UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

[X]	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016.
[  ]	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 1-7062

 

InnSuites Hospitality Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Ohio		34-6647590
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
InnSuites Hotels Centre, 1625 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 105, Phoenix, Arizona		85020
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(ZIP Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code: (602) 944-1500

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class		Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Shares of Beneficial Interest, without par value		NYSE MKT

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]	Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Aggregate market value of Shares of Beneficial Interest held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 31, 2015, based upon the closing sales price of the registrant’s Shares of Beneficial Interest on that date, as reported on the NYSE MKT: $5,878,624

 

Number of Shares of Beneficial Interest outstanding as of April 19, 2016: 8,817,803

 

Documents incorporated by reference:  Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference:  Proxy Statement for 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (portions of which are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof).

 

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

INTRODUCTION TO OUR BUSINESS

 

InnSuites Hospitality Trust (the “Trust”) is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and is an unincorporated Ohio real estate investment trust formed on June 21, 1979; however, the Trust is not a real estate investment trust for federal taxation purposes. The Trust, with its affiliates RRF Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and InnSuites® Hotels, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“InnSuites Hotels”), owns interests in and operates four hotels, provides management services for a total of six hotels, and provides trademark license services for a total of seven hotels. At January 31, 2016, the Trust owned a 72.11% sole general partner interest in the Partnership, which controlled a 51.01% interest in one InnSuites hotel located in Tucson, Arizona, and controlled a 51.65% interest in one InnSuites hotel located in Ontario, California. We anticipate to sell one or more of our hotels by January 31, 2017.

 

The Trust also owned a direct 50.93% interest in one InnSuites hotel located in Yuma, Arizona and owned a direct 50.91% interest in one InnSuites® hotel located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (all four InnSuites hotels are hereinafter referred to as the “Hotels”). InnSuites Hotels, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust, provides management services for the Hotels and two hotels owned by affiliates of James F. Wirth, the Trust’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. InnSuites Hotels also provides trademark and licensing services to the Hotels, two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth and one unrelated hotel property. In addition, we provide additional services in our other business segment as reservations services for 6,300 unrelated hotel properties. The Trust has approximately 300 employees.

 

The Hotels have an aggregate of 576 hotel suites and operate as moderate and full-service hotels that apply a value studio and two-room suite operating philosophy formulated in 1980 by Mr. Wirth. The Trust owns and operates hotels as studio and two-room suite hotels that offer services such as free hot breakfast buffets and complimentary afternoon social hours plus amenities, such as microwave ovens, refrigerators, free high-speed hard wired and wireless Internet access and coffee makers in each studio or two-room suite.

 

The Trust believes that a significant opportunity for revenue growth and profitability will arise from the skillful management of the Trust’s Hotels or managed hotel properties for both increased occupancy and rates. The Trust’s primary business objective is to maximize returns to its shareholders through increases in asset value and long-term total returns to shareholders. The Trust seeks to achieve this objective through participation in increased revenues from the Hotels as a result of intensive management and marketing of the InnSuites® hotels and the “InnSuites Boutique Hotel Collection” brands in the southwestern region of the United States. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Future Positioning” for a more detailed discussion of the Trust’s strategic objectives.

 

The Trust has a single class of Shares of Beneficial Interest, without par value, that are traded on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “IHT.” The Partnership has two outstanding classes of limited partnership interests, Class A and Class B, which are identical in all respects. However, each Class A Partnership unit is convertible, at the option of the Class A holder, into one newly-issued Share of Beneficial Interest of the Trust and each Class B Partnership unit is convertible, upon approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, into one newly-issued Share of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. The Partnership Agreement of the Partnership subjects both general and limited partner units to certain restrictions on transfer.

 

In furtherance of our strategic plan, we have significantly expanded InnDependent Boutique Collection (“IBC Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary of InnSuites Hospitality Trust, which has a network of approximately 6,300 members representing 170 countries and over 2,000,000 rooms and suites. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, IBC Hotels formed a marketing alliance with the Independent Lodging Industry Association (“ILIA”). We believe this new hotel network provides independent hotel owners a competitive advantage against traditional franchised brands in their markets. The network provides a booking system and loyalty program. IBC Hotels charges a 10% booking fee, which we believe increases the independent hotel profits. Competitors of IBC Hotels can charge anywhere from a 30% to 50% booking fee. InnDependent InnCentives, IBC’s loyalty program, allows hoteliers to benefit from guests who frequently stay at IBC independent hotels. IBC Hotels is dedicated to providing guests with a unique, non-cookie cutter hotel experience in addition to providing value-added amenities and resort locations to its guests. IBC Hotels has an InnDependent InnCentives travel rewards program that provides a free stay at any worldwide IBC Hotel of the guests’ choice after booking 12 nights on IBC Hotels’ website. In addition, on January 8, 2016, IBC Hotels purchased substantially all of the assets of International Vacation Hotels, a technology company located in Dallas, Texas, which provides reservation services to over 600 independent international hotels. For more information about the acquisition of International Vacation Hotels, see Note 27 of our Consolidated Financial Statements - “Acquisition of International Vacation Hotels”.

 

 

MANAGEMENT AND LICENSING CONTRACTS

 

The Trust directly manages the Hotels through the Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, InnSuites Hotels. Under the management agreements, InnSuites Hotels manages the daily operations of the Hotels and the two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth. All Trust managed Hotel expenses, revenues and reimbursements among the Trust, InnSuites Hotels and the Partnership have been eliminated in consolidation. The management fees for the Hotels and the two hotels owned by Mr. Wirth are 3% of room revenue and a monthly accounting fee of $2,000 per hotel. These agreements have no expiration date and may be cancelled by either party with 90-days written notice in the event the property changes ownership.

 

The Trust also provides the use of the “InnSuites” trademark to the Hotels and the two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth through the Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, InnSuites Hotels, at no additional charge.

 

MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENTS

 

InnSuites Hotels has entered into membership agreements with Best Western International, Inc. (“Best Western”) with respect to all of the Hotels. In exchange for use of the Best Western name, trademark and reservation system, the Hotels pay fees to Best Western based on reservations received through the use of the Best Western reservation system and the number of available suites at the Hotels. The agreements with Best Western have no specific expiration terms and may be cancelled by either party. Best Western requires that the Hotels meet certain requirements for room quality, and the Hotels are subject to removal from its reservation system if these requirements are not met. The Hotels with third-party membership agreements received significant reservations through the Best Western reservation system. Under these arrangements, fees paid for membership fees and reservations were approximately $331,000 and $342,000 for fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

COMPETITION IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

 

The hotel industry is highly competitive. We expect the major challenge for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017 (“fiscal year 2017”) to be the continuation of strong competition for corporate leisure group and government business in the markets in which we operate, which may affect our ability to increase room rates while maintaining market share. Each of the Hotels experiences competition primarily from other mid-market hotels located in its immediate vicinity, but also competes with hotel properties located in other geographic markets. While none of the Hotels’ competitors dominate any of the Trust’s geographic markets, some of those competitors may have greater marketing and financial resources than the Trust.

 

Certain additional hotel property developments and/or hotel refurbishments have recently been completed by competitors in a number of the Hotels’ markets, and additional hotel property developments may be built in the future. Such hotel developments have had, and could continue to have, an adverse effect on the revenue of our Hotels in their respective markets.

 

The Trust has chosen to focus its hotel investments in the southwest region of the United States. The Trust has a concentration of assets in the southern Arizona market. In the markets in which the Trust operates, in particular, the Yuma, Arizona and Ontario, California markets, supply has increased during the past several years. In the Yuma, Arizona market, demand has been steady but a recent increase in supply has added significant pressure to our ability to maintain our rates and occupancy in that market. Either an increase in supply or a decline in demand could result in increased competition, which could have an adverse effect on the revenue of our Hotels in their respective markets.

 

IBC Hotels provides a variety of brand-like services without the cost or hassle of a brand for a month-to-month agreement to independent hotels, which make up approximately one-half of the worlds hotels (not including B&Bs and rentals). These services include but are not limited to: web/mobile site presence, hotel app, booking engine, loyalty program along with strategic partnerships that provide metasite channels, fast-tracked financing, purchasing, IT services, training and education and integrations to a variety of service providers including rental cars and tours as well as property management and additional distribution.

 

While the travel landscape is competitive in itself, each one of the services has provided by IBC Hotels its own competitive landscape. Online travel agencies (OTAs) continue to fight for the unwashed customer looking for the occasional booking and hotels to push excess inventory. Brands have historically had solid demand due to their loyalty programs and consistent product offerings along with powerful education and training programs. Technology and tourism companies have powerfully operated in their segment without much cross-over. Independent hotels have historically had trouble getting financing and purchasing power without a large brand or management contract.

 

The Trust may also compete for investment opportunities with other entities that have greater financial resources. These entities also may generally accept more risk than the Trust can prudently manage. Competition may generally reduce the number of suitable future investment opportunities available to the Trust and increase the bargaining power of owners seeking to sell their properties.

 

 

REGULATION

 

The Trust is subject to numerous federal, state and local government laws and regulations affecting the hospitality industry, including usage, building and zoning requirements and the laws and regulations related to the preparation and sale of food and beverage such as health and liquor license laws. A violation of any of those laws and regulations or increased government regulation could require the Trust to make unplanned expenditures which may result in higher operating costs. In addition, the Trust’s success in expanding our hotel operations depends upon its ability to obtain necessary building permits and zoning variances from local authorities. Compliance with these laws is time intensive and costly and may reduce the Trust’s revenues and operating income.

 

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”), all public accommodations are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. In addition to ADA work completed to date, the Trust may be required to remove additional access barriers or make unplanned, substantial modifications to its Hotels to comply with the ADA or to comply with other changes in governmental rules and regulations, or become subject to claims, fines and damage awards, any of which could reduce the number of total available rooms, increase operating costs and have a negative impact on the Trust’s results of operations.

 

Our hotel properties are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws that impose liability for contamination. Under these laws, governmental entities have the authority to require us, as the current or former owner of the property, to perform or pay for the clean-up of contamination (including swimming pool chemicals or hazardous substances or biological waste) at or emanating from the property and to pay for natural resource damage arising from contamination. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of or caused the contamination. Such liability can be joint and several, so that each covered person can be responsible for all of the costs involved, even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination. We can also be liable to private parties for costs of remediation, personal injury death and/or property damage resulting from contamination at or emanating from our hotel properties. Moreover, environmental contamination can affect the value of a property and, therefore, an owners’ ability to borrow funds using the property as collateral or to sell the property on favorable terms or at all. Furthermore, persons who sent waste to a waste disposal facility, such as a landfill or an incinerator, may be liable for costs associated with cleanup of that facility.

 

The Trust is also subject to laws governing our relationship with employees, including minimum or living wage requirements, overtime, working conditions and work permit requirements. There are frequent proposals under consideration, at the federal and state levels, to increase the minimum wage. Additional increases to the state or federal minimum wage rate, and employee benefit costs including health care or other costs associated with employees could increase expenses and result in lower operating margins.

 

Lastly, the Trust collects and maintains information relating to its guests for various business purposes, including maintaining guest preferences to enhance the Trust’s customer service and for marketing and promotional purposes. The collection and use of personal data are governed by privacy laws and regulations. Compliance with applicable privacy regulations may increase the Trust’s operating costs and/or adversely impact its ability to service its guests and market its products, properties and services to its guests. In addition, non-compliance with applicable privacy regulations by the Trust (or in some circumstances non-compliance by third parties engaged by the Trust) could result in fines or restrictions on its use or transfer of data.

 

SEASONALITY OF THE HOTEL BUSINESS

 

The Hotels’ operations historically have been somewhat seasonal. The two southern Arizona hotels experience their highest occupancy in the first fiscal quarter and, to a lesser extent, the fourth fiscal quarter. The second fiscal quarter tends to be the lowest occupancy period at the two southern Arizona hotels. This seasonality pattern can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Trust’s quarterly revenues. The two hotels located in California and New Mexico historically experience their most profitable periods during the second and third fiscal quarters (the summer season), providing some balance to the general seasonality of the Trust’s hotel business.

 

The seasonal nature of the Trust’s business increases its vulnerability to risks such as labor force shortages and cash flow issues. Further, if an adverse event such as an actual or threatened terrorist attack, international conflict, data breach, regional economic downturn or poor weather conditions should occur during the first or fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse impact to the Trust’s revenues could likely be greater as a result of its southern Arizona seasonal business.

 

OTHER AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

We also make available, free of charge, on our Internet website at www.innsuitestrust.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Information on our Internet website shall not be deemed incorporated into, or be part of, this report.

 

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

The Trust maintains its administrative offices at the InnSuites Hotels Centre, at 1625 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 105, Phoenix, Arizona 85020 in a space leased by the Trust from a third party. All of the Hotels are operated as InnSuites® Hotels, while all Hotels are also marketed as Best Western® Hotels. All of the Hotels operate in the following locations:

 

PROPERTY		NUMBER OF SUITES				YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION / ADDITION				MOST RECENT RENOVATION (1)				PERCENT OWNERSHIP BY THE TRUST
InnSuites Hotel and Suites Airport Albuquerque Best Western Hotel			101				1975/1985				2005				50.91	%(2)
InnSuites Hotel and Suites Tucson Oracle Best Western Hotel			159				1981/1983				2006				36.78	%(3)
InnSuites Hotels and Suites Yuma Best Western Hotel			166				1982/1984				2014				50.93	%(4)
InnSuites Hotels and Suites Ontario Airport Best Western Hotel			150				1990				2015				37.24	%(5)
Total Suites			576

 

(1) The Trust defines a renovation as the remodeling of more than 10% of a property’s available suites in a fiscal year.

(2) The Trust owns a direct 50.91% interest in the InnSuites Hotel and Suites Airport Albuquerque Best Western Hotel.

(3) The Partnership owns a 51.01% interest in the InnSuites Hotel and Suites Tucson Oracle Best Western Hotel. The Trust owns a 72.11% general partner interest in the Partnership.

(4) The Trust holds a direct 50.93% ownership interest in the InnSuites Hotels and Suites Yuma Best Western Hotel.

(5) The Partnership owns a 51.65% interest in the InnSuites Hotel and Suites Ontario Airport Best Western Hotel. The Trust owns a 72.11% general partner interest in the Partnership.

 

See “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – General” herein for a discussion of occupancy rates at the Hotels.

 

See Note 11 to the Trust’s Consolidated Financial Statements – “Mortgage Notes Payable” herein for a discussion of mortgages encumbering the Hotels.

 

See Note 21 to the Trust’s Consolidated Financial Statements – “Commitments and Contingencies” for a discussion of the lease for our corporate headquarters and the non-cancellable ground lease to which our Albuquerque Hotel is subject.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Trust is not a party to, nor are any of its properties subject to, any material litigation or environmental regulatory proceedings. See Note 21 to Trust’s Consolidated Financial Statements – “Commitments and Contingencies”.

 

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The Trust’s Shares of Beneficial Interest are traded on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “IHT.” On April 19, 2016, the Trust had 8,817,803 shares outstanding. As of April 24, 2016, there were 362 holders of record of our Shares of Beneficial Interest.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the Trust’s Shares of Beneficial Interest, as reported on the NYSE MKT, as well as dividends declared thereon:

 

Fiscal Year 2016		High				Low				Dividends
First Quarter		$	3.27			$	2.03				-
Second Quarter		$	2.96			$	2.21				-
Third Quarter		$	3.10			$	2.32				-
Fourth Quarter		$	2.65			$	2.08			$	0.01

 

Fiscal Year 2015		High				Low				Dividends
First Quarter		$	2.59			$	1.45				-
Second Quarter		$	2.31			$	1.75				-
Third Quarter		$	3.09			$	1.61				-
Fourth Quarter		$	3.32			$	1.99			$	0.01

 

The Trust intends to maintain a conservative dividend policy to facilitate the reduction of debt and internal growth. In the fiscal years ended 2016 and 2015, the Trust paid dividends of $0.01 per share in the fourth quarter of each year. The Trust has paid dividends each fiscal year since its inception in 1971 and the Trust expects comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future.

 

On January 2, 2001, the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase program under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the purchase of up to 250,000 Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market or privately negotiated transactions. On September 10, 2002, August 18, 2005 and September 10, 2007, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of up to 350,000 additional Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Additionally, on January 5, 2009, September 15, 2009 and January 31, 2010, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of up to 300,000, 250,000 and 350,000, respectively, additional Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Acquired Shares of Beneficial Interest will be held in treasury and will be available for future acquisitions and financings and/or for awards granted under the Trusts’ equity compensation plans/programs. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Trust acquired 34,602 Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market transactions at an average price of $2.67 per share. The average price paid includes brokerage commissions. The Trust intends to continue repurchasing Shares of Beneficial Interest in compliance with applicable legal and NYSE MKT requirements. The Trust remains authorized to repurchase an additional 93,317 Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest pursuant to the publicly announced share repurchase program, which has no expiration date.

 

		Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans				Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
November 1 - November 30, 2015			1,696			$	2.53				1,696				98,256
December 1 - December 31, 2015			2,883			$	2.39				2,883				95,373
January 1 - January 31, 2016			2,056			$	2.50				2,056				93,317
Total			6,635								6,635

 

See Part III, Item 12 for information about our equity compensation plans.

 

 

See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for information related to grants of restricted shares made to members of our Board of Trustees during fiscal year 2016. These rants were made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2).

For stock option grants during fiscal 2016, see Note 26 to our Consolidated Financial Statements - “Stock Options.”

 

For the issuance of Shares of Beneficial Interest by the Trust in connection with the acquisition of International Vacation Hotels, see Note 27 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Acquisition of International Vacation Hotels.” This issuance was made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2).

 

For the issuance of Shares of Beneficial Interest by the Trust to Rare Earth Financial, LLC, see Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Other Related Party Transactions.” These issuances were made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2).

 

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are engaged in the ownership and operation of hotel properties. At January 31, 2016, the Trust had four moderate and full-service hotels with 576 hotel suites. All of our Hotels are branded through membership agreements with Best Western. All Hotels are trademarked as InnSuites Hotels. We are also involved in various operations incidental to the operation of hotels, such as the operation of restaurants, meeting/banquet room rentals and the operation of a reservation system.

 

Our operations consist of two reportable segments, hotel ownership, which derives its revenue from the operation of the Hotels and reservation services for 6,300 unrelated hotel properties. We provide management services for the Hotels and two hotels owned by affiliates of James F. Wirth, the Trust’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We also provide trademark and licensing services to the Hotels, two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth and one unrelated hotel property.

 

Our results are significantly affected by occupancy and room rates at the Hotels, our ability to manage costs, and changes in the number of available suites caused by acquisition and disposition activities. Results are also significantly impacted by overall economic conditions and conditions in the travel industry. Unfavorable changes in these factors could negatively impact hotel room demand and pricing, which would reduce our profit margins on rented suites. Additionally, our ability to manage costs could be adversely impacted by significant increases in operating expenses, resulting in lower operating margins. Management expects greater demand and steady supply to continue. However, either a further increase in supply or a further decline in demand could result in increased competition, which could have an adverse effect on the revenue of the Hotels in their respective markets.

 

Although we experienced stronger economic conditions during fiscal year 2016, recent volatility may result in a weakening of the economy during 2017. We expect the major challenge for fiscal year 2017 to be the continuation of strong competition for corporate leisure group and government business in the markets in which we operate, which may affect our ability to increase room rates while maintaining market share. We believe that we have positioned the Hotels to remain competitive through selective refurbishment, by carrying a relatively large number of two-room suites at each location and by maintaining a robust guest Internet access system.

 

Our strategic plan is to obtain the full benefit of our real estate equity and to migrate our focus from a hotel owner to a hospitality service company by expanding our trademark license, management, reservation, and advertising services, through IBC Hotels. For more information on our strategic plan, including information on our progress in disposing of our hotel properties, see “Future Positioning” in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

In furtherance of our strategic plan, we have significantly expanded IBC Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of InnSuites Hospitality Trust, which provides services to approximately 6,300 properties. We believe this new hotel network provides independent hotel owners a competitive advantage against traditional franchised brands in their markets. The network provides a booking system and loyalty program. IBC Hotels charges a 10% booking fee, which we believe, increases the independent hotel’s profits. Competitors of IBC Hotels can charge anywhere from a 30% to 50% booking fee. InnDependent InnCentives, IBC’s loyalty program, allows hoteliers to benefit from guests who frequently stay at IBC independent hotels. In addition, on January 8, 2016, IBC Hotels and the Trust, purchased substantially all of the assets of International Vacation Hotels, a technology company located in Dallas, Texas which provides reservation services to over 600 independent international hotels. For more information about the acquisition of International Vacation Hotels, see Note 27 of our Consolidated Financial Statements - “Acquisition of International Vacation Hotels”.

 

 

We are planning significant expansion of IBC Hotels during the next couple of fiscal years as we concentrate our sales and marketing efforts towards consumers. We anticipate the IBC Hotels sales and marketing efforts to increase our revenues and decrease our consolidated net loss over the next couple of fiscal years. For each reservation, IBC Hotels receives a 10% transactional fee plus reimbursement of our credit card processing fees associated with the reservation. We cannot provide any assurance that our plans will be successful or in line with our expectations.

 

Throughout Item 7, we refer to continuing and discontinued operations. As discussed, our strategic plan is to no longer be in the business of owning and operating hotels. Accordingly, all hotel properties that are currently held for sale have been included in the discontinued operations throughout the Form 10-K. We have a single hotel property, Yuma that is included in continuing operations until such time as it is in a condition for sale. We expect to have the property for sale by January 31, 2017.

 

GENERAL

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

 

At January 31, 2016, we owned through our sole general partner’s interest in the Partnership a direct 50.91% interest in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Hotel, and a 50.93% direct interest in the Yuma, Arizona Hotel. Additionally, at January 31, 2016, we, together with the Partnership, owned a 51.01% interest in a hotel located in Tucson, Arizona and a 51.65% interest in a hotel located in Ontario, California. At January 31, 2015, we owned through our sole general partner’s interest in the Partnership a 72.11% interest in the Tucson, Arizona Hotel, direct 50.82% interest in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Hotel, and a 73.61% direct interest in the Yuma, Arizona Hotel. Additionally, at January 31, 2015, we, together with the Partnership, owned a 51.01% interest in another hotel located in Tucson, Arizona and a 51.71% interest in a hotel located in Ontario, California. We purchased 0 and 9,903 Partnership Class A units of our sole general partner interest during the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party for approximately $9.7 million. For more information about the disposition of the Tucson St Mary’s hotel, see Note 24 of our Consolidated Financial Statements - “Sale of Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality Property”.

 

Our expenses consist primarily of property taxes, insurance, corporate overhead, interest on mortgage debt, professional fees, depreciation of the Hotels and hotel operating expenses. Hotel operating expenses consist primarily of payroll, guest and maintenance supplies, marketing and utilities expenses. Under the terms of its Partnership Agreement, the Partnership is required to reimburse us for all such expenses. Accordingly, management believes that a review of the historical performance of the operations of the Hotels, particularly with respect to occupancy, which is calculated as rooms sold divided by total rooms available, average daily rate (“ADR”), calculated as total room revenue divided by number of rooms sold, and revenue per available room (“REVPAR”), calculated as total room revenue divided by number of rooms available, is appropriate for understanding revenue from the Hotels. In fiscal year 2016, occupancy increased 10.2% to 73.36% from 63.16% in the prior fiscal year. ADR increased by $2.74 or 4.04% to $70.59 in fiscal year 2016 from $67.85 in fiscal year 2015. The increased occupancy and ADR resulted in a increase in REVPAR of $8.93 or 20.84% to $51.79 in fiscal year 2016 from $42.86 in fiscal year 2015. The increased occupancy and increased rates reflect a continued stronger economy which has allowed us to increase our rates while increasing our occupancy. We anticipate in the next few fiscal years that steady demand will exist with a significant increase in hotel room supply resulting in additional pressure on the hotel industry to lower rates to maintain current occupancy levels.

 

The following table shows certain historical financial and other information for the periods indicated:

 

		For the Twelve Months Ended
		January 31,
		2016				2015
Occupancy			73.36	%			63.16	%
Average Daily Rate (ADR)		$	70.59			$	67.85
Revenue Per Available Room (REVPAR)		$	51.79			$	42.86

 

No assurance can be given that occupancy, ADR and REVPAR will not increase or decrease as a result of changes in national or local economic or hospitality industry conditions.

 

 

We enter into transactions with certain related parties from time to time. For information relating to such related party transactions see the following:

 

	●	For a discussion of management and licensing agreements with certain related parties, see “Item 1 – Business – Management and Licensing Contracts.”
	●	For a discussion of guarantees of our mortgage notes payable by certain related parties, see Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Mortgage Notes Payable.”
	●	For a discussion of our equity sales and restructuring agreements involving certain related parties, see Notes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Sale of Ownership Interests in Albuquerque Subsidiary,” “Sale of Ownership Interests in Tucson Hospitality Properties Subsidiary,” “Sale of Ownership Interests in Ontario Hospitality Properties Subsidiary,” “Sale of Ownership Interests in Yuma Hospitality Properties Subsidiary,” and “Sale of Ownership Interests in Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality”, respectively.
	●	For a discussion of other related party transactions, see Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Other Related Party Transactions.”

 

Results of operations of the Trust for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

 

Overview

 

A summary of total Trust operating results for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

 

		2016				2015				Change				% Change
Total Revenues from Continuing Operations		$	3,623,640			$	2,845,122			$	778,518				27.4	%
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations			(5,003,640	)			(4,751,528	)			(252,112	)			(5.3	%)
Operating Loss from Continuing Operations			(1,380,000	)			(1,906,406	)			526,406				27.6	%
Interest Income from Continuing Operations			14,416				6,656				7,760				116.6	%
Interest Expense from Continuing Operations			(334,812	)			(344,176	)			9,364				2.7	%
Income Tax Provision from Continuing Operations			(96,963	)			(198,647	)			101,684				51.2	%
Consolidated Net Loss from Continuing Operations		$	(1,797,359	)		$	(2,442,573	)		$	645,214				26.4	%
Consolidated Net Income from Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale		$	2,136,799			$	201,649			$	1,935,150				959.7	%

 

A summary of operating results by segment for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

 

		2016				2015
		Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead				Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead				Change				% Change
Total Revenue from Continuing Operations		$	3,422,468			$	2,824,856			$	597,612				21.2	%
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations			(4,505,934	)			(4,405,224	)			(100,710	)			(2.3	%)
Operating Loss from Continuing Operations			(1,083,466	)			(1,580,368	)			496,902				31.4	%
Interest Income from Continuing Operations			14,416				6,656				7,760				116.6	%
Interest Expense from Continuing Operations			(333,006	)			(344,176	)			11,170				3.2	%
Income Tax Provision from Continuing Operations			(96,963	)			(198,647	)			101,684				51.2	%
Net Loss from Continuing Operations		$	(1,499,019	)		$	(2,116,535	)		$	617,516				(29.2	%)

 

		2016				2015
		IBC Developments				IBC Developments				Change				% Change
Total Revenue		$	201,172			$	20,266			$	180,906				892.7	%
Operating Expenses			(497,706	)			(346,304	)			(151,402	)			(43.7	%)
Operating Loss			(296,534	)			(326,038	)			29,504				9.0	%
Interest Income			-				-				-				0.0	%
Interest Expense			(1,806	)			-				(1,806	)			(100.0	%)
Income Tax Provision			-				-				-				0.0	%
Net Loss		$	(298,340	)		$	(326,038	)		$	27,698				8.5	%

 

Our overall results in fiscal year 2016 were positively affected by an increase in revenues which were reduced by an increase in operating expenses which included our growing IBC Hotels division and our inability to control our income tax expenses.

 

 

REVENUE – CONTINUING OPERATIONS:

 

Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead Segment – Continuing Operations

 

Continuing operations consist primarily of our hotel operations at our Yuma, Arizona property. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2016, we had total revenue of approximately $3,422,000 compared to approximately $2,825,000 for the twelve months ended January 31, 2015, an increase of approximately $597,000. After completing our remodel of our Yuma, Arizona property in 2015, we realized a 28% increase in room revenues during fiscal year 2016 as room revenues were approximately $3,115,000 for fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $2,428,000 during fiscal year 2015. Food and beverage revenue was approximately $29,000 for fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $39,000 during fiscal year 2015, a decrease of approximately $10,000. Our Yuma, Arizona hotel property is a mid-size property with limited food and beverage operations. During fiscal year 2017, we expect occupancy to be steady with additional pressures on our rates and steady food and beverage revenues. We also realized approximately an 20% decrease in management and trademark fee revenues during fiscal year 2016 as management and trademark revenues were approximately $222,000 during fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $278,000 during fiscal year 2015. Management and trademark fee revenues decreased during fiscal year 2016 as one of the hotels owned by Mr. Wirth was sold to an unrelated third party. During fiscal year 2017, we expect management and trademark fee revenues to be remain consistent.

 

IBC Development Segment – Continuing Operations

 

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we had total revenue of approximately $227,000 compared to approximately $20,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, an increase of approximately $207,000. We anticipate strong growth in this segment over the next several fiscal years but can provide no assurance regarding such growth.

 

EXPENSES – CONTINUING OPERATIONS:

 

Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead Segment– Continuing Operations

 

Total expenses, including net interest expense and taxes, of approximately $4,936,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 reflects an decrease of approximately $12,000 compared to total expenses of approximately $4,948,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. The increase was due to an increase in operating expenses at our Yuma, Arizona property which was anticipated based on the significant increase in occupancy at the property during fiscal year 2016.

 

Room expenses consisting of salaries and related employment taxes for property management, front office, housekeeping personnel, reservation fees and room supplies were approximately $883,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 compared to approximately $819,000 in the prior year period for approximately $64,000, or 7.8%, increase in costs. Occupancy at the Yuma, Arizona property increased during fiscal year 2016, which resulted in an increase in room expenses.

 

Food and beverage expenses included food and beverage costs, personnel and miscellaneous costs to provide guests evening additional alcoholic beverages, dinners, snacks and small banquet events at our Yuma, Arizona property. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, food and beverage expenses were approximately $63,000 as compared to approximately $82,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, a decrease of approximately $19,000, or 23%. The decrease in food and beverage expenses corresponded to the decrease in food and beverage revenues.

 

Telecommunications expense, consisting of telephone and Internet costs, were relatively flat for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 at approximately $20,000 as compared to the prior fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 at approximately $21,000. Management anticipates this will be consistent for fiscal year 2017.

 

General and administrative expenses include overhead charges for management, accounting, shareholder and legal services. General and administrative expenses of approximately $2,013,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 increased approximately $37,000 from approximately $2,050,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 primarily due to increased bad debt expenses, credit card expenses, professional fees and management fees at our Ontario, California property and our Tucson, Arizona property.

 

Sales and marketing expense increased approximately $76,000, or 36%, from approximately $211,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 to approximately $286,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. We added additional sales and marketing personnel to increase sales for the property and we incurred additional sales and marketing fees from Best Western as the property provided guests additional Best Western points to increase guest satisfaction.

 

Repairs and maintenance expense slightly increased by approximately $22,000 from approximately $285,000 reported for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 compared with approximately $307,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to additional repairs and maintenance initiatives completed by us in an effort to ensure that our hotel product exceeds our guests’ satisfaction.

 

 

Hospitality expense increased by approximately $9,000, or 6.5%, from $139,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 to approximately $148,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to additional product mix provided during the Hotels’ complimentary happy hour, increased occupancy and continued compliance with food and beverage requirements provided by Best Western.

 

Utility expenses increased approximately $6,000 from approximately $185,000 reported for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 compared with approximately $191,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. Increased utility costs occurred in our Yuma, Arizona property due to additional occupancy levels.

 

Hotel property depreciation expense remained relatively flat at approximately $468,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 as compared to approximately $495,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

 

Real estate and personal property taxes, insurance and ground rent expense remained relatively flat at approximately $110,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 as compared to approximately $113,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

 

Interest expense less interest income is net interest expense. Net interest expense was approximately $320,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, a decrease of approximately $16,000 from the prior fiscal year total of approximately $336,000. We continue to work with our lenders to refinance the property loans. With the sale of one of our Tucson, Arizona properties, the trust had additional cash flow available for working capital during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and as a result, interest income increased and interest expenses decreased during fiscal year 2016 resulting in a net interest expense decrease during fiscal year 2016. During fiscal year 2017, we anticipate a decrease in net interest expenses but can provide no assurance that such expenses will not increase.

 

Income tax provision was approximately $97,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, a decrease of approximately $102,000 from the prior fiscal year total of approximately $199,000. Decrease in the income tax provision is primarily due to the decreased sales of ownership interests in our properties during our fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 as compared to the prior fiscal year period. Sales of ownership interests in our properties for tax purposes are considered income but under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), they are considered an increase in the Trusts’ equity.

 

IBC Development Segment

 

Total expenses, which were comprised primarily of general and administrative and sales and marketing expenses of approximately $498,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 reflects an increase of approximately $151,000 compared to total expenses of approximately $346,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.  General and administrative expense increased approximately $249,000, from approximately $31,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 to approximately $280,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we expanded our general and administrative efforts by adding more reservation agents and focused our resources on the development of technology to meet the independent guest and hotelier needs. Sales and Marketing expense decreased approximately $122,000, from approximately $314,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 to approximately $192,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we decreased our sales and marketing expenses by decreasing our traditional less effective marketing campaigns and moved to deliver electronic focused marketing campaigns as well as consolidating marketing and sales resources. Specifically, we expanded our hotel booking engine capabilities, website and hotel guest rewards program.

 

Net Income (Loss):

 

We had consolidated net income of $339,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, compared to consolidated net loss of approximately $2,241,000 in the prior fiscal year. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $(0.22) and $(0.29) for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

REVENUE – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

 

Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead Segment – Discontinued Operations

 

Discontinued operations consists of our hotel operations at our Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites property in Tucson, Arizona (“Tucson St. Mary’s”), which we sold on October 14, 2015, our remaining Tucson, Arizona property, our Albuquerque, New Mexico property and our Ontario, California property.

 

For the twelve months ended January 31, 2016, we had total revenue of approximately $10,848,000 compared to approximately $11,828,000 for the twelve months ended January 31, 2015, a decrease of approximately $980,000 due in part to the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

 

We realized a 7.6% decrease in room revenues during fiscal year 2016 as room revenues were approximately $9,945,000 for fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $10,759,000 during fiscal year 2015. Food and beverage revenue was approximately $811,000 for fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $916,000 during fiscal year 2015, a decrease of approximately $105,000. Food and beverage revenues decreased due in part to the sale of one of our Tucson, Arizona properties and continued market oriented pressures in our Ontario, California property. During fiscal year 2017, we expect occupancy to be steady with additional pressures on our rates and steady food and beverage revenues but can provide no assurance that occupancy will not decrease. Other revenue was approximately $92,000 for fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $154,000 during fiscal year 2015, a decrease of approximately $62,000. Other revenues decreased due in part to the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

We anticipate that at least one additional hotel will be sold during fiscal year 2017 but we can provide no assurance that such sale will occur on terms favorable to us or in our expected time frame, or at all. We anticipate steady revenues at each of our remaining hotel properties included in discontinued operations during fiscal year 2017.

 

EXPENSES – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

 

Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead Segment – Discontinued Operations

 

Overall, we anticipate that at least one additional hotel will be sold during fiscal year 2017. We anticipate expenses to remain steady at each of our remaining hotel properties including discontinued operations during fiscal year 2017 but cannot provide assurance that such expenses will not increase. Total expenses decreased during fiscal year 2016 as compared to fiscal year 2015 as a result of the sale of one of our Tucson, Arizona properties.

 

Total expenses including net interest expense, of approximately $11,063,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 reflects a decrease of approximately $563,000 compared to total expenses of approximately $11,626,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. The decrease was due in part to the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

Room expenses consisting of salaries and related employment taxes for property management, front office, housekeeping personnel, reservation fees and room supplies were approximately $3,451,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 compared to approximately $3,138,000 in the prior year period for approximately a $313,000, or 10%, increase in costs. Our occupancy at our Ontario, California property increased during fiscal year 2016 which resulted in an increase in room expenses, offset by the sale of our one of our Tucson, Arizona properties.

 

Food and beverage expenses included food and beverage costs, personnel and miscellaneous costs to provide guests additional evening alcoholic beverages, dinners, snacks very large banquet events at the hotel property sold in Tucson, Arizona. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, food and beverage expenses were approximately $793,000 as compared to approximately $822,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, an decrease of approximately $29,000, or 3.5%. These costs decreased as a direct result of the sale of the Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

Telecommunications expense, consisting of telephone and Internet costs, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 were approximately $6,000 as compared to the prior fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 at approximately $10,000, a decrease of approximately $4,000. We anticipates these expenses will continue to decrease as we sell additional hotel properties during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017.

 

General and administrative expenses include overhead charges for management and administration of the hotel properties. General and administrative expenses of approximately $1,289,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 decreased approximately $81,000 from approximately $1,370,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 primarily due to increased bad debt expenses, credit card expenses, professional fees and management fees at our Ontario, California property and our Tucson, Arizona property.

 

Sales and marketing expense slightly decreased from approximately $791,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 to approximately by $788,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. Due to additional economic pressures at our remaining Tucson, Arizona property, we added additional sales and marketing resources which increased our sales and marketing expenses. The increase was offset by the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

Repairs and maintenance expense slightly increased by approximately $20,000 from approximately $958,000 reported for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 compared with approximately $978,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to additional repairs and maintenance initiatives completed by us in an effort to ensure that our hotel product exceeds our guests’ satisfaction.

 

 

Hospitality expense increased by approximately $29,000, or 4%, from $731,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 to approximately $760,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to additional product mix provided during the Hotels’ complimentary happy hour, increased occupancy and continued compliance with food and beverage requirements provided by Best Western.

 

Utility expenses decreased approximately $100,000 from approximately $1,129,000 reported for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 compared with approximately $1,029,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. We incurred decreased utility costs as a result of the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

Depreciation expense decreased approximately $612,000 from approximately $1,285,000 reported for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 compared with approximately $673,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. We incurred decreased deprecation expenses as a result of the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property and due to the accounting treatment of ceasing depreciation on our remaining discontinued operations hotel properties, which directly attributed to a year over year decrease of approximately $612,000.

 

Real estate and personal property taxes, insurance and ground rent expense decreased approximately $161,000 from approximately $831,000 reported for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 compared with approximately $670,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. These expenses decreased as a result of our sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

Interest expenses were approximately $598,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, an increase of approximately $62,000 from the prior fiscal year total of approximately $536,000. We continue to work with our lenders to refinance the property loans. During fiscal year 2017, we anticipate interest expenses will decrease with the anticipated sale of additional hotel properties.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview – Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead and IBC Development Segments

 

Our principal source of cash to meet our cash requirements, including distributions to our shareholders, is our share of the Partnership’s cash flow, quarterly distributions from the Albuquerque, New Mexico and Yuma, Arizona properties and more recently, sales of non-controlling interests in certain of our Hotels. The Partnership’s principal source of revenue is hotel operations for the one hotel property it owns (until its planned sale – as discussed previously) and quarterly distributions from the Tucson, Arizona and Ontario, California properties. Our liquidity, including our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, will depend upon our ability, and the Partnership’s ability, to generate sufficient cash flow from hotel operations and to service our debt.

 

Hotel operations are significantly affected by occupancy and room rates at the Hotels. We anticipate occupancy and ADR will be steady during this coming year; capital improvements are expected to be similar from the prior year. As of January 31, 2016, the Trust did not have an open bank line of credit.

 

With approximately $2.0 million of cash which includes approximately $200,000 from discontinued operations as of January 31, 2016 and the availability of a $1,000,000 related party Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note, we believe that we will have enough cash on hand to meet all of our financial obligations as they become due for at least the next year. In addition, our management is analyzing other strategic options available to us, including the refinancing of another property or raising additional funds through additional non-controlling interest sales; however, such transactions may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or at all.

 

There can be no assurance that we will be successful in refinancing debt or raising additional or replacement funds, or that these funds may be available on terms that are favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional or replacement funds, we may be required to sell certain of our assets to meet our liquidity needs, which may not be on terms that are favorable.

 

We anticipate additional new-build hotel supply during fiscal year 2017 up until the hotel supply inventory has been stabilized during fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2017, we anticipate additional pressure on revenues and operating margins. We expect the major challenge for fiscal year 2017 to be the continuation of strong competition for corporate leisure group and government business in the markets in which we operate, which may affect our ability to increase room rates while maintaining market share.

 

Net cash used by operating activities totaled approximately $604,000 during fiscal year 2016 as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $600,000 during the prior fiscal year. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was due to adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities.

 

 

Consolidated net income was approximately $339,000 for the year ended January 31, 2016 as compared to consolidated net loss for the year ended January 31, 2015 of approximately $2,241,000. Explanation of the differences between these fiscal years are explained above in the results of operations of the Trust.

 

Changes in the adjustments to reconcile net income and net loss for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, consist primarily of hotel property depreciation, gain on disposal of assets, and changes in assets and liabilities. Hotel property depreciation was approximately $1,782,000 during fiscal year 2015 compared to approximately $1,178,000 during fiscal year 2016, a decrease of $604,000. During fiscal year 2016, the Trust had a gain on disposal of assets of approximately $2,352,000 which increased the net cash used in operating activities.

 

Changes in assets and liabilities for accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses totaled approximately $99,000 and $835,000 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This significant decrease in changes in assets and liabilities for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 was primarily due to our desire to decrease our accounts payable and accrued expenses after the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s property.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities totaled approximately $653,000 for the year ended January 31, 2016 compared to net cash used in investing activities totaled of $1,302,000 for the year ended January 31, 2015. The increase in net cash provided by investing activities during fiscal year 2016 was due to the cash received from the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s hotel property offset by a significant increase in expenditures related to improvements and additions to hotel properties and our purchase of intangibles assets associated with our purchase of International Vacation Hotels in January 2016. Net lending on advances to affiliates – related parties coupled with collections on advances to affiliates – related parties was approximately $971,000 during fiscal year 2016 as compared to approximately $1,000 during fiscal year 2015, which decreased our net cash used in investing activities by approximately $1,956,000 during fiscal year 2016.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled approximately $1,400,000 and $814,000 for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase of approximately $1,450,000 was primarily due to the sale of stock, net decrease of payments and borrowings on mortgage notes payable, notes payable to banks and line of credit – related party, note receivable – related party was offset by the decreased proceeds from the sale of non-controlling ownership interest in subsidiary.

 

Principal payments on mortgage notes payables was approximately $625,000 and approximately $2,153,000 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, we paid off our $1.0 million mortgage on our Albuquerque property which increased the amount of principal payments on mortgage notes payables paid. During fiscal year 2017, we anticipate a reduction of principal payments on mortgage notes payables as our mortgages will be paid off with hotel sale proceeds.

 

Payments on notes payable to banks netted against borrowings on notes payable to banks were approximately $358,000 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 as compared to approximately ($152,000) during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. We do not anticipate refinancing any of our hotel properties in fiscal year 2017.

 

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, payments on line of credit – related party netted against borrowings on line of credit – related party was approximately ($248,000) of net cash used in financing activities as compared to approximately $210,000 of net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, lendings on note receivable – related party netted against collections on note receivable – related party was approximately $299,000 of net cash used in financing activities.

 

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, payments and borrowings on other notes payable was approximately ($471,000) of net cash used in financing activities and approximately $338,000 of net cash provided by financing activities during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we continued to pay off American Express merchant processing loans.

 

Proceeds from sales of non-controlling ownership interests in subsidiaries decreased by approximately $1,540,000 as sales of non-controlling ownership interest was approximately $3,339,000 for the year ended January 31, 2015 and approximately $1,826,000 for the year ended January 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we primarily sold additional non-controlling interests in our Yuma Hospitality and Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality subsidiaries.

 

With an increase in the Sales of Non-Controlling Ownership Interest in Subsidiaries, an increase in Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest Holders is expected. Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest Holders for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016 were approximately $1,244,000 as compared to approximately $769,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. These Distributions are an offset to the Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities.

 

 

The Trust repurchased additional Treasury Stock of approximately $92,000 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 compared with $220,000 for the prior fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. Additional purchases of Treasury Stock is an offset to the Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities.

 

We continue to contribute to a Capital Expenditures Fund (the “Fund”) an amount equal to 4% of the InnSuites Hotels’ revenues from operation of the Hotels. The Fund is restricted by the mortgage lender for one of our properties. As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no monies held in these accounts reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Restricted Cash.” The Fund is intended to be used for capital improvements to the Hotels and refurbishment and replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Hotels spent approximately $2,126,000 and $1,415,000, respectively, for capital expenditures. We consider the majority of these improvements to be revenue producing. Therefore, these amounts are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. For fiscal year 2017 capital expenditures, we plan on spending less on capital improvements as we have sold our oldest and largest hotel which required significant amounts of capital improvements. Repairs and maintenance were charged to expense as incurred and approximated $307,000 and $285,000 for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

We have minimum debt payments of approximately $1,467, 000 and approximately $524,000 due during fiscal years 2017 and 2018, respectively. Minimum debt payments due during fiscal year 2017 include approximately $494,000 of mortgage notes payable, approximately $932,000 notes payable to bank and approximately $40,000 of secured promissory notes outstanding to unrelated third parties arising from the Shares of Beneficial Interest and Partnership unit repurchases.

 

In addition to our mortgage notes payable of approximately $13.9 million outstanding with respect to the Hotels, we also have approximately $932,000 of our non-revolving note payable, approximately $13,000 of an unsecured business loan and approximately $55,000 of secured promissory notes outstanding to unrelated third parties arising from the Shares of Beneficial Interest and Partnership unit repurchases.

 

We may seek to negotiate additional credit facilities or issue debt instruments. Any debt incurred or issued by us may be secured or unsecured, long-term, medium-term or short-term, bear interest at a fixed or variable rate and be subject to such other terms as we consider prudent.

 

SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN ALBUQUERQUE SUBSIDIARY

 

On July 22, 2010, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved, with Mr. Wirth abstaining, for the Partnership to enter into an agreement with Rare Earth Financial, LLC (“Rare Earth”), an affiliate of Mr. Wirth, to sell units in Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC (the “Albuquerque entity”), which owns and operates the Albuquerque, New Mexico hotel property. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase at least 49% of the membership interests in the Albuquerque entity and the parties agreed to restructure the operating agreement of the Albuquerque entity. A total of 400 units were available for sale for $10,000 per unit, with a two-unit minimum subscription. On September 24, 2010, the parties revised the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement to name Rare Earth as the administrative member of the Albuquerque entity in charge of the day-to-day management.

 

On December 9, 2013, the Trust entered into an updated restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of additional interest units in the Albuquerque entity for $10,000 per unit. Under the updated restructuring agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 150 (and potentially up to 190 if the overallotment is exercised) units. Under the terms of the updated restructuring agreement, the Trust agreed to hold at least 50.1% of the outstanding units in the Albuquerque entity, on a post-transaction basis and intends to maintain this minimum ownership percentage through the purchase of units under this offering. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on December 9, 2013. The units in the Albuquerque entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through December 31, 2015. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Trust and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Albuquerque entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until December 31, 2015; however, after December 31, 2015 Class A unit holders continue to hold a preference on distributions over Class B and Class C unit holders.

 

If certain triggering events related to the Albuquerque entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Albuquerque entity following the December 31, 2013 restructuring. The Albuquerque entity plans to use its best efforts to pay the discretionary priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative discretionary priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Albuquerque, New Mexico property.

 

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 2 Class A units of the Albuquerque entity sold, of which all were entirely purchased from Rare Earth at $10,000 per unit. As of January 31, 2016, the Trust held a 50.91% ownership interest, or 279 Class B units, in the Albuquerque entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 0.18% interest, or 1 Class C unit, and other parties held a 48.91% interest, or 268 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Albuquerque entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $188,000, to the Trust of approximately $195,000, and to Mr. Wirth and his affiliates of approximately $1,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar year 2016.

 

SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN TUCSON HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES SUBSIDIARY

 

On February 17, 2011, the Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units in Tucson Hospitality Properties, LP (the “Tucson entity”), which operates the Tucson Oracle hotel property, then wholly-owned by the Partnership. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 250 units, which represents approximately 41% of the outstanding limited partnership units in the Tucson entity, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited partnership agreement of the Tucson entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on January 31, 2011.

 

On October 1, 2013, the Partnership entered into an updated restructured limited partnership agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of additional interest units in the Tucson entity for $10,000 per unit. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 160 (and potentially up to 200 if the overallotment is exercised) units. Under the terms of the updated restructuring agreement, the Partnership agreed to hold at least 50.1% of the outstanding limited partnership units in the Tucson entity, on a post-transaction basis, and intends to maintain this minimum ownership percentage through the purchase of units under this offering. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on September 14, 2013. The limited partnership interests in the Tucson entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through June 30, 2016. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Partnership and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Tucson entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until June 30, 2016; however, after June 30, 2016 Class A unit holders continue to hold a preference on distributions over Class B and Class C unit holders.

 

If certain triggering events related to the Tucson entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth also received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Tucson entity following the October 1, 2013 restructuring. The Tucson entity plans to use its best efforts to pay the discretionary priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative discretionary priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Tucson, Arizona property.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 5 Class A units of the Tucson entity sold, of which all were entirely purchased from Rare Earth at $10,000 per unit. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership held a 51.01% ownership interest, or 404 Class B units, in the Tucson entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 0.76% interest, or 6 Class C units, and other parties held a 48.23% interest, or 382 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Tucson entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $267,000, to the Partnership of approximately $283,000 and to Rare Earth of approximately $4,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar year 2016.

 

SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN ONTARIO HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES SUBSIDIARY

 

On February 29, 2012, the Trust and Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units in Ontario Hospitality Properties, LP (the “Ontario entity”) for $10,000 per unit, which operates the Ontario hotel property, then wholly-owned by the Partnership. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 250 units, which represents approximately 49% of the outstanding partnership units in the Ontario entity, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited partnership agreement of the Ontario entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on February 1, 2012. Under the restructured limited partnership agreement, Rare Earth became a general partner of the Ontario entity along with the Trust and Partnership.

 

 

On March 1, 2014, the Trust and Partnership entered into an updated restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of additional interest units in the Ontario entity for $10,000 per unit. Under the updated restructuring agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 235 (and potentially up to 275 if the overallotment is exercised) units. Under the terms of the updated restructuring agreement, the Partnership agreed to hold at least 50.1% of the outstanding limited partnership units in the Ontario entity, on a post-transaction basis, and intends to maintain this minimum ownership percentage through the purchase of units under this offering. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on March 24, 2014. The limited partnership interests in the Ontario entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through March 31, 2017. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Trust and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Albuquerque entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until December 31, 2015; however, after March 31, 2017 Class A unit holders continue to hold a preference on distributions over Class B and Class C unit holders.

