Columbia Hospitality Acquires The Chambers Group
SEATTLE, WA - March 9, 2011 - Seattle-based hospitality management and consulting firm, Columbia Hospitality, Inc., has acquired The Chambers Group. The Chambers Group, which has provided consulting, mid-level and full service management and development services and receiverships within the hospitality industry for over 20 years, will remain intact as a division of Columbia Hospitality.
Co-founder and managing director of The Chambers Group, Andrew Olsen, will join Columbia Hospitality as vice president alongside CEO John Oppenheimer and President Bret Matteson. Olsen will lead the combined consulting efforts of the two companies under Columbia Hospitality, while continuing to oversee the two and three star portfolio properties currently under The Chambers Group, which includes eight hotel management contracts with 821 additional guestrooms in Western Washington and Montana.
“We have a tremendous amount of respect for what The Chambers Group has accomplished and the relationships they have built for more than two decades in the hospitality industry,” said Columbia Hospitality CEO John Oppenheimer. “We are especially excited as this is a truly unique opportunity for longtime friends and industry peers to pool our resources and broaden the scope of who we serve.”
A well-known leader in the industry, Olsen brings with him over 30 years of experience. He is a current member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, has been an adjunct faculty member at the Washington State University School of Hotel Business Management and serves on the Advisory Board for Washington State University's hospitality program. He is also the incoming Chair of the Washington Lodging Association. Olsen received his B.S. degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
“I am thrilled to join the Columbia Hospitality team of professionals and leaders,” said Olsen. “The benefits of the merged resources will be outstanding for our team members and owners of the properties.” Olsen will join the team at Columbia Hospitality's Seattle headquarters.
About Columbia Hospitality
Columbia Hospitality, Inc. (Columbia), a Seattle-based hospitality management and consulting firm specializing in luxury hotel and resort management, was founded in 1995 by John Oppenheimer. Columbia's growing portfolio of premier properties, including boutique hotels, award-winning resorts, event venues and conference centers, offer world-class service in exquisite settings. Columbia creates memorable experiences for guests and team members while achieving phenomenal results for owners. The company's continued success has led to an international expansion of the consulting division and more than 100 hospitality development projects worldwide. For more information about Columbia and a full list of properties visit www.columbiahospitality.com.
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