RLJ Lodging Trust Expands Board of Trustees with Appointment of Patricia Gibson

September 5, 2017

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 5, 2017-- RLJ Lodging Trust (the “Company”) (NYSE:RLJ) today announced the election of Patricia Gibson as a new member to its Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Ms. Gibson’s appointment became effective August 31, 2017, upon the completion of the Company’s merger with FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc. (“FelCor”).

“We are very pleased to have Patricia join our board of trustees,” commented Ross H. Bierkan, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited about the significant real estate and finance experience that Patricia brings to the board. As we continue to integrate our new portfolio, Patricia’s comprehensive background and familiarity with FelCor will be a tremendous asset.”

Ms. Gibson currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Banner Oak Capital Partners, which she co-founded in October 2016. Banner Oak is an independent investment management firm with over $1 billion in net assets under management. Prior to this, Ms. Gibson was President of Hunt Realty Investments, Inc., or Hunt, the centralized real estate investment management company for the Hunt family and related entities. She joined Hunt as Senior Vice President in 1997. Ms. Gibson served as a trustee of FelCor since March 2016.

Ms. Gibson’s election increases the size of RLJ’s Board from seven to eight members.

About Us

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on acquiring premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company’s portfolio consists of 158 hotels with approximately 31,180 rooms located in 26 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release that are not in the present or past tense or that discuss the expectations of RLJ and/or FelCor are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which RLJ operates and beliefs of and assumptions made by RLJ management, involve uncertainties that could significantly affect the financial results of the combined company. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “may,” and “might” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the anticipated benefits of the merger between RLJ and FelCor, including future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the timing of future events, anticipated administrative and operating synergies, the anticipated impact of the merger on net debt ratios, cost of capital, future dividend payment rates, forecasts of FFO accretion, projected capital improvements, expected sources of financing, and descriptions relating to these expectations. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to expected synergies, improved liquidity and balance sheet strength — are forward looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in the real estate industry, financial markets and interest rates, or to the business or financial condition of either company or business (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for the companies' properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, including the integration of the combined companies' businesses, (v) the potential liability for the failure to meet regulatory requirements, including the maintenance of REIT status, (vi) availability of financing and capital, (vii) risks associated with achieving expected revenue synergies or cost savings, (viii) risks associated with the companies' ability to consummate the merger and the timing of the closing of the merger, (ix) the outcome of claims and litigation involving or affecting either company, (x) applicable regulatory changes, and (xi) those additional risks and factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by RLJ from time to time, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. RLJ does not undertake any duty to update any forward looking statements appearing in this document.

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Source: RLJ Lodging Trust

RLJ Lodging Trust
Leslie D. Hale, 301-280-7774
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer