees an internal audit plan developed by the Company's Director of Internal Audit with the goal of helping the Company
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 33
systematically evaluate the effectiveness of its risk management, control and governance processes. The Audit Committee also meets periodically with the Company's Director of Internal Audit to review the results of the Company's internal audits, and directs or recommends to the Board actions or changes it determines appropriate measures to enhance or improve the effectiveness of the Company's risk management.
The Compensation Committee also evaluates the performance of the Company's Director of Internal Audit and RMR LLC's performance under the Company's business and property management agreements, including any perceived risks created by RMR LLC's compensation under those agreements. Also, the Compensation Committee and the Board consider that the Company has a share grant program that requires share grants to vest over a period of years, rather than a stock option program such as is employed by many other publicly owned companies. The Company believes that the use of share grants vesting over time rather than stock options mitigates the incentives for the Company's management to undertake undue risks and encourages management to make longer term and appropriately risk balanced decisions.
It is likely not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Company or to develop processes and controls to eliminate all risks and their possible effects, and processes and controls employed to address risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, it is necessary for the Company to bear certain risks to achieve its objectives. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Company's ability to manage risk is subject to substantial limitations.
To learn more about the risks facing the Company, you can review the matters discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Warning Concerning Forward Looking Statements" in our Annual Report. The risks described in the Annual Report are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that may currently be deemed to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods.
Shareholder Engagement |
Shareholders may effectively communicate a point of view to the Board in a number of ways, including:
Communication with the Board |
The Board has established a process to facilitate communication by shareholders and other interested parties with Trustees. Communications should be addressed to Trustees in care of the Secretary, Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458, by email at secretary@hptreit.com or sent by filling out a report at the Company's website, www.hptreit.com. In addition, shareholders and other interested parties may call the Company's toll free confidential message system at (866) 511-5038.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
In December 2015, Hospitality Properties Trust's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics was amended to clarify policies regarding reporting of conflicts of interest and violations of the law and the Code. The Code was also revised to recognize that our manager is now controlled by a public company.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 34
The Company's shareholders, Trustees, executive officers and persons involved in the Company's business can ask questions about the Company's Code and other ethics and compliance issues, or report potential violations as follows: by writing to the Director of Internal Audit at Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458; by calling toll free (866) 511-5038; by e-mailing Internal.Audit@hptreit.com; or by filling out a report by visiting the Company's website, www.hptreit.com, clicking "Investors," clicking "Governance" and then clicking "Governance Hotline."
Trustee Share Ownership Policy |
All Trustees receive compensation in Common Shares to align the interests of Trustees with those of the Company's shareholders. The Company's Governance Guidelines codify its expectation that, subject to certain exemptions, each Trustee retain at least 20,000 Common Shares within five years of the later of: (i) June 10, 2014 or (ii) the Annual Meeting of Shareholders at which the Trustee was initially elected or, if earlier, the first Annual Meeting of Shareholders following the initial appointment of the Trustee to the Board.
Trading Policies |
Pursuant to the Company's insider trading policy, Trustees and executive officers are required to obtain pre-approval from at least two designated individuals before trading or agreeing to trade in, including by entering into a share trading plan such as a 10b5-1 trading plan, with respect to any Company security, except for regular reinvestments in the Company's securities made pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan which may be offered by the Company.
The Company's insider trading policy generally prohibits (i) the Company's Trustees and officers, (ii) the trustees and officers of the Company's subsidiaries, (iii) RMR Inc. and its directors and officers and (iv) RMR LLC and its officers and employees, to the extent they are involved in RMR LLC's services to the Company, from, directly or indirectly through family members or others, purchasing or selling Common Shares or the Company's other equity or debt securities while in possession of material, non-public information concerning the Company. Similar prohibitions also apply to trading in the securities of RMR Inc. and the other publicly held companies to which RMR LLC provides management services on the basis of material, non-public information learned in the course of performing services for those companies.
Executive Compensation Policies |
See the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 51 for a detailed discussion of the Company's executive compensation program.
Shareholder Nominations and Other Proposals |
Trustee Nominations and Shareholder Proposals for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: In order for a shareholder to propose a nominee for election to the Board or propose business outside of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholder must comply with the advance notice and other requirements set forth in the Company's Bylaws, which include, among other things, requirements as to the shareholder's timely delivery of advance notice, continuous requisite ownership of Common Shares, holding of a share certificate for such shares at the time of the advance notice and submission of specified information.
Deadline to Submit Nominations and Proposals for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: To be timely, shareholder nominations and proposals intended to be made outside of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company's Secretary
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 35
at the Company's principal executive offices, in accordance with the requirements of the Company's Bylaws, not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on October 28, 2016 and not earlier than September 28, 2016; provided, that, if the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is more than 30 days earlier or later than May 25, 2017, then a shareholder's notice must be so delivered not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the tenth day following the earlier of the day on which (i) notice of the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is mailed or otherwise made available or (ii) public announcement of the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is first made by the Company.
Shareholder proposals pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received at the Company's principal executive offices on or before October 28, 2016 in order to be eligible to be included in the proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; provided, that, if the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is more than 30 days before or after May 25, 2017, such a proposal must be submitted within a reasonable time before the Company begins to print its proxy materials. Under Rule 14a-8, the Company is not required to include shareholder proposals in its proxy materials in certain circumstances or if conditions specified in the rule are not met.
The foregoing description of the requirements for a shareholder to propose a nomination for election to the Board at an annual meeting or other business for consideration at an annual meeting is only a summary and is not a complete listing of all requirements. Copies of the Company's Bylaws, including the requirements for shareholder nominations and other proposals, may be obtained by writing to the Company's Secretary at Hospitality Properties Trust, Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458, or from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Any shareholder considering making a nomination or other proposal should carefully review and comply with those provisions.
Related Person Transactions |
A "related person transaction" is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which (i) the Company was, is or will be a participant, (ii) the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and (iii) any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
A "related person" means any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was:
The Company has adopted written Governance Guidelines that describe the consideration and approval of related person transactions. Under these Governance Guidelines, the Company may not enter into a transaction in which any Trustee or executive officer, any member of the immediate family of any Trustee or executive officer or other related person, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest unless that transaction has been disclosed or made known to the Board and the Board reviews and approves or ratifies the transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees, even if the
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 36
disinterested Trustees constitute less than a quorum. If there are no disinterested Trustees, the transaction must be reviewed, authorized and approved or ratified by both (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board and (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction, the Board, or disinterested Trustees or Independent Trustees, as the case may be, also act in accordance with any applicable provisions of the Company's Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and approve only those transactions that they determine are fair and reasonable to the Company. All related person transactions described below were reviewed and approved or ratified by a majority of the disinterested Trustees or otherwise in accordance with the Company's policies, Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, each as described above. In the case of transactions with the Company by employees of RMR Inc. and its subsidiaries who are subject to the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics but who are not Trustees or executive officers of the Company, the employee must seek approval from an executive officer who has no interest in the matter for which approval is being requested. Copies of the Company's Governance Guidelines and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on the Company's website, www.hptreit.com.
Certain Related Person Transactions
TA. TA is the Company's former 100% owned subsidiary and its largest tenant, and the Company is TA's largest shareholder. TA was created as a separate public company in 2007 as a result of its spinoff from the Company. As of December 31, 2015, the Company owned 3,420,000 common shares, representing approximately 8.8% of TA's outstanding common shares. Mr. Barry Portnoy, one of the Company's Managing Trustees, is a managing director of TA. Mr. Thomas O'Brien, a former officer of the Company prior to the TA spinoff, is President and Chief Executive Officer and the other managing director of TA; he is also an officer of RMR LLC. TA's Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel are also officers of RMR LLC. Mr. Arthur Koumantzelis, who was one of the Company's Independent Trustees prior to the TA spinoff, serves as an independent director of TA.
TA is the lessee of 37% of the Company's real estate properties, at cost, as of December 31, 2015. Until June 2015, TA had two leases with the Company, the TA No. 1 lease (the "Prior TA Lease"), and the TA No. 2 lease, (the "Prior Petro Lease"). The Company refers to the Prior TA Lease and Prior Petro Lease collectively as the Prior Leases. The Prior TA Lease was for travel centers that TA operates under the "TravelCenters of America" or "TA" brand names. The Prior Petro Lease was for travel centers that TA operates under the "Petro" brand name. As disclosed below, in June 2015, the Prior TA Lease was expanded and subdivided into four amended and restated leases, which the Company refers to as the New TA Leases, and the Prior Petro Lease was amended.
On June 1, 2015, the Company entered a transaction agreement (the "TA Transaction Agreement") with TA, pursuant to which the following transactions were completed as of December 31, 2015:
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 37
properties to TA under the New TA Leases. The minimum annual rent payable to the Company increased by $24.0 million as a result of the completion of this purchase and sale leaseback.