 

If certain triggering events related to the Ontario entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth also received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Ontario entity following the March 1, 2014 restructuring. The Trust has paid out $128,000 of the restructuring fee at January 31, 2015 and included the cost in the Sales of Ownership Interest in Subsidiary, net line of the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. The Ontario entity is required to use its best efforts to pay the priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Ontario, California property.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 6.25 Class A units of the Ontario entity sold, of which 5 were purchased from Rare Earth at $10,000 per unit. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership held a 51.65% ownership interest, or 498 Class B units, in the Ontario entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 3.11% interest through Rare Earth, or 30 Class C units, and other parties held a 45.24% interest, or 436.25 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Ontario entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $305,000, to the Partnership of approximately $349,000 and to Rare Earth of approximately $21,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar years 2016 and 2017.

 

SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN YUMA HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES SUBSIDIARY

 

On October 24, 2014, the Trust and Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units in Yuma Hospitality Properties, Limited Partnership (the “Yuma entity”) for $10,000 per unit, which operates the Yuma hotel property, then wholly-owned by the Trust. Prior to the agreement there were 750 units outstanding and as a result of the agreement, an additional 50 units will be created for sale. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 398 units, which represents approximately 49% of the outstanding partnership units in the Yuma entity, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited partnership agreement of the Yuma entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on October 24, 2014. Under the restructured limited partnership agreement, Rare Earth became a general partner of the Yuma entity along with the Trust and Partnership.

 

The limited partnership interests in the Yuma entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through January 31, 2020. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Trust and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Yuma entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until January 31, 2020. After January 31, 2020, all Partnership Interests will share equally in all distributions.

 

If certain triggering events related to the Yuma entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth will receive a restructuring fee of $350,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 150 units in the Yuma entity following the October 24, 2014 restructuring. The Trust has paid out $350,000 of the restructuring fee at January 31, 2016 and included the cost in the Sales of Ownership Interest in Subsidiary, net line of the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. The Yuma entity is required to use its best efforts to pay the priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Yuma, Arizona property.

 

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 174.40 Class A units and 7.10 Class C units of the Yuma entity sold at $10,000 per unit, of which all were sold from the Trust. As of January 31, 2016, the Trust held a 50.93% ownership interest, or 407.40 Class B units, in the Yuma entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 1.01% interest, or 8.1 Class C units, and other parties held a 48.06% interest, or 384.50 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Yuma entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $269,000, to the Trust of approximately $285,000 and to Rare Earth of approximately $6,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

 

SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN TUCSON SAINT MARY’S SUITE HOSPITALITY

 

On April 24, 2015, the Trust and the Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units for $10,000 per unit in the Tucson St. Mary’s entity for $10,000 per unit, which operated one of the Tucson, Arizona hotel properties, then wholly-owned by the Partnership. Under the agreement, the Partnership agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 350 units, which represents approximately 50.07% of the outstanding partnership units, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited liability agreement of the Tucson St. Mary’s entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on April 24, 2015. Under the restructured limited liability agreement, the Partnership was confirmed as the Administrative Member of the Tucson St. Mary’s entity but Rare Earth could be elected in the future as Administrative Member without consent of the Partnership. All membership interests are entitled to receive priority distributions annually of $700 per $10,000 interest from May 15, 2015 through April 20, 2020. Priority distributions will be paid first to Class A interests, second to Class B interests, third to Class C interests and are cumulative. After April 30, 2020, all membership interests will be entitled to annual distributions of $700 per $10,000 interest, which will be cumulative. Subject to shareholder approval, the holders of Class A units may convert all of part of their investment at any time up to January 31, 2018 into 2,857 Shares of Beneficial Interest for each $10,000 interest subject to shareholder approval and other required approvals (“conversion feature”). Thereafter each $10,000 interest is convertible into 2,500 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. On May 30, 2015, the restructuring agreement was amended to clarify the requirement that the shareholders must approve the conversion feature which is not perfunctory.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 64 Class A units sold and 100 Class C units sold of the Tucson St. Mary’s entity for total proceeds of $640,000 attributable to Class A units sold and $1,000,000 attributable to Class C units sold. On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St. Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party for approximately $9.7 million, which the Trust received approximately $4.6 million, see Note 24, in cash. The Trust used $4.7 million of the proceeds to satisfy its mortgage note payable on the property, approximately $379,000 to reduce accruals and payables, and retained the remaining proceeds to fund future operations and capital improvements. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership held a 100% ownership interest, or 88.5 Class B units, in the Tucson St. Mary’s entity.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH CONTINUED LISTING STANDARDS OF NYSE MKT

 

On September 19, 2014, the NYSE MKT notified the Trust that it was not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(i) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide since it reported Shareholders’ equity of less than $2.0 million at July 31, 2014 and had incurred losses in two of its three fiscal years ended January 31, 2014. The NYSE MKT has accepted the Trusts’ equity expansion compliance plan and has granted the Trust an extension of time until December 29, 2015 to comply with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide.

 

On January 18, 2016, we received a letter from the NYSE MKT informing us that we are no longer out of compliance with the NYSE MKT continued listed standards. Specifically, we have resolved the continued listing deficiencies with respect to Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide. Our shareholders equity as of December 31, 2015 met the NYSE MKT’s minimum requirement of $6 million.

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

The following non-GAAP presentations of earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and funds from operations (“FFO”) are made to assist our investors in evaluating our operating performance.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before minority interest, interest expense, amortization of loan costs, interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and non-controlling interests in the Trust. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe these measurements (a) more accurately reflect the ongoing performance of our hotel assets and other investments, (b) provide more useful information to investors as indicators of our ability to meet our future debt payments and working capital requirements, and (c) provide an overall evaluation of our financial condition. Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by us may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA reported by other companies that do not define Adjusted EBITDA exactly as we define the term. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to (a) GAAP net income or loss as an indication of our financial performance or (b) GAAP cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

 

 

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss attributable to controlling interests for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 follows:

 

		Twelve Months Ended January 31,
		2016				2015
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests		$	432,116			$	(2,103,637	)
Add back:
Depreciation from Continuing Operations			504,629				497,278
Interest expense from Continuing Operations			334,812				344,176
Taxes from Continuing Operations			96,963				198,647
Non-controlling interest from Continuing Operations			(92,676	)			(137,287	)
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations			(2,351,817	)			-
Less:
Interest income from Continuing Operations			(14,416	)			(6,656	)
ADJUSTED EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPS		$	(1,090,389	)		$	(1,207,479	)

 

FFO is calculated on the basis defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which is net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses on sales of properties, asset impairment adjustments, and extraordinary items as defined by GAAP, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures and non-controlling interests in the operating partnership. NAREIT developed FFO as a relative measure of performance of an equity REIT to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined by GAAP. The Trust is an unincorporated Ohio real estate investment trust; however, the Trust is not a real estate investment trust for federal taxation purposes. Management uses this measurement to compare itself to REITs with similar depreciable assets. We consider FFO to be an appropriate measure of our ongoing normalized operating performance. We compute FFO in accordance with our interpretation of standards established by NAREIT, which may not be comparable to FFO reported by other companies that either do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or interpret the NAREIT definition differently than us. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities as determined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to (a) GAAP net income or loss as an indication of our financial performance or (b) GAAP cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to satisfy our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. However, to facilitate a clear understanding of our historical operating results, we believe that FFO should be considered along with our net income or loss and cash flows reported in the consolidated financial statements.

 

A reconciliation of FFO to net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests for fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 follows:

 

		Twelve Months Ended January 31,
		2016				2015
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest		$	432,116			$	(2,103,637	)
Add back:
Depreciation from Continuing Operations			504,629				497,278
Non-controlling interest from Continuing Operations			(92,676	)			(137,287	)
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations			(2,351,817	)			-
FFO FROM CONTINUING OPS		$	(1,507,748	)		$	(1,743,646	)

 

FUTURE POSITIONING

 

In viewing the hotel industry cycles, the Board of Trustees determined that 2008 may have been the high point of the current hotel industry cycle and further determined it was appropriate to actively seek buyers for our properties. We engaged the services of several hotel brokers and began independently advertising our Hotels for sale. We continue to independently advertise our Hotels for sale, including on our website (www.suitehotelsrealty.com).

 

The tables below provides book values, mortgage balances and listed asking price for the one remaining hotel in continued operations and the three remaining hotels in discontinued operations.

 

 

Continued Operations
Hotel Property		Book Value				Mortgage Balance				Listed Asking Price
Yuma		$	4,945,248			$	5,092,993			$	12,500,000

 

Discontinued Operations
Hotel Property		Book Value				Mortgage Balance				Listed Asking Price
Albuquerque		$	1,364,773			$	-			$	6,800,000
Ontario			6,378,438				5,408,942				14,800,000
Tucson Oracle			6,639,574				3,290,656				12,800,000
		$	14,382,785			$	8,699,598			$	34,400,000

 

The listed asking price is the amount at which we would sell each of the Hotels and is based on the original listed selling price adjusted to reflect recent hotel sales in the Hotels’ areas of operation and current earnings of each of the Hotels. The listed asking price is not based on appraisals of the properties. The Listed Asking Price for the Ontario property reflects the original listed asking price and not the price we have agreed to sell the property.

 

On August 1, 2015, we finalized and committed to a plan to sell all of our hotel properties, except for the Yuma hotel property. We listed each of the properties with a local real estate hotel broker and we believe that each of the assets are being marketed at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value. We believe that the plan to sell these assets will not likely be withdrawn. We believe that the sale of these hotel properties will probably occur within one year based on feedback received by our local hotel real estate property professional brokers and we have engaged hotel real estate brokers who specialize in the selling/buying hotel real estate properties. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to sell any or all of the hotel properties on terms favorable to us or within our expected time frame, or at all.

 

On October 14, 2015, we sold our Tucson St. Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party for approximately $9.7 million, which we received in cash. We used $4.7 million of the proceeds to satisfy its mortgage note payable on the property, approximately $379,000 to reduce accruals and payables, and retained the remaining proceeds to fund future operations and capital improvements on our remaining hotels.

 

Although we believe it is probable, we may be unable to realize the listed sales price for the individual Hotel properties or to sell them at all. However, we believe that the listed values are reasonable based on local market conditions and comparable sales. Changes in market conditions have in part resulted, and may in the future result, in our changing one or all of the listed asking prices.

 

Our long-term strategic plan is to obtain the full benefit of our real estate equity and to migrate our focus from a hotel owner to a hospitality service company by expanding our trademark license, management, reservation, and advertising services, through InnDependent Boutique Collection (IBC Hotels), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust. As of January 31, 2016, IBC Hotels provided services to approximately 6,300 hotels.

 

We are planning significant expansion of IBC Hotels during the next couple of fiscal years as we concentrate our sales and marketing efforts towards consumers. We anticipate the IBC Hotels sales and marketing efforts to increase our revenues and decrease our consolidated net loss over the next couple of fiscal years. For each reservation, IBC Hotels receives a 10% transactional fee plus reimbursement of our credit card processing fees associated with the reservation. We cannot provide any assurance that our plans will be successful or in line with our expectations.

 

This plan is similar to strategies followed by internationally diversified hotel industry leaders, which over the last several years have reduced real estate holdings and concentrated on hospitality services. We began our long-term corporate strategy when we relinquished our REIT income tax status in January 2004, which had previously prevented us from providing management services to hotels. In June 2004, we acquired our trademark license and management agreements and began providing management, trademark and reservations services to our Hotels.

 

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

 

For information on the Trust’s Share Repurchase Program, see Part II, Item 5. “MARKET FOR THE TRUST’S SHARES, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND TRUST REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”

 

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

Other than lease commitments and legal contingencies incurred in the normal course of business, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities. We do not have any majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries that are not included in our consolidated financial statements.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

We believe that the policies we follow for the valuation of our hotel properties, which constitute the majority of our assets, are our most critical policies. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued authoritative guidance related to the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, codified in ASC Topic 360-10-35, which we apply to determine when it is necessary to test an asset for recoverability. On an events and circumstances basis, we review the carrying value of our hotel properties. We will record an impairment loss and reduce the carrying value of a property when anticipated undiscounted future cash flows and the current market value of the property do not support its carrying value. In cases where we do not expect to recover the carrying cost of hotel properties held for use, we will reduce the carrying value to the fair value of the hotel, as determined by a current appraisal or other acceptable valuation methods. We did not recognize an impairment loss in fiscal years 2016 or 2015. As of January 31, 2016, our management does not believe that the carrying values of any of our hotel properties are impaired.

 

On August 1, 2015, the Trust finalized and committed to a plan to sell all of its hotel properties, except for the Yuma, hotel property. The Trust listed each of the properties with a local real estate hotel broker and Management believes that the assets are being marketed at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value. The Trust believes that the plan to sell these assets will not likely be withdrawn and the sales are probable by July 31, 2016. On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St. Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party. Except for the Yuma hotel property, the Trust has recognized the sale of the Tucson St. Mary’s hotel and the reclassification of three of its hotels into discontinued operations and assets held for sale in accordance with No. 205-20, Discontinued Operations. As such, the historical results of these hotels have been adjusted for comparability purposes and exclude any corporate general and administrative expenses. Discontinued operations in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015 primarily consists of each hotels’ operational revenues and expenses, except our Yuma hotel property, and does not include the sale proceeds and profit from the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s hotel.

 

For recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements – “Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation”; under “Recently Issued Accounting Guidance”.

 

SEASONALITY

 

See Item 1 for related discussion of seasonality.

 

INFLATION

 

We rely entirely on the performance of the Hotels and InnSuites Hotels’ ability to increase revenue to keep pace with inflation. Operators of hotels in general and InnSuites Hotels in particular can change room rates quickly, but competitive pressures may limit InnSuites Hotels’ ability to raise rates as fast as or faster than inflation.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements in this Form 10-K, including statements containing the phrases “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will be,” “should be,” “looking ahead,” “may” or similar words, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by such Acts. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations, those of our Board of Trustees or our officers in respect of (i) the declaration or payment of dividends; (ii) the leasing, management or operation of the Hotels; (iii) the adequacy of reserves for renovation and refurbishment; (iv) our financing plans; (v) our position regarding investments, acquisitions, developments, financings, conflicts of interest and other matters; (vi) expansion of IBC Hotels; (vii) our plans and expectations regarding future sales of hotel properties; and (viii) trends affecting our or any Hotel’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views in respect of future events and financial performance, but are subject to many uncertainties and factors relating to the operations and business environment of the Hotels that may cause our actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

	●	local, national or international economic and business conditions, including, without limitation, conditions that may, or may continue to, affect public securities markets generally, the hospitality industry or the markets in which we operate or will operate;
	●	fluctuations in hotel occupancy rates;
	●	changes in room rental rates that may be charged by InnSuites Hotels in response to market rental rate changes or otherwise;

 

 

	●	seasonality of our business;
	●	our ability to sell any of our Hotels at market value, listed sale price or at all;
	●	interest rate fluctuations;
	●	changes in, or reinterpretations of, governmental regulations, including, but not limited to, environmental and other regulations, the ADA and federal income tax laws and regulations;
	●	competition;
	●	availability of credit or other financing;
	●	our ability to meet present and future debt service obligations;
	●	our ability to refinance or extend the maturity of indebtedness at, prior to, or after the time it matures;
	●	any changes in our financial condition or operating results due to acquisitions or dispositions of hotel properties;
	●	insufficient resources to pursue our current strategy;
	●	concentration of our investments in the InnSuites Hotels® brand;
	●	loss of membership contracts;
	●	the financial condition of franchises, brand membership companies and travel related companies;
	●	our ability to develop and maintain positive relations with “Best Western Plus” or “Best Western” and potential future franchises or brands;
	●	real estate and hospitality market conditions;
	●	hospitality industry factors;
	●	our ability to carry out our strategy, including our strategy regarding IBC Hotels;
	●	the Trust’s ability to remain listed on the NYSE MKT;
	●	effectiveness of the Trust’s software program;
	●	the need to periodically repair and renovate our Hotels at a cost at or in excess of our standard 4% reserve;
	●	our ability to cost effectively integrate any acquisitions with the Trust in a timely manner;
	●	increases in the cost of labor, energy, healthcare, insurance and other operating expenses as a result of changed or increased regulation or otherwise;
	●	terrorist attacks or other acts of war;
	●	outbreaks of communicable diseases attributed to our hotels or impacting the hotel industry in general;
	●	natural disasters including adverse climate changes in the areas where we have or serve hotels;
	●	airline strikes;
	●	transportation and fuel price increases;
	●	adequacy of insurance coverage;
	●	data breaches or cybersecurity attacks; and
	●	loss of key personnel.

 

 

We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as may be required by law. Pursuant to Section 21E(b)(2)(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the qualifications set forth hereinabove are inapplicable to any forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K relating to the operations of the Partnership.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

All other schedules are omitted, as the information is not required or is otherwise furnished.

 

 

INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST

LIST OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

 

The following consolidated financial statements of InnSuites Hospitality Trust are included in Item 8:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	25
Consolidated Balance Sheets – January 31, 2016 and 2015	26
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	27
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	28
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	29
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	30

 

All other schedules are omitted, as the information is not required or is otherwise furnished.

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

InnSuites Hospitality Trust

Phoenix, AZ

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of InnSuites Hospitality Trust and subsidiaries (the “Trust”) as of January 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of InnSuites Hospitality Trust at January 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Hall & Company Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, Inc.
Irvine, CA
April 29, 2016

 

 

INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

		JANUARY 31, 2016				JANUARY 31, 2015
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	1,795,666			$	147,684
Accounts Receivable, including $20,693 and $79,366 from related parties and net of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of $1,987 and $1,417 as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively			54,158				117,903
Advances to Affiliates - Related Party			972,184				1,236
Notes Receivable - Related Party			5,761				-
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets			19,046				30,098
Current Assets of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			479,107				836,350
Total Current Assets			3,325,922				1,133,271
Hotel Properties, net			5,029,248				5,101,715
Property, Plant and Equipment, net			202,734				76,092
Intangible Assets			500,000				-
Goodwill			500,000				-
Noncurrent assets of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			14,382,785				20,716,731
TOTAL ASSETS		$	23,940,689			$	27,027,809
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses		$	895,162			$	690,351
Current Portion of Mortgage Notes Payable, net of Discount of $2,403 and $8,012 as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively			130,042				122,605
Current Portion of Notes Payable to Banks, net of Discount of $0 and $14,700 as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively			932,289				567,791
Line of Credit - Related Party			-				262,659
Current Portion of Other Notes Payable			40,801				469,842
Current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			1,651,179				8,097,352
Total Current Liabilities			3,649,473				10,210,600
Mortgage Notes Payable, net of discount of $13,418 and $15,821 as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively			4,962,951				5,094,597
Other Notes Payable			13,889				55,828
Noncurrent Liabilities of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			8,343,647				8,701,557
TOTAL LIABILITIES			16,969,960				24,062,582
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 21)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Shares of Beneficial Interest, without par value, unlimited authorization; 17,406,846 and 16,845,846 shares issued and 8,791,500 and 8,341,899 shares outstanding at January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively			18,769,849				13,812,470
Treasury Stock, 8,615,346 and 8,580,744 shares held at cost at January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively			(12,285,915	)			(12,193,491	)
TOTAL TRUST SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			6,483,934				1,618,979
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST			486,795				1,346,248
TOTAL EQUITY			6,970,729				2,965,227
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$	23,940,689			$	27,027,809

 

See accompanying notes to

consolidated financial statements

 

 

INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

		YEARS ENDED
		JANUARY 31,
		2016				2015
REVENUE
Room		$	3,115,434			$	2,427,814
Food and Beverage			29,491				38,795
Management and Trademark Fees			221,865				278,208
Other			256,850				100,305
TOTAL REVENUE			3,623,640				2,845,122
OPERATING EXPENSES
Room			883,277				819,300
Food and Beverage			63,435				81,649
Telecommunications			19,731				20,508
General and Administrative			2,292,812				2,080,270
Sales and Marketing			481,578				525,364
Repairs and Maintenance			307,178				285,255
Hospitality			147,664				138,859
Utilities			191,318				185,060
Hotel Property Depreciation			504,629				497,278
Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes, Insurance and Ground Rent			109,907				112,860
Other			2,111				5,125
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES			5,003,640				4,751,528
OPERATING LOSS			(1,380,000	)			(1,906,406	)
Interest Income			1,201				197
Interest Income on Note Receivable - Related Party			13,215				6,459
TOTAL OTHER INCOME			14,416				6,656
Interest on Mortgage Notes Payable			261,867				293,679
Interest on Notes Payable to Banks			46,858				36,954
Interest on Other Notes Payable			12,529				13,543
Interest on Line of Credit - Related Party			13,558				-
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE			334,812				344,176
CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF ASSETS			(1,700,396	)			(2,243,926	)
Income Tax Provision			(96,963	)			(198,647	)
CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			(1,797,359	)			(2,442,573	)
Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale, Net of Non-Controlling Interest			(215,018	)			201,649
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations			2,351,817				-
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE			2,136,799				201,649
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS) TOTAL		$	339,440			$	(2,240,924	)
LESS: NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST		$	(92,676	)		$	(137,287	)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTERESTS		$	432,116			$	(2,103,637	)
NET LOSS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS – BASIC		$	(0.22	)		$	(0.29	)
NET INCOME PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – BASIC		$	0.26			$	0.02
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE PER SHARE TOTAL - BASIC		$	0.04			$	(0.27	)
NET LOSS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS – DILUTED		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.29	)
NET INCOME PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – DILUTED		$	0.18			$	0.02
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE PER SHARE TOTAL - DILUTED		$	0.03			$	(0.27	)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC			8,269,827				8,313,093
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED			11,953,896				8,313,093
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE		$	0.01			$	0.01

 

See accompanying notes to

consolidated financial statements

 

 

INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2016 and 2015

 

		Total Equity
		Shares of Beneficial Interest								Treasury Stock								Trust Shareholders’				Non- Controlling
		Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount				Equity				Interest				Amount
Balance, January 31, 2014			8,341,899				14,024,668				8,480,847				(11,973,459	)			2,051,209				851,203				2,902,412
Net Loss			-				(2,103,637	)			-				-				(2,103,637	)			(137,287	)			(2,240,924	)
Dividends			-				(82,665	)			-				-				(82,665	)			-				(82,665	)
Purchase of Treasury Stock			(99,897	)			-				99,897				(220,032	)			(220,032	)			-				(220,032	)
Shares of Beneficial Interest Issued for Services Rendered			23,100				36,666				-				-				36,666				-				36,666
Sales of Ownership Interests in Subsidiary, net			-				(143,300	)			-				-				(143,300	)			3,482,245				3,338,945
Distribution to Non-Controlling Interests			-				-				-				-				-				(769,175	)			(769,175	)
Reallocation of Non-Controlling Interests and Other			-				2,080,738				-				-				2,080,738				(2,080,738	)			-
Balance, January 31, 2015			8,265,102			$	13,812,470				8,580,744			$	(12,193,491	)		$	1,618,979			$	1,346,248			$	2,965,227
Net Income			-				432,116				-				-				432,116				(92,676	)			339,440
Dividends							(88,177	)											(88,177	)			-				(88,177	)
Purchase of Treasury Stock			(34,602	)			-				34,602				(92,424	)			(92,424	)			-				(92,424	)
Shares of Beneficial Interest Issued for Services Rendered			24,000				65,280				-				-				65,280				-				65,280
Sale of Stock			447,873				2,999,999				-				-				2,999,999				-				2,999,999
Stock Issued for Purchase of IVH Assets			89,127				200,000				-				-				200,000				-				200,000
Sales of Ownership Interests in Subsidiary, net			-				-				-				-				-				1,825,580				1,825,580
Distribution to Non-Controlling Interests			-				-				-				-				-				(1,244,196	)			(1,244,196	)
Reallocation of Non-Controlling Interests and Other			-				1,348,161				-				-				1,348,161				(1,348,161	)			-
Balance, January 31, 2016			8,791,500			$	18,769,849				8,615,346			$	(12,285,915	)		$	6,483,934			$	486,795			$	6,970,729

 

See accompanying notes to

consolidated financial statements

 

 

INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

		YEARS ENDED
		JANUARY 31,
		2016				2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Consolidated Net Income (Loss)		$	339,440			$	(2,240,924	)
Adjustments to Reconcile Consolidated Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities:
Stock-Based Compensation			65,280				36,666
(Recovery of) Provision For Uncollectible Receivables			(5,075	)			15,452
Hotel Property Depreciation			1,178,074				1,782,421
Amortization of Debt Discounts and Deferred Financing Fees			71,486				171,377
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations			(2,351,817	)			-
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Accounts Receivable			214,460				156,764
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets			24,674				252,965
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses			(140,382	)			425,202
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES			(603,860	)			599,923
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Improvements and Additions to Hotel Properties			(2,125,736	)			(1,414,896	)
Cash Received From Sale of Hotel Property			4,550,567				-
Purchase of IVH Assets			(800,000	)			-
Change in Restricted Cash			-				114,337
Lendings on Advances to Affiliates - Related Party			(1,077,184	)			(736,184	)
Collections on Advances to Affiliates - Related Party			106,236				734,948
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES			653,883				(1,301,795	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal Payments on Mortgage Notes Payable			(624,543	)			(2,153,629	)
Payments on Notes Payable to Banks			(2,348,964	)			(4,402,112	)
Borrowings on Notes Payable to Banks			1,991,153				4,553,900
Payments on Line of Credit - Related Party			(1,978,321	)			(4,244,051	)
Borrowings on Line of Credit - Related Party			1,730,270				4,454,371
Payments on Notes Payable - Related Party			(1,726,664	)			-
Borrowings on Notes Payable - Related Party			1,427,244				-
Payments on Other Notes Payable			(470,980	)			(88,897	)
Borrowings on Other Notes Payable			-				427,000
Payments of Dividends			(88,177	)			(82,665	)
Proceeds from Sale of Non-Controlling Ownership Interest in Subsidiary			1,825,580				3,338,945
Sale of Stock			2,999,999				-
Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest Holders			(1,244,196	)			(769,175	)
Repurchase of Treasury Stock			(92,424	)			(220,032	)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES			1,399,977				813,655
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			1,450,001				111,783
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR			507,686				395,903
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR (i)		$	1,957,687			$	507,686

 

(i) Including $162,021 and $360,002 of cash included as discontinued operations as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively

 

See accompanying notes to

consolidated financial statements

 

 

INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2016 AND 2015

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

As of January 31, 2016, InnSuites Hospitality Trust (the “Trust”, “we” or “our”) owns interests directly in and through a partnership interest, four hotels with an aggregate of 576 suites in Arizona, southern California and New Mexico (the “Hotels”). The Hotels operate under the trade name “InnSuites Hotels.”

 

Full service hotels often contain upscale full-service facilities with a large volume of full service accommodations, on-site full service restaurant(s), and a variety of on-site amenities such as swimming pools, a health club, children’s activities, ballrooms and on-site conference facilities. Moderate or limited service hotels are small to medium-sized hotel establishments that offer a limited amount of on-site amenities. Most moderate or limited service establishments may still offer full service accommodations but lack leisure amenities such as an on-site restaurant or a swimming pool. We consider our Tucson, Arizona hotel and our hotel located in Albuquerque, New Mexico to be moderate or limited service establishments. All of our other properties are full service hotels.

 

The Trust is the sole general partner of RRF Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and owned a 72.11% interest in the Partnership as of January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Trust’s weighted average ownership for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 was 72.11%, respectively. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership owned a 51.01% interest in an InnSuites® hotel located in Tucson, Arizona, and a 51.65% interest in an InnSuites® hotel located in Ontario, California. The Trust owns a direct 50.93% interest in a Yuma, Arizona hotel property, and a direct 50.91% interest in an InnSuites® hotel located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

Under certain management agreements, InnSuites Hotels Inc., our subsidiary, manages the Hotels’ daily operations. The Trust also provides the use of the “InnSuites” trademark to the Hotels through wholly-owned InnSuites Hotels. All such expenses and reimbursements between the Trust, InnSuites Hotels and the Partnership have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

InnDependent Boutique Collection (IBC Hotels) or IBC Developments, a wholly owned subsidiary of InnSuites Hospitality Trust, has a network of approximately 6,300 unrelated hotel properties and provides revenue generating services and cost savings solutions to independent boutique hotels. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 IBC Hotels formed a marketing alliance with the Independent Lodging Industry Association (ILIA).

 

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

 

The Partnership Agreement of the Partnership provides for the issuance of two classes of Limited Partnership units, Class A and Class B. Class A and Class B Partnership units are identical in all respects, except that each Class A Partnership unit is convertible into one newly-issued Share of Beneficial Interest of the Trust at any time at the option of the particular limited partner. The Class B Partnership units may only become convertible, each into one newly-issued Share of Beneficial Interest of the Trust, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion. On January 31, 2016 and 2015, 276,131 Class A Partnership units were issued and outstanding, representing 2.09% of the total Partnership units, respectively. Additionally, as of both January 31, 2016 and 2015, 3,407,938 Class B Partnership units were outstanding to James Wirth, the Trust’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Wirth’s affiliates. If all of the Class A and B Partnership units were converted on January 31, 2016, the limited partners in the Partnership would receive 3,684,069 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Trust owns 9,527,448 general partner units in the Partnership, representing 72.11% of the total Partnership units, respectively.

 

LIQUIDITY

 

Our principal source of cash to meet our cash requirements, including distributions to our shareholders, is our share of the Partnership’s cash flow, quarterly distributions from the Albuquerque, New Mexico and Yuma, Arizona properties and more recently, sales of non-controlling interests in certain of our Hotels. The Partnership’s principal source of cash flow is quarterly distributions from the Tucson, Arizona and Ontario, California properties. Our liquidity, including our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, will depend upon our ability and the Partnership’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow from hotel operations and to service our debt.

 

As of January 31, 2016, the Trust had a related party Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note with an amount receivable of $5,761 due to overpayments. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note accrued interest at 7.0% per annum and requires interest only payments. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note has a maximum borrowing capacity to $1,000,000, which is available to December 31, 2017. As of April 25, 2016, the outstanding net balance receivable on the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note was $195,761.

 

With approximately $2.0 million of cash, including approximately $200,000 from discontinued operations, as of January 31, 2016 and the availability of a $1,000,000 related party Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note, we believe that we will have enough cash on hand to meet all of our financial obligations as they become due for at least the next year. In addition, our management is analyzing other strategic options available to us, including the refinancing of another property or raising additional funds through additional non-controlling interest sales; however, such transactions may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. We also expect to complete the sale of our four hotel properties by July 31, 2016.

 

 

There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining extensions, refinancing debt or raising additional or replacement funds, or that these funds may be available on terms that are favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional or replacement funds, we may be required to sell certain of our assets to meet our liquidity needs, which may not be on terms that are favorable.

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

As sole general partner of the Partnership, the Trust exercises unilateral control over the Partnership, and the Trust owns all of the issued and outstanding classes of shares of InnSuites Hotels Inc. Therefore, the financial statements of the Partnership and InnSuites Hotels Inc. are consolidated with the Trust, and all significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

SEASONALITY OF THE HOTEL BUSINESS

 

The Hotels’ operations historically have been somewhat seasonal. The two southern Arizona hotels experience their highest occupancy in the first fiscal quarter and, to a lesser extent, the fourth fiscal quarter. The second fiscal quarter tends to be the lowest occupancy period at those two southern Arizona hotels. This seasonality pattern can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Trust’s quarterly revenues. The two hotels located in California and New Mexico historically experience their most profitable periods during the second and third fiscal quarters (the summer season), providing some balance to the general seasonality of the Trust’s hotel business.

 

The seasonal nature of the Trust’s business increases its vulnerability to risks such as labor force shortages and cash flow issues. Further, if an adverse event such as an actual or threatened terrorist attack, international conflict, data breach, regional economic downturn or poor weather conditions should occur during the first or fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse impact to the Trust’s revenues could likely be greater as a result of its southern Arizona seasonal business.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

 

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” and ASC Topic 360, “Property Plant and Equipment”. Under ASU 2014-08, only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. In addition, ASU 2014-08 expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation and requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2014. In 2014, the Trust adopted ASU 2014-08. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”). Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), continuation of a reporting entity as a going concern is presumed as the basis for preparing financial statements unless and until the entity’s liquidation becomes imminent. Preparation of financial statements under this presumption is commonly referred to as the going concern basis of accounting. If and when an entity’s liquidation becomes imminent, financial statements should be prepared under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting. Even if an entity’s liquidation is not imminent, there may be conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. In those situations, financial statements should continue to be prepared under the going concern basis of accounting, but the amendments in ASU 2014-15 require additional disclosure of information about the relevant conditions and events. The amendments in ASU 2014-15 are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The Trust is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements, however does not expect there to be a material impact at this time.

 

In June 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” (“ASU 2014-12”). The amendments in ASU 2014-12 require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the amendments in ASU 2014-12 either: (i) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date; or (ii) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Trust is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements, however does not expect there to be a material impact at this time.

 

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, ASU 2014-09 provides for the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 605, “Revenue Recognition,” most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Accounting Standards Codification, and some cost guidance related to construction-type and production-type contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued an update that defers the effective date of the revenue recognition guidance by one year. It will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2017. Early adoption is permitted but only for interim and annual period beginning after December 31, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. The Trust is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”. This will improve certain areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether to consolidate certain legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures. ASU 2015-02 simplified and improved GAAP by: eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, eliminating the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, thereby reducing the number of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) consolidation models from four to two (including the limited partnership consolidation model), and clarifying when fees paid to a decision maker should be a factor to include in the consolidation of VIEs. ASU 2015-02 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Trust is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. The ASU changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the ASU, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. The ASU specifies that “issue costs shall be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the note” and that “amortization of debt issue costs shall also be reported as interest expense.” According to the ASU’s Basis for Conclusions, debt issuance costs incurred before the associated funding is received (i.e., the debt liability) should be reported on the balance sheet as deferred charges until that debt liability amount is recorded. For public business entities, the guidance in the ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. For entities other than public business entities, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is allowed for all entities for financial statements that have not been previously issued. Entities would apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods (i.e., the balance sheet for each period is adjusted). The Trust is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

USE OF ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Trust’s operations are affected by numerous factors, including the economy, competition in the hotel industry and the effect of the economy on the travel and hospitality industries. The Trust cannot predict if any of the above items will have a significant impact in the future, nor can it predict what impact, if any, the occurrence of these or other events might have on the Trust’s operations and cash flows. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include, but are not limited to, the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets and estimates of future cash flows used to test a long-lived asset for recoverability and the fair values of the long-lived assets.

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND HOTEL PROPERTIES

 

Furniture, fixtures, building improvements and hotel properties are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for furniture and equipment.

 

Management applies guidance ASC 360-10-35, to determine when it is required to test an asset for recoverability of its carrying value and whether an impairment exists. Under ASC 360-10-35, the Trust is required to test a long-lived asset for impairment when there is an indicator of impairment. Impairment indicators may include, but are not limited to, a drop in the performance of a long-lived asset, a decline in the hospitality industry or a decline in the economy. If an indicator of potential impairment is present, then an assessment is performed of whether the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows over its estimated remaining life.

 

If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows over the asset’s estimated remaining life are greater than the asset’s carrying value, no impairment is recognized; however, if the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then the Trust would recognize an impairment expense to the extent the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, if any. The estimated future cash flows are based upon, among other things, assumptions about expected future operating performance, and may differ from actual cash flows. Long-lived assets evaluated for impairment are analyzed on a property-specific basis independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. Evaluation of future cash flows is based on historical experience and other factors, including certain economic conditions and committed future bookings. Management has determined that no impairment of long-lived assets existed during the Trust’s fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives, which range from 7 to 10 years. The useful life of the intangible asset is evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life.

 

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

We account for business combinations by recognizing the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contractual contingencies, and contingent consideration at their fair values on the acquisition date. The final purchase price may be adjusted up to one year from the date of the acquisition. Identifying the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities requires the use of estimated by management and was based upon currently available data.

 

The Trust allocated the excess of purchase price over the identifiable intangible and net tangible assets to goodwill. Such goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and represents the value placed on entering new markets and expanding market share (see Note 27).

 

Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results. Additionally, any change in the fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration subsequent to the acquisition date, included changes from events after the acquisition date, such as changes in our estimate of relevant revenue or other targets, will be recognized in earnings in the period of the estimated fair value change. A change in fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration or the occurrence of events that cause results to differ from our estimates or assumptions could have a material effect on the consolidated statements of operations, financial position and cash flows in the period of the change in the estimate.

 

GOODWILL

 

The Trust tests it goodwill for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred, by comparing its reporting unit’s carrying value to its implied fair value. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in the performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances. If the Trust determines that an impairment has occurred, it is required to record a write-down of the carrying value and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period the determination is made. In evaluating the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill, the Trust must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the acquired assets. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact those judgements in the future and require an adjustment to the recorded balances. The goodwill was recorded as part of the acquisition of International Vacation Hotels that occurred on January 8, 2016 (see Note 27).

 

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS

 

Deferred financing costs represent costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the convertible debentures during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015. Deferred financing costs related to the issuance of the convertible debentures are being amortized over the term of the financing instrument using the effective interest method and are recorded in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

The Trust considers all highly liquid short-term investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Trust believes it places its cash and cash equivalents only with high credit quality financial institutions, although these balances may periodically exceed federally insured limits.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” summarizes the SEC’s views in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. SAB No. 104 establishes the SEC’s view that it is not appropriate to recognize revenue until all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Further, SAB No. 104 requires that both title and the risks and rewards of ownership be transferred to the buyer before revenue can be recognized. We believe that our revenue recognition policies as described below are in compliance with SAB No. 104.

 

Revenues are primarily derived from the following sources and are recognized as services are rendered and when collectability is reasonably assured. Amounts received in advance of revenue recognition are considered deferred liabilities.

 

Revenues primarily consist of room rentals, food and beverage sales, management and trademark fees and other miscellaneous revenues from our properties. Revenues are recorded when rooms are occupied and when food and beverage sales are delivered. Management and trademark fees from hotels include a monthly accounting fee and a percentage of hotel room revenues for managing the daily operations of the Hotels and the two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth. IBC Development revenues are recognized after services are rendered by the IBC member hotel.

 

We are required to collect certain taxes and fees from customers on behalf of government agencies and remit these back to the applicable governmental agencies on a periodic basis. We have a legal obligation to act as a collection agent. We do not retain these taxes and fees and, therefore, they are not included in revenues. We record a liability when the amounts are collected and relieve the liability when payments are made to the applicable taxing authority or other appropriate governmental agency.

 

Based on our policy, we recognize revenue when we believe that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and the collectability of our revenues are reasonably assured.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

 

Accounts receivable are carried at original amounts billed less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a review of outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis. Management generally records an allowance for doubtful accounts for 50% of balances over 90 days and 100% of balances over 120 days. Accounts receivable are written off when collection efforts have been exhausted and they are deemed uncollectible. Recoveries, if any, of receivables previously written off are recorded when received. The Trust does not charge interest on accounts receivable balances and these receivables are unsecured.

 

Fiscal Year			Balance at the Beginning of Year (i)				Charged to Expense				Deductions				Balance at the End of Year (i)
2015			$	23,593			$	112,332			$	(96,880	)		$	39,045
2016			$	39,045			$	83,786			$	(88,861	)		$	33,970

 

(i) Amounts do not agree to the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to the “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” lines.

 

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We have an employee equity incentive plan, which is described more fully in Note 22 - “Share-Based Payments.” For fiscal year 2016 and 2015, the Trust has paid the annual fees due to its Trustees by issuing Shares of Beneficial Interest out of its authorized but unissued Shares of Beneficial Interest. Upon issuance, the Trust recognizes the shares as outstanding. The Trust recognizes expense related to the issuance based on the fair value of the shares upon the date of the restricted share grant and amortizes the expense equally over the period during which the shares vest to the Trustees.

 

During fiscal year 2016, the Trust granted restricted stock awards of 24,000 Shares to members of the Board of Trustees, all of which vested in fiscal year 2016 resulting in stock-based compensation of $65,280. During fiscal year 2015, the Trust granted restricted stock awards of 23,100 Shares to members of the Board of Trustees, all of which vested in fiscal year 2015 resulting in stock-based compensation of $36,666.

 

 

The following table summarizes restricted share activity during fiscal years 2016 and 2015.

 

			Restricted Shares
			Shares				Weighted-Average Per Share Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at January 31, 2014				-				-
Granted				23,100			$	1.59
Vested				(23,100	)		$	1.59
Forfeited				-				-
Balance of unvested awards at January 31, 2015				-				-
Granted				24,000			$	2.72
Vested				(24,000	)		$	2.72
Forfeited				-				-
Balance of unvested awards at January 31, 2016				-				-

 

TREASURY STOCK

 

Treasury stock is carried at cost, including any brokerage commissions paid to repurchase the shares. Any shares issued from treasury stock are removed at cost, with the difference between cost and fair value at the time of issuance recorded against Shares of Beneficial Interest.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The Trust is subject to federal and state corporate income taxes, and accounts for deferred taxes utilizing an asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is determined to be more likely than not that some portion, or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

In fiscal years 2016 and 2015, the Trust paid dividends of $0.01 per share in the fourth quarter of each year, or total dividends of $88,177 and $82,665, respectively. The Trust’s ability to pay dividends is largely dependent upon the operations of the Hotels.

 

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

 

Non-controlling interest in the Trust represents the limited partners’ proportionate share of the capital and earnings of the Partnership. Income or loss is allocated to the non-controlling interest based on a weighted average ownership percentage in the entities throughout the period, and capital is allocated based on the ownership percentage at year-end. Any difference between the weighted average and point-in-time allocations is presented as a reallocation of non-controlling interest as a component of shareholders’ equity.

 

INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

Basic and diluted income (loss) per Share of Beneficial Interest is computed based on the weighted-average number of Shares of Beneficial Interest and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Dilutive securities are limited to the Class A and Class B units of the Partnership, which are convertible into 3,684,069 Shares of the Beneficial Interest, as discussed in Note 1.

 

For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, there were Class A and Class B Partnership units outstanding, which are convertible into Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. Assuming conversion at the beginning of each period, the aggregate weighted-average of these Shares of Beneficial Interest would have been 3,684,069 in addition to the basic shares outstanding for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. These Shares of Beneficial Interest issuable upon conversion of the Class A and Class B Partnership units were dilutive during fiscal year 2016, and are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for that year below. All such shares were anti-dilutive for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

 

 

		For the Year Ended
		January 31,
		2016
Net Income attributable to controlling interest		$	432,116
Plus: Net Loss attributable to non-controlling interests			(92,676	)
Net Income attributable to controlling interest after unit conversion		$	339,440
Weighted average common shares outstanding			8,269,827
Plus: Weighted average incremental shares resulting from unit conversion			3,684,069
Weighted average common shares outstanding after unit conversion			11,953,896
Diluted Income Per Share		$	0.03

  

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

 

On August 1, 2015, the Trust finalized and committed to a plan to sell all of its hotel properties. Except for the Yuma hotel property, which the Company expects to list for sale by January 31, 2017, the Trust listed each of the properties with a local real estate hotel broker and Management believes that the assets are being marketed at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value. The Trust believes that the plan to sell these assets will not likely be withdrawn and the sales are probable by July 31, 2016. On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St. Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party.

 

Except for the Yuma hotel property, the Trust has recognized the sale of the Tucson St. Mary’s hotel and the reclassification of three of its hotels into discontinued operations and assets held for sale in accordance with No. 205-20, Discontinued Operations. As such, the historical results of these hotels have been adjusted for comparability purposes and exclude any corporate general and administrative expenses.

 

Discontinued operations in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015 primarily consists of each hotels’ operational revenues and expenses, except our Yuma hotel property, and does not include the sale proceeds and profit from the sale of our Tucson St. Mary’s hotel.

 

SEGMENT REPORTING

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Trust determined that its operations are comprised of two reportable segments, a Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment that has ownership interest in four hotel properties with an aggregate of 576 suites in Arizona, southern California and New Mexico, and the IBC Developments segment serving 6,500 unrelated hotel properties. The Trust has a concentration of assets in the southwest United States, and the southern Arizona market. Consistent with the change in reportable segments, the Trust revised its prior period financial information for the new segment structure. Historical financial information presented in this Form 10-K reflects this change. On an overall basis, the Trust has elected to only put the costs directly attributable to the IBC Developments in that segment. Included in these costs are sales, marketing and technology development costs.

 

IBC Hotels was formed during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. Operating results became significant during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015. IBC Hotels charges a 10% booking fee which, we believe, increases the independent hotel profits. Competitors of IBC Hotels can charge anywhere from a 30% to 50% booking fee. InnDependent InnCentives, IBC’s loyalty program, allows hoteliers to benefit from guests who frequently stay at IBC independent hotels. We are planning significant expansion of IBC Hotels during the next couple of fiscal years as we concentrate our sales and marketing efforts towards consumers, but can provide no assurance that we will be successful.

 

The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), the Trust’s CEO, Mr. Wirth, does not see any value in allocating costs for items not directly attributable to the IBC Developments segment for several reasons. The first is that the Trust’s base business is the Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment, and the majority of the expenses of the Trust would continue even if the Trust was not in the reservation business. If the Trust were to allocate general expenses to the reservation business based on some allocation method (e.g., on sales), it would not improve the value of segment reporting, but it would only serve to make the results of the Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment look better and give investors a false sense of the profitability of the Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment without the IBC Developments segment. The CODM wants to understand the true investment in the reservation business and that result is delivered by allocating only costs directly associated with the IBC Developments segment. By retaining the remainder of costs not associated with the IBC Developments segment in the Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment, the Trust is able to compare the Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment to historical figures where the bulk of the business was only that segment of operations to gauge relative efficiency of the Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead segment as compared to historical norms.

 

 

The Trust has chosen to focus its hotel investments in the southwest region of the United States. The CODM does not review assets by geographical region; therefore, no income statement or balance sheet information by geographical region is provided.

 

ADVERTISING COSTS

 

Amounts incurred for advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense totaled approximately $600,000 and $558,000 for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

For disclosure purposes, fair value is determined by using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The fair value framework specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques, which is based on whether the inputs into the valuation technique are observable or unobservable. The fair value hierarchy levels are as follows:

 

	●	Level 1 – Valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are unadjusted quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are identical to the assets or liabilities being measured.
	●	Level 2 – Valuation techniques in which significant inputs include quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are similar to the assets or liabilities being measured and / or quoted prices for assets or liabilities that are identical or similar to the assets or liabilities being measured from markets that are not active. Also, model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets are level 2 valuation techniques.
	●	Level 3 – Valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are valuation technique inputs that reflect a company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

The Trust has no assets or liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis and had no fair value re-measurements during the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

Due to their short maturities, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value. The fair value of mortgage notes payable, notes payable to banks and notes and advances payable to related parties is estimated by using the current rates which would be available for similar loans having the same remaining maturities and are based on level 3 inputs. See Note 19 – “Fair Value of Financial Instruments.”

 

3. SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN ALBUQUERQUE SUBSIDIARY

 

On July 22, 2010, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved, with Mr. Wirth abstaining, for the Partnership to enter into an agreement with Rare Earth Financial, LLC (“Rare Earth”), an affiliate of Mr. Wirth, to sell units in Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC (the “Albuquerque entity”), which owns and operates the Albuquerque, New Mexico hotel property. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase at least 49% of the membership interests in the Albuquerque entity and the parties agreed to restructure the operating agreement of the Albuquerque entity. A total of 400 units were available for sale for $10,000 per unit, with a two-unit minimum subscription. On September 24, 2010, the parties revised the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement to name Rare Earth as the administrative member of the Albuquerque entity in charge of the day-to-day management.

 

On December 9, 2013, the Trust entered into an updated restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of additional interest units in the Albuquerque entity for $10,000 per unit. Under the updated restructuring agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 150 (and potentially up to 190 if the overallotment is exercised) units. Under the terms of the updated restructuring agreement, the Trust agreed to hold at least 50.1% of the outstanding units in the Albuquerque entity, on a post-transaction basis, and intends to maintain this minimum ownership percentage through the purchase of units under this offering. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on December 9, 2013. The units in the Albuquerque entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through December 31, 2015. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Trust and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Albuquerque entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year were cumulative until December 31, 2015; however, after December 31, 2015 Class A unit holders continue to hold a preference on distributions over Class B and Class C unit holders.

 

 

If certain triggering events related to the Albuquerque entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Albuquerque entity following the December 31, 2013 restructuring. The Albuquerque entity plans to use its best efforts to pay the discretionary priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative discretionary priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Albuquerque, New Mexico property.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 2 Class A units of the Albuquerque entity sold, of which all were entirely purchased from Rare Earth at $10,000 per unit. As of January 31, 2016, the Trust held a 50.91% ownership interest, or 279 Class B units, in the Albuquerque entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 0.18% interest, or 1 Class C unit, and other parties held a 48.91% interest, or 268 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Albuquerque entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $188,000, to the Trust of approximately $195,000, and to Mr. Wirth and his affiliates of approximately $1,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar year 2016.

 

4. SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN TUCSON HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES SUBSIDIARY

 

On February 17, 2011, the Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units in Tucson Hospitality Properties, LP (the “Tucson entity”), which operates the Tucson Oracle hotel property, then wholly-owned by the Partnership. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 250 units, which represents approximately 41% of the outstanding limited partnership units in the Tucson entity, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited partnership agreement of the Tucson entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on January 31, 2011.

 

On October 1, 2013, the Partnership entered into an updated restructured limited partnership agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of additional interest units in the Tucson entity for $10,000 per unit. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 160 (and potentially up to 200 if the overallotment is exercised) units. Under the terms of the updated restructuring agreement, the Partnership agreed to hold at least 50.1% of the outstanding limited partnership units in the Tucson entity, on a post-transaction basis, and intends to maintain this minimum ownership percentage through the purchase of units under this offering. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on September 14, 2013. The limited partnership interests in the Tucson entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through June 30, 2016. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Partnership and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Tucson entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until June 30, 2016; however, after June 30, 2016 Class A unit holders continue to hold a preference on distributions over Class B and Class C unit holders.

 

If certain triggering events related to the Tucson entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth also received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Tucson entity following the October 1, 2013 restructuring. The Tucson entity plans to use its best efforts to pay the discretionary priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative discretionary priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Tucson, Arizona property.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 5 Class A units of the Tucson entity sold, of which all were entirely purchased from Rare Earth at $10,000 per unit. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership held a 51.01% ownership interest, or 404 Class B units, in the Tucson entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 0.76% interest, or 6 Class C units, and other parties held a 48.23% interest, or 382 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Tucson entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $267,000, to the Partnership of approximately $283,000 and to Rare Earth of approximately $4,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar year 2016.

 

 

5. SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN ONTARIO HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES SUBSIDIARY

 

On February 29, 2012, the Trust and Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units in Ontario Hospitality Properties, LP (the “Ontario entity”) for $10,000 per unit, which operates the Ontario hotel property, then wholly-owned by the Partnership. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 250 units, which represents approximately 49% of the outstanding partnership units in the Ontario entity, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited partnership agreement of the Ontario entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on February 1, 2012. Under the restructured limited partnership agreement, Rare Earth became a general partner of the Ontario entity along with the Trust and Partnership.

 

On March 1, 2014, the Trust and Partnership entered into an updated restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of additional interest units in the Ontario entity for $10,000 per unit. Under the updated restructuring agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 235 (and potentially up to 275 if the overallotment is exercised) units. Under the terms of the updated restructuring agreement, the Partnership agreed to hold at least 50.1% of the outstanding limited partnership units in the Ontario entity, on a post-transaction basis, and intends to maintain this minimum ownership percentage through the purchase of units under this offering. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on March 24, 2014. The limited partnership interests in the Ontario entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through March 31, 2017. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Trust and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Albuquerque entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until December 31, 2015; however, after March 31, 2017 Class A unit holders continue to hold a preference on distributions over Class B and Class C unit holders.

 

If certain triggering events related to the Ontario entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth also received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Ontario entity following the March 1, 2014 restructuring. The Trust has paid out $128,000 of the restructuring fee at January 31, 2015 and included the cost in the Sales of Ownership Interest in Subsidiary, net line of the accompany Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. The Ontario entity is required to use its best efforts to pay the priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Ontario, California property.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 6.25 Class A units of the Ontario entity sold, of which 5 were purchased from Rare Earth at $10,000 per unit. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership held a 51.65% ownership interest, or 498 Class B units, in the Ontario entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 3.11% interest through Rare Earth, or 30 Class C units, and other parties held a 45.24% interest, or 436.25 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Ontario entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $305,000, to the Partnership of approximately $349,000 and to Rare Earth of approximately $21,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar years 2016 and 2017.

 

6. SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN YUMA HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES SUBSIDIARY

 

On October 24, 2014, the Trust and Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units in Yuma Hospitality Properties, Limited Partnership (the “Yuma entity”) for $10,000 per unit, which operates the Yuma hotel property, then wholly-owned by the Trust. Prior to the agreement there were 750 units outstanding and as a result of the agreement, an additional 50 units will be created for sale. Under the agreement, Rare Earth agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 398 units, which represents approximately 49% of the outstanding partnership units in the Yuma entity, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited partnership agreement of the Yuma entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on October 24, 2014. Under the restructured limited partnership agreement, Rare Earth became a general partner of the Yuma entity along with the Trust and Partnership.

 

The limited partnership interests in the Yuma entity are allocated to three classes with differing cumulative discretionary priority distribution rights through January 31, 2020. Class A units are owned by unrelated third parties and have first priority for distributions. Class B units are owned by the Trust and have second priority for distributions. Class C units are owned by Rare Earth or other affiliates of Mr. Wirth and have the lowest priority for distributions from the Yuma entity. Priority distributions of $700 per unit per year are cumulative until January 31, 2020. After January 31, 2020, all Partnership Interests will share equally in all distributions.

 

 

If certain triggering events related to the Yuma entity occur prior to the payment of all accumulated distributions to its members, such accumulated distributions will be paid out of any proceeds of the event before general distribution of the proceeds to the members. In the event that funds generated from a triggering event are insufficient to pay the total amount of all such accumulated distributions owed to the members, all Class A members will participate pro rata in the funds available for distribution to them until paid in full, then Class B, and then Class C. After all investors have received their initial capital plus a 7% per annum simple return, any additional profits will be allocated 50% to Rare Earth, with the remaining 50% allocated proportionately to all unit classes. Rare Earth will receive a restructuring fee of $350,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 150 units in the Yuma entity following the October 24, 2014 restructuring. The Trust has paid out $350,000 of the restructuring fee at January 31, 2016 and included the cost in the Sales of Ownership Interest in Subsidiary, net line of the accompany Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. The Yuma entity is required to use its best efforts to pay the priority distributions. The Trust does not guarantee and is not otherwise obligated to pay the cumulative priority distributions. InnSuites Hotels will continue to provide management, licensing and reservation services to the Yuma, Arizona property.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 174.40 Class A units and 7.10 Class C units of the Yuma entity sold at $10,000 per unit, of which all were sold from the Trust. As of January 31, 2016, the Trust held a 59.73% ownership interest, or 407.40 Class B units, in the Yuma entity, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held a 1.01% interest, or 8.1 Class C units, and other parties held a 48.06% interest, or 384.50 Class A units. As of January 31, 2016, the Yuma entity has discretionary Priority Return payments to unrelated unit holders of approximately $269,000, to the Trust of approximately $285,000 and to Rare Earth of approximately $6,000 per year payable quarterly for calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

 

7. SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN TUCSON SAINT MARY’S SUITE HOSPITALITY

 

On April 24, 2015, the Trust and the Partnership entered into a restructuring agreement with Rare Earth to allow for the sale of non-controlling interest units for $10,000 per unit in the Tucson St. Mary’s entity for $10,000 per unit, which operated one of the Tucson, Arizona hotel properties, then wholly-owned by the Partnership. Under the agreement, the Partnership agreed to either purchase or bring in other investors to purchase up to 350 units, which represents approximately 50.07% of the outstanding partnership units, on a post-transaction basis, and the parties agreed to restructure the limited liability agreement of the Tucson St. Mary’s entity. The Board of Trustees approved this restructuring on April 24, 2015. Under the restructured limited liability agreement, the Partnership was confirmed as the Administrative Member of the Tucson St. Mary’s entity but Rare Earth could be elected in the future as Administrative Member without consent of the Partnership. All membership interests are entitled to receive priority distributions annually of $700 per $10,000 interest from May 15, 2015 through April 20, 2020. Priority distributions will be paid first to Class A interests, second to Class B interests, third to Class C interests and are cumulative. After April 30, 2020, all membership interests will be entitled to annual distributions of $700 per $10,000 interest, which will be cumulative. Subject to shareholder approval, the holders of Class A units may convert all of part of their investment at any time up to January 31, 2018 into 2,857 Shares of Beneficial Interest for each $10,000 interest subject to shareholder approval and other required approvals (“conversion feature”). Thereafter each $10,000 interest is convertible into 2,500 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. On May 30, 2015, the restructuring agreement was amended to clarify the requirement that the shareholders must approve the conversion feature which is not perfunctory.

 

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, there were 64 Class A units sold and 100 Class C units sold of the Tucson St. Mary’s entity for total proceeds of $640,000 attributable to Class A units sold and $1,000,000 attributable to Class C units sold. On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St. Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party for approximately $9.7 million, which the Trust received approximately $4.6 million in cash. The Trust used $4.7 million of the proceeds to satisfy its mortgage note payable on the property, approximately $379,000 to reduce accruals and payables, and retained the remaining proceeds to fund future operations and capital improvements. The Trust recognized a gain on the sale of property in the amount of approximately $2.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2016. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership held a 100% ownership interest, or 88.5 Class B units, in the Tucson St. Mary’s entity.

 

8. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT AND HOTEL PROPERTIES

 

As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, hotel properties consisted of the following:

 

		2016				2015
Land		$	4,438,079			$	5,534,150
Building and improvements			24,781,738				35,050,637
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			5,317,036				5,695,356
Total hotel properties			34,536,853				46,280,143
Less accumulated depreciation			(15,226,820	)			(20,466,347	)
Hotel Properties in Service, net			19,310,033				25,813,796
Construction in progress			18,000				4,650
Hotel properties, net (1)		$	19,328,033			$	25,818,446

 

(1) Includes $14,298,785 of hotel properties included in discontinued operations, see Note 25.

 

 

As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

 

		2016				2015
Land		$	7,005			$	7,005
Building and improvements			75,662				75,662
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			561,657				388,565
Total property, plant and equipment			644,324				471,232
Less accumulated depreciation			(441,590	)			(395,140	)
Property, Plant and Equipment, net		$	202,734			$	76,092

 

9. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets are carried at historic cost and are expected to be consumed within one year. As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

		2016				2015
Prepaid Assets		$	45,838			$	51,788
Tax and Insurance Escrow			40,639				31,208
Deposits			14,805				25,295
Prepaid Insurance			8,130				19,953
Prepaid Workman’s Compensation			17,903				21,186
Miscellaneous Prepaid Expenses			10				2,569
Total Prepaid Expenses and Current Assets		$	127,325			$	151,999

 

10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

 

		2016				2015
Accounts Payable		$	1,022,511			$	1,019,064
Accrued Salaries and Wages			214,654				171,040
Accrued Vacation			8,515				24,718
Income Tax Payable			239,244				200,000
Accrued Interest Payable			52,852				52,852
Advanced Customer Deposits			128,422				133,452
Accrued Property Taxes			206,467				213,440
Accrued Land Lease			66,334				34,494
Accrued Other			262,793				641,308
Sales Tax Payable			-				156,472
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses		$	2,201,792			$	2,646,840

 

11. MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE

 

At January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Trust had mortgage notes payable outstanding with respect to each of the Hotels except the Albuquerque property. The mortgage notes payable have various repayment terms and have scheduled maturity dates ranging from August 2022 to November 2029. Weighted average annual interest rates on the mortgage notes payable for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 were 4.71% and 4.34%, respectively.

 

 

The following table summarizes the Trust’s mortgage notes payable as of January 31:

 

		2016				2015
Albuquerque property mortgage note payable paid in full at June 2, 2014.		$	-			$	-
Mortgage note payable, due in monthly installments of $36,835, including interest at Prime + 1.50% with a 4.75% floor per year (4.75% as of January 31, 2016), through August 22, 2024, plus a balloon payment of $3,585,591 in August 2024, secured by the Ontario property with a carrying value of $6.4 million at January 31, 2016.			5,408,942				5,580,410
Mortgage note payable, due in monthly installments of $26,312, including interest at 4.19% per year, through November 18, 2029, secured by the Tucson Oracle property with a carrying value of $6.6 million at January 31, 2016.			3,290,657				3,462,188
Tucson St. Mary’s paid in full at January 31, 2016			-				4,861,936
Mortgage note payable, due in monthly installments of $32,419, including interest at the prime rate plus one percentage point over the index, with a floor of 5.0% per year (5% per year as of January 31, 2015), through August 1, 2022 plus a balloon payment of $4,112,498 in September 2022, secured by the Yuma property with a carrying value of $4.9 million at January 31, 2016.			5,092,993				5,217,202
Totals:		$	13,792,592			$	19,121,736

 

The mortgage note payable secured by the Yuma hotel property is recourse to the Trust as a full guarantor. None of the other mortgage notes are recourse to the Partnership or the Trust.

 

On August 24, 2012, the Yuma entity entered into a $5,500,000 mortgage loan with 1^st Bank Yuma to refinance the then existing term debt. The mortgage loan calls for a 10 year maturity date and an interest rate of the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus one percentage point, with a floor of 5.0% per year. Prepayment fees exist for refinancing this debt with another lender until the maturity date. As of January 31, 2016, the mortgage loan balance was approximately $5,092,000, net of a discount of approximately $16,000.

 

On June 2, 2014, the Trust paid off the Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC property mortgage, which had an outstanding balance of $1,099,299 at such time.

 

On August 22, 2014, the Ontario entity, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $5,700,000 mortgage loan with Arizona Bank & Trust (the “AZB&T Agreement”) to refinance the then existing term debt. The AZB&T Agreement calls for a 10 year maturity date and an interest rate of 4.75% per annum fixed for the first five years and then variable at Wall Street Journal Prime + 1.50% with a 4.75% floor for the remaining 5 years of the term. Prepayment fees exist for refinancing this debt with another lender in the first three years. As of January 31, 2016, the mortgage loan balance was approximately $5,409,000, net of a discount of approximately $43,000.

 

On November 24, 2014, the Tucson Oracle entity entered into a $3,500,000 mortgage loan with Kansas State Bank of Manhattan to acquire the land associated with this property, re-finance the existing Tucson hotel loan first deed of trust and pay off other existing debt. This new loan lowered the interest rate for this property’s mortgage from 8.0% to 4.19% per annum. The $3,500,000 commercial real estate loan has a 15 year term with a 4.19% per annum fixed interest rate for five years, and adjusts annually based upon the Weekly Average Yield of the US Treasury Securities, with a 4.19% floor. The loan closed simultaneous to the land purchase. Rare Earth, the Partnership, the Trust, the Wirth Family Trust dated July 14, 2006 and James and Gail Wirth are joint guarantors. As of January 31, 2016, the mortgage loan balance was approximately $3,291,000, net of a discount of approximately $8,000.

 

See Note 15 – “Minimum Debt Payments” for scheduled minimum payments on the mortgage notes payable.

 

12. NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS

 

On May 21, 2014, Tucson Hospitality Properties LLP, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $447,100 business loan, including $25,307 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Tucson Oracle Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of May 21, 2015. The Tucson Oracle Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 15% of the Tucson Oracle American Express, VISA and MasterCard merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On July 24, 2014, Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $451,560 business loan, including $25,560 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “St. Mary’s Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of July 24, 2015. The St. Mary’s Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 17% of the St. Mary’s American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

 

On August 19, 2014, Ontario Hospitality Properties, LP (“Ontario entity”), a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $477,000 business loan, including $27,000 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Ontario Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of September 19, 2015. The Ontario Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 27% of the Ontario American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan has been paid in full.

 

On September 16, 2014, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $415,520 business loan, including $23,250 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Yuma Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of September 16, 2015. The Yuma Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 22% of the Yuma American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On October 24, 2014, Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $318,000 business loan, including $18,000 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Albuquerque Merchant Agreement”) with an maturity date of October 24, 2015. This loan was paid off in full on November 20, 2015. The Albuquerque Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 14% of the Albuquerque American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On July 7, 2015, the Trust’s revolving bank line of credit agreement, with a credit limit of $600,000, was changed to a four year non-revolving note payable. The non-revolving note payable has a variable interest rate of Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus a margin of 1% with a floor rate of 5.5%, maturing on July 3, 2019 and monthly payments of $13,978.08. The line is secured by a junior security interest in the Yuma, Arizona property and the Trust’s trade receivables. As of January 31, 2016, the non-revolving note payable balance was approximately $532,000.

 

On January 8, 2016, in connection with the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of International Vacation Hotels (“IVH”), the Trust entered into a $400,000 business loan with Laurence Holdings Limited, an Ontario, Canada Corporation with a maturity date of February 1, 2019 pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement and Promissory Note (“Agreement”). The Agreement requires the funds be used for the purchase of IVH assets. The agreement provides interest only payments for the first 3 months of the term and principal and interest payments for the remaining portion of the loan. The Agreement sets an interest rate of 8% per annum with no prepayment penalty. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance was $400,000.

 

13. LINES OF CREDIT – RELATED PARTY

 

On January 1, 2012, Tucson Hospitality Properties LLP, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $1,000,000 Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable with Rare Earth, depending on whether amounts are due to or due from Rare Earth. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable bore interest at 7.0% per annum, was interest only quarterly and was amended on July 1, 2014 to extend the maturity date to March 31, 2015, and increased the maximum borrowing capacity from $1,000,000 to $1,400,000. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable was further amended on October 27, 2014 to increase the maximum borrowing capacity from $1,400,000 to $2,000,000. As of January 31, 2016, the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable has been paid in full and was closed. No prepayment penalty existed on the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable.

 

On December 1, 2014, the Trust entered into a $1,000,000 net maximum Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note with Rare Earth. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note bears interest at 7.0% per annum, is interest only quarterly and matures on December 31, 2017. No prepayment penalty exists on the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note. The balance fluctuates significantly through the period with the highest payable balance being $714,270 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note has a net maximum borrowing capacity of $1,000,000. Related party interest expense or revenue for the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 was $7,618 of expense and $5,761 of revenue, and for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 was $659 of expense.

 

The above Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Notes are presented together as one line item on the balance sheet and totaled a receivable of $5,761 and payable of $262,659 at January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, all of which is considered a current receivable and liability.

 

 

14. OTHER NOTES PAYABLE

 

As of January 31, 2016, the Trust had $54,690 in promissory notes outstanding to unrelated third parties arising from the repurchase of 75,629 Class A Partnership units in privately negotiated transactions the repurchase of 68,265 Shares of Beneficial Interest in privately negotiated transactions. These promissory notes bear interest at 7% per year and are due in varying monthly payments through June 2019. As of January 31, 2015, the Trust had $525,670 in promissory notes outstanding to unrelated third parties arising from the repurchase of 83,260 Class A Partnership units in privately negotiated transactions, the repurchase of 79,583 Shares of Beneficial Interest in privately negotiated transactions, and a $400,000 Promissory Demand Note.

 

15. MINIMUM DEBT PAYMENTS

 

Scheduled minimum payments of debt as of January 31, 2016 are as follows in the respective fiscal years indicated:

 

FISCAL YEAR			MORTGAGES				NOTES PAYABLE TO BANK				LINE OF CREDIT - RELATED PARTY				OTHER NOTES PAYABLE				TOTAL
2017			$	494,005			$	932,289			$	-			$	40,801			$	1,467,095
2018				519,495				-				-				4,762				524,257
2019				544,339				-				-				5,106				549,445
2020				570,380				-				-				4,021				574,401
2021				596,078				-				-				-				596,078
Thereafter				11,135,209				-				-				-				11,135,209
			$	13,859,506			$	932,289			$	-			$	54,690			$	14,846,485

 

16. DESCRIPTION OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS

 

Holders of the Trust’s Shares of Beneficial Interest are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the Trust out of funds legally available therefore. The holders of Shares of Beneficial Interest, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-down of the Trust, are entitled to share ratably in any assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities of the Trust. The Shares of Beneficial Interest possess ordinary voting rights, each share entitling the holder thereof to one vote. Holders of Shares of Beneficial Interest do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees and do not have preemptive rights.

 

On January 2, 2001, the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase program under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the purchase of up to 250,000 Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market or privately negotiated transactions. On September 10, 2002, August 18, 2005 and September 10, 2007, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of up to 350,000 additional Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Additionally, on January 5, 2009, September 15, 2009 and January 31, 2010, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of up to 300,000, 250,000 and 350,000, respectively, additional Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Acquired Shares of Beneficial Interest will be held in treasury and will be available for future acquisitions and financings and/or for awards granted under the Trust’s equity compensation plans/programs. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Trust acquired 34,602 Shares of Beneficial Interest in open market transactions at an average price of $2.67 per share.

 

For the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Trust repurchased 34,602 and 99,987 Shares of Beneficial Interest at an average price of $2.67 and $2.20 per share, respectively. The average price paid includes brokerage commissions. The Trust intends to continue repurchasing Shares of Beneficial Interest in compliance with applicable legal and NYSE MKT requirements. The Trust remains authorized to repurchase an additional 93,317 Partnership units and/or Shares of Beneficial Interest pursuant to the publicly announced share repurchase program, which has no expiration date. Repurchased Shares of Beneficial Interest are accounted for as treasury stock in the Trust’s Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity.

 

17. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

The Trust and subsidiaries have income tax net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $9.3 million at January 31, 2016. In 2005, the Trust had an ownership change within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 382. However, the Trust determined that such ownership change would not have a material impact on the future use of the net operating losses.

 

The Trust and subsidiaries have federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8.4 million at January 31, 2015, having expiration dates ranging from fiscal years 2019 to 2033.

 

 

Total and net deferred income tax assets at January 31,		2016				2015
Net operating loss carryforwards		$	2,795,000			$	2,166,000
Bad debt allowance			(13,000	)			(12,000	)
Accrued expenses			76,000				81,000
Syndications			5,128,000				4,370,000
Prepaid insurance			23,000				8,000
Alternative minimum tax credit			91,000				91,000
Total deferred income tax assets			8,100,000				6,704,000
Deferred income tax liability associated with book/tax differences in hotel properties			(2,598,000	)			(2,472,000	)
Net deferred income tax asset			5,502,000				4,232,000
Valuation allowance			(5,502,000	)			(4,232,000	)
Net deferred income tax asset		$	-			$	-

 

The differences between the statutory and effective tax rates are as follows for the year ended January 31, 2016:

 

Federal statutory rates		$	(112,000	)			-34	%
State income taxes			(25,000	)			-7	%
Change in valuation allowance			1,270,000				67	%
True-ups to prior year return			(1,016,000	)			-33	%
Other			(21,000	)			-1	%
Effective rate		$	96,000				-10	%

 

The differences between the statutory and effective tax rates are as follows for the year ended January 31, 2015:

 

Federal statutory rates		$	(694,000	)			-34	%
State income taxes			(141,000	)			-7	%
Change in valuation allowance			636,000				67	%
Effective rate		$	(199,000	)			-10	%

 

The true-ups to prior year return related primarily to the sale of syndication units in the Trust’s subsidiaries which are treated as equity transactions in the Trust’s financial statements but are taxed as capital gain transactions and total $1,079,000, causing the utilization of net operating loss carry forwards totaling $963,000, which were then offset by the release of valuation allowances. The Trust’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Trust had no accrued interest or penalties at January 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

18. OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held 3,407,938 Class B Partnership units, which represented 25.8% of the total outstanding Partnership units. As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, Mr. Wirth and his affiliates held 6,175,205 and 6,055,376, respectively, Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust, which represented 70.24% and 73.2%, respectively, of the total issued and outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest.

 

As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Trust owned 72.11% of the Partnership. As of January 31, 2016, the Partnership owned a 51.01% interest in an InnSuites® hotel located in Tucson, Arizona and a 51.65% interest in an InnSuites® hotel located in Ontario, California. The Trust also owned a direct 50.93% interest in one InnSuites® hotel located in Yuma, Arizona and owned a direct 50.91% interest in one InnSuites® hotel located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

The Trust directly manages the Hotels through the Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, InnSuites Hotels Inc. Under the management agreements, InnSuites Hotels Inc. manages the daily operations of the Hotels and the two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth. Revenues and reimbursements among the Trust, InnSuites Hotels Inc. and the Partnership have been eliminated in consolidation. The management fees for the Hotels and the two hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth are set at 3.0% of room revenue and a monthly accounting fee of $2,000 per hotel. These agreements have no expiration date and may be cancelled by either party with 90-days written notice or 30-days written notice in the event the property changes ownership.

 

 

On October 7, 2015, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, the Trust issued 440,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust, at a purchase price of $2.50 per Share, for gross aggregate proceeds of $1,100,000 to the Trust. Rare Earth Financial, LLC (“Rare Earth”), whose managing member is James F. Wirth, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, purchased 200,000 of the 440,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust on the same terms and conditions as the other purchasers. Rare Earth is wholly owned by Mr. Wirth and his family members, including Pamela Barnhill, Vice Chairperson and President of the Trust. The transaction was approved by the Board of Trustees and the Audit Committee of the Trust. The issuance of the Shares of Beneficial Interest by the Trust was made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2).

 

On November 30, 2015, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, the Trust issued 704,225 Shares of Beneficial Interest to Rare Earth at a purchase price of $2.13 per share, for proceeds of $1,499,999.25 to the Trust. The transaction was approved by the Board of Trustees and the Audit Committee of the Trust. The issuance of the Shares of Beneficial Interest by the Trust to Rare Earth was made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2).

 

On December 22, 2015, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, the Trust issued 21,929 Shares of Beneficial Interest to Rare Earth at a purchase price of $2.28 per share, for proceeds of $49,998.12 to the Trust. The transaction was approved by the Board of Trustees and the Audit Committee of the Trust. The issuance of the Shares of Beneficial Interest by the Trust to Rare Earth was made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2).

 

On July 23, 2013, the Trust entered into a Corporate Card Agreement (“Corporate Purchase Cards”) with American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. The Corporate Card Agreement distributed a total of nine purchase cards - one to each of the four respective Hotels, one to the Trust, and one to each of the two respective hotels owned by affiliates of James F. Wirth. The Corporate Purchase Cards, with a total limit of $300,000, includes insignificant annual fees and $0 of interest per annum. Payments are due monthly. The Corporate Card Agreement may be cancelled by either party with 30-days written notice. Pamela J. Barnhill, the Trust’s President and Vice Chairperson and daughter of Mr. Wirth, initiated the nine purchase cards. As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Trust’s portion of the Corporate Purchase Cards balance was approximately $86,000 and $157,000, respectively.

 

The Tucson Oracle property has an unsecured demand/revolving line of credit/promissory note as described in Note 13 – Lines of Credit - Related Party.

 

The Trust has an unsecured demand/revolving line of credit/promissory note as described in Note 13 – Lines of Credit - Related Party.

 

As of January 31, 2016 and 2015, the Trust paid Berg Investment Advisors $3,000 and $7,000, respectively, for additional consultative services rendered by Mr. Marc Berg, the Trust’s Executive Vice President.

 

On September 25, 2013, the Trust entered into a revenue sharing agreement with Independent Lodging Industry Association (“ILIA”). In 2014, the Trust President, Ms. Pamela Barnhill, became President of ILIA. The revenue sharing agreement states that of the 10% IBC fees collected from ILIA hotels, 3% will be remitted back to ILIA from February, 2015 through June, 2015, 2% will be remitted back to ILIA from July, 2015 through December, 2015, and 1% will be remitted back to ILIA from January, 2016 through June, 2016. As of January 31, 2016 no fees have been remitted or accrued related to the ILIA revenue sharing agreement.

 

Besides Pamela Barnhill, Vice Chairperson and President of the Trust and daughter of Mr. Wirth, the Trust’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Trust also employs two other immediate family members of Mr. Wirth who provide technology and administrative support services to the Trust with each receiving a $42,500 yearly salary.

 

As of January 31, 2016, Rare Earth received a restructuring fee of $350,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 150 units in the Yuma entity following the October 24, 2014 restructuring (see Note 6). As of As of January 31, 2015, Rare Earth received a restructuring fee of $128,000, conditioned upon and arising from the sale of the first 100 units in the Ontario entity following the March 1, 2014 restructuring (see Note 5).