Under the TA Transaction Agreement, the Company also agreed to purchase from TA five travel centers upon the completion of their development at a purchase price equal to their development costs, including the cost of the land, which costs are estimated to be not more than $118.0 million in the aggregate and the Company agreed to leaseback these development properties to TA under the New TA Leases. These purchase/leaseback transactions remain to be completed. The terms of the TA Transaction Agreement were approved by special committees of the Company's Independent Trustees and TA's independent directors, none of whom are directors or trustees of the other company. Each special committee was represented by separate counsel.
In October 2015, the Company purchased the land and certain improvements at a travel center it then leased from a third party and subleased to TA located in Waterloo, NY for $15.0 million. Upon this acquisition, the land and improvements were directly leased to TA under the TA No. 5 agreement and TA's minimum annual rent increased by $1.3 million, but its obligation to pay the ground rent of $1.3 million annually was terminated.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company leased to TA a total of 153 travel centers under the New TA Leases and 40 travel centers under the TA No. 5 agreement. As of December 31, 2015, the number of travel centers leased, the term, the minimum annual rent and deferred rent balances under the Company's five leases with TA were as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
|
Number of Sites |
Initial Term End1 |
Minimum Annual Rent as of December 31, 20152 |
Deferred Rent3 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
TA No. 1 Agreement | 39 | December 31, 2029 | $ | 48,862 | $ | 27,421 | |||||
TA No. 2 Agreement |
38 |
December 31, 2028 |
47,229 |
29,107 |
|||||||
TA No. 3 Agreement | 38 | December 31, 2026 | | 50,077 | | 29,324 | |||||
TA No. 4 Agreement |
38 |
December 31, 2030 |
46,680 |
21,233 |
|||||||
TA No. 5 Agreement | 40 | June 30, 2024 | | 64,875 | | 42,915 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
193 | $ | 257,723 | $ | 150,000 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
The Company's leases with TA are "triple net" leases that require TA to pay all costs incurred in the operation of the leased travel centers, including personnel, utility, inventory, customer service and insurance expenses, real estate and personal property taxes, environmental related expenses,
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 38
underground storage tank removal costs and ground lease payments at those travel centers at which the Company leases the property and subleases it to TA. TA also is required generally to indemnify the Company for certain environmental matters and for liabilities which arise during the terms of the leases from ownership or operation of the leased travel centers. In addition, TA is obligated to pay the Company at lease expiration an amount equal to an estimate of the cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties. The leases also include arbitration provisions for the resolution of disputes.
The Company recognized rental income of $250.6 million for 2015 under its leases with TA. The Company waived $1.1 million of percentage rent under the TA No. 5 agreement for 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has cumulatively waived $2.1 million of the $2.5 million of percentage rent it previously agreed to waive. The total amount of percentage rent from TA that the Company recognized (which is net of the waived amount) was $2.0 million for 2015.
Under the Company's leases with TA, TA is able to request that the Company fund approved amounts for renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased travel centers in return for increases in TA's minimum annual rent according to the following formula: the minimum rent per year would be increased by an amount equal to the amount funded by the Company multiplied by the greater of (i) 8.5% or (ii) a benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rate plus 3.5%. The Company is not required to fund these improvements and TA is not required to sell them to the Company. In addition to purchases of improvements the Company made pursuant to the TA Transaction Agreement described above, pursuant to the leases with TA, the Company funded $99.9 million in 2015 for qualifying capital improvements to travel centers leased by TA and TA's minimum annual rent payable to the Company increased by approximately $8.5 million as a result.
RMR LLC provides management services to both the Company and TA and certain of TA's executive officers are officers of RMR LLC. At the time TA became a separate publicly owned company as a result of the distribution of its shares to the Company's shareholders, TA entered into a business management agreement with RMR LLC. In addition, in connection with TA's spin-off, TA entered a transaction agreement with the Company and RMR LLC, pursuant to which TA granted the Company a right of first refusal to purchase, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance any interest TA owns in a travel center before it sells, leases, mortgages or otherwise finances that travel center to or with another party, and TA also granted the Company and any other company managed by RMR LLC a right of first refusal to acquire or finance any real estate of the types in which the Company or they invest before TA does. TA also agreed that for so long as TA is a tenant of the Company's TA will not permit: the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial ownership of 9.8% or more of the voting shares or the power to direct the management and policies of TA or any of its subsidiary tenants or guarantors under its leases with the Company; the sale of a material part of the assets of TA or any such tenant or guarantor; or the cessation of certain continuing directors constituting a majority of the board of directors of TA or any such tenant or guarantor. Also, TA agreed not to take any action that might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to qualify as a REIT and to indemnify the Company for any liabilities it may incur relating to TA's assets and business. The transaction agreement includes arbitration provisions for the resolution of disputes.
RMR LLC. The Company has no employees. The personnel and various services the Company requires to operate its business are provided to it by RMR LLC. The Company has two agreements with RMR LLC to provide management services to the Company: (i) a business management agreement, which relates to the Company's business generally, and (ii) a property management agreement, which relates to the Company's property level operations of the office building component of only one property in Baltimore, MD, which also includes a Royal Sonesta hotel. Both of these management agreements are described below, see "Management Agreements with RMR LLC."
One of the Company's Managing Trustees, Mr. Barry Portnoy, is a Managing Director, officer and controlling shareholder (through ABP Trust) of RMR Inc. and an officer of RMR LLC. The Company's other Managing Trustee, Mr. Adam Portnoy, is a Managing Director, President, Chief Executive Officer and controlling shareholder (through ABP Trust) of RMR Inc. and an officer of RMR LLC. ABP Trust is owned by Messrs. Barry and Adam Portnoy, Messrs. Barry and Adam Portnoy also own class A
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 39
membership units of RMR LLC through their ownership of ABP Trust. Each of the Company's executive officers is also an officer of RMR LLC, including Mr. Ethan Bornstein, who is the son-in-law of Mr. Barry Portnoy and the brother-in-law of Mr. Adam Portnoy. Certain of TA's and Sonesta's executive officers are officers of RMR LLC. The Company's Independent Trustees also serve as independent directors or independent trustees of other companies to which RMR LLC or its affiliates provide management services. Mr. Barry Portnoy serves as a director, managing director, trustee or managing trustee of those companies and Mr. Adam Portnoy serves as a director, trustee or managing trustee of a majority of those companies. In addition, officers of RMR LLC and RMR Inc. serve as the Company's officers and officers of other companies to which RMR LLC or its affiliates provide management services.
Acquisition of Interest in the Company's Manager. On June 5, 2015, the Company and three other REITs to which RMR LLC provides management servicesGOV, SIR and SNH (collectively with GOV and SIR, the "Other REITs")participated in a transaction (the "Up-C Transaction") by which the Company and the Other REITs each acquired class A common stock of RMR Inc.
The Up-C Transaction was completed pursuant to a transaction agreement by and among the Company, the Company's manager, RMR LLC, its then sole member, ABP Trust, and RMR Inc. and similar transaction agreements that each Other REIT entered into with RMR LLC, ABP Trust and RMR Inc. Pursuant to these transaction agreements: the Company contributed to RMR Inc. 1,490,000 of the Company's common shares and $12.6 million in cash; GOV contributed to RMR Inc. 700,000 of its common shares and $3.9 million in cash; SIR contributed to RMR Inc. 880,000 of its common shares and $15.9 million in cash; SNH contributed to RMR Inc. 2,345,000 of its common shares and $14.0 million in cash; ABP Trust contributed to RMR Inc. $11.5 million in cash, which RMR Inc. contributed to RMR LLC; RMR LLC issued 1,000,000 of its class B membership units to RMR Inc.; RMR Inc. issued 5,019,121 shares of its class A common stock to the Company, 1,541,201 shares of its class A common stock to GOV, 3,166,891 shares of its class A common stock to SIR, 5,272,787 shares of its class A common stock to SNH, and 1,000,000 shares of its class B-1 common stock and 15,000,000 shares of its class B-2 common stock to ABP Trust; ABP Trust delivered 15,000,000 of the 30,000,000 class A membership units of RMR LLC which ABP Trust then owned to RMR Inc.; and RMR Inc. delivered to ABP Trust the Company's common shares, the common shares of the Other REITs and the cash which had been contributed by the Company and the Other REITs to RMR Inc.
The class A common stock and class B-1 common stock of RMR Inc. share ratably as a single class in dividends and other distributions of RMR Inc. when and if declared by the board of directors of RMR Inc. and have the same rights in a liquidation of RMR Inc. The class B-1 common stock of RMR Inc. is convertible into class A common stock of RMR Inc. on a 1:1 basis. The class A common stock of RMR Inc. has one vote per share. The class B-1 common stock of RMR Inc. has 10 votes per share. The class B-2 common stock of RMR Inc. has no economic interest in RMR Inc., but has 10 votes per share and is paired with the class A membership units of RMR LLC owned by ABP Trust. Upon request by ABP Trust, RMR LLC is required to redeem the class A membership units of RMR LLC owned by ABP Trust for class A common stock of RMR Inc. on a 1:1 basis, or if RMR Inc. elects, for cash. Under the governing documents of RMR Inc., upon the redemption of a class A membership unit of RMR LLC, the share of class B-2 common stock of RMR Inc. "paired" with the class A membership unit being redeemed is cancelled for no additional consideration.
As part of the Up-C Transaction and concurrently with entering the transaction agreements, on June 5, 2015:
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 40
As a result of the Up-C Transaction: RMR LLC became a subsidiary of RMR Inc.; RMR Inc. became the managing member of RMR LLC; through the Company's ownership of class A common stock of RMR Inc., the Company became a holder of an indirect economic interest in RMR LLC; and through their ownership of class A common stock of RMR Inc., GOV, SIR and SNH also became holders of indirect economic interests in RMR LLC. Through its ownership of class B-1 common stock of RMR Inc., class B-2 common stock of RMR Inc. and class A membership units of RMR LLC, ABP Trust holds, directly and indirectly, a 51.6% economic interest in RMR LLC and controls 91.4% of the voting power of outstanding capital stock of RMR Inc.
Pursuant to the transaction agreements, on December 14, 2015 the Company distributed 2,515,344 shares of class A common stock of RMR Inc. to the Company's shareholders as a special distribution, which represented approximately half of the shares of class A common stock of RMR Inc. the Company received in the Up-C Transaction; each Other REIT also distributed approximately half of the shares of class A common stock of RMR Inc. they received in the Up-C Transaction to their respective shareholders. RMR Inc. facilitated this distribution by filing a registration statement with the SEC to register the shares of class A common stock of RMR Inc. being distributed and by listing those shares on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Following this distribution, the Company currently holds 2,503,777 shares of class A common stock of RMR Inc. and GOV, SIR and SNH currently hold 1,214,225, 1,586,836 and 2,637,408 shares of class A common stock of RMR Inc., respectively.
On December 15, 2015, RMR Inc. paid a cash dividend to holders of its class A common stock and class B-1 common stock as of November 25, 2015 of $0.5260 per share related to the period from and including June 5, 2015 up to but not including December 14, 2015. As a result of the Company's ownership of class A common stock of RMR Inc., the Company received a cash dividend of approximately $2.6 million.
The transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement and the terms thereof were negotiated and reviewed by a Joint Special Committee comprised solely of the Company's Independent Trustees and the independent trustees of the Other REITs (the "Joint Special Committee") and were separately approved and adopted by the Company's Independent Trustee who did not serve as an independent trustee of any of the Other REITs, by a Special Committee of the Company's Board of Trustees, comprised solely of the Company's Independent Trustees (the "Special Committee") and by the Company's Board of Trustees. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to the Joint Special Committee and Houlihan Lokey Capital Inc. acted as financial advisor to the Special Committee.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 41
Management Agreements with RMR LLC. The business management agreement provides that:
The average aggregate historical cost of the Company's real estate investments includes its consolidated assets invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests in or loans secured by real estate and personal property owned in connection with such real estate (including acquisition related costs and costs which may be allocated to intangibles or are unallocated), all before reserves for depreciation, amortization, impairment charges or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 42
officers, trustees, directors and controlling persons) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with any such registration.
The Company leases office space to RMR LLC in the office building the Company owns in Baltimore, MD for RMR LLC's property management office. Pursuant to the Company's lease agreement with RMR LLC, the Company recognized rental income from RMR LLC for leased office space of approximately $33,500 for the year ending December 31, 2015. The Company's office space lease with RMR LLC is terminable by RMR LLC if the Company's management agreements with RMR LLC are terminated.
The Company's property management agreement with RMR LLC provides for management fees equal to 3.0% of gross collected rents and construction supervision fees equal to 5.0% of construction costs with respect to the one office property that is subject to that agreement.
As part of the Up-C Transaction described above, on June 5, 2015, the Company and RMR LLC entered into an amended and restated business management agreement, which amended and restated the Company's then business management agreement with RMR LLC, and an amended and restated property management agreement, which amended and restated the then property management agreement with RMR LLC. As a result of these amendments, effective as of June 5, 2015:
The Board of Trustees has given the Compensation Committee, which is comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees, authority to act on the Company's behalf with respect to its management agreements with RMR LLC. The Company's Governance Guidelines and the charter of the Compensation Committee together require the committee to annually review the terms of these agreements, evaluate RMR LLC's performance under the agreements and determine whether to terminate the management agreements. The 2015 amendments to the business and property management agreements described above were negotiated and reviewed by the Joint Special Committee, and were approved and adopted by our Compensation Committee.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 43
RMR LLC Management Fees and Reimbursements. Pursuant to the Company's business management agreement and property management agreement with RMR LLC, it recognized base business management and property management fees of $37.4 million for 2015. In accordance with the terms of the Company's business management agreement, it issued, in aggregate, 52,366 of its common shares to RMR LLC as payment for a portion of the base business management fee the Company recognized for the period from January 1, 2015 to June 5, 2015. In January 2016, the Company paid an incentive fee of $62.3 million to RMR LLC pursuant to the Company's business management agreement.
The Company is generally responsible for all of its operating expenses, including certain expenses incurred by RMR LLC on the Company's behalf. The Company's property level operating costs are generally incorporated into rents charged to its tenants, including certain payroll and related costs incurred by RMR LLC. The total of these property management related reimbursements paid to RMR LLC for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $0.1million. The Company is generally not responsible for payment of RMR LLC's employment, office or administration expenses incurred to provide management services to the Company, except for the employment and related expenses of RMR LLC employees assigned to work exclusively or partly for the one office building which is the subject of the property management agreement, its share of the wages, benefits and other related costs of centralized accounting personnel and its share of the staff employed by RMR LLC who perform the Company's internal audit function.
The Company has historically awarded share grants to certain RMR LLC employees under the Company's equity compensation plan. During the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company made annual share grants to RMR LLC employees of 76,250 of its common shares. Those grants had an aggregate value of $2.0 million based upon the closing price of the Company's common shares on the NYSE on the dates of grant. One fifth of those restricted shares vested on the grant dates and one fifth vests on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant dates. These share grants to RMR LLC employees are in addition to the fees the Company paid to RMR LLC. In September 2015, the Company purchased 16,340 of its common shares, at the closing price for its common shares on the NYSE on the date of purchase, from certain of the Company's officers and other employees of RMR LLC in satisfaction of tax withholding and payment obligations in connection with the vesting of awards of restricted common shares. In addition, under the Company's business management agreement it reimburses RMR LLC for the Company's allocable costs for internal audit services, which amounts are subject to approval by its Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee appoints the Company's Director of Internal Audit. The Company reimbursed internal audit costs of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
On occasion, the Company has entered into arrangements with former employees of RMR LLC in connection with the termination of their employment with RMR LLC, providing for the acceleration of vesting of restricted shares previously granted to them under the Company's equity compensation plan. Additionally, each of the Company's executive officers received grants of restricted shares of other companies to which RMR LLC provides management services, including TA, in their capacities as officers of RMR LLC.
Pursuant to the Company's business management agreement, RMR LLC may from time to time negotiate on the Company's behalf with certain third party vendors and suppliers for the procurement of goods and services to the Company. As part of this arrangement, the Company may enter agreements with RMR LLC and other companies to which RMR LLC provides management services for the purpose of obtaining more favorable terms from such vendors and suppliers.
Sonesta. In January 2012, pursuant to a series of transactions, the Company effectively acquired entities that owned the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston in Cambridge, MA (the "Cambridge Hotel") and had leasehold interests in the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans in New Orleans, LA (the "New Orleans Hotel") for approximately $150.5 million. In connection with these transactions, the Company entered hotel management agreements with Sonesta that provide for Sonesta to manage for the Company each of the Cambridge Hotel and the New Orleans Hotel. Since that time, the Company has rebranded additional hotels that it owns to Sonesta brands and management, and as of December 31, 2015, Sonesta was managing 31 of the Company's hotels pursuant to long term management agreements. The Company currently leases all hotels that it owns and which are managed by Sonesta to one of the
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 44
Company's taxable REIT subsidiaries. The stockholders of Sonesta are Mr. Barry Portnoy and Mr. Adam Portnoy, who are the company's Managing Trustees, and they also serve as directors of Sonesta. Sonesta's Chief Executive Officer is an officer of RMR LLC and other officers and employees of Sonesta are former employees of RMR LLC. RMR LLC also provides certain services to Sonesta.
The management agreements for the Company's full service hotels managed by Sonesta provide that the Company is paid a fixed minimum return equal to 8% of its invested capital, as defined in the management agreements, if gross revenues of the hotel, after payment of hotel operating expenses and management and related fees to Sonesta (other than the incentive fee described below, if applicable), are sufficient to do so. The Company is to be paid an additional amount based upon the hotel's operating profit, as defined in the management agreements, after payment of Sonesta's incentive fee, if applicable. After payment of specified hotel operating expenses from the hotel's gross revenues, Sonesta is entitled to receive a base management fee equal to 3% of gross revenues. Additionally, under the management agreements, Sonesta is entitled to a reservation fee equal to 1.5% of gross room revenues, as defined in the management agreements, a system fee for centralized services of 1.5% of gross revenues, a procurement and construction supervision fee in connection with renovations equal to 3% of third party costs and an incentive fee equal to 20% of the hotel's operating profit after reimbursement to the Company and to Sonesta of certain advances, and payment to the Company of its minimum returns. The management agreements expire in January 2037, and will be extended automatically for up to two successive 15 year renewal terms unless Sonesta elects not to renew the management agreements. The Company has the right to terminate the management agreements after three years without cause upon payment of a termination fee. The Company also has the right to terminate the management agreements without a termination fee if its minimum return is less than 6% of its invested capital during any three of four applicable consecutive years. Both the Company and Sonesta have the right to terminate the management agreements upon a change of control, as defined in the management agreements, of the other party, and under certain other circumstances which, in the case of termination by Sonesta, may require the payment of a termination fee. Under the management agreements, the termination fee is an amount equal to the present value of the payments that would have been made to Sonesta between the date of termination and the scheduled expiration date of the agreements' current term as a base fee, reservation fee, system fee and an incentive fee, each as defined in the management agreements, if the agreements had not been terminated, calculated based upon the average of each of such fees earned in each of the three years ended prior to the date of termination and discounted at an annual rate equal to 8%. The management agreements for the Company's limited service hotels managed by Sonesta are substantially the same as the management agreements for the Company's full service Sonesta managed hotels, except that the base management fee payable to Sonesta is 5% of gross revenues and the Company's required working capital advance per room is less for the limited service hotels. The Company's agreements with Sonesta include arbitration provisions for the resolution of disputes.
The Company and Sonesta are parties to a pooling agreement that combines the Company's hotel management agreements with Sonesta for purposes of calculating gross revenues, payment of hotel operating expenses, payment of fees and distributions and the calculation of minimum returns due to the Company. The Company refers to this agreement and combination of hotels and management agreements as the Sonesta agreement.
Pursuant to the management agreements with Sonesta, the Company incurred management, system, reservation fees and reimbursement of certain guest loyalty, marketing program and third party reservation transmission expenses payable to Sonesta of $21.5 million for 2015. In addition, the Company also incurred procurement and construction supervision fees payable to Sonesta in connection with capital expenditures at the Company's hotels managed by Sonesta of $1.6 million for 2015. At December 31, 2015, the Company owed Sonesta $4.0 million for capital expenditure reimbursements and for a previously estimated overpayment of minimum returns advanced.
Under the Company's management agreements with Sonesta, the costs of advertising, marketing, promotional and public relations programs and campaigns, including "frequent stay" rewards programs, that are allocated and intended for the benefit of the Sonesta hotels the Company owns, incurred by Sonesta are subject to reimbursement by the Company or otherwise treated as operating expenses of the
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 45
Company's hotels, subject to the Company's approval of the applicable marketing program and cost allocation. Sonesta has developed a guest loyalty program and marketing program for the Sonesta hotels. The Company reimburses Sonesta for these programs at rates not to exceed: 1.0% of the applicable hotel's room revenues for the Sonesta guest loyalty program; 1.0% of the total revenues from the Company's Sonesta managed hotels for the Sonesta marketing program; and 0.8% of the applicable hotel's room revenues for Sonesta's third party reservation transmission expenses.
On April 28, 2015, the Company acquired a building and land parcel adjacent to a hotel the Company owns which is managed by Sonesta for $750,000, excluding acquisition related costs. This land was added to that hotel property and constitutes invested capital under the Company's Sonesta agreement.
On July 23, 2015, the Company acquired a portfolio of nine extended stay hotels with 1,095 suites located in eight states for $85.0 million, excluding acquisition related costs. In connection with this acquisition, the Company entered into a long term management agreement for Sonesta to manage these hotels. The terms of the management agreement are substantially consistent with the terms of the Company's other management agreements with Sonesta for extended stay hotels, and this management agreement was combined with the Company's other Sonesta hotel management agreements under the Company's existing pooling agreement with Sonesta. The Company expects to invest approximately $45.0 million to substantially renovate these hotels in connection with their conversion to the upscale, extended stay Sonesta ES Suites® hotel brand.
On February 1, 2016, we acquired two extended stay hotels with 262 suites located in Cleveland and Westlake, OH for $12.0 million. In connection with this acquisition, we entered into a long term management agreement for Sonesta to manage these hotels. The terms of the management agreement are substantially consistent with the terms of our other management agreements with Sonesta for extended stay hotels, and this management agreement was combined with our other Sonesta hotel management agreements under our existing pooling agreement with Sonesta.
On January 4, 2016, the Company and Sonesta amended their pooling agreement and management agreements. A hotel under the pooling agreement may be designated as "non-economic" and removed from the pooling agreement and subject to sale and the Company has an early termination right under each management agreement, in each case if the applicable hotel does not meet certain criteria for the stipulated measurement period. Pursuant to the amendment, these stipulated measurement periods begin on the later of January 1, 2017 and January 1st of the year beginning at least 18 months following the effective date of the applicable management agreement. The amendments to the pooling agreement and management agreements with Sonesta were negotiated and recommended by a Special Committee of the Company's Board of Trustees comprised solely of the Company's Independent Trustees, and were approved by the Company's Independent Trustees and also by the Company's Board of Trustees.
AIC. The Company, ABP Trust, TA and four other companies to which RMR LLC provides management services currently own AIC, an Indiana insurance company, and are parties to an amended and restated shareholders agreement regarding AIC.
All of the Company's Trustees and all of the trustees and directors of the other AIC shareholders currently serve on the board of directors of AIC. RMR LLC provides management and administrative services to AIC pursuant to a management and administrative services agreement with AIC. Pursuant to this agreement, AIC pays RMR LLC a service fee equal to 3.0% of the total annual net earned premiums payable under then active policies issued or underwritten by AIC or by a vendor or an agent of AIC on its behalf or in furtherance of AIC's business. The shareholders agreement among the Company, the other shareholders of AIC and AIC includes arbitration provisions for the resolution of disputes.
In June 2015, the Company and the other shareholders of AIC renewed their participation in a combined property insurance program arranged by AIC and with respect to which AIC is a reinsurer of certain coverage amounts. In connection with that renewal, the Company purchased a three year property insurance policy providing $500.0 million of coverage annually with the premiums to be paid annually and a one year combined policy providing certain other coverage. The Company paid aggregate annual
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 46
premiums of $4.0 million in connection with these policies. The premiums are adjusted throughout the policy year for property acquisitions or dispositions the Company makes.
The Company periodically considers the possibilities for expanding its insurance relationships with AIC to include other types of insurance and may in the future participate in additional insurance offerings AIC may provide or arrange. The Company may invest additional amounts in AIC in the future if the expansion of this insurance business requires additional capital, but the Company is not obligated to do so.
Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance. The Company, RMR Inc. and certain companies to which RMR LLC provides management services participate in a combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. This combined policy currently provides for $10.0 million of combined primary coverage, and expires in September 2017. In August 2015, the Company also obtained separate non-combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policies providing $20.0 million of aggregate excess coverage plus $5.0 million of excess non-indemnifiable coverage, which policies expire in September 2016. The total premium payable by the Company for those policies purchased in August 2015 was approximately $0.4 million. The premiums for the combined policies were allocated among the insured companies after consultation with the insurance broker and approval by each company's board and independent trustees or directors as applicable.
The foregoing descriptions of the Company's agreements with RMR Inc., RMR LLC, TA and AIC are summaries and are qualified in their entirety by the terms of the agreements. A further description of the terms of certain of those agreements is included in the Annual Report. In addition, copies of certain of the agreements evidencing these relationships are filed with the SEC and may be obtained from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company may engage in additional transactions with related persons, including businesses to which RMR LLC or its affiliates provide management services.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 47
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Executive officers, Trustees and certain persons who own more than 10% of the outstanding Common Shares are required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and related regulations:
The Company received written representations from each such person who did not file an annual statement on Form 5 with the SEC that no Form 5 was due. Based on its review of the reports and representations, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) reports were filed timely in 2015.