 

On December 22, 2015, the Trust provided Advances to Affiliate – Related Party each in the amount of $500,000 to Phoenix Northern Resort, LLC and Tempe/Phoenix Airport Resort LLC. Mr. Wirth, individually and thru one of his affiliates owns approximately 32% and 42%, respectively, of Phoenix Northern Resort, LLC and Tempe/Phoenix Airport Resort LLC. Both notes have a due date of June 30, 2017 and accrue interest of 7.0%. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Trust received $3,696 and $3,489 interest income from Phoenix Northern Resort, LLC and Tempe/Phoenix Airport Resort LLC, respectively. As of January 31, 2016, the Advances to Affiliate – Related Party balance was $473,696 and $498,488 from Phoenix Northern Resort, LLC and Tempe/Phoenix Airport Resort LLC, respectively.

 

 

19. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The following table presents the estimated fair values of the Trust’s debt instruments and the associated carrying value recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at January 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

		2016								2015
		CARRYING AMOUNT				FAIR VALUE				CARRYING AMOUNT				FAIR VALUE
Mortgage notes payable		$	13,792,592			$	13,909,744			$	19,121,736			$	19,151,309
Notes payable to banks		$	932,289			$	932,289			$	1,226,626			$	1,226,626
Other notes payable		$	54,691			$	60,963			$	525,670			$	432,916

 

20. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

 

		2016				2015
Cash paid for interest		$	906,340			$	880,069
Cash paid for income taxes		$	57,719			$	18,648
Promissory notes issued by the Trust to acquire Shares of Beneficial Interest		$	-			$	27,000
Purchase of IVH with issuance of shares of beneficial interest		$	200,000			$	-
Payment of mortgage directly from proceeds from sale of the Tucson St. Mary’s property		$	4,712,611			$	-
Refinance of the Ontario property mortgage, net		$	-			$	5,700,000
Refinance of the Tucson Oracle property mortgage, net		$	-			$	1,000,000
Purchase of Tucson Oracle land		$	-			$	2,500,000

 

21. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Leases:

 

The Albuquerque Hotel is subject to non-cancelable ground lease. The Albuquerque Hotel non-cancelable ground lease was extended on January 14, 2014 and expires in 2058. Total expense associated with the non-cancelable ground lease for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 was $137,716 and $301,634, respectively

 

During 2010, the Trust entered into a five-year office lease for its corporate headquarters. On April 30, 2014, the lease was extended for 36 months and expires in 2017. The Trust recorded $29,206 and $32,697 of general and administrative expense related to the lease during fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. The lease included a base rent charge of $31,994 for the first lease year beginning in fiscal year 2014, with annual increases to a final year base rent of $34,120 for lease year ending in fiscal year 2017. The Trust has the option to cancel the lease after each lease year for penalties of four months’ rent after the first year with the penalty decreasing by one month’s rent each successive lease year. It is the Trust’s intention to remain in the office for the duration of the lease period, as extended.

 

 

Future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable ground lease and office lease are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ending
2017		$	144,335
2018			127,725
2019			113,508
2020			113,508
2021			113,508
Thereafter			5,700,329
Total		$	6,312,913

 

Restricted Cash:

 

The Trust is obligated under a loan agreement relating to the Tucson Oracle property to deposit 4% of the individual hotel’s room revenue into an escrow account to be used for capital expenditures. The escrow funds applicable to the Tucson Oracle property for which a mortgage lender escrow exists is reported on the Trust’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Restricted Cash.” Since a $0 cash balance existed in Restricted Cash for the fiscal years 2016 and 2015, Restricted Cash line was omitted on the Trust’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Membership Agreements:

 

InnSuites Hotels has entered into membership agreements with Best Western International, Inc. (“Best Western”) for four of the hotel properties. In exchange for use of the Best Western name, trademark and reservation system, all Hotels pay fees to Best Western based on reservations received through the use of the Best Western reservation system and the number of available suites at the Hotels. The agreements with Best Western have no specific expiration terms and may be cancelled by either party. Best Western requires that the hotels meet certain requirements for room quality, and the Hotels are subject to removal from its reservation system if these requirements are not met. The Hotels with third-party membership agreements received significant reservations through the Best Western reservation system. Under these arrangements, fees paid for membership fees and reservations were approximately $331,000 and $342,000 for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

The nature of the operations of the Hotels exposes them to risks of claims and litigation in the normal course of their business. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be determined and is covered by insurance, management does not expect that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Trust.

 

Litigation:

 

The Trust is involved from time to time in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Trust’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

22. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

 

During fiscal year 1999, the shareholders of the Trust adopted the 1997 Stock Incentive and Option Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant options to the Trustees, officers, other key employees, consultants, advisors and similar employees of the Trust and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The number of options that may be granted in a year is limited to 10% of the total Shares of Beneficial Interest and Partnership units in the Partnership (Class A and Class B) outstanding as of the first day of such year.

 

Generally, granted options expire 10 years from the date of grant, are exercisable during the optionee’s lifetime only by the recipient and are non-transferable. Unexercised options held by employees of the Trust generally terminate on the date the individual ceases to be an employee of the Trust.

 

There were no options granted in fiscal year 2016 or 2015, and no options were outstanding as of January 31, 2016 and 2015. The Plan currently has 1,000,000 options available to grant. See Note 26 for additional information on stock options. The Plan also permits the Trust to award stock appreciation rights, none of which, as of January 31, 2016, have been issued.

 

See Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for information related to grants of restricted shares under “Stock-Based Compensation.”

 

 

23. SEGMENT REPORTING

 

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Trust determined its reportable segments are the Hotel Operations and IBC Developments segments. Reportable segments are determined based on discrete financial information reviewed by the Trust’s CODM. The Trust organizes and reviews operations based on products and services, and currently there are no operating segments that are aggregated. The Trust performs an annual analysis of its reportable segments.

 

Information relative to the Trust’s reportable segments is as follows:

 

		JANUARY 31, 2016
BALANCE SHEET		Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead				IBC Developments				Total
Total Assets		$	22,728,621			$	1,212,068			$	23,940,689
Total Liabilities			15,145,321				1,824,639				16,969,960
Fixed Assets, Net			19,395,147				135,619				19,530,766

 

		TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2016
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS CONTINUING OPERATIONS		Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead				IBC Developments				Total
Total Revenue		$	3,422,468			$	201,172			$	3,623,640
Loss From Operations			(1,083,466	)			(296,534	)			(1,380,000	)

 

		JANUARY 31, 2015
BALANCE SHEET		Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead				IBC Developments				Total
Total Assets		$	27,020,056			$	7,753			$	27,027,809
Total Liabilities			24,046,878				15,704				24,062,582
Fixed Assets, Net			25,891,083				3,455				25,894,538

 

		TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2015
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS CONTINUING OPERATIONS		Hotel Operations & Corporate Overhead				IBC Developments				Total
Total Revenue		$	2,824,856			$	20,266			$	2,845,122
Loss From Operations			(1,580,368	)			(326,038	)			(1,906,406	)

 

24. SALE OF TUCSON SAINT MARY’S SUITE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY

 

On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St. Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party for approximately $9.7 million, which the Trust received approximately $4.6 million in cash. The Trust used $4.7 million of the proceeds to satisfy its mortgage note payable on the property, approximately $379,000 to reduce accruals and payables, and retained the remaining proceeds to fund future operations and capital improvements. The Trust recognized a gain on sale of property in the amount of approximately $2.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2016. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2016, Tucson St. Mary’s had approximately $2,855,000 of revenue, and approximately $3,376,000 of operating expenses. As of January 31, 2016, Tucson St. Mary’s had approximately $14,648 of current assets consisting primarily of cash and receivables, and approximately $27,000 of current liabilities consisting of accounts payables and accrued expenses. During the twelve months ended January 31, 2016, and January 31, 2015, depreciation/amortization and capital expenses were approximately $233,000 and $341,000, respectively. In addition, there were no significant non-cash operating and investing activities during such period. See our Note 7 – “Sale of Ownership Interests in Tucson St Mary’s Suite Hospitality” for information about investing activities during the twelve months ended January 31, 2016 for the Tucson St Mary’s hotel.

 

 

25. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

 

On August 1, 2015, the Trust finalized and committed to a plan to sell all of its hotel properties. Except for the Yuma hotel property, the Trust listed each of the properties with a local successful real estate hotel broker and Management believes that the assets are being marketed at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value. The Trust believes that the plan to sell these assets will not likely be withdrawn and is probable to be consummated by July 31, 2016. On October 14, 2015, the Trust sold its Tucson St Mary’s hotel to an unrelated third party.

 

Except for the Yuma hotel property, the Trust has recognized the sale of the Tucson St. Mary’s hotel and the reclassification of three of its hotels into discontinued operations and assets held for sale in accordance with ASC No. 205-20, Discontinued Operations. As such, the historical results of these hotels have been adjusted for comparability purposes and exclude any corporate general and administrative expenses.

 

Discontinued operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015 primarily consists of all hotels operational revenues and expenses except our Yuma hotel property and does not include the sale proceeds and profit from the sale of our Tucson St Mary’s hotel.

 

The following financial information presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015 as well as the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015.

 

		JANUARY 31, 2016				JANUARY 31, 2015
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	162,021			$	360,002
Accounts Receivable			208,807				354,447
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets			108,279				121,901
Total Current Assets of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			479,107				836,350
Noncurrent assets of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			14,382,785				20,716,731
TOTAL ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE		$	14,861,892			$	21,553,081
LIABILITIES
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses		$	1,295,228			$	1,956,488
Current Portion of Mortgage Notes Payable			355,951				5,202,978
Current Portion of Notes Payable to Banks			-				658,835
Line of Credit - Related Party			-				279,051
Total Current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			1,651,179				8,097,352
Noncurrent Liabilities of Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale			8,343,647				8,701,557
TOTAL LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE		$	9,994,826			$	16,798,909

 

 

		YEARS ENDED
		JANUARY 31,
		2016				2015
REVENUE
Room		$	9,944,716			$	10,758,583
Food and Beverage			810,812				915,638
Other			92,244				153,530
TOTAL REVENUE			10,847,772				11,827,751
OPERATING EXPENSES
Room			3,450,953				3,138,311
Food and Beverage			793,987				822,199
Telecommunications			6,028				9,912
General and Administrative			1,288,718				1,369,948
Sales and Marketing			787,993				791,493
Repairs and Maintenance			977,553				958,017
Hospitality			760,202				731,206
Utilities			1,028,512				1,129,453
Hotel Property Depreciation			673,445				1,285,143
Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes, Insurance and Ground Rent			669,866				831,054
Other			27,240				25,985
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES			10,464,497				11,092,721
OPERATING INCOME			383,275				735,030
Interest Income on Advances to Affiliates - Related Party			-				2,512
TOTAL OTHER INCOME			-				2,512
Interest on Mortgage Notes Payable			514,592				484,053
Interest on Notes Payable to Banks			83,701				51,840
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE			598,293				535,893
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, NET OF NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST			(215,018	)			201,649
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations			2,351,817				-
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE		$	2,136,799			$	201,649
NET INCOME PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – BASIC AND DILUTED		$	0.26			$	0.02

 

		YEARS ENDED
		JANUARY 31,
		2016				2015
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE		$	339,182			$	2,174,626
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE		$	2,971,335			$	(3,422,911	)

 

26. STOCK OPTIONS

 

Effective February 5, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Trust adopted the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”), subject to shareholder approval, under which up to 1,600,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust are authorized to be issued pursuant to grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units or other awards. The purpose of the 2015 Plan and the awards described below is to promote the interests of the Trust and its shareholders by providing certain employees and members of the Board of Trustees, who are largely responsible for the management and growth of the subsidiary of the Trust, IBC Hotels, LLC, with incentives and rewards to encourage them to continue in the service of the Trust.

 

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust approved a Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (“2015 Plan Agreement”) to be used for all stock option awards. The 2015 Plan Agreement provides the grantee a four-year option to purchase a set number of Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust at an exercise price of $3.50 per share, exercisable to the extent the stock options vest and GAAP pre-tax profits of IBC Hotels, LLC are greater than or equal to the performance objectives described in the 2015 Plan agreement. For purposes of the 2015 Plan Agreement, a “Tranche” is the number of Shares for which the Stock Option has vested on a particular vesting date. The 2015 Plan Agreement has the following vesting schedule:

 

Tranche		Shares for which the Stock Option is Vested		Vesting Date
A		1/3		5/17/2016
B		1/3		2nd anniversary of the Date of Grant
C		1/3		3rd anniversary of the Date of Grant

 

Stock options will become immediately vested in full if, prior to a vesting date (i) the grantee ceases to be employed by the Trust or its subsidiaries by reason of death or disability or (ii) a change of control occurs while the grantee is employed by the Trust or any of its subsidiaries. Vested tranches become exercisable as set forth below to the extent that the GAAP pre-tax profit of IBC Hotels LLC is greater than or equal to the performance objective for the applicable performance period, as described below.

 

Performance Period		Performance Objective				Exercisable
(Fiscal Year Ending)		(GAAP pre-tax profit of IBC Hotels LLC)				Tranche(s)
1/31/2016		$	60,000			A
1/31/2017		$	200,000			A and B
1/31/2018		$	400,000			A, B, and C

 

On February 5, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Trust granted to Pamela Barnhill, President, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Chief Operating Officer of the Trust and IBC Hotels Founder and President, pursuant to the 2015 Plan and 2015 Plan Agreement, an option to purchase of 1,000,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. On April 24, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Trust granted to James Wirth, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, Marc Berg, Executive Vice President and Trustee and Adam Remis, Chief Financial Officer of the Trust, pursuant to the Trust’s 2015 Plan and 2015 Plan Agreement, each an option of the Trust to purchase 60,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust. On April 24, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Trust also granted to each of our Trustees who are expected to continue to serve on the Board of Trustees through the vesting period, an option to purchase 10,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust and also granted to key operational staff options to purchase Shares of Beneficial Interest. The number of options granted to each key operational staff was based on InnSuites employment history and their direct IBC Hotels involvement. A total of 1,434,500 stock options were granted during the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 subject to shareholder approval which has not occurred yet and may not occur depending upon Management evaluation of the accounting and legal implications of the 2015 Plan. Consistent with ASC 718-10-55-10, compensation cost associated with issuance of these options has not been recognized and are not considered outstanding as shareholder approval is not perfunctory.

 

The Trust’s management is evaluating the accounting and legal aspects of the 2015 Plan and therefore, the shareholder vote on the 2015 Plan was not presented to the shareholders during the Trust’s 2015 annual meeting held on December 22, 2015. The Trust anticipates either placing the 2015 Plan to a vote of the Trust’s shareholders during the Trust’s 2016 annual meeting or cancelling the plan.

 

27. ACQUISITION OF INTERNATIONAL VACATION HOTELS

 

On January 8, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), the Trust and IBC Hotels purchased the tangible and intangible assets excluding cash, receivables, prepaid booking/expenses, accrued expenses, and an automobile from Vacation Technologies International, Inc., a Texas Corporation, dba International Vacation Hotels (“International Vacation Hotels”). Assets purchased primarily consist of hotel revenue booking contracts, websites and other key business intangible assets. Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, at the Closing Date, the Trust paid total of $1.0 million of consideration to the seller consisting of $800,000 cash and $200,000 of the Trust’s Shares of Beneficial Interest based on the average closing price of such securities on the NYSE MKT for the 30 calendar days immediately preceding the closing date of January 8, 2016, which resulted in the issuance of 89,127 of the Trust’s Shares of Beneficial Interest.

 

On January 8, 2016, the Trust entered into a $400,000 business loan with Laurence Holdings Limited, an Ontario, Canada Corporation, with a maturity date of February 1, 2019, pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement and Promissory Note (“Agreement”). The agreement requires the funds be used for the purchase of International Vacation Hotels’ assets. The agreement provides interest only payments for the first 3 months of the term and principal and interest payments for the remaining portion of the loan. The agreement sets an interest rate of 8% per annum with no prepayment penalty.

 

 

The fair values of acquired assets and liabilities are based on preliminary cash flow projections and other assumptions. The preliminary fair values of acquired intangible assets were determined using several significant unobservable inputs for projected cash flows and a discount rate. These inputs are considered Level 3 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance. The transaction has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. Tangible assets acquired were considered worthless and therefore were not separately valued. Accordingly, the identifiable intangible assets acquired have been recorded at fair value, with the remaining purchase price recorded as goodwill.

 

The fair values of assets acquired at the transaction date are summarized below:

 

Marketing Related Intangibles		$	100,000
Customer Base			400,000
Total identifiable intangible assets			500,000
Goodwill			500,000
Total acquired assets		$	1,000,000

 

Expected and future amortization expenses is approximately $67,000 for the next five fiscal years.

 

International Vacation Hotels provides hotel technology services to 600 + independent hotel properties worldwide primarily in Africa, Caribbean and Asia markets. Most of the value in International Vacation Hotels is included in the exclusive long-term automatic renewed contracts. This business relationship is contractual in nature and meets the separability criterion and as a result is considered an identifiable intangible asset recognized separately from goodwill. The value of the business relationship is included in goodwill under US GAAP. Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the consideration transferred and the values assigned to the identifiable tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquired goodwill presented in the above table reflects the estimated goodwill from the preliminary purchase price allocation.

 

The establishment of the fair value of the consideration for a merger, and the allocation to identifiable intangible assets, requires the extensive use of accounting estimates and management judgment. The fair values assigned to the assets acquired assumed were based on estimates and assumptions.

 

Supplemental Pro Forma Information for Acquisition of International Vacation Hotels (unaudited)

 

The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, assumes the acquisition of International Vacation Hotels had occurred as of February 1, 2015 and 2014, giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments such as amortization of intangible assets. The pro forma data is for informational purposes only and may not necessarily reflect the actual results of operations had International Vacation Hotels been operated as part of the Trust since February 1, 2015 and 2014.

 

		Year Ended January 31, 2016								Year Ended January 31, 2015
		As Reported				Pro Forma				As Reported				Pro Forma
						(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Revenues		$	3,623,640			$	4,623,372			$	2,845,122			$	4,135,223
Consolidated net income (loss)		$	339,440			$	468,513			$	(2,240,924	)		$	(2,079,580	)
LESS: NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST		$	(92,676	)		$	-			$	(137,287	)		$	-
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTERESTS		$	432,116			$	468,513			$	(2,103,637	)		$	(2,079,580	)
NET LOSS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS – BASIC		$	(0.22	)		$	(0.22	)		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.29	)
NET INCOME PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – BASIC		$	0.26			$	0.26			$	0.02			$	0.02
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE PER SHARE TOTAL - BASIC		$	0.04			$	0.04			$	(0.27	)		$	(0.27	)
NET LOSS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS – DILUTED		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.29	)
NET INCOME PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – DILUTED		$	0.18			$	0.18			$	0.02			$	0.02
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE PER SHARE TOTAL - DILUTED		$	0.03			$	0.03			$	(0.27	)		$	(0.27	)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC			8,269,827				8,358,954				8,313,093				8,402,220
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED			11,953,896				12,043,023				8,313,093				8,402,220

 

Intangible Assets

 

Amortizable intangible assets consist of the following Proforma (unaudited):

 

		January 31, 2016
		Amount				Accumulated Amortization				Net Amount				Useful Lives (years)
Marketing Related Intangibles		$	100,000			$	20,000			$	80,000				10
Customer Base			400,000				114,286				285,714				7
Total:		$	500,000			$	134,286			$	365,714

 

Goodwill

 

The changes in the carrying value of the Trust’s goodwill for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

 

Beginning Balance February 1, 2014		$	-
Ending Balance January 31, 2015			-
Acquisition of Vacation Technology Hotels			500,000
Ending Balance January 31, 2016		$	500,000

 

 

28. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On November 9, 2015, the Ontario entity entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“Sale Agreement”) to sell its Best Western InnSuites Ontario Hotel and Suites property to Mr. Bong Choi and/or Assignee (“Buyer”) an unrelated third party to the Trust for $14.8 million with an original estimated close on February 1, 2016 which was extended several times. The sale was subject to IHT Board of Trustees approval, Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP partners’ approval, a financing contingency and the buyers’ property review. On April 25, 2016, the Buyer defaulted on the agreement and the Sale Agreement was cancelled. The Trust is actively looking for another buyer for this asset and will continue executing its strong marketing plan to continue to sell the Ontario property as soon as possible.

 

  

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

The Audit Committee of the Trust approved the appointment of Hartley Moore Accountancy Corporation (“HMCPA”) as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 effective August 31, 2015. In connection with the reorganization of HMCPA, its audit partners joined Hall and Company, Inc. (“Hall”) in February, 2016. HMCPA resigned as the independent auditor of the Trust, effective February 16, 2016. HMCPA had been the Trust’s auditor since August 31, 2015.

 

As a result of the above, the Audit Committee of the Trust, on February 15, 2016, approved the resignation of HMCPA, effective on February 15, 2016, and the engagement of Hall as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 effective February 15, 2016.

 

The change in accountants did not result from any dissatisfaction with the quality of the professional services rendered by HMCPA. The Trust had not consulted with Hall for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 and the interim period ended February 15, 2016 regarding the application of accounting principles to any contemplated or completed transactions nor the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements, and neither written or oral advice was provided that would be an important factor considered by the Trust in reaching a decision as to accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues. There were no matters that were either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph 304(a)(1)(iv) of regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as described in paragraph 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

In connection with the audit of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 and through February 15, 2016, there were no disagreement with HMCPA on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement. HMCPA have not issued any reports on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements. During the Trust’s two most recent completed fiscal years and interim period through February, 2016, there were no “reportable events” as such term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K with HMCPA.

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 31, 2016.

 

Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2016 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework 2013 (“Framework”) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment using those COSO Framework, our management concluded that at January 31, 2016 the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting were effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management believes that our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10. TRUSTEES, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Trustees and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth information about our Trustees and executive officers. The information concerning our Trustees and executive officers set forth below is based in part on information received from the respective Trustees and executive officers and in part on our records. The information below sets forth the name, age, term of office, outside directorships and principal business experience for each Trustee and executive officer of the Trust and includes the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve on our Board of Trustees, in light of the Trust’s business and structure.

 

Name		Principal Occupations During Past Five Years, Age as of April 15, 2016 and Directorships Held		Trustee Since
Trustees Whose Terms Expire in 2018
Marc E. Berg		Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Trust since February 10, 1999. Vice President – Acquisitions of the Trust from December 16, 1998 to February 10, 1999. Consultant to InnSuites Hotels since 1989.   Prior to InnSuites, Mr. Berg was a wealth manager at Valley National Bank where his portfolio consisted of over half a billion dollars in equities, bonds and fixed income securities. Mr. Berg also worked at Young, Smith and Peacock, an Investment Banking firm in Public Finance.   Mr. Berg has been qualified as a US Trustee in Chapter 11 cases, a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC and holds both an MBA (Finance) degree from the WP Carey Business School at Arizona State University as well as a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management. His undergraduate degree was a BSBA from American University in Washington, D.C.   Mr. Berg has in-depth familiarity with the operations of the Trust and extensive experience in property acquisitions. In addition, Mr. Berg has served on our Board for over 15 years. Age: 63.		January 30, 1998
JR Chase (3)		President and owner of Park Avenue Investments, a real estate investment firm since 2000 and also has been a Special Education on-call Teacher with the Phoenix Unified School District since 1993. From 1993 – 2003, Mr. Chase provided investor and management expertise to InnSuites Hotels, a subsidiary of the Trust.   With over 35 years of real estate investment and hospitality experience, including experience managing a variety of real estate assets, we believe that Mr. Chase will provide our Board with wide-ranging and in-depth experience in hotel management companies, technology and operations. Age: 66		December 22, 2015

 

 

Trustees Whose Terms Expire in 2017
Pamela J. Barnhill		Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees since March 24, 2014 and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Trust since February 1, 2012. Ms. Barnhill joined the Trust in 2002 as General Manager and progressed with the Trust through roles in revenue management, operations, sales and trademark licensing. Prior to joining the Trust, Ms. Barnhill’s career included roles with Motorola Semiconductor, Franchise Finance Corporation of America (FFCA) and Pittiglio, Rabin, Todd & McGrath (PRTM) Management Consulting. She has served as a Board Member for the Independent Lodging Industry Association since 2011. She earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics cum laude with honors from the University of Arizona. Age: 41.   Ms. Barnhill has extensive knowledge and expertise in sales, marketing and our operations. As President of the Trust and leading the IBC Hotels efforts, Ms. Barnhill brings a unique perspective to our Board of Trustees.		March 24, 2014
Cynthia Ketcherside(1)(2)(3)(6)		Ms. Ketcherside has more than 25 years of executive management experience. Experience evolved from sales and marketing management positions into the position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ms. Ketcherside’s family business, in which role she oversaw the operations and negotiated the sale of the business to a national company. Since September 2011, Ms. Ketcherside has served as Director of Business Development for Vantage Mobility International, a manufacturer of wheelchair van conversions. Prior to Vantage Mobility International, Ms. Ketcherside was the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of notMYkid, a non-profit organization. From January 2005 – February 2010, Ms. Ketcherside was Managing Director of JC’s Glass, a family business which was sold to IGD Industries – Safelite. Age: 57.   Ms. Ketcherside’s sales and marketing expertise is expected to help us grow IBC Hotels.		March 24, 2014
Steven S. Robson(1)(2)(3)(5)		Owner of Scott Homes, residential real estate developers. Age: 60.   Mr. Robson has strategic leadership and residential real estate development experience as well as experience in negotiating complex transactions and maintaining mission, vision and values. In addition, Mr. Robson has served on our Board for more than 15 years.		June 16, 1998
Trustees Whose Terms Expire in 2016
Leslie (Les) T. Kutasi(1)(2)(3)(4)		Founder and President of Trend-Tex International, a multi-line textile sales and marketing company, since 2000. In 1996, Mr. Kutasi founded Pacesetter Fabrics, LLC, a start-up textile importer and converter, and served as its Chief Executive Officer until 2000. Prior to that, he served as President of California Textile Sales from 1990 to 1996 and Director of Sales of Lorber Industries from 1988 to 1989. Mr. Kutasi has been a member of World Presidents Organization Inc. (WPO Arizona) since 2006. Age: 65.   Mr. Kutasi has more than 35 years of residential real estate and investment experience that is valuable to our Board.		January 31, 2013
James F. Wirth		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust since January 30, 1998, also serving as President of the Trust until February 1, 2012. Manager and primary owner (together with his affiliates) of Rare Earth Financial, L.L.C. and affiliated entities, owners and operators of hotels, since 1980. Age: 70.    Mr. Wirth has significant real estate and hotel industry experience and extensive experience with the Trust. He also has a significant investment in our Shares, which we believe provides him with a strong incentive to advance shareholder interests. In addition, Mr. Wirth has served on our Board for over 15 years.		January 30, 1998

 

1 Member of the Audit Committee.

2 Member of the Compensation Committee.

3 Member of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

4 Chair of the Audit Committee.

5 Chair of the Compensation Committee.

6 Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

 

  

Other Executive Officers

 

Adam B. Remis, MSIM, CPA, CISA

Chief Financial Officer of the Trust since March 18, 2013. Mr. Remis has almost 20 years of combined accounting, audit, tax and technology consulting experience. His clients have included Palm, Pioneer North America, Meritage Homes, Mesa Airlines, Choice Hotels and InnSuites. From September 2008 to March 2013, Mr. Remis served as Senior Manager at Khalsa McBrearty Accountancy, LP, where he managed financial audit and tax compliance engagements. From April 2006 to September 2008, he served as Director of Technology – Internal Audit at American Express, leading a team of auditors to review information systems and technology infrastructure controls, and from 2002 to April 2006, Mr. Remis was Engagement Manager at Jefferson Wells, where he managed Sarbanes-Oxley engagements. Prior to that, he was at Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Remis has a Master of Science in Information Management from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Economic Decision Sciences from the University of California, San Diego. In February 1997, Mr. Remis became a CPA and was admitted to practice in the State of Arizona. He also holds a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification from the Information Systems Audit and Controls Association (ISACA). Mr. Remis has previously served as President of the local Arizona chapter of ISACA and continues to serve as a member of its Board of Directors. Age: 48.

 

Ms. Barnhill, our Vice-Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Operating Officer, is Mr. Wirth’s daughter. There are no other family relationships that require disclosure pursuant to the SEC’s rules, and none of our Trustees or executive officers were nominated, elected or appointed to their positions pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between them and any other person.

 

We request that all of our Trustees attend our Annual Meetings of Shareholders. All Trustees were present at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All incumbent Trustees attended 100% of the meetings held by the Board of Trustees and the Committees on which the Trustee served during fiscal year 2016. In addition, the independent Trustees meet at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent Trustees and management.

 

Trustee Nominations and Qualifications

 

The Governance and Nominating Committee expects to identify nominees to serve as our Trustees primarily by accepting and considering the suggestions and nominee recommendations made by members of the Board of Trustees and our management and shareholders. Nominees for Trustees are evaluated based on their character, judgment, independence, financial or business acumen, diversity of experience, ability to represent and act on behalf of all of our shareholders, and the needs of the Board of Trustees. In accordance with its charter, the Governance and Nominating Committee discusses diversity of experience as one of many factors in identifying nominees for Trustee, but does not have a policy of assessing diversity with respect to any particular qualities or attributes. Two of the current Trustees are women but the Governance and Nominating Committee has not identified any specific attributes that the Committee would desire to diversify on the Board. In general, before evaluating any nominee, the Governance and Nominating Committee first determines the need for additional Trustees to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board of Trustees and the likelihood that a nominee can satisfy the evaluation criteria. The Governance and Nominating Committee would expect to re-nominate incumbent Trustees who have served well on the Board of Trustees and express an interest in continuing to serve. Our Board of Trustees is satisfied that the backgrounds and qualifications of our Trustees, considered as a group, provide a mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that allows our Board to fulfill its responsibilities.

 

 

The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for Trustee nominees. A shareholder who wishes to suggest a Trustee nominee for consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee should send a resume of the nominee’s business experience and background to Les Kutasi, Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, 1625 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 105, Phoenix, Arizona 85020. The mailing envelope and letter must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Shareholder-Board of Trustees Nominee.”

 

Leadership Structure of the Board of Trustees

 

Mr. Wirth, our Chief Executive Officer, currently serves as Chairman of the Board, and Ms. Barnhill, our President and Chief Operating Officer, serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board. Our Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, provides that the Trustees shall annually elect a Chairman who shall be the principal officer of the Trust. Mr. Wirth has served as Chairman of our Board of Trustees and our Chief Executive Officer since January 30, 1998. Our Board of Trustees has determined that the Trust has been well-served by this structure of combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions and that this structure facilitates strong and clear leadership, with a single person setting the tone of the organization and having the ultimate responsibility for all of the Trust’s operating and strategic functions, thus providing unified leadership and direction for the Board of Trustees and the Trust’s executive management. Our Chairman also has a significant investment in our Shares, which we believe provides him with a strong incentive to advance shareholder interests.

 

As a result of the Board’s ongoing efforts around Board succession planning and effectiveness, in March 2014, the Board appointed Ms. Barnhill to the newly created position of Vice Chairperson of the Board. In this role, Ms. Barnhill presides over Board meetings in the event that the Chairman is not present. Ms. Barnhill also participates in the Board and committee agenda review process, as well as in the Board’s efforts regarding overall Board effectiveness and Board succession planning. As President and Chief Operating Officer of the Trust and leading the IBC Hotels efforts, Ms. Barnhill brings a unique perspective to the Board. We recognize that our Board leadership structure is somewhat unique but we believe that it is the right structure for the Trust at this time.

 

The Trust does not have a lead independent Trustee, but receives strong leadership from all of its members. Our Board Committees consist of only independent members, and our independent Trustees meet at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent Trustees and management. In addition, our Trustees take active and substantial roles in the activities of our Board of Trustees at the full Board meetings. Our Trustees are able to propose items for Board meeting agendas, and the Board’s meetings include time for discussion of items not on the formal agenda. Our Board believes that this open structure, as compared to a system in which there is a designated lead independent trustee, facilitates a greater sense of responsibility among our Trustees and facilitates active and effective oversight by the independent Trustees of the Trust’s operations and strategic initiatives, including any risks.

 

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our management devotes significant attention to risk management, and our Board of Trustees is engaged in the oversight of this activity, both at the full Board and at the Board Committee level. The Board’s role in risk oversight does not affect the Board’s leadership structure. However, our Board’s leadership structure supports such risk oversight by combining the Chairman position with the Chief Executive Officer position (the person with primary corporate responsibility for risk management).

 

Our Board’s role in the Trust’s risk oversight process includes receiving reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Trust, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory and strategic risks. The Board of Trustees requires management to report to the full Board (or an appropriate Committee) on a variety of matters at regular meetings of the Board and on an as-needed basis, including the performance and operations of the Trust and other matters relating to risk management. The Audit Committee also receives regular reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. In addition, pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee is tasked with reviewing with the Trust’s counsel major litigation risks as well as compliance with applicable laws and regulations, discussing with management its procedures for monitoring compliance with the Trust’s code of conduct, and discussing significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures. These reviews are conducted in conjunction with the Board’s risk oversight function and enable the Board to review and assess any material risks facing the Trust.

 

Our Board also works to oversee risk through its consideration and authorization of significant matters, such as major strategic, operational and financial initiatives and its oversight of management’s implementation of those initiatives. The Board periodically reviews with management its strategies, techniques, policies and procedures designed to manage these risks. Under the overall supervision of our Board, management has implemented a variety of processes, procedures and controls to address these risks.

 

 

Communications with the Board of Trustees

 

Shareholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of Trustees or any individual member thereof may do so by writing to the Secretary, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, 1625 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 105, Phoenix, Arizona 85020. The mailing envelope and letter must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is an “Interested Party-Board of Trustees Communication.” The Secretary will review all such correspondence and regularly forward to the Board of Trustees a log and summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board of Trustees or Committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Trustees may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by us that is addressed to members of the Board of Trustees and request copies of any such correspondence. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of our accounting department and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee for such matters.

 

Date of 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Shareholder Proposals

 

We expect that the 2016 Annual Meeting will be held within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of our 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Therefore, the deadline for submitting shareholder proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2016 Annual Meeting will be a reasonable time before we begin the printing and mailing of our proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting. A shareholder who wishes to present a proposal at the 2016 Annual Meeting, but does not wish to have that proposal included in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, will also need to notify us a reasonable time before we send our proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting. When the date for the 2016 Annual Meeting is set, we will announce updated shareholder proposal deadlines. If notice of the proposal is not received by us by that date, then the proposal will be deemed untimely and we will have the right to exercise discretionary voting authority and vote proxies returned to us with respect to that proposal.

 

Shareholders should submit their proposals to InnSuites Hospitality Trust, 1625 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 105, Phoenix, Arizona 85020, Attention: Mr. Marc Berg, Secretary.

 

Audit Committee Information and Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent auditors, including reviewing the scope and results of audit and non-audit services. The Audit Committee also reviews internal accounting controls and assesses the independence of our auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of any complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of any concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee has the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal year 2016.

 

All members of the Audit Committee are “independent,” as such term is defined by the SEC’s rules and the NYSE MKT’s listing standards. The Board of Trustees has determined that Mr. Kutasi, a member of our Audit Committee, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under applicable SEC rules. We have posted our Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter on our Internet website at www.innsuitestrust.com. Information on our website is not part of this Amendment.

 

Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 with the management of the Trust. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with Hall & Company Inc. (“Hall & Company”), the independent registered public accounting firm of the Trust, the matters required to be discussed by the Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Hall & Company required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Hall & Company its independence from the Trust, including the compatibility of any non-audit services with Hall & Company’s independence. The Audit Committee has also pre-approved the fees to be charged to the Trust by its independent auditors for audit services.

 

Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended that such audited financial statements be included in the Trust’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016.

 

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees:

 

Les T. Kutasi, Chairman

Steven S. Robson

Cynthia Ketcherside

 

 

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and persons performing similar functions. We have posted our Code of Ethics on our website at www.innsuitestrust.com. We intend to satisfy all SEC and NYSE MKT disclosure requirements regarding any amendment to, or waiver of, the Code of Ethics relating to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our website unless the NYSE MKT requires a Form 8-K. In addition, we have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and Trustees. It is also available on our website at www.innsuitestrust.com.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our Trustees, executive officers and beneficial holders of more than 10% of our Shares to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of subsequent changes in ownership. The SEC has established specific due dates for these reports, and we are required to disclose in this Proxy Statement any late filings or failures to file.

 

Reporting grants of restricted Shares of Trustee compensation, Messrs. Kutasi’s, Pelegrin’s and Robson’s and Ms. Ketcherside’s Forms 4 were filed on February 6, 2015, Mr Pelegrin’s Form 4 was filed on December 28, 2015 and Mr. Chase’s Form 4 was filed on December 29, 2015. Mr. Wirth filed Form 4 for Shares of Beneficial Interest purchased on November 30, 2015 and October 7, 2015. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms (and amendments thereto) furnished to us and written representations from reporting persons that no additional reports were required, We believe that all our Trustees, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of the Shares complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, except as set forth above.

 

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Executive Compensation Overview

 

The following overview relates to the compensation of our executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table set forth below during fiscal year 2016.

 

Overview of the Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees currently consists of four independent Trustees. The Committee sets the principles and strategies that serve to guide the design of the compensation programs for our executive officers. The Committee annually evaluates the performance of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and our President and Chief Operating Officer (our executive officers). Taking into consideration the factors set forth below, the Committee then approves their compensation levels, including any bonuses. The Committee does not use an independent compensation consultant to assist it with its responsibilities. The Committee does consider input from the Chief Executive Officer when determining compensation for the other executive officers.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

Under the supervision of the Compensation Committee, we have developed and implemented compensation policies, plans and programs that seek to enhance our ability to recruit and retain qualified management and other personnel. In developing and implementing compensation policies and procedures, the Compensation Committee seeks to provide rewards for the long-term value of an individual’s contribution to the Trust. The Compensation Committee seeks to develop policies and procedures that offer both recurring and non-recurring, and both financial and non-financial, incentives.

 

Compensation for our executive officers has two main monetary components, salary and bonus, as well as a benefits component. Any bonus generally consists of cash. This decision was a result of discussions with our executive officers regarding the sufficiency of our executive officers’ current Share ownership and the restrictions upon transfer of Shares held by our executive officers due to their affiliate status.

 

Our compensation program does not rely to any significant extent on broad-based benefits or perquisites. The benefits offered to our executive officers are those that are offered to all of our full-time employees. We do not offer our executive officers any perquisites.

 

Our management and the Compensation Committee work in a cooperative fashion. Management advises the Compensation Committee on compensation developments, compensation packages and our overall compensation program. The Compensation Committee then reviews, modifies, if necessary, and approves the compensation packages for our executive officers.

 

Elements of Compensation

 

In setting the compensation for each executive officer, the Compensation Committee considers (i) the responsibility and authority of each position relative to other positions within the Trust, (ii) the individual performance of each executive officer, (iii) the experience and skills of the executive officer, and (iv) the importance of the executive officer to the Trust.

 

Base Salary and Discretionary Cash Bonuses

 

We pay base salaries to our executive officers in order to provide a level of assured compensation reflecting an estimate of the value in the employment market of the executive officer’s skills, the demands of his or her position and the relative size of the Trust. In establishing base salaries for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers our overall performance and the performance of each individual executive officer, as well as market forces and other general factors believed to be relevant, including time between salary increases, promotion, expansion of responsibilities, advancement potential, and the execution of special or difficult projects. Additionally, the Compensation Committee takes into account the relative salaries of the executive officers and determines what it believes are appropriate compensation level distinctions between and among the executive officers, including between the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer and among the other executive officers. Although the Compensation Committee considers our financial performance, there is no specific relationship between achieving or failing to achieve budgeted estimates, the performance of our Shares or our financial performance and the annual salaries determined by the Compensation Committee for any of our executive officers. No specific weight is attributed to any of the factors considered by the Compensation Committee; the Compensation Committee considers all factors and makes a subjective determination based upon the experience of its members and the recommendations of our management.

 

 

Based upon a review of Mr. Wirth’s performance and upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, Mr. Wirth’s annual base salary remained set at $153,000. The Compensation Committee does not rely on any particular set of financial or non-financial factors, measures or criteria when determining the compensation offered to Mr. Wirth. The Compensation Committee does consider Mr. Wirth’s substantial Share ownership when setting his base salary. During fiscal years in 2016 and 2015, Mr. Wirth voluntarily reduced his salary to $71,538 and $68,309, respectively, in both cases by reducing the number of hours worked per year due to the economic environment.

 

For fiscal year 2016, Ms. Barnhill, our Vice Chairperson, President and Chief Operating Officer had expanded responsibilities include continuation of work to increase hotel operations, including continued emphasis on revenue management, cost control and all areas of marketing, including Internet marketing. Ms. Barnhill’s salary was set at $120,000 for fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016. During fiscal year 2015, Ms. Barnhill received a $3,400 discretionary bonus which was paid during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2015 but was earned during the prior fiscal year. During fiscal year 2016, Ms. Barnhill received a $500 discretionary bonus.

 

During fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016, Mr. Remis was paid $139,000 salary. Appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on March 18, 2013, Mr. Remis receives an annual base salary of $139,000 and was entitled to a discretionary first fiscal year bonus of at least $5,000 pursuant to an employment offer letter. During fiscal year 2015, Mr. Remis was paid $3,000 for the first fiscal year bonus and $3,400 discretionary bonus approved by the Compensation Committee for additional professional services rendered over and beyond his normal scope of duties.

 

During fiscal years 2016 and 2015, the Compensation Committee kept Mr. Berg’s base salary at $98,000, which was voluntarily reduced to $60,308 and $58,612, respectively, by reducing the number of hours worked per year due to the economic environment. During fiscal years 2016 and 2015, Mr. Berg was paid $28,750 and $25,500, respective, as a discretionary bonus for successfully negotiating refinances of our properties. In addition during fiscal year 2015, Mr. Berg’s related party Berg Investment Advisors was compensated $10,000 for successfully negotiating refinances of our properties of which $7,000 was paid to Berg Investment Advisors during fiscal year 2015 with the remainder paid during the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2016.

 

On February 22, 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees (the “Committee”) of InnSuites Hospitality Trust (the “Trust”) approved an increase in the annual base salaries of Pamela J. Barnhill, President, Chief Operating Officer, Vice Chairperson, and Trustee of the Trust, Marc E. Berg, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Trustee of the Trust and Adam B. Remis, Chief Financial Officer of the Trust (individually, an “Executive” and collectively, the “Executives”). The salary increases are effective as of February 1, 2016.

 

The Committee increased Ms. Barnhill’s annual base salary from $120,000 to $150,000, Mr. Berg’s annual base salary from $98,000 to $102,000, and Mr. Remis’s annual base salary from $139,000 to $147,500.

 

To give incentive to get hotel operations off to a strong start for the current fiscal year starting February 1, 2016, the Committee also adopted an incentive bonus programs for the Executives based on the targeted gross operating profit (i.e., total revenues less operating expenses) (the “Target GOP”) for February 2016 and March 2016, the first two months of the fiscal year. If the Target GOP is achieved or exceeded, each Executive will be entitled to a bonus consisting of cash and Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust in the amounts set forth below:

 

Executive Officer		Cash				Equity
Pamela J. Barnhill		$	10,000			10,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest
Marc E. Berg		$	2,500			2,500 Shares of Beneficial Interest
Adam B. Remis		$	5,000			5,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

The Committee also adopted an incentive bonus program for the Executives for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017 (the “2017 Fiscal Year Bonus Program”). Under the 2017 Fiscal Year Bonus Program, an Executive will be entitled to receive a bonus consisting of cash and Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust of the maximum amount set forth below upon the achievement by the Executive of performance-based objectives, which include revenue, gross operating profit and strategy for the hotel and IBC/IVH divisions.

 

Executive Officer		Cash				Equity
Pamela J. Barnhill		$	25,000			10,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest
Marc E. Berg		$	5,000			2,500 Shares of Beneficial Interest
Adam B. Remis		$	10,000			5,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

The Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust to be issued are expected to be granted pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.

  

 

Performance-Based Cash Bonuses

 

Our executive officers are eligible to receive cash bonuses under the General Manager Bonus Plan equal to 15% of the aggregate cash bonuses received by the general managers of all of our hotels, regardless of region. The general managers receive a bonus based on the achievement of budgeted gross operating profit (total revenues less operating expenses) (“GOP”) at their hotel on a quarterly and annual basis. Under the plan, if the hotel’s actual quarterly and annual GOP exceeds the budgeted GOP, each general manager is eligible for a potential maximum annual bonus of $20,000, consisting of a potential maximum quarterly bonus of $2,000 per quarter and a potential maximum year-end bonus of $12,000.

 

Quarterly General Manager GOP Bonus Potential:

 

Percentage of Budgeted Quarterly GOP Achieved		Cash Bonus
Less than 95%		$	0
95%		$	500
98%		$	1,000
102%		$	1,500
106% or more		$	2,000

 

Year-End General Manager GOP Bonus Potential:

 

Percentage of Budgeted Annual GOP Achieved		Cash Bonus
Less than 95%		$	0
95%		$	1,000
98%		$	2,000
102%		$	5,000
106%		$	9,000
108% or more		$	12,000

 

In fiscal year 2016, each of our executive officers received an annual cash bonus equal to 15% of the aggregate cash bonuses received by the general managers of all of our hotels, regardless of region. The general manager aggregate cash bonuses for fiscal year 2016 were as follows:

 

Period		GM Aggregate Cash Bonus
First Quarter		$	6,500
Second Quarter		$	4,000
Third Quarter		$	3,900
Fourth Quarter		$	3,500
Year End		$	25,000

 

Accordingly, each of our executive officers received a cash bonus of $6,435 for fiscal year 2016 but $4,275 was paid during fiscal year 2017.

 

Benefits and Other Compensation

 

We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life insurance and a 401(k) plan. We also have a mandatory matching contribution for our 401(k) plan. We do not have a pension plan. Our executive officers are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as our other employees.

 

 

Compensation Changes for Fiscal Year 2016

 

Effective February 5, 2015, our Board of Trustees adopted, subject to shareholder approval, the InnSuites Hospitality Trust 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), under which up to 1,600,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust are authorized to be issued pursuant to grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units and other awards. The purpose of the 2015 Plan and the awards described below is to promote the interests of the Trust and its shareholders by providing certain employees and members of the Board of Trustees, who are largely responsible for the management and growth of the subsidiary of the Trust, IBC Hotels, LLC, with incentives and rewards to encourage them to continue in the service of the Trust.

 

On February 5, 2015, pursuant to the 2015 Plan, our Board of Trustees granted to Ms. Barnhill, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Trust and IBC Hotels Founder and President, a four-year option to purchase 1,000,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust at an exercise price of $3.50 per share, exercisable to the extent the option vests and GAAP pre-tax profits of IBC Hotels, LLC (“IBC Hotels”) are greater than or equal to the performance objectives described in the stock option agreement. The Compensation Committee believes choose to provide Ms Barnhill 1,000,000 options as she is leading our IBC Hotels efforts and if our stock price significantly exceeds the exercise price, we believe that it will be based on the IBC Hotels success. The option vests one-third each on May 17, 2016, February 5, 2017 and February 5, 2018, subject to the achievement of performance objectives of the GAAP pre-tax profits of IBC Hotels being equal to or in excess of $60,000 for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016, $200,000 for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017, and $400,000 for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2018. The options are subject to shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan.

 

On April 24, 2015, pursuant to the 2015 Plan, our Board of Trustees granted to each of Mr. Wirth, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, Mr. Berg, Executive Vice President and Trustee, and Mr. Remis, Chief Financial Officer of the Trust, a four-year option to purchase of 60,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust at an exercise price of $3.50 per share, exercisable to the extent the option vests and GAAP pre-tax profits of IBC Hotels are greater than or equal to the performance objectives described in the stock option agreement. The number of options provided to each of these Officers was based on the combination of their length of InnSuites employment and their direct involvement in IBC Hotels. The options have the same terms as Ms. Barnhill’s option described above and are subject to shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan.

 

The Trust’s management is evaluating the accounting and legal aspects of the 2015 Plan and therefore, the shareholder vote on the 2015 Plan was not presented to the shareholders during the Trust’s 2015 annual meeting held on December 22, 2015. The Trust anticipates either placing the 2015 Plan to a vote of the Trust’s shareholders during the Trust’s 2016 annual meeting or cancelling the plan.

 

Fiscal Year 2016 Summary Compensation Table

 

The table below shows individual compensation information paid to our executive officers for our fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

Name and		Fiscal				Salary				Discretionary Bonus				Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation no (5)				All Other Compensation				Total
Principal Position(1)		Year				($)				($)				($)				($)(1)				($)
James F. Wirth,			2016			$	71,538			$	0			$	5,060			$	1,473	(2)		$	78,071
Chief Executive Officer			2015			$	68,309			$	0			$	1,875			$	500			$	70,684
Adam B. Remis,			2016			$	139,000			$	0			$	5,060			$	500			$	144,560
Chief Financial Officer			2015			$	139,000			$	6,400	(4)		$	1,875			$	500			$	147,775
Marc E. Berg,			2016			$	60,308			$	28,750			$	5,060			$	7,500	(3)		$	101,618
Executive Vice President			2015			$	58,612			$	25,500			$	1,875			$	3,500	(3)		$	89,487
Pamela J. Barnhill,			2016			$	120,000			$	500			$	5,060			$	3,745	(2)		$	129,305
Vice Chairperson, President and Chief Operating Officer			2015			$	120,000			$	3,400			$	1,875			$	11,707	(2)		$	136,982

 

(1) Matching contributions made under our 401(k) plan to our executive officers with a maximum of $500 per calendar year are included in all other compensation.

 

 

(2) Ms. Barnhill and Mr. Wirth were the account name holder for the Trust’s corporate purchase cards as described in the “Certain Transactions – Guarantees” section below. The corporate purchase cards provide American Express Membership Rewards to Ms. Barnhill and Mr. Wirth. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, Ms. Barnhill received 324,463 and 1,120,758 American Express Membership Rewards, respectively, with an estimated value of 3,245 and $11,207, respectively, which amounts are included in all other compensation. Mr. Wirth opened his American express purchase card in March 2015 and for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016, Mr. Wirth received 97,278 American Express Membership rewards with an estimated value of $973.

 

(3) In addition to the employer 401(k) match provided to all eligible Trust employees, Mr. Berg through his Berg Investment Advisors company was compensated $10,000 for additional consultative services rendered by Mr. Marc Berg, the Trust’s Executive Vice President of which $7,000 was paid during fiscal year 2015 and $3,000 was paid during fiscal year 2016.

 

(4) Mr. Remis received $3,400 for his first year fiscal year bonus and $3,400 discretionary bonus approved by the Compensation Committee for additional professional services rendered over and beyond his normal scope of duties.

 

During fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we did not issue any Shares to our executive officers and did not grant any stock options or any other equity-based awards. None of our executive officers owned any stock options, or had any outstanding unvested Shares, as of January 31, 2016. A total of 1,434,500 stock options were granted during the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 subject to shareholder approval which has not occurred yet and may not occur depending upon Managements’ evaluation of the accounting and legal implications of the 2015 Plan. Consistent with ASC 718-10-55-10, compensation cost associated with issuance of these options has not been recognized as shareholder approval is not perfunctory. For stock option grants during fiscal year 2016 and additional information about our stock option plan, see Note 26 to our Consolidated Financial Statements - “Stock Options.”

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with all of our executive officers and Trustees. The agreements provide for indemnification against all liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred by an officer or Trustee in connection with the defense or disposition of any suit or other proceeding, in which he or she may be involved or with which he or she may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, because of his or her position at the Trust. There is no indemnification for any matter as to which an officer or Trustee is adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, with willful misconduct or reckless disregard of his or her duties, with gross negligence, or not in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in our best interests. We may advance payments in connection with indemnification under the agreements. The level of indemnification is to the full extent of the net equity based on appraised and/or market value of the Trust.

 

 

Potential Payments Upon Change in Control

 

We do not have employment agreements with our executive officers. Upon a change in control, our 1997 Stock Incentive and Option Plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of restricted Shares. However, if a change in control had occurred on January 31, 2016, none of our executive officers would have received any payment under the Plan upon a change in control because none had any awards outstanding as of that date.

 

Fiscal Year 2016 Trustee Compensation

 

The table below shows individual compensation information for our non-employee Trustees for our fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. Compensation information for Messrs. Wirth and Berg and Ms. Barnhill, who do not receive additional compensation for their service as Trustees, is included in the Summary Compensation Table above:

 

Name		Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)				Stock Awards ($)(1)				Total ($)
Cynthia Ketcherside		$	0			$	16,320			$	16,320
Leslie T. Kutasi		$	0			$	16,320			$	16,320
Larry Pelegrin (2)		$	0			$	14,533			$	14,533
Steven S. Robson		$	0			$	16,320			$	16,320
JR Chase (2)		$	0			$	1,787			$	1,787

	(1)	The dollar amounts shown in the Stock Awards column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted Shares computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. For a discussion of assumptions we made in valuing restricted Shares, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Stock-Based Compensation,” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015. The Stock Awards were based on a stock price of $2.72 which was the closing price of the Trust’s Shares of Beneficial Interest as of February 1, 2015.
	(2)	Larry Pelegrin’s term on our Board of Trustees ended at the 2015 Annual Meeting which occurred on December 22, 2015. JR Chase was elected as a new Trustee during our 2015 Annual Meeting. Mr. Pelegrin and Mr. Chase were paid a pro-rata amount of stock based on their service during fiscal year 2016.

 

We compensate our non-employee Trustees for their services through grants of restricted Shares. The aggregate grant date fair value of these Shares is shown in the table above. These restricted Shares vested in equal monthly amounts during our fiscal year 2016. As of January 31, 2016, Messrs. Kutasi, Pelegrin and Robson and Ms. Ketcherside did not hold any unvested Shares. As compensation for our fiscal year 2016, on February 5, 2015, we issued 6,000 additional restricted Shares (with the aggregate grant date fair value of $16,320 per grant) to each of Messrs. Kutasi and Robson and Ms. Ketcherside, and 3,000 additional restricted Shares (with the aggregate grant fair value of $8,040 per grant) to Mr. Pelegrin, which Shares will vest in equal monthly amounts during our fiscal year ending on January 31, 2016. During our compensation committee meeting on December 22, 2015, Mr. Pelegrin was awarded an additional 2,343 Shares and Mr. Chase was awarded 657 Shares for their service to the Board for the remaining part of fiscal year 2016.

 

We do not pay our Trustees an annual cash retainer, per meeting fees or additional compensation for serving on a Committee or as a Committee Chair.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

 

Ownership of Shares

 

The following table shows the persons who were known to us to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of our outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest, together with the number of Shares of Beneficial Interest owned beneficially by each Trustee and executive officer, and the Trustees and executive officers as a group. The percentages in the table are based on 8,817,803 Shares of Beneficial Interest issued and outstanding as of April 19, 2016. Unless otherwise specified, each person has sole voting and investment power of the Shares of Beneficial Interest that he or she beneficially owns.

 

 

Greater-than-Five-Percent Beneficial Owners and Beneficial Ownership of Trustees, and Executive Officers
Trustees and Executive Officers		Shares Beneficially Owned(1)				Percentage of Outstanding Shares
James F. Wirth(2)			5,975,786				67.76	%
Pamela J. Barnhill(3)			263,534				2.99	%
Marc E. Berg			60,255				*
Cynthia Ketcherside			17,145				*
Leslie T. Kutasi			24,000				*
JR Chase(4)			657				*
Adam B. Remis			-				-
Steven S. Robson			302,723				3.43	%
Trustees and Executive Officers as a group (eight persons)			6,644,100				75.35	%

 

*	Less than one percent (1.0%).
(1)	Pursuant to the SEC’s rules, “beneficial ownership” includes Shares that may be acquired within 60 days following April 26, 2016. However, none of the individuals listed in the table had the right to acquire any Shares within the 60-day period.
(2)	All Shares are owned jointly by Mr. Wirth and his spouse and/or by Rare Earth Financial, LLC, except for 1,738,476 Shares that are voted separately by Mr. Wirth and 1,239,078 Shares that are voted separately by Mrs. Wirth. Mr. Wirth has pledged 1,466,153, and Mrs. Wirth has pledged 300,000, of these Shares as security. Mr. Wirth, his spouse and children own directly and indirectly all 3,407,938 issued and outstanding Class B limited partnership units in the Partnership, the conversion of which is restricted and permitted only at the discretion of our Board of Trustees. Mr. Wirth’s business address is 1625 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 105, Phoenix, Arizona 85020.
(3)	Includes 24,098 Shares held by minor children.

 

The following table provides information about our equity compensation plans (other than qualified employee benefits plans and plans available to shareholders on a pro rata basis) as of January 31, 2016:

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan Category

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a)

Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b)

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

0

$

N/A

1,000,000

(1)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

None

None

1,600,000

 

(1) We have 1,000,000 options available for future grants under our 1997 Stock Incentive and Option Plan.

 

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND TRUSTEE INDEPENDENCE

 

Independence of Trustees

 

The Board of Trustees has determined that a majority of the Trustees, Messrs. Kutasi, Chase and Robson and Ms. Ketcherside are “independent,” as defined by the NYSE MKT’s listing standards, for purposes of serving on the Board of Trustees and each committee of which they are members. Messrs. Berg and Wirth and Ms. Barnhill are executive officers of the Trust and, therefore, are not “independent.” All members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee are “independent,” as such term is defined by the SEC rules and NYSE MKT’s listing standards. Our independent Trustees meet at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent Trustees and management. Except as described under “Certain Transactions” below, there were no transactions, relationships or arrangements in fiscal year 2015 that required review by the Board for purposes of determining Trustee independence.

 

Certain Transactions

 

Management and Licensing Agreements

 

The Trust directly manages the Hotels through the Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, InnSuites Hotels. Under the management agreements, InnSuites Hotels manages the daily operations of the Hotels and the three hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth. All Trust managed Hotel expenses, revenues and reimbursements among the Trust, InnSuites Hotels and the Partnership have been eliminated in consolidation. The management fees for the Hotels and the three hotels owned by Mr. Wirth are 3% of room revenue and a monthly accounting fee of $2,000 per hotel. These agreements have no expiration date and may be cancelled by either party with 90-days written notice in the event the property changes ownership. In fiscal years 2016 and 2015, InnSuites Hotels received aggregate fees of $221,866 and $278,208, respectively, for management of the three hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth. The Trust charges management fees to related parties.

 

The Trust also provides the use of the “InnSuites” trademark to the Hotels and the three hotels owned by affiliates of Mr. Wirth through the Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, InnSuites Hotels, at no additional charge.

 

Restructuring Agreements

 

For information about the restructuring agreements for Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, Tucson Hospitality Properties, Ontario Hospitality Properties, Yuma Hospitality Properties and Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality, see Notes 3-7 of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Financing Arrangements and Guarantees

 

On January 1, 2012, Tucson Hospitality Properties LLP, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $1,000,000 Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable with Rare Earth, depending on whether amounts are due to or due from Rare Earth. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable bore interest at 7.0% per annum, was interest only quarterly and was amended on July 1, 2014 to extend the maturity date to March 31, 2015, and increased the maximum borrowing capacity from $1,000,000 to $1,400,000. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable was further amended on October 27, 2014 to increase the maximum borrowing capacity from $1,400,000 to $2,000,000. As of January 31, 2016, the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable has been paid in full and was closed. No prepayment penalty existed on the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note or Note Receivable.

 

On December 1, 2014, the Trust entered into a $1,000,000 net maximum Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note with Rare Earth. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note bears interest at 7.0% per annum, is interest only quarterly and matures on December 31, 2017. No prepayment penalty exists on the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note. The balance fluctuates significantly through the period with the highest payable balance being $714,270 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. The Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note has a net maximum borrowing capacity of $1,000,000. Related party interest expense or revenue for the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 was $7,618 of expense and $5,761 of revenue, and for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 was $659 of expense.

 

The above Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Notes are presented together as one line item on the balance sheet and totaled a receivable of $5,761 and payable of $262,659 at January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, all of which is considered a current receivable and liability.

 

 

On May 21, 2014, Tucson Hospitality Properties LLP, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $447,100 business loan, including $25,307 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Tucson Oracle Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of May 21, 2015. The Tucson Oracle Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 15% of the Tucson Oracle American Express, VISA and MasterCard merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On July 24, 2014, Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $451,560 business loan, including $25,560 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “St. Mary’s Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of July 24, 2015. The St. Mary’s Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 17% of the St. Mary’s American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On August 19, 2014, Ontario Hospitality Properties, LP (“Ontario entity”), a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $477,000 business loan, including $27,000 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Ontario Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of September 19, 2015. The Ontario Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 27% of the Ontario American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan has been paid in full.

 

On September 16, 2014, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $415,520 business loan, including $23,250 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Yuma Merchant Agreement”) with a maturity date of September 16, 2015. The Yuma Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 22% of the Yuma American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On October 24, 2014, Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of the Trust, entered into a $318,000 business loan, including $18,000 of loan fees, with American Express Bank, FSB (the “Albuquerque Merchant Agreement”) with an maturity date of October 24, 2015. This loan was paid off in full on November 20, 2015. The Albuquerque Merchant Agreement included a loan fee of 6% of the original principal balance of the loan with acceleration provisions upon default. The business loan was secured and paid back with 14% of the Albuquerque American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover merchant receipts received during the loan period. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance has been paid in full.

 

On July 7, 2015, the Trust’s revolving bank line of credit agreement, with a credit limit of $600,000, was changed to a four year non-revolving note payable. The non-revolving note payable has a variable interest rate of Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus a margin of 1% with a floor rate of 5.5%, maturing on July 3, 2019 and monthly payments of $13,978.08. The line is secured by a junior security interest in the Yuma, Arizona property and the Trust’s trade receivables. As of January 31, 2016, the non-revolving note payable balance was approximately $532,000.

 

On September 25, 2013, the Trust entered into a revenue sharing agreement with independent Lodging Industry Association (“ILIA”). In 2014, Ms. Barnhill, President and Vice Chairperson of the Trust, became President of ILIA. The revenue sharing agreement states that of the 10% IBC fees collected from ILIA hotels, 3% will be remitted back to ILIA from February, 2015 through June, 2015, 2% will be remitted back to ILIA from July, 2015 through December, 2015, and 1% will be remitted back to ILIA from January, 2016 through June, 2016. As of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015, no fees have been remitted or accrued related to the ILIA revenue sharing agreement.

 

On January 8, 2016, in connection with the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of International Vacation Hotels (“IVH”), the Trust entered into a $400,000 business loan with Laurence Holdings Limited, an Ontario, Canada Corporation with a maturity date of February 1, 2019 pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement and Promissory Note (“Agreement”). The Agreement requires the funds be used for the purchase of IVH assets. The agreement provides interest only payments for the first 3 months of the term and principal and interest payments for the remaining portion of the loan. The Agreement sets an interest rate of 8% per annum with no prepayment penalty. As of January 31, 2016, the business loan balance was $400,000.

 

Other Related Party Transactions

 

During fiscal year 2015, Mr. Berg’s related party Berg Investment Advisors was compensated $10,000 for successfully negotiating refinances of our properties of which $7,000 was paid to Berg Investment Advisors during fiscal year 2015 with the remainder paid during the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2016.

 

Compensation Information

 

For information regarding compensation of our executive officers, see Item 11 of this Form 10-K.

 

 

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties

 

On December 10, 2013, the Board of Trustees adopted a Related Party Transactions Policy, which established procedures for reviewing transactions between us and our Trustees and executive officers, their immediate family members, entities with which they have a position or relationship, and persons known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Shares of Beneficial Interest. These procedures help us evaluate whether any related person transaction could impair the independence of a Trustee or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a Trustee or executive officer. First, the related party transaction is presented to our executive management, including our Chief Financial Officer. Our Chief Financial Officer then discusses the transaction with our outside counsel, as needed. Lastly, the Audit Committee and the members of the Board of Trustees who do not have an interest in the transaction review the transaction and, if they approve, pass a resolution authorizing the transaction. In determining whether to approve a Related Party Transaction, the Audit Committee and the members of the Board of Trustees consider whether the terms of the related party transaction are fair to the Trust on the same basis as would apply if the transaction did not involve a related party; whether there are business reasons for the Trust to enter into the related party transaction; whether the related party transaction would impair the independence of the outside Trustee and whether the related party transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any Trustee or executive officer of the Trust, taking into account the size of the transaction, the overall financial position of the trustee, executive officer or related party, the direct or indirect nature of the Trustee’s, executive officer’s or other related party interest in the transaction and the ongoing nature of any proposed relationship, and any other factors the Audit Committee and members of the Board of Trustees deem relevant. Our Related Party Transactions Policy is available in the Corporate Governance portion of our website at www.innsuitestrust.com.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 were audited by Hall & Company Certified Public Accountants, Inc. (“Hall CPAs”), formally known as HMCPA Accountancy Corporation. On February 15, 2016, HMCPA Accountancy Corporation merged with Hall CPAs. Hall CPAs reviewed our interim financial statements in our Forms 10Q for the fiscal quarters ending July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2015. Our former independent registered public accounting firm, Semple, Marchal and Cooper, LLP (“Semple”) reviewed our interim financial statements in our Forms 10Q during our first quarter of fiscal year 2016 ending April 30, 2015.

 

Audit Fees

 

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we expect to pay Hall CPAs up to $73,000 for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years 2016 and 2015 and up to 15,000 for the review of our interim financial statements in our Forms 10-Q for fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. In addition, we expect to pay Hall CPAs an additional 5% of professional fees for administrative expenses and reimbursement of actual out of pocket travel expenses not to exceed $6,000.

 

The aggregate fees billed and paid for services rendered by Hall CPAs and Semple for the review of our interim financial statements in our Forms 10-Q and services provided in connection with regulatory filings was $15,000 for the fiscal years ending January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

No additional audit-related fees were incurred.

 

Tax Fees

 

Hall CPAs and Semple did not provide any tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning services to us during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

All Other Fees

 

Hall CPAs and Semple did not render any other services to us, and billed no other fees, during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

Our Audit Committee has considered and determined that the provision of these services is compatible with Hall & Company, Inc. maintaining their independence from us.

 

Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services

 

The Audit Committee pre-approves all fees for services performed by our independent auditors, currently Hall & Company, Inc. Unless a type of service our independent auditors provided received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The term of any pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. Since May 6, 2003, the effective date of the SEC’s rules requiring Audit Committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services performed by our independent auditors, all of the services provided by our independent auditors were approved in accordance with these policies and procedures.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)(3)

Exhibit List

 

See the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Financial Statements and Schedules

  

Financial Statements/Schedules of InnSuites Hospitality Trust
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	25
Consolidated Balance Sheets – January 31, 2016 and 2015	26
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	27
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	28
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	29
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015	30

 

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
2.1		Real Estate Purchase Agreement, effective July 1, 2015, by and between Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality, LLC, as Seller, and Lee & J Hospitality, Inc., as Buyer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2015).
2.2		Real Estate Purchase Agreement, dated November 3, 2015, by and between Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, as Seller, and Bong Choi and/or Assignee, as Buyer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2015).
2.3		Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 6, 2016, by and between Vacation Technologies International, Inc. d/b/a International Vacation Hotels, as Seller, and InnSuites Hospitality Trust and IBC Hotels, LLC, as Buyer, dated as of January 6, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2016).
3.1		Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of InnSuites Hospitality Trust, dated June 16, 1998, as further amended on July 12, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2005).
10.1		Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of RRF Limited Partnership, dated March 24, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2014).
10.2*		Form of Indemnification Agreement between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and each Trustee and executive officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2006).
10.3*		InnSuites Hospitality Trust 1997 Stock Incentive and Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2000).
10.4*		Employment Offer Letter from InnSuites Hospitality Trust to Adam B. Remis, dated March 3, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2013).

 

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.5*		InnSuites Hospitality Trust 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 5, 2015, subject to shareholder approval (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2015).
10.6*		Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Form Agreement, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Stock Option recipient (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of the Registrant’s Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015).
10.7*		Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Pamela Barnhill (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015).
10.8		Revolving Bank Line of Credit/Promissory Note, dated November 23, 2010, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, in favor of RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2010).
10.9		Revolving Bank Line of Credit Business Loan Agreement, dated November 23, 2010, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2010).
10.10		Change in Terms Agreement for Bank Line of Credit, dated May 12, 2011, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and James F. Wirth, as Guarantor, in favor of RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2011).
10.11		Change in Terms Agreement for Bank Line of Credit, dated May 25, 2012, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and James F. Wirth, as Guarantor, in favor of RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2012).

 

  

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.12		Change in Terms Agreement for Bank Line of Credit, dated June 22, 2012, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and James F. Wirth, as Guarantor, in favor of RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 2012).
10.13		Addendum, dated August 27, 2012, to Business Loan Agreement, dated November 23, 2010, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 14, 2012).
10.14		Change in Terms Agreement for Bank Line of Credit, dated September 14, 2012, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and James F. Wirth, as Guarantor, in favor of RepublicBankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2012).
10.15		Change in Terms Agreement for Bank Line of Credit, dated June 11, 2013, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and Republic Bank AZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2013).
10.16		Business Loan Agreement, dated August 24, 2012, by and between Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, as Borrower, and 1st Bank Yuma, as Lender, guaranteed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2012).
10.17		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 25, 2013, by and between Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, as Borrower, and American Express Bank FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2013).
10.18		Promissory Note, dated as of August 24, 2012, issued by Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, as Borrower, in favor of 1st Bank Yuma, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2012).

 

  

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.19		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated September 24, 2013, by and between Ontario Hospitality Properties, LLLP, as Borrower, and American Express Bank, FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2013).
10.20		Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC Restructuring Agreement, dated August 30, 2010, by and among RRF Limited Partnership, Rare Earth Financial, LLC, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, James F. Wirth, and Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2010).
10.21		Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC Restructuring Agreement, dated December 9, 2013, by and among RRF Limited Partnership, Rare Earth Financial, LLC, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, James F. Wirth, and Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC.
10.22		Tucson Hospitality Properties LLLP Restructuring Agreement, dated February 17, 2011, by and among Rare Earth Financial, LLC, RRF Limited Partnership, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Tucson Hospitality Properties LLLP, and James F. Wirth (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011).
10.23		Tucson Hospitality Properties LLLP Updated Restructuring Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013, by and among Rare Earth Financial, LLC, RRF Limited Partnership, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, and Tucson Hospitality Properties LLLP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2013, filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2013).
10.24		Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, dated January 31, 2011, by and among Rare Earth Financial, LLC, RRF Limited Partnership, InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, and James F. Wirth (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2012).
10.25		Partnership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2014, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Suite Hotels, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2014).
10.26		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated May 21, 2014, executed by Tucson Hospitality Properties, LLLP, as Borrower, in favor of American Express Bank, FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2014).

 

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.27		Change in Terms Agreement, dated June 23, 2014, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, in favor of Republic BankAZ, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2014).
10.28		Addendum, dated July 1, 2014, to the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note Agreement, by and between Tucson Hospitality Properties, LLLP and Rare Earth Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2014).
10.29		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated July 24, 2014, executed by Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality LLC, as Borrower, in favor of American Express Bank, FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2014).
10.30		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 19, 2014, executed by Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, as Borrower, in favor of American Express Bank, FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2014).
10.31		Business Loan Agreement, dated August 22, 2014, by and between Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, as Borrower, and Arizona Bank & Trust, as Lender, guaranteed by a first position lien against the Ontario property and all general business assets of Ontario (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2014).
10.32		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated September 16, 2014, executed by Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, as Borrower, in favor of American Express Bank, FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 2014).
10.33		Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 15, 2014, by and between Tucson Hospitality Properties, LLLP and Joseph R. Cesare and Hugh M. Caldwell, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2014).

 

  

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.34		Business Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 24, 2014, executed by Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, L.L.C., as Borrower, in favor of American Express Bank, FSB, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2014).
10.35		Addendum, dated October 27, 2014, to the Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note Agreement, by and between Tucson Hospitality Properties, LLLP and Rare Earth Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2014).
10.36		Deed of Trust, dated November 18, 2014, by and among Tucson Hospitality Properties, LLLP, as Trustor, and Kansas State Bank of Manhattan, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2014).
10.37		Promissory Note, dated November 18, 2014, executed by Tucson Hospitality Properties LLLP, as Borrower, in favor of Kansas State Bank of Manhattan, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2014).
10.38		Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership Restructuring Agreement, dated October 24, 2014, by and among Rare Earth Financial, LLC, InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2014).
10.39		Promissory Demand Note, dated December 29, 2014, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, in favor of Guy C. Hayden III, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2015).
10.40		Change in Terms Agreement and Acknowledgement by Guarantor, dated February 26, 2015, by and between Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality, LLC and Hanmi Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2015).
10.41		Demand/Revolving Line of Credit/Promissory Note Agreement, dated December 1, 2014, executed by InnSuites Hospitality Trust and its affiliates, as Borrowers, in favor of Rare Earth Financial, LLC and its affiliates, as Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015).

 

  

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.42		Amended Tucson Saint Mary’s Hospitality LLC Restructuring Agreement, dated April 24, 2015 and amended May 30, 2015, by and among InnSuites Hospitality Trust, RRF Limited Partnership, Rare Earth Financial, LLC and Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2015).
10.43		Termination Agreement, dated April 24, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Suite Hotels, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015).
10.44		Change in Terms Agreement and Acknowledgement by Guarantor, dated May 28, 2015, by and between Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality, LLC and Hanmi Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2015).
10.45		Change in Terms Agreement, dated June 15, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and RepublicBankAZ, N.A. as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 2015).
10.46		Change in Terms Agreement, dated July 7, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust, Yuma Hospitality Properties Limited Partnership, and RRF Limited Partnership, as Borrowers, and Republic BankAZ, N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2015).
10.47		Change in Terms Agreement and Acknowledgement by Guarantors, dated August 11, 2015, by and between Tucson Saint Mary’s Suite Hospitality, LLC and Hanmi Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 17, 2015).
10.48		Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 7, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2015).
10.49		Real Estate Purchase Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, executed by Bong Choi and/or Assignee, as Seller, and Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, as Buyer.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2015).
10.50		Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November 30, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Rare Earth Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 3, 2015).

 

   

Exhibit Number		Exhibit
10.51		Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 22, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Charles Strickland (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2015).
10.52		Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 22, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Rare Earth Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2015).
10.53		Line of Credit/Promissory Note, dated December 22, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust, as Lender, and Tempe/Phoenix Airport Resort, LLC, as Borrower, and Line of Credit/Promissory Note, dated December 22, 2015, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust, as Lender, and Phoenix Northern Resort LLC, as Borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2015).
10.54		Security Agreement and Promissory Note, dated January 8, 2016, executed by Pamela Barnhill, as trustee of InnSuites Hospitality Trust, and IBC Hotels, LLC, as Borrowers, in favor of Laurence Holdings Limited, as Lender and Secured Party (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2016).
10.55		Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 28, 2016, by and between InnSuites Hospitality Trust and Guy Hayden and Rare Earth Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2016).
10.56		Termination of Real Estate Purchase Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, executed by Bong Choi and/or Assignee, as Seller, and Ontario Hospitality Properties LLLP, as Buyer.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25 2016).
16.1		Letter from Semple, Marchal & Cooper, LLP dated August 31, 2015 regarding a change in certifying accountant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2015).
16.2		Letter from Hartley Moore Accountancy dated February 15, 2016 regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2016).
21		Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**		Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**		Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101		XBRL Exhibits
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH		XBRL Schema Document.
101.CAL		XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB		XBRL Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE		XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF		XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.

 

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

** Furnished herewith (not filed)

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Trust has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

	INNSUITES HOSPITALITY TRUST
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ James F. Wirth
		James F. Wirth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Adam B. Remis
		Adam B. Remis, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Trust and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ James F. Wirth
		James F. Wirth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Adam B. Remis
		Adam B. Remis, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Marc E. Berg
		Marc E. Berg, Trustee
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Steven S. Robson
		Steven S. Robson, Trustee
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Les Kutasi
		Les Kutasi, Trustee
Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ JR Chase
		JR Chase, Trustee

 

Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Cynthia Ketcherside
		Cynthia Ketcherside, Trustee

 

Dated: April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Pamela Barnhill
		Pamela Barnhill, Trustee