OWNERSHIP OF EQUITY SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
Trustees and Executive Officers |
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of Common Shares by each Trustee, each of our named executive officers, and our Trustees, the Trustee nominees and executive officers as a group, all as of February 10, 2016. Unless otherwise noted, voting power and investment power in the Common Shares are exercisable solely by the named person.
Name and Address* |
Aggregate Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percent of Outstanding Shares** |
Additional Information |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | |
Barry M. Portnoy | | 2,158,317 | | 1.42% | Includes 1,672,783 Common Shares owned by ABP Trust, of which Mr. Barry Portnoy is the majority owner and a trustee. | |||
Adam D. Portnoy | 1,810,782 | 1.19% | Includes 1,672,783 Common Shares owned by ABP Trust, of which Mr. Adam Portnoy is an owner and a trustee. | |||||
John G. Murray | | 79,264 | | Less than 1% | | |||
Ethan S. Bornstein | 66,650 | Less than 1% | ||||||
Mark L. Kleifges | | 63,364 | | Less than 1% | | |||
John L. Harrington | 26,260.038 | Less than 1% | ||||||
William A. Lamkin | | 17,500 | | Less than 1% | | |||
Donna D. Fraiche | 2,500 | Less than 1% | ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
All Trustees and executive officers as a group (eight persons) |
|
2,551,854.04 |
|
1.68% |
| |||
| | | | | | | | |
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 48
Principal Shareholders |
Set forth in the table below is information about the number of shares held by persons the Company knows to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's Common Shares.
Name and Address |
Aggregate Number of Shares Beneficially Owned* |
Percent of Outstanding Shares** |
Additional Information |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | |
The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard") 100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 |
| 22,875,243 | | 15.09% |
Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2016 by Vanguard: Vanguard beneficially owns 22,875,243 Common Shares, and has sole voting power over 337,483 Common Shares, shared voting power over 121,950 Common Shares, sole dispositive power over 22,642,242 Common Shares and shared dispositive power over 233,001 Common Shares. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard, beneficially owns 99,662 Common Shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard, beneficially owns 371,160 Common Shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings. |
|||
Vanguard Specialized Funds Vanguard REIT Index Fund ("Vanguard REIT") 100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 |
10,912,615 | 7.2% | Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2016 by Vanguard REIT, Vanguard REIT beneficially owns and has sole voting power over 10,912,615 Common Shares and no dispositive power over such Common Shares. | |||||
| | | | | | | | |
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 49
Name and Address |
Aggregate Number of Shares Beneficially Owned* |
Percent of Outstanding Shares** |
Additional Information |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | |
BlackRock, Inc. ("BlackRock") 40 East 52nd Street New York, New York 10022 |
| 14,102,597 | | 9.3% |
Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2016 by BlackRock: BlackRock beneficially owns 114,102,597 Common Shares, and has sole voting power over 13,393,547 Common Shares and sole dispositive power over 14,102,597 Common Shares. BlackRock is the parent holding company for certain subsidiaries that have acquired the Company's shares and that are listed in that Schedule 13G/A. |
|||
| | | | | | | | |
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 50
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Compensation Overview |
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides a detailed description of the Company's executive compensation philosophy and programs, the compensation decisions the Compensation Committee made under those programs in 2015 and the factors which impacted those decisions. This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses the compensation of the Company's "named executive officers" for 2015, who are the officers for whom compensation disclosure is required to be made in this Proxy Statement under SEC rules. For 2015, the Company's named executive officers were:
Name |
Title |
|
---|---|---|
| | |
John G. Murray | President and Chief Operating Officer | |
Mark L. Kleifges | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | |
Ethan S. Bornstein | Senior Vice President | |
| | |
The Company does not have any employees. The Company's manager, RMR LLC, provides services that otherwise would be provided by employees. The Company's named executive officers are employees of RMR LLC. RMR LLC conducts the Company's day to day operations on the Company's behalf and compensates the Company's named executive officers, Messrs. Murray, Kleifges and Bornstein, directly and in its sole discretion in connection with their services rendered to the Company and to RMR LLC. The Company does not pay its named executive officers salaries or bonuses or provide other compensatory benefits except for the grants of shares under the Company's 2012 Equity Compensation Plan (the "Share Award Plan"), discussed below. None of the Company's named executive officers has an employment agreement with the Company. In addition, except for the restricted share grant agreements discussed below under "Change in Control," none of the Company's named executive officers has an agreement that becomes effective upon his termination or a change in control of the Company. Although the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the Company's business management and property management agreements with RMR LLC, it is not involved in compensation decisions made by RMR LLC for its employees other than the employee serving as the Company's Director of Internal Audit. The Company's payments to RMR LLC are described in "Certain Related Person Transactions" beginning on page 37 of this Proxy Statement. For information regarding the compensation paid to RMR LLC and RMR Inc. and their executive officers, please see the documents filed by RMR Inc. with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. RMR Inc.'s filings with the SEC are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Philosophy |
The Company's compensation program for its executive officers consists of grants of shares under the Share Award Plan. The Compensation Committee believes that these share grants recognize the Company's executive officers' scope of responsibilities, reward demonstrated performance and leadership, motivate future performance and further align the interests of the executive officers with those of the Company's shareholders.
Overview of 2015 Compensation Actions |
In September 2015, the Chair of the Compensation Committee met with the Managing Trustees and the chairs of the compensation committees of the other public companies for which RMR LLC provides management services. RMR LLC provides management services to the Company, GOV, SIR, SNH, FVE
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 51
and TA. The purposes of this meeting were, among other things, to discuss compensation philosophy and factors that may affect compensation decisions, to consider the compensation payable to the Company's Director of Internal Audit (who provides services to the Company and to other companies managed by RMR LLC), to consider the allocation of internal audit and related services costs among the Company and other companies to which RMR LLC provides such services, to provide a comparative understanding of potential share grants by the Company and the other companies to which RMR LLC provides management services and to hear and consider recommendations from the Company's Managing Trustees concerning potential share grants. The share grants made by the other companies managed by RMR LLC are considered to be appropriate comparisons because of the similarities between certain services the Company requires from the Company's share grantees and the services provided by grantees providing similar services to these other companies. Subsequent to this meeting, the members of the Compensation Committee held a meeting at which the Committee Chair provided a report of the information discussed with the Managing Trustees and others, and made recommendations for share grants to the Company's named executive officers. The Compensation Committee then discussed these recommendations and other factors, including the following factors for the 2015 share grants: (i) the value of the proposed share grants, (ii) the historical awards previously granted to each named executive officer and the corresponding values at the time of the grants, (iii) the recommendations of RMR LLC as presented by the Managing Trustees, (iv) the value of share grants to executive officers providing comparable services at Other REITs and companies to which RMR LLC provides management services, (v) changes, if any, in the responsibilities assigned to, or assumed by, each named executive officer during the past year and on a going forward basis, (vi) the length of historical services by each named executive officer, (vii) the responsibilities of each named executive officer and changes in those responsibilities, (viii) the Compensation Committee's perception regarding the quality of the services provided by each named executive officer in carrying out those responsibilities and (ix) the Company's financial and operating performance in the past year and the Company's perceived future prospects. The Compensation Committee considered these multiple factors in determining whether to increase or decrease the amounts of the prior year's grants. There was no formulaic approach in the use of these various factors in determining the number of shares to award to each executive officer. The share amounts were determined on a subjective basis, using the various factors in the Compensation Committee's sole discretion. The named executive officers did not participate in these meetings and were not involved in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive compensation they receive from the Company.
Analysis of 2015 Grants under the Share Award Plan |
Although the Company does not pay any cash compensation directly to its officers and has no employees, the Company has adopted the Share Award Plan to reward the Company's named executive officers and other RMR LLC employees who provide services to the Company and to foster a continuing identity of interest between them and the Company's shareholders. The Company awards shares under the Share Award Plan to recognize the named executive officers' scope of responsibilities, reward demonstrated performance and leadership, motivate future performance, align the interests of the Company's executives with those of the Company's other shareholders and motivate the executives to remain employees of the Company's manager and to continue to provide services to the Company through the term of the awards.
Under its charter, the Compensation Committee evaluates, approves and administers the Company's equity compensation plans, which currently consist solely of the Share Award Plan providing for the grants of Common Shares. The Compensation Committee has historically determined to use grants of restricted Common Shares rather than stock options as equity compensation. Because the value of the Common Shares may be determined in part by reference to its dividend yield relative to market interest rates rather than by its potential for capital appreciation, the Company believes a conventional stock option plan might not provide appropriate incentives for management for a business like that of the Company, but a share grant plan may create a better identity of interests between management and other shareholders. Also, because the Company believes a stock option plan could have the potential to encourage excessive short-term risk taking, the Company has historically granted restricted shares rather than stock options.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 52
The Compensation Committee uses comparative information about Other REITs managed by RMR LLC as additional data to help it determine whether it is awarding share amounts that are reasonable based on the characteristics of those REITs and their respective officers. The Compensation Committee also considers the size and structure of the Other REITs and other RMR LLC managed businesses, and the experience, length of service and scope of duties and responsibilities of the officers at these other companies to assess the appropriateness of the value of the share awards proposed for the Company's officers in light of the proposed awards for officers with comparable roles at the other companies. The Compensation Committee reviewed the compensation data regarding the Other REITs and their officers, together with the other factors discussed above, but the Compensation Committee did not undertake a detailed comparison of the named executive officers across the REITs or other companies managed by RMR LLC or assign weight to any particular characteristic of these other companies or their officers because the Compensation Committee determines the share amounts in its sole discretion on a non-formulaic basis. In 2015, the Compensation Committee considered the foregoing factors and decided to award the same number of shares to the Company's named executive officers as were awarded in 2014 in accordance with the recommendation of the Company's Managing Trustees and the Chair of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee also determined that it would be appropriate to provide that such share awards would vest upon the occurrence of certain corporate "change in control" events. For more information on potential payments upon a change in control, see page 57.
The Company determines the fair market value of the shares granted based on the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee has imposed, and may impose, vesting and other conditions on the granted Common Shares because it believes that time-based vesting encourages the recipients of the share awards to remain employed by RMR LLC and to continue to provide services to the Company. The Compensation Committee currently uses a vesting schedule under which one fifth of the shares vest immediately and the remaining shares vest in four equal, consecutive annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The Compensation Committee utilizes a four-year time-based vesting schedule to provide an incentive to provide services for a long term and in consideration of the tax treatment of the share grants to the Company and to the recipients. In the event a recipient who has been granted a share award ceases to perform duties for the Company or ceases to be an officer or an employee of RMR LLC or any company that RMR LLC manages during the vesting period, the Company may cause the forfeiture of, or the Company may repurchase for nominal consideration, the Common Shares that have not yet vested. As with other issued Common Shares, vested and unvested shares awarded under the Share Award Plan are entitled to receive distributions that the Company makes, if any, on the Common Shares.
Because the consideration of share awards by the Compensation Committee and the Board is determined on a regular schedule (i.e., in September for the Company's officers and employees of RMR LLC and at the first meeting of the Board after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the Trustees), the proximity of any grants to earnings announcements or other market events, if any, is coincidental.
The Compensation Committee believes that its compensation philosophy and programs are designed to foster a business culture that aligns the interests of its named executive officers with those of its shareholders. The Compensation Committee believes that the equity compensation of its named executive officers is appropriate to the goal of providing shareholders dependable, long term returns.
Say on Pay |
The Company's current policy, consistent with the prior vote of the Company's shareholders, is to provide shareholders with an opportunity to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of named executive officers each year at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Accordingly, the Company is providing shareholders with an opportunity to approve the compensation of the named executive officers in this Proxy Statement. For more information, see Item 2 beginning on page 59 of this Proxy Statement.
In evaluating the Company's compensation process for 2015, the Compensation Committee generally considered the results of the advisory vote of the Company's shareholders on the compensation of the
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 53
executive officers named in the proxy statement for the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Compensation Committee noted that approximately 94% of votes cast approved the compensation of the named executive officers as described in the proxy statement for the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Compensation Committee considered these voting results as supportive of the committee's general executive compensation practices, which have been consistently applied since that prior vote of the Company's shareholders on the Company's executive compensation.
RMR Inc. Compensation Practices |
For information regarding the compensation paid to RMR LLC and RMR Inc. and their executive officers, please see the documents filed by RMR Inc. with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. RMR Inc.'s filings with the SEC are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
|
John L. Harrington, Chair Donna D. Fraiche William A. Lamkin |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of the three Independent Trustees listed above. No member of the Compensation Committee is a current, or during 2015 was a former, officer or employee of the Company. In 2015, none of the Company's executive officers served (i) on the compensation committee of any entity that had one or more of its executive officers serving on the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Company or (ii) on the board of directors or board of trustees of any entity that had one or more of its executive officers serving on the Compensation Committee of the Company. Members of the Compensation Committee serve as independent trustees or independent directors and compensation committee members of other public companies to which RMR LLC provides management services. Mr. Harrington serves as an independent trustee of GOV, SNH and RIF. Ms. Fraiche serves as an independent trustee of SIR and an independent director of FVE. Mr. Lamkin serves as an independent trustee of SIR. In addition, each of our Independent Trustees serves as a director of AIC. The disclosures regarding our relationships with these foregoing entities and certain transactions with or involving them under the section entitled "Certain Related Person Transactions" are incorporated by reference herein.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 54
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following tables, narratives and footnotes discuss the compensation of the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President during 2015, who are the Company's named executive officers. None of the Company's named executive officers are employed by the Company. The Company's manager, RMR LLC, provides services that otherwise would be provided by employees and employs and compensates the named executive officers directly and in RMR LLC's sole discretion in connection with their services rendered to RMR LLC and to the Company. For information regarding the compensation paid to RMR LLC and RMR Inc. and their executive officers, please see the documents filed by RMR Inc. with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. RMR Inc.'s filings with the SEC are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. The Company does not pay the Company's executive officers salaries or bonuses or provide other compensation or employee benefits except for the grants of shares under the Share Award Plan.
2015 Summary Compensation Table |
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Stock Awards ($)* |
All Other Compensation ($)** |
Total ($) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
John G. Murray | | 2015 | $ | 192,450 | $ | 32,294 | $ | 224,744 | |||||
President, Chief Operating Officer and | | 2014 | | 213,750 | | 27,935 | | 241,685 | |||||
Assistant Secretary | | 2013 | | 205,650 | | 25,710 | | 231,360 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mark L. Kleifges | 2015 | $ | 192,450 | $ | 32,294 | $ | 224,744 | ||||||
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | 2014 | 213,750 | 27,935 | 241,685 | |||||||||
2013 | 205,650 | 25,710 | 231,360 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ethan S. Bornstein | | 2015 | $ | 192,450 | $ | 32,294 | $ | 224,744 | |||||
Senior Vice President | | 2014 | | 213,750 | | 27,935 | | 241,685 | |||||
| | 2013 | | 205,650 | | 25,710 | | 231,360 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2015 Grants of Plan Based Awards |
Share awards granted by the Company to the named executive officers in 2015 provide that one fifth of each award vests on the grant date and one fifth vests on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant date. In the event a recipient who has been granted a share award ceases to perform duties for the Company or ceases to be an officer or an employee of RMR LLC or any company that RMR LLC manages during the vesting period, at the Company's option, the recipient shall forfeit or the Company may repurchase the Common Shares that have not yet vested for nominal consideration. Holders of vested and unvested shares awarded under the Share Award Plan are eligible to receive distributions that the Company makes, if any, on its shares on the same terms as other holders of the Common Shares.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 55
The following table shows shares granted in 2015, including vested and unvested grants.
Name |
Grant Date |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards* |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | |
John G. Murray |
| 9/2/2015 | | 7,500 | $ | 192,450 | ||||
Mark L. Kleifges |
9/2/2015 | 7,500 | 192,450 | |||||||
Ethan S. Bornstein |
| 9/2/2015 | | 7,500 | | 192,450 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
2015 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End |
|
|
Stock Awards | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Year Granted |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)* |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)** |
|||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
John G. Murray |
| 2015 | | 6,000 | $ | 156,900 | ||||
|
| 2014 | | 4,500 | | 117,675 | ||||
|
| 2013 | | 3,000 | | 78,450 | ||||
|
| 2012 | | 1,400 | | 36,610 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Mark L. Kleifges |
2015 | 6,000 | $ | 156,900 | ||||||
|
2014 | 4,500 | 117,675 | |||||||
|
2013 | 3,000 | 78,450 | |||||||
|
2012 | 1,400 | 36,610 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ethan S. Bornstein |
| 2015 | | 6,000 | $ | 156,900 | ||||
|
| 2014 | | 4,500 | | 117,675 | ||||
|
| 2013 | | 3,000 | | 78,450 | ||||
|
| 2012 | | 1,400 | | 36,610 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
2015 Stock Vested |
The following table shows share grants that vested in 2015, including shares granted in prior years.
|
Stock Awards | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)* |
|||||
| | | | | | | |
John G. Murray |
| 7,300 | | 190,776 | |||
Mark L. Kleifges |
7,300 | 190,776 | |||||
Ethan S. Bornstein |
| 7,300 | | 190,776 | |||
| | | | | | | |
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 56
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control |
From time to time, the Company has entered into arrangements with former employees of RMR LLC in connection with the termination of their employment with RMR LLC, providing for the acceleration of vesting of restricted shares previously granted to them under the Share Award Plan. Although the Company has no formal policy, plan or arrangement for payments to employees of RMR LLC in connection with their termination of employment with RMR LLC, the Company may in the future provide on a discretionary basis for similar payments depending on various factors the Company then considers relevant and if the Company believes it is in its best interests to do so.
On September 2, 2015, the Compensation Committee approved grants of 7,500 restricted Common Shares to each of Mr. John Murray, Mr. Mark Kleifges and Mr. Ethan Bornstein. These grants were valued at $25.66 per Common Share, the closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on the date of grant and were made under the Share Award Plan. The form of award agreement for each of these grants provides for vesting of the restricted Common Shares in five equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant and acceleration of vesting of all restricted share grants (including those previously awarded) upon the occurrence of certain change of control or termination events with respect to the Company's business and property management agreements with RMR LLC (a "Termination Event").
The following table describes the potential payments to the Company's named executive officers upon a Termination Event as of December 31, 2015.
Name |
Number of Shares Vested Upon Termination Event (#) |
Value Realized on Termination Event as of December 31, 2015 ($)* |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | |
John G. Murray |
| 14,900 | $ | 389,635 | |||
Mark L. Kleifges |
14,900 | 389,635 | |||||
Ethan S. Bornstein |
| 14,900 | | 389,635 | |||
| | | | | | | |
For a discussion of the consequences of a Termination Event under the Company's business and property management agreements with RMR LLC, see "Certain Related Person Transactions" beginning on page 37 of this Proxy Statement.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 57
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
In the course of the Audit Committee's oversight of the Company's financial reporting process, the committee has: (i) reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015; (ii) discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed under PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 16; (iii) received the written disclosures and the letter from the auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors' communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence; (iv) discussed with the independent auditors their independence; and (v) considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the independent auditors is compatible with maintaining their independence and concluded that it is compatible at this time.
Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, for filing with the SEC.
|
William A. Lamkin, Chair Donna D. Fraiche John L. Harrington |
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 58
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (ITEM 2)
As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company seeks a non-binding advisory vote from its shareholders to approve the compensation of its named executive officers as described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section beginning on page 51 and the "Executive Compensation" section beginning on page 55.
The Company does not have any employees. The Company's manager, RMR LLC, conducts the Company's day to day operations on the Company's behalf and provides services to the Company that otherwise would be provided by employees. Each of the Company's named executive officers is an employee of RMR LLC. RMR LLC compensates the named executive officers directly and in its sole discretion in connection with the officers' services rendered to the Company and to RMR LLC. For information regarding the compensation paid to RMR LLC and RMR Inc. and their executive officers, please see the documents filed by RMR Inc. with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. RMR Inc.'s filings with the SEC are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. None of the named executive officers has an employment agreement with the Company and the Company does not pay them salaries or bonuses, or provide them other compensation or benefits, except for the grants of shares under the Share Award Plan described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and "Executive Compensation" sections.
In deciding how to vote on this proposal, the Board encourages you to read the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section beginning on page 51 for a detailed description of the Company's executive compensation philosophy and program, the compensation decisions the Compensation Committee has made under that program and the factors considered in making those decisions. In particular, you should consider that grants of shares under the Share Award Plan reward the Company's named executive officers and foster a continuing identity of interest between them and the Company's shareholders. The Company awards shares under the Share Award Plan to recognize the named executive officers' scope of responsibilities, reward demonstrated performance and leadership, motivate future performance, align the interests of the executives with those of the Company's other shareholders and motivate the executives to remain employees of the Company's manager and to continue to provide services to the Company through the term of the awards. The Company's award of shares under the Share Award Plan is designed to reward executive performance that contributes to the Company's success and increases shareholder value.
The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the shareholders of the Company approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company's named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" in this Proxy Statement.
Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board or the Compensation Committee. However, the Board values shareholders' opinions and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions.
Approval of executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at the 2016 Annual Meeting.
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote "FOR" the advisory vote to approve executive compensation.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 59
RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS (ITEM 3)
The Audit Committee has the sole authority and responsibility to hire, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Company's independent auditors and is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and general oversight of the work of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors and the associated fees.
The Audit Committee evaluates the performance of the Company's independent auditors each year and determines whether to reengage the current independent auditors or consider other audit firms. In doing so, the Audit Committee considers the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the auditors and the auditors' technical expertise and knowledge of the Company's operations and industry. In connection with the mandated rotation of the independent auditors' lead engagement partner, the Audit Committee and its chair consider the selection of the new lead engagement partner identified by the independent auditors.
Based on this evaluation, the Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP to serve as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. Ernst & Young LLP has served as the Company's independent auditors since 2002 and is considered by management and the Audit Committee to be well qualified. Further, the Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The Audit Committee has determined to submit its selection of the independent auditors to the Company's shareholders for ratification. This vote will ratify prior action by the Audit Committee and will not be binding upon the Audit Committee. However, the Audit Committee may reconsider its prior appointment of the independent auditors or consider the results of this vote when it determines to appoint the Company's independent auditors in the future.
Audit Fees and All Other Fees |
The following table shows the fees for audit and other services provided to the Company by Ernst & Young LLP for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
|
2015 Fees* |
2014 Fees |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Audit Fees |
$1,360,971 | $1,217,972 | ||
Audit Related Fees |
| | ||
Tax Fees |
26,800 | 24,500 | ||
All Other Fees |
536 | | ||
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 60
Audit Fees. This category includes fees associated with the annual financial statements audit and related audit procedures, the audit of internal control over financial reporting, work performed in connection with any registration statements and applicable Current Reports on Form 8-K and the review of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Audit Related Fees. This category consists of services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements and are not included in "Audit Fees." These services principally include due diligence in connection with acquisitions, consultation on accounting and internal control matters, audits in connection with proposed or consummated acquisitions, information systems audits and other attest services.
Tax Fees. This category consists of fees for tax services, including tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees. This category consists of services that are not included in the above categories. The amount for 2015 reflects subscription fees for Ernst & Young LLP's online accounting research application.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors |
The Audit Committee has established policies and procedures that are intended to control the services provided by the Company's independent auditors and to monitor their continuing independence. Under these policies, no services may be undertaken by the independent auditors unless the engagement is specifically approved by the Audit Committee or the services are included within a category that has been approved by the Audit Committee. The maximum charge for services is established by the Audit Committee when the specific engagement or the category of services is approved. In certain circumstances, the Company's management is required to notify the Audit Committee when approved services are undertaken and the Audit Committee or its Chair may approve amendments or modifications to the engagement or the maximum fees. The Company's Director of Internal Audit is responsible for reporting to the Audit Committee regarding compliance with these policies and procedures.
The Audit Committee will not approve engagements of the independent auditors to perform non-audit services for the Company if doing so will cause the independent auditors to cease to be independent within the meaning of applicable SEC or NYSE rules. In other circumstances, the Audit Committee considers, among other things, whether the Company's independent auditors are able to provide the required services in a more or less effective and efficient manner than other available service providers and whether the services are consistent with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rules.
All services for which the Company engaged its independent auditors in 2015 and 2014 were approved by the Audit Committee. The total fees for audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP in 2015 and 2014 are set forth above. The tax fees charged by Ernst & Young LLP during 2015 and 2014 were for tax compliance services, including those related to the Company's income tax returns for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Audit Committee approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP to provide these non-audit services because it determined that Ernst & Young LLP providing these services would not compromise Ernst & Young LLP's independence and that the firm's familiarity with the Company's record keeping and accounting systems would permit the firm to provide these services with equal or higher quality, more efficiently and at a lower cost than the Company could obtain these services from other providers.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 61
Other Information |
The Company has been advised by Ernst & Young LLP that neither that firm, nor any member of the firm, has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any capacity in the Company or its subsidiaries.
One or more representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the 2016 Annual Meeting. The representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Ratification of the appointment of the independent auditors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at the 2016 Annual Meeting. If shareholders fail to approve the proposal, the Board may reconsider its prior appointment of the independent auditors or consider the results of this vote when it determines to appoint the Company's independent auditors in the future.
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 62
NON-BINDING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL (ITEM 4)
The following shareholder proposal was submitted by UNITE HERE (the "Union"), which is a large labor union representing hotel workers in the United States, including hotel workers who are employees of the managers of some of our hotels. If the shareholder proponent, or a representative of the shareholder proponent who is qualified under state law, is present and properly submits the Union's proposal for a vote, then the proposal will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. In accordance with federal securities laws, the Company is including the Union's proposal and supporting statement in this proxy statement exactly as submitted by the Union. So you can easily distinguish between information provided by the Union and information provided by the Company, there is a box around the information provided by the Union.
Proposal of the Union
UNITE HERE!, 275 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10001, owner of 190 Common Shares submitted the following proposal:
RESOLVED, that shareholders of Hospitality Properties Trust ("the Company") urge the Board to take all steps necessary to cause the Company to opt out of Maryland's Unsolicited Takeover Act (Title 3, subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law), and to require approval by a majority of shareholders casting votes before opting back into the Act.
Supporting Statement:
This proposal urges the Board to take actions required for the Company to opt out of provisions of Maryland's Unsolicited Takeover Act ("MUTA"). MUTA permits the Board, without shareholder approval, to implement various takeover defenses, such as classifying the board, expanding the board with vacancies filled only by vote of other directors, and requiring a two thirds vote for removal of a director. These defenses may adversely affect shareholder value by discouraging offers to acquire the Company that could be beneficial to shareholders.
At the last two annual meetings, a majority of shareholders voted to support a substantially-identical proposal to recommend opting out of MUTA. At the 2014 annual meeting, further, 80% of votes were cast in favor of a substantially identical proposal while only 20% supported a company proposal recommending the company be permitted to opt into MUTA provided that shareholders have a chance to vote to opt out again within 18 months. Shareholders, we believe, have clearly expressed not only that the company should opt out of MUTA, but also how it should.
The Company has not yet acted on shareholders' recommendation, in keeping with a lack of responsiveness to other majority-supported shareholder proposals to strengthen our Company's governance structure in recent years:
Notably, without opting out of MUTA and requiring shareholder approval to opt back in, HPT's adoption of annual director elections rings hollowthe Board could unilaterally re-classify itself at any time. In our view, the ability of shareholders to hold management accountable is particularly important at a company like HPT where their company engages in significant related-party transactions.
HPT Trustees Barry and Adam Portnoy own approximately half the equity of RMR, an advisory company conducting the Trust's day to day operations, but control over 90% of voting rights. HPT and RMR share managing trustees and officers; RMR also provides services to other public companies connected to HPT's Independent Trustees.
Opting out of MUTA would make permanent the recently-won right of shareholders to hold board members accountable through annual elections. We urge shareholders to vote YES.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 63
Company's Statement About The Union's Proposal |
What Is Good For The Union Is Not Good For The Company.
A critical program of the Union is organizing and promoting boycotts of hotels which do not employ Union members, including some hotels owned by the Company. The Union also has a long history of acquiring small amounts of stock in hotel companies and then making proposals to, or bringing litigation against, those companies to pressure them toward its labor union agenda.1 The Union states that it owns 190 shares of the Company, or less than one, one thousandths, of one percent, of our total Common Shares outstanding. The Board believes that the Union has submitted its proposal to further the Union's own special interests which are not aligned with the Company or other Company shareholders.
The Company Has Delivered Strong Performance.
For the 12 consecutive quarterly reporting periods ended December 31, 2015, the Company's hotels have produced revenue per available room ("RevPAR"), growth which has consistently exceeded hotel industry averages as reported by Smith Travel Research.
For each of the one, three, five and ten year periods ended December 31, 2015, the Company's total return per share (i.e., dividends plus market price changes) has exceeded the total returns per share of the SNL US REIT Hotel Index by +13.51%, +8.73%, +35.51% and +33.31% respectively.2
The effect of the Union's proposal, if it were adopted by the Company, would be to make the Company more vulnerable to a hostile takeover than if the Union's proposal is not adopted. When a company is performing better than its peers on a regular basis, the Board believes that it does not make sense to create governance conditions which facilitate a hostile takeover by an opportunistic buyer.
The Union's Proposal To Permit The Company To Invoke MUTA Only After A Shareholder Vote Is Not Workable.
The Maryland Unsolicited Takeover Act ("MUTA") is intended to provide the Board with legal tools to protect the Company and its shareholders from abusive tactics which may be employed by persons seeking to capture the Company's long term value without paying a full price. The Union's proposal that would allow the Company to opt into MUTA's protection only after a shareholder vote is simply not practical: "a shareholder vote requires an annual or special meeting of shareholders, a process likely to take at least several months, typically not soon enough to provide any timely or effective benefit to a REIT under attack." James J. Hanks, Jr., "Getting Nothing For Something," REIT Zone Publications, September 3, 2014.
A Number of Studies Show That The Union's Proposal Is Not Related To Good Financial Results.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 64
Board Recommendation
The Board has carefully considered the Union's proposal. The Board unanimously believes that the Union's proposal is not in the Company's best interests and urges shareholders to vote AGAINST the Union's proposal.
Approval of the Union's proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Shares voting in person or by proxy at the 2016 Annual Meeting. As an advisory vote, if approved, the Union's proposal would be a non-binding recommendation to the Board.
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote "AGAINST" the Union's proposal.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 65
OTHER INFORMATION
At this time, the Company knows of no other matters that will be brought before the meeting. If, however, other matters properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card intend to vote the shares for which they have been appointed or authorized as proxy in accordance with their discretion on such matters to the maximum extent that they are permitted to do so by applicable law.
Jennifer B. Clark
Secretary
Newton,
Massachusetts
February 25, 2016
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST 2016 Proxy Statement 66
THANK YOU
Thank you for being a shareholder of
Hospitality Properties Trust.
AUTHORIZE YOUR PROXY BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to submit your voting instructions. AUTHORIZE YOUR PROXY BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. If the meeting is adjourned, the above times will be extended to 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the day before the reconvened meeting. HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST TWO NEWTON PLACE 255 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 300 NEWTON, MA 02458 AUTHORIZE YOUR PROXY BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Hospitality Properties Trust, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Hospitality Properties Trust in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically by e-mail or over the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: E00840-P72997 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 1. Election of Trustees. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Nominee (for Independent Trustee): Donna D. Fraiche 2. Hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation. Nominee (for Independent Trustee): William A. Lamkin For Against Abstain ! ! ! 3. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors to serve for the 2016 fiscal year. Nominee (for Managing Trustee): Adam D. Portnoy For Against Abstain ! ! ! 4. Vote on a shareholder proposal, if properly presented at the meeting. For address changes, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated. ! THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3 AND AGAINST PROPOSAL 4. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PROXIES, IN THEIR DISCRETION, ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE AND OTHERWISE REPRESENT THE UNDERSIGNED ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR AT ANY POSTPONEMENT OR ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. (NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. All holders must sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name, by authorized officer, indicating title. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person indicating title.) Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date The Board of Trustees Recommends a Vote AGAINST the Following Proposal. The Board of Trustees Recommends a Vote FOR the Following Proposals.
HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS May 25, 2016, 9:30 a.m., Eastern time Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 100 Newton, Massachusetts 02458 Upon arrival, please present photo identification at the registration desk. Please see the Proxy Statement for additional attendance instructions. The 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Hospitality Properties Trust will address the following items of business: 1. Election of the Trustees identified in the Proxy Statement to the Company's Board of Trustees; 2. Advisory vote to approve executive officer compensation; 3. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors to serve for the 2016 fiscal year; and 4. Consideration of and vote on a shareholder proposal, if properly presented at the meeting. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3 AND AGAINST PROPOSAL 4. E00841-P72997 HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300 Newton, MA 02458 Proxy Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials: The proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Hospitality Properties Trust (the "Company"), including the Company's annual report and proxy statement, are available on the Internet. To view the proxy materials or vote online or by telephone, please follow the instructions on the reverse side hereof. This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Hospitality Properties Trust. The undersigned shareholder of the Company hereby appoints Jennifer B. Clark, John G. Murray, and Barry M. Portnoy, or any of them, as proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution in each of them, to attend the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 100, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 on May 25, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time, and any postponement or adjournment thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all the votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the meeting with all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the notice of annual meeting of shareholders and of the proxy statement, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the meeting. THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST AS INSTRUCTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF. IF THIS PROXY IS EXECUTED, BUT NO INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN, THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST FOR THE NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3 AND AGAINST PROPOSAL 4. ADDITIONALLY, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST BY THE PROXIES, IN THEIR DISCRETION, ON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY POSTPONEMENT OR ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. See reverse for instructions on how to authorize a proxy. (If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark the corresponding box on the reverse side.) Address Changes/Comments: