UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11.


Table

img204985166_0.jpg 


DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,

On behalf of our Board of Directors and our corporate team, thank you for your investment in Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. We remain steadfast in our commitment to maximizing long-term value for our shareholders through strong operational performance, disciplined capital allocation, strategic growth and leading corporate governance.

During the most challenging operating environment our industry has ever experienced, we were able to achieve industry leading operating results, enhance the growth profile and long-term value of our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and dispositions, and maintain the strength and flexibility of our balance sheet. In 2022, as the lodging industry further recovered from the challenges brought by the pandemic, operations across our portfolio of hotels continued to improve.

img204985166_1.jpg 

Our team prioritized shareholder engagement during 2022 and in addition to our regular earnings and shareholder communications, actively participated in numerous outreach initiatives, both in person and virtually, including industry conferences, company presentations, analyst meetings, investor road shows and individual meetings. These interactions allowed us to gain valuable insight into the issues that were most important to our shareholders as well as expectations for our future performance while giving us the opportunity to provide additional transparency related to our business, operations, strategies, environmental stewardship, social responsibility, corporate governance and executive compensation. We value the feedback we received during these meetings and look forward to continuing the dialogue through future engagement.

We have always worked to uphold high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and believe these key areas of contentsfocus are an integral part of driving long-term value for our shareholders. We own one of the largest and most geographically diverse portfolios of rooms-focused hotels in the United States and are dedicated to making a positive impact on our local community and the many communities our hotels serve. We are mindful of our environmental footprint and committed to reducing our impact over time. We are proud to be affiliated with some of the best brands and management companies in the lodging industry, and together, we are actively implementing a variety of sustainability and social responsibility initiatives to reduce our environmental impact and further advance a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace within our Company, across our hotels and throughout the hotel industry. In 2022, we published our inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting our initiatives and progress. These areas of focus have always been incredibly important to us, and we will continue to work to incorporate and report on new programs and strategies as the ESG landscape expands and evolves.

Apple Hospitality strives to maintain the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics. Our Board of Directors includes individuals with leadership skills and relevant experience in finance, investing, business strategy, real estate, hospitality and ESG. We value diversity and believe it is desirable for our Board of Directors to include individuals who represent a mix of viewpoints, experiences and backgrounds, including racial, ethnic and gender diversity. We are delighted to welcome Carolyn Handlon to our Board of Directors. With 35 years of leadership experience with Marriott International, Inc., across multiple economic cycles, Carolyn successfully navigated recessionary environments and capital market challenges while helping Marriott preserve liquidity and financial stability. Carolyn brings tremendous financial acumen and expertise specific to the hotel industry to our Board of Directors, and we look forward to further advancing the Company’s corporate governance and oversight through her insight and leadership.

Our swift recovery from the impacts of the pandemic is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our corporate, brand and management teams and a testament to the merits of our strategy of investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of high-quality, rooms-focused hotels with low leverage. The travel industry is resilient, and as we look ahead, we believe we are incredibly well positioned for continued outperformance.

Sincerely,

img204985166_2.jpg 

Justin G. Knight

Chief Executive Officer and Director


img204985166_3.jpg 

Notice of the 20222023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

to be Held on Friday,Thursday, May 13, 202218, 2023

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Courtyard and Residence Inn Richmond Downtown, located at 1320 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the following purposes:  

img204985166_4.jpg 

1.

To electWhen

Thursday, May 18, 2023

9:00 a.m. Eastern Time

img204985166_5.jpg 

Where

Courtyard and Residence Inn Richmond Downtown

1320 East Cary Street

Richmond, VA 23219

img204985166_6.jpg 

Record Date

March 20, 2023

MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

2023 PROPOSALS

Board Recommends

For More Information

Proposal 1: Election of nine (9) directors named in the attached proxy statementProxy Statement to the Board of Directors, (the “Board”);

each for a term of one year.

2.img204985166_7.jpg For each nominee

To consider and act on an advisory vote regarding the approval of compensation paid to certain executive officers by the Company;pg. 12

3.

To ratifyProposal 2: Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to serve for 2022; and2023.

img204985166_8.jpg For

pg. 29

Proposal 3: Consideration of an advisory vote regarding the approval of compensation paid to certain executive officers by the Company.

img204985166_9.jpg For

pg. 35

Proposal 4: Consideration of an advisory vote regarding the frequency of shareholder voting on executive compensation.

img204985166_10.jpg 1 Year

pg. 64

4.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Shareholders will also transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

If you were a holder of record of any common shares of the CompanyApple Hospitality REIT, Inc. at the close of business on the record date of March 18, 2022,20, 2023 (the "Record Date"), you are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting”). If you are present at the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously returned a proxy card.

While we currently intend to hold the Annual Meeting in person, we may announce alternative arrangements (including safety protocols for in person meeting attendance) if federal, state or local governments impose restrictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic that impact our ability to hold an in-person meeting. We encourage you to monitor the Investor Information section of our website at ir.applehospitalityreit.com for any updates regarding the Annual Meeting.

The Company is furnishing its proxy statement, proxy and 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) to you electronically via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each shareholder. The Company has sent to its shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that provides instructions on how to access its proxy materials on the Internet, how to request and receive a paper copy of the proxy statement, Annual Report and proxy for the Annual Meeting and future meetings of shareholders, and how to vote online at www.proxyvote.com. Shareholders can also call 1-800-579-1639 to request proxy materials or 1-800-690-6903 to vote by telephone. Additionally, this proxy statement and the Annual Report are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y. Please read the enclosed information carefully before submitting your proxy.

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please call Ms. Kelly Clarke in the Company’s Investor Relations Department, at (804) 344-8121.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Matthew P. Rash

Secretary

March 31, 2022

REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU HOLD, AS A SHAREHOLDER YOUR ROLE IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND THE BOARD STRONGLY ENCOURAGES YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE VOTE ONLINE, BY PHONE OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE PROXY CARD. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.

The Company is furnishing its Proxy Statement, proxy card and 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Annual Report”) to you electronically via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each shareholder. The Company has sent to its shareholders a notice and electronic delivery of the proxy materials (the "Notice of Internet Availability") that provides instructions on how to access its proxy materials on the Internet, how to request and receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement, Annual Report and proxy card for the Annual Meeting and future meetings of shareholders, and how to vote online at www.proxyvote.com. Shareholders can also call 1-800-579-1639 to request proxy materials or 1-800-690-6903 to vote by telephone. Additionally, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y. Please read the enclosed information carefully before submitting your proxy.

Information: The Notice of Internet Availability, this Proxy Statement and related proxy materials are being mailed or made available to shareholders on or about March 31, 2023. Copies of this Proxy Statement, the Company’s proxy card and our Annual Report are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

img204985166_11.jpg 

Matthew P. Rash

Secretary

March 31, 2023


Table of contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

GeneralProxy Summary

1

Solicitation of ProxiesCorporate Responsibility

15

Company Information

2

Proposals to be Voted Upon

3

Proposal 1. Election of Directors

312

Proposal 2. Advisory Vote On Executive Compensation Paid by the CompanyConsideration of Director Nominees

1013

Director Qualifications

13

Nomination Procedures

14

Corporate Governance

21

Board of Directors

21

Code of Ethics

21

Corporate Governance Guidelines

21

Risk Oversight

21

Shareholder Communications

22

Share Ownership Guidelines

22

Hedging and Pledging of Company Securities

22

Board Self-Evaluation

23

Committees of the Board and Board Leadership

24

Summary

24

Board Leadership

25

Audit Committee Independence

25

Board Meetings, Attendance and Related Information

25

Executive Sessions

25

2022 Compensation of Directors

26

Reimbursements to Directors in 2022

26

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

26

Non-Employee Director Deferral Program

26

Employee Directors

27

Director Compensation

27

Outstanding Stock Option Awards

27

Proposal 3.2. Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

1129

Corporate Responsibility OverviewAudit Committee Report

1231

Corporate Governance, Risk Oversight and Procedures for Shareholder CommunicationsExecutive Officers

1632

Board of DirectorsProposal 3. Advisory Vote On Executive Compensation Paid by the Company

1635

Code of EthicsCompensation Discussion and Analysis

1636

Corporate Governance GuidelinesKey Executive Compensation Practices

1637

Risk Oversight

16

Shareholder Communications

17

Share Ownership Guidelines

17

Hedging and Pledging of Company Securities

17

Board Self-Evaluation

17

Consideration of Director Nominees

18

Director Qualifications

18

Nomination Procedures

18

Committees of the Board and Board Leadership

19

Summary

19

Board Leadership

19

Audit Committee Independence

20

Board Meetings, Attendance and Related Information

20

Executive Sessions

20

2021 Compensation of Directors

20

Reimbursements to Directors in 2021

20

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

20

Non-Employee Director Deferral Program

21

Employee Directors

21

Director Compensation

22

Outstanding Stock Option Awards

22

Audit Committee Report

22

Certain Relationships and Agreements

23

Cost Sharing with Related Entities

23

Executive Officers

24

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

26

Key Executive Compensation Practices

27

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

2738

Pay for Performance Philosophy

2838

General Philosophy and Objectives

2839

Role of the Compensation Committee

2939

Role of the Chief Executive Officer

2940

Compensation Consultant

2940

Peer Group Information

2940

Elements of Executive Compensation

3041

Perquisites and Other Benefits

3749

Ownership Requirements

3749

Limits on Tax Deductibility of ExecutiveCompensation

37


Table of contents

2022 Incentive Compensation

3749

2023 Incentive Compensation

50

Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

3850

Compensation Committee Report

3850

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

3850

Executive Compensation

3951

Summary Compensation Table

3951

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

4052

20212022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

4153

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

4153

Compensation Plans

4154

No Tax Gross-Up Payments

4456

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

4456

Pay Ratio DisclosureEquity Compensation Plan Information

4458

Other Matters for the 2022 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersPay Ratio Disclosure

4559

Equity Compensation Plan InformationPay Versus Performance

4560

Proposal 4. Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Executive Compensation Vote

64

Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

4565

Certain Relationships and Agreements

67

Cost Sharing with Related Entities

67

Information about the Annual Meeting and Voting

68

General

68

Solicitation of Proxies

69

Other Matters

69

Other Matters for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

69

Matters to be Presented at the 20232024 Annual Meeting ofShareholders

4869

Householding of Proxy Materials

4870

Exhibit 1: Reconciliation of Modified FFO to Net Income

71

img204985166_12.jpg 


Table of contents

APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC.PROXY SUMMARY

PROXY STATEMENT

DATED

March 31, 2022

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON

May 13, 2022

General

The enclosed proxy is solicited byThis summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all the Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (the “Company” or “Apple Hospitality”) for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Courtyard and Residence Inn Richmond Downtown, located at 1320 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time (the “Annual Meeting”). Your proxy may be revoked at any time before being voted at the Annual Meeting, either by a written notice of revocation that is received by the Company before the Annual Meeting or by conduct that is inconsistent with the continued effectiveness of the proxy, such as delivering another proxy with a later date or attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Unless your proxy indicates otherwise, all shares represented by a proxyinformation that you signshould consider, and return will be voted FORyou should carefully read the nominees listed in proposal 1, FOR proposals 2 and 3, and in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders for any other matters properly broughtentire Proxy Statement before the Annual Meeting.

Record holders ofvoting. This Proxy Statement, the Company’s common shares (the “Common Shares”) at the close of business on March 18, 2022 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement, the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20212022, (the “Annual Report”), and the proxy card are first being made available, and a notice and electronic delivery of the proxy materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) is first being mailed, to shareholders on or about March 31, 2022.2023.

As permitted by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange CommissionCOMPANY OVERVIEW

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (the “SEC”“Company” or “Securities and Exchange Commission”“Apple Hospitality”), the Company (NYSE: APLE) is making this proxy statement and its Annual Report available to its shareholders electronically via the Internet. The Company believes that this process expedites receipt of its proxy materials by shareholders, while lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting. If you received the Notice of Internet Availability by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy statement and Annual Report. The Notice of Internet Availability also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy over the Internet. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting printed materials contained in the Notice of Internet Availability. 

At the close of business on the Record Date, a total of 228,888,561 Common Shares were issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on all matters, including those to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote. The presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the Common Shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

In the event that a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, it is expected the meeting will be adjourned or postponed in order to solicit additional proxies.

Solicitation of Proxies

The Company will be responsible for the costs of the solicitation set forth in this proxy statement. Brokerage houses, fiduciaries, nominees and others will be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of Common Shares. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, certain of the Company’s directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone, personal contact, or other means of communication. No additional compensation, except for reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, will be paid to directors, officers and employees of the Company in connection with the solicitation. Any questions or requests for assistance regarding this proxy solicitation may be directed to the Company by telephone at (804) 344-8121, Attention: Investor Relations, or your bank, broker or other custodian that holds your shares. You may revoke a

1


Table of contents

previously delivered proxy by delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, or by submitting a later dated proxy by Internet, telephone or a duly executed paper ballot at any time before the proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. We will honor the latest vote received. Proxy holders will vote shares represented by written proxies, if properly signed and returned to the Secretary, in accordance with instructions of the shareholders. If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may revoke or change your voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank or other nominee and following their instructions.

Company Information

The Company operates as apublicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes. The mailing addressthat owns one of the Company is 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.largest and most diverse portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. The Company can be contacted,was formed in 2007 and public information about the Company can be obtained, by sending a written notice to Ms. Kelly Clarke, Investor Relations Department, at the Company’s address as provided above or through its website, www.applehospitalityreit.com.predecessor companies has a history in the lodging industry of more than 20 years. Apple Hospitality was structured to mitigate risks associated with investing in the lodging industry and to maximize operating results through all market conditions. Throughout its history, the Company's strategy has been straightforward: own hotels with broad consumer appeal; broadly diversify its portfolio across a variety of U.S. markets and demand generators; align with the best lodging brands and hospitality management teams in the industry; consistently reinvest in its hotels; maximize value through disciplined capital allocation; maintain financial flexibility with low levels of debt; and foster a work environment where team members are valued and the Company's mission is fulfilled.

220

HOTELS

15

BRANDS

87

MARKETS

$1.2B

TOTAL 2022 REVENUE

28,983

GUEST ROOMS

30

BRAND AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARDS

37

STATES

63

EMPLOYEES

99%

ROOMS-FOCUSED HOTELS

17

MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

19M

TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE

50%

OF EXECUTIVE TEAM IS FEMALE

Note: Statistics are as of December 31, 2022.

The Company’s Annual Report and its other public federal securities filings also may be obtained electronically

img204985166_13.jpg 

MISSION

Apple Hospitality is a leading real estate investment company committed to increasing shareholder value through the EDGAR systemdistribution of the Securitiesattractive dividends and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. The proxy materials are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y.

2long-term capital appreciation.

img204985166_14.jpg 

1


Table

VALUES

HOSPITALITY

We are thoughtful in our interactions with others and know that strong, caring relationships are the core of our industry.

RESOLVE

We are passionate about the work we do and are steadfast in our commitment to our shareholders.

EXCELLENCE

We are driven to succeed and improve through innovation and perseverance.

INTEGRITY

We are trustworthy and accountable.

TEAMWORK

We support and empower one another, embracing diversity of opinion and background.

BOARD COMPOSITION AT A GLANCE

The Board of contents

ProposalsDirectors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the "Governance Committee") of Apple Hospitality are committed to be VotedUpon

ensuring that the Board is composed of a highly capable and diverse group of directors who collectively provide a significant breadth of experience, knowledge, perspective and ability to effectively represent the interest of shareholders, drive shareholder value and reflect the Company's corporate values. Refer to Proposal 1. Election of Directors below on page 12 and the Corporate Governance section below on page 21 for more information on the Company’s Board of Directors.

img204985166_15.jpg 

Apple Hospitality’s director nominees have a diversity of skills, viewpoints and expertise relevant to overseeing the Company’s business and strategy, including the following areas:

img204985166_16.jpg 

img204985166_14.jpg 

2


2022 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

$1.2 BILLION

 IN REVENUE

$145 MILLION NET INCOME

$351 MILLION FFO*

$0.63 NET INCOME PER SHARE

$1.53 MODIFIED FFO

 PER SHARE*

$139.5 MILLION

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID

* Note: Refer to Exhibit 1 for the reconciliation to net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") of the non-GAAP financial measure, Modified Funds from Operations ("Modified FFO").

2022 operating performance driven by strong leisure and improving business demand, consisting of both transient and small group bookings

2022 revenue per available room ("RevPAR") was $108.45, an increase of 32.2% over 2021 and an increase of 2.6% over 2019 (pre-COVID-19)
Portfolio management and historically low supply growth further position portfolio for outperformance

Reinstated and twice increased regular monthly cash distributions during 2022 and declared a special distribution

The following charts compare the Company's performance with the performance of its peers and specific industry indices using total shareholder return ("TSR"). Refer to the "Shareholder Return Metrics" section within "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," on page 46, for details on who is included in the Company's peer group.

img204985166_17.jpg 

img204985166_14.jpg 

3


img204985166_18.jpg 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following is a summary of the Company’s 2022 target executive incentive compensation awards for its Named Executive Officers ("NEOs"). These are designed to reward achievement of annual operational/financial performance measures and annual/multi-year TSR measures. For additional information on the Company’s executive compensation, please refer to "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," beginning on page 36.

img204985166_19.jpg 

img204985166_14.jpg 

4


CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Apple Hospitality owns one of the largest and most geographically diverse portfolios of rooms-focused hotels in the United States. The Company is dedicated to making a positive impact on its local community and the many communities its hotels serve. The Company is mindful of its environmental footprint and committed to reducing its impact over time. Apple Hospitality has worked to uphold high environmental, social and governance ("ESG") standards and believes these key areas of focus are an integral part of driving long-term value for its shareholders.

The Company's ESG strategy aims to enhance long-term value for its shareholders through responsible investment in sustainable and equitable practices at the corporate and property levels that: strengthen the resilience of the Company and its hotels while minimizing its overall environmental impact and enhancing the value of its assets; encourage stakeholder engagement and advance human capital; and make positive contributions throughout the Company, the hotel industry, its local community and the many communities its hotels serve. The Company's ESG strategy begins with its responsible investment in efficient rooms-focused hotels that are aligned with industry-leading brands, operated by exceptional management companies and broadly diversified across a wide variety of markets and is supported by the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics.

ESG OVERSIGHT

Apple Hospitality’s Board of Directors understands the importance of the Company’s programs, policies and initiatives related to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance and through its Governance Committee oversees the Company’s ESG strategy and initiatives. In 2022, the Board approved changes to the Governance Committee's Charter to formalize the Governance Committee’s role in reviewing the Company’s policies, programs and practices related to corporate responsibility and sustainability and climate-related risks and opportunities. The Governance Committee regularly receives reports from the Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance Advisory Committee (the “ESG Advisory Committee”) on the Company’s progress toward established initiatives and targets at the Governance Committee meetings. The Governance Committee in turn reports to the full Board of Directors on a routine basis.

The ESG Advisory Committee was created to centralize the establishment, review and internal oversight of the Company’s sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives. The ESG Advisory Committee includes the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Investor Relations and receives support from other Company departments, including asset management, capital investments, acquisitions and dispositions, financial reporting, and risk management. The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer, who both report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who serves on Apple Hospitality’s Board of Directors, participate in Governance Committee and Audit Committee meetings, regularly providing updates on the Company’s climate-related risks, opportunities and initiatives. In addition, the Chief Financial Officer, along with the Chief Executive Officer, regularly engage with external stakeholders, investors and analysts on matters related to climate risks and opportunities for the Company's hotels. Refer to the chart below for the hierarchical structure of ESG Oversight within the Company.

img204985166_14.jpg 

5


img204985166_20.jpg 

Apple Hospitality has established responsibilities within the Company's capital investment, asset management and risk management departments to implement, monitor and evaluate its sustainability initiatives and climate-related risks and opportunities. The Company’s asset disposition and acquisition analysis is also influenced by its evaluation of climate-related risks and opportunities. The ESG Advisory Committee, with cross-departmental support, conducts surveys of the Company’s third-party property managers, focusing on the implementation of the Company’s corporate sustainability initiatives and seeking feedback on opportunities to increase investments in climate-related initiatives. The results of those surveys are used to guide the Company’s capital investment plans and evaluate opportunities for continuous improvement.

In addition, the Board’s Audit Committee is tasked with oversight responsibility for the Company’s enterprise risk management and risk management policies, including those related to cybersecurity and cyber risks.

img204985166_21.jpgENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP STRATEGY

Areas of focus:

Invest in sustainable practices at the corporate and property levels to strengthen the resilience of the Company and its hotels while minimizing the Company’s overall environmental impact and enhancing asset value.
Leverage the procurement, logistics and supply chain programs established by the Company's franchise brands to responsibly source materials for hotel renovations.
Leverage the sustainability programs of the Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt brand families and the Company's third-party management companies.
Continue to engage energy consultants to identify opportunities that improve the Company's environmental performance through increased energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and renewable energy opportunities.

The Company established a formal energy management program in 2018 and adopted a formal Environmental Policy in 2020 to ensure that energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management are a priority not only within the Company, but also with the Company’s third-party management companies and brands. In 2022, the Company published a Corporate Responsibility Report, including, as they relate to environmental matters, the Company’s responsible investments, sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship priorities. To further advance the Company’s sustainability initiatives and standards, the Company is working towards the establishment of reduction targets for its primary environmental impacts.

Due to the efficient operating model and strong consumer preference, the Company is primarily invested in rooms-focused hotels, which the Company believes are more environmentally efficient than full-service hotels and resorts

img204985166_14.jpg 

6


and use less electricity, water and natural gas on a per-square-foot basis. In addition to its overall strategy of investing in rooms-focused hotels, the Company is committed to identifying and incorporating sustainability opportunities into its investment and asset management strategies, with a focus on minimizing its environmental impact through reductions in energy and water consumption and improvements in waste management. The Company’s hotels are concentrated in the Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt brand families. In addition to the initiatives the Company implements at its hotels through its asset management strategies, the Company also works with its third-party management companies to leverage brand initiatives to further drive sustainability across its hotels.

The Company seeks to invest in proven sustainability practices when renovating its hotels and in portfolio-wide capital projects that can enhance asset value while also improving environmental performance. For example, the Company has realized cost savings and reductions in its carbon footprint through the installation of energy efficient lighting, energy management systems, smart irrigation systems and the use of energy and water conservation guidelines at the property level, with 100% of the Company’s portfolio enrolled in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program. Additionally, as part of the Company’s acquisition due diligence, the Company performs sustainability assessments to identify areas of opportunity that will improve the property’s environmental performance, and when working with developers to construct new hotels, strives to implement environmentally efficient construction and building functionality. For example, in 2020, the Company acquired a newly constructed Hyatt House and Hyatt Place in Tempe, Arizona, that are LEED Certified®. In 2021, the Company acquired a Hampton Inn & Suites in Portland, Oregon that was constructed with a green roof system. Additional information related to the Company’s sustainability initiatives can be found on the Company’s website at https://applehospitalityreit.com/corporate-responsibility/. Information on or accessible through the Company’s website is not and should not be considered part of this Proxy Statement.

img204985166_22.jpgSOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES

Areas of focus:

Prioritize the development of human capital.
Make positive contributions throughout the Company, the hotel industry, the Company's local community and the many communities its hotels serve.
Advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and foster an innovative, collaborative work environment where employees feel valued and empowered to grow their careers.
Champion the health, safety and well-being of employees, the associates at the Company's hotels and its hotel guests.
Leverage the social responsibility programs of the Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt brand families and the Company's third-party management companies.

Apple Hospitality is dedicated to making a positive impact throughout the Company, its local community, the hospitality industry and the many communities served by the Company’s hotels. The safety, health and well-being of guests, hotel associates and employees has always been the Company’s top priority, and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has worked diligently to implement enhanced safety and cleanliness protocols at all of its hotels and its corporate office. In 2020, Apple Hospitality formally adopted a Health, Safety and Well-Being Policy, a Human Rights Policy and a Vendor Code of Conduct to further drive positive social impact. Additional information related to the Company’s social responsibility initiatives can be found on the Company’s website at https://applehospitalityreit.com/corporate-responsibility/. Information on or accessible through the Company’s website is not and should not be considered part of this Proxy Statement. As noted above, the Company published a Corporate Responsibility Report in 2022 that conveys its corporate responsibility strategy, priorities and metrics in detail, including, as they relate to social responsibility matters, the Company’s social impact initiatives and community outreach. The Company is working towards the establishment of targets that will further advance the Company’s social responsibility initiatives and standards.

The Company is committed to strengthening its communities through charitable giving, encouraging employees to volunteer their time and talents, and participation in the many philanthropic programs important to its employees and

img204985166_14.jpg 

7


leaders within its industry, including its brands, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and its third-party hotel management companies. In 2017, the Company formed Apple Gives, an employee-led charitable initiative, to expand its impact and further advance the achievement of the Company’s corporate philanthropic goals. Apple Gives organizes company-wide community events with non-profit charitable organizations, deploys aid to markets and associates affected by natural disasters, and allocates funds and other resources to a variety of causes. Apple Gives strives to select organizations that are important to the Company’s employees, the Company’s third-party management companies, its hotels and numerous industry organizations. The Company’s hotels and third-party management companies are engaged in targeted charitable programs that provide support to their respective communities, and hotel associates are encouraged to serve in ways that improve their localities. The Company’s third-party management colleagues donate to food drives, participate in charity walks and bike rides, assemble care packages, donate school supplies, provide disaster relief, and pursue numerous other altruistic initiatives.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Apple Hospitality is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Each year, all employees are required to complete a formal online training program focused on the prevention of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, including unconscious bias. In 2021, the Company's CEO, Justin Knight took the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Company’s executive team, comprising eight individuals, is 50% female.

img204985166_23.jpg 

Health and Well-Being

The Company believes that each team member plays a vital role in the success of its business. The Company believes the physical and mental health, safety and well-being of its employees, the associates at its hotels and its hotel guests are critical to the continued success of the Company. The Company aims to provide an inspiring, diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment where its employees feel valued, empowered and encouraged to make positive differences within the Company and throughout their communities. The Company firmly believes the most successful management provides clear leadership while empowering the team to make timely and responsible decisions and to take actions necessary to achieve exceptional operating results. The Company’s Employee Handbook outlines employee benefits and expectations and provides guidelines that employees are to follow regarding workplace health, policies and safety. Employees are required to annually acknowledge receipt and review of the Company’s Employee Handbook.

Apple Hospitality is strongly committed to supporting and promoting the physical, mental and emotional health and well-being of its employees. Quality medical, vision and dental insurance is available to all full-time employees with a portion paid by the Company on the team member’s behalf. As part of the Company's benefits program, the Company provides free preventive care services, including flu shots, routine check-ups and screenings, and employees have access to telehealth services. At the Company’s headquarters, employees have access to an on-site gym; comfortable office, meeting and gathering spaces; and kitchens stocked with a variety of fresh fruits and healthy snacks.

Apple Hospitality offers competitive compensation and benefits, a flexible leave policy, fully paid parental leave for up to 12 weeks for primary caregivers and three weeks for secondary caregivers for the birth or adoption of a new child, financial assistance for adoption of a new child, an education reimbursement program, and a culture that encourages balance of work and personal life. Apple Hospitality provides its employees with two days paid leave each year for volunteer work and a donation matching program to support non-profit organizations. The Company emphasizes an

img204985166_14.jpg 

8


open-door policy for communications and conducts regular employee satisfaction surveys and annual performance reviews, which provide the opportunity for continuous improvement.

The Company is committed to working safely and maintaining a safe workplace in compliance with cleanliness guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards. The Company's employees work in an office setting. The Company has in place an incident response plan which provides guidance for leadership and all employees to swiftly and effectively respond to a variety of potential scenarios, including cybersecurity threats, inclement weather or other incidents which may require a timely response for the safety, security and well-being of employees and the protection of internal data systems.

All employees involved in the day-to-day operation of the Company’s hotels are employed by third-party management companies engaged pursuant to the hotel management agreements. Apple Hospitality is committed to the health, safety, security and well-being of hotel associates and guests and is proud to support the initiatives of the American Hotel & Lodging Association ("AHLA"), including: the 5-Star Promise; Safe Stay initiative; No Room for Trafficking program; the AHLA Foundation; Responsibly Stay; Hospitality is Working; and numerous other career development and social responsibility programs. The Company’s CEO serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the AHLA Board of Directors.

img204985166_24.jpgGOVERNANCE & RESILIENCE PRACTICES

Areas of focus:

Prioritize stakeholder engagement, effective management of risk and ESG oversight.
Uphold the highest corporate governance standards that are in alignment with the best interests of the Company's shareholders.
Own a portfolio of hotels resilient to the impact of climate-change risk.
Proactively reduce and manage climate-related risk exposure through sustainable practices and responsible investment.
Mitigate cybersecurity risk.

Corporate Governance Practices

Below are some highlights of the Company’s corporate governance practices.

Practice

Description

Annual director elections

An incumbent director not receiving the majority of the votes cast in an election must tender his or her resignation from the Board

Independent directors

All members of the Audit, Compensation, and Governance Committees are independent directors who have access to management and employees

Board independence

Six out of nine of the Company’s directors are independent
Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are the only employee directors

Board diversity

Three out of nine directors are female and one is ethnically/racially diverse

Lead independent director

Lead Independent Director is designated by independent directors, maintains expansive duties intended to optimize the Board’s effectiveness and independence, including serving as a liaison to facilitate communications between management and shareholders and the Board

Separation in leadership structure

Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are separate individuals

Board self-evaluations

Governance Committee oversees an annual self-evaluation of the Board and each committee

Succession planning

The Board actively monitors the Company’s succession planning and employee development and receives regular updates on employee engagement, retention and diversity

Director stock ownership

Directors are required to own securities of the Company with a value of at least 4 times their annual base cash retainer

img204985166_14.jpg 

9


Executive stock ownership

Executive officers are required to own securities of the Company with a value of at least 5 times (Chief Executive Officer) and 3 times (other executive officers) their annual base salary

Anti-hedging policy

The Company’s Insider Trading Policy prohibits directors and employees from engaging in any hedging of Company securities

Code of business conduct and ethics

The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that serves as the foundation for how it conducts its business

Incentive-based compensation

78% of 2022 target compensation for executive officers is incentive-based (50% based on shareholder return metrics and 50% based on operational performance metrics)

Elimination of certain takeover defenses

The Company opted out of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act provisions requiring super majority vote for specified transactions with interested shareholders
The Company has elected, pursuant to a provision in its bylaws, to exempt any acquisition of its shares from the control share acquisition provisions of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act

Accountability to shareholders

Annual advisory vote on executive compensation
No shareholder rights plan
Ongoing shareholder outreach, communication and engagement

See “Corporate Governance” below for more detail regarding the Company’s corporate governance practices.

KEY POLICIES

In 2020, the Company formally adopted policies to further advance its corporate responsibility initiatives, including:

an Environmental Policy;
a Health, Safety and Well-Being Policy;
a Human Rights Policy; and
a Vendor Code of Conduct.

Apple Hospitality’s policies are supported by the Board of Directors, and the Governance Committee reviews the Company’s policies, programs and practices related to corporate responsibility and sustainability, including environmental, social, human capital and other matters. The Company’s senior management team is responsible for providing oversight over policy enforcement and updating the Company’s Board of Directors on implementation efforts.

DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

Apple Hospitality’s Board of Directors administers cybersecurity risk oversight primarily through its Audit Committee. Apple Hospitality does not have direct access to personal data from guests who stay at its hotels, nor does the Company process business transactions with its guests. Apple Hospitality’s corporate IT systems have no connectivity to hotel and/or third-party management and brand technology platforms. It is the responsibility of the Company’s third-party hotel management companies and brands to protect the privacy of data and information provided by guests. Apple Hospitality’s information technology and risk management departments regularly engage with its third-party management companies and brands to understand and benchmark their execution and compliance with applicable policies and industry best practices for data protection and cybersecurity.

Apple Hospitality’s information technology and risk management departments use an internal set of applications and control activities to actively monitor potential threats and regularly conduct internal testing to identify potential vulnerabilities to the Company's information technology infrastructure and systems. These activities include, but are not limited to, continuous monitoring of network and infrastructure vulnerabilities, automated patching and software updates, redundancy and back-up systems, and incident response handling. All Apple Hospitality employees are required to report cybersecurity events, including suspicious activity or emails, to the Company’s IT department.

img204985166_14.jpg 

10


Should a cybersecurity event occur, the Company is positioned to coordinate a swift response with its teams to mitigate theft, damage or disruption to its information technology infrastructure and systems. The Company has in place an incident response plan which provides guidance for leadership and all employees to swiftly and effectively respond to a variety of potential scenarios, including cybersecurity threats, for the protection of internal data systems. The Company also carries cybersecurity insurance to further mitigate potential losses from a cybersecurity breach.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT

In December 2022, the Company published its inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report, which details the Company’s ESG performance, strategy and initiatives and features its commitment to environmental sustainability, corporate employees, hotel associates and guests, communities, and other stakeholders. The Company’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report utilizes both the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) Standards and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) to provide a comprehensive overview of the Company’s corporate responsibility performance and climate-related risk management. Apple Hospitality’s enhanced disclosures are intended to provide stakeholders with a better understanding of the Company’s strategy, policies, programs, procedures, performance and initiatives related to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance and resiliency.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Additional detail related to the Company’s corporate responsibility efforts, including all of the above policies and the Company’s Corporate Responsibility Report can be found within the Corporate Responsibility section of the Company's website at https://applehospitalityreit.com/corporate-responsibility/. Information on or accessible through the Company’s website is not and should not be considered part of this proxy statement.

img204985166_14.jpg 

11


PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of nine directors, all of whom are standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. In August 2022, Mr. Daryl A. Nickel retired from the Board and on March 1, 2023, the Board, with the recommendation of the Governance Committee, appointed Carolyn B. Handlon to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. Ms. Handlon’s term will expire at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors recommends the re-election of the current directors to the Board of Directors to serve as directors until the 20232024 annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, except in the event of prior resignation, death or removal.

Unless otherwise specified, all Common Sharescommon shares of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (the "Common Shares") represented by proxies will be voted FOR the election of the nominees listed below. If a nominee ceases to be available for election as a director, discretionary authority may be exercised by each of the proxies named on the attached proxy card to vote for a substitute. No circumstances are presently known that would cause any nominee to be unavailable for election as a director. The nominees are now members of the Board of Directors, have been nominated by action of the Board of Directors, and have indicated their willingness to serve if elected. If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the positions on the Board of Directors will be filled by the election of the properly nominated candidates who receive the greatest number of votes at the Annual Meeting, even if a nominee does not receive a majority of all votes represented and entitled to be cast. Under the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, if an incumbent director fails to receive at least a majority of the votes cast, such director will tender his or her resignation from the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board will consider, and determine whether to accept, such resignation and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Within 90 days of the certification of the election results, the Board of Directors must act on the resignation, taking into consideration any recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and any additional relevant factors. A director who tenders his or her resignation does not participate in the decisions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the Board relating to the resignation.

A shareholder who wishes to abstain from voting on the election of a director may do so by specifying, as provided on the proxy, that authority to vote for any or all of the nominees is to be withheld. Withheld votes and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of a director. A broker non-vote occurs when the entity holding shares in street name has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and either chooses not to vote those shares on a routine matter at the shareholders meeting or is not permitted to vote those shares on a non-routine matter.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FORFOR”EACH OFTHE NOMINEES.

img204985166_14.jpg 

12


Director Nominees

The following is a snapshot of the Company’s Board composition:

img204985166_25.jpg 

img204985166_26.jpg 

BOARD COMPOSITION

100%

 

89%

 

56%

 

100%

 

44%

 

67%

 

33%

Leadership

 

Financial

 

Investment

 

Business
Knowledge/Strategy

 

Hospitality
 

 

Real Estate
 

 

ESG

CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Director Qualifications. The Company believes the Board should encompass a diverse range of talent, skill and expertise sufficient to provide sound and prudent guidance with respect to the Company’s operations and interests. Each director also is expected to exhibit high standards of integrity, practical and mature business judgment, including the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, and be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively.

Average Tenure of 6 Years

Diversity

Independent Directors

 

img204985166_14.jpg 

13


The Board has determined that the Board of Directors as a whole must have the right mix of characteristics and skills for the optimal functioning of the Board in its oversight of the Company. The Board believes it should be comprised of persons with skills in areas such as finance, real estate, investment, banking, strategic planning, human resources, leadership of business organizations, ESG and legal matters. Although the Board does not have a diversity policy, the Board is committed to diversity and believes it is desirable for the Board to be composed of individuals who represent a mix of viewpoints, experiences and backgrounds, including racial, ethnic and gender diversity. The Board will continue to endeavor to ensure the qualified pool of new director candidates is diverse and includes women, individuals from minority groups and underrepresented communities. In addition to the targeted skill areas, the Board looks for a strong record of achievement in key knowledge areas that it believes are critical for directors to add value to the Board, including:

Strategy—knowledge of the Company’s business model, the formulation of corporate strategies, knowledge of key competitors and markets;
Leadership—skills in coaching and working with senior executives and the ability to assist the Chief Executive Officer;
Organizational Issues—understanding of strategy implementation, change management processes, group effectiveness and organizational design;
Relationships—understanding how to interact with investors, accountants, attorneys, management companies, analysts, and communities in which the Company operates;
Functional—understanding of finance matters, financial statements and auditing procedures, technical expertise, legal issues, information technology and marketing; and
Ethics—the ability to identify and raise key ethical issues concerning the activities of the Company and senior management as they affect the business community and society.

Nomination Procedures. The Board has established that the Governance Committee oversees the nomination process and recommends nominees to the Board. As outlined above, in selecting a qualified nominee, the Board considers such factors as it deems appropriate, which may include the current composition of the Board; the range of talents of the nominee that would best complement those already represented on the Board; the extent to which the nominee would diversify the Board; the nominee’s standards of integrity, commitment and independence of thought and judgment; and the need for specialized expertise. Applying these criteria, the Board considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members, as well as management and shareholders. Shareholders of record may nominate directors in accordance with the Company’s bylaws which require, among other items, notice sent to the Company’s Secretary (i) on or after February 1st and before March 1st of the year in which the meeting will be held, or (ii) not less than 60 days before the date of the meeting if the date of such meeting is earlier than May 1st or later than May 31st in such year. No nominations other than those proposed by the Governance Committee were received for the Annual Meeting.

  NOMINEE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Buntingimg204985166_14.jpg 

Fosheim

Gathright

G. Knight

J. Knight

McGarvie

Nickel

Redd

Woolley

Leadership

Financial

Investment

Business Knowledge/Strategy

Hospitality Experience

Real Estate Experience

14

3


Table of contents

BOARD COMPOSITION

100%

 

78%

 

44%

 

100%

 

44%

 

67%

Leadership

 

Financial

 

Investment

 

Business
Knowledge/Strategy

 

Hospitality
Experience

 

Real Estate
Experience

The table below provides information about each of the Company’s director nominees, including their principal occupations and employment during at least the past five years and their directorships, if any, in public companies other than the Company.

Director Nominees

img204985166_27.jpg 

Glenn W. Bunting

Director Since: 2014

Director Since: 2014

Age: 78

Committees:

Audit
Compensation (Chair)
Executive

Age: 77

Committees:

     Audit

     Compensation (Chair)

     Executive

Business Experience (1)

Mr. Bunting has served as President of GB Corporation since January 2011. From 1985 until 2010, Mr. Bunting served as President and Chief Executive Officer of American KB Properties, Inc., which developed and managed shopping centers. Mr. Bunting was a director of Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., of which Glade M. Knight was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, from 1993 until its merger with Colonial Properties Trust in 2005. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Landmark Apartment Trust of America until 2016 when it merged with and into an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group. Mr. Bunting served as a director of Apple Two, Apple Five, Apple Seven and Apple Eight until the companies were sold to a third party or merged with the Company, as described in Note 12 below. Mr. Bunting received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Campbell University. The Board of Directors believes his extensive management and REIT experience and strong background in commercial real estate, investment, strategic planning and finance provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

img204985166_28.jpg 

Jon A. Fosheim

Jon A. Fosheim

Director Since: 2015

Lead Independent Director

Director Since: 2015

Age: 72

Committees:

Age: 71

Committees:

Audit

Executive

Nominating and Corporate Governance

Business Experience

Mr. Fosheim was the Chief Executive Officer of Oak Hill REIT Management, LLC from 2005 until his retirement in 2011. Oak Hill REIT Management, LLC is a hedge fund specializing in REIT investments. From 1985 until 2005, Mr. Fosheim was a Principal and Co-founder of Green Street Advisors, a REIT advisory and consulting firm. Prior to that, Mr. Fosheim worked in institutional sales at Bear Stearns & Co., a global investment bank, and worked in the tax department at Touche Ross and Co. (now Deloitte LLP), an international accounting firm. Mr. Fosheim currently serves on the Board of Directors of DigitalBridge Group, Inc., formerly Colony Capital, Inc., and serves on the Audit Committee and as chair of the Compensation Committee of such board. Mr. Fosheim attended the University of South Dakota, earning Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, and Juris Doctor degrees. The Board of Directors believes his extensive investment management, finance, strategic planning, ESG and REIT experience and his leadership and management background provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

img204985166_14.jpg 

15

4


Table of contents

img204985166_29.jpg 

Kristian M. Gathright

Kristian M. GathrightDirector Since: 2019

Age: 50

Director Since: 2019

Age: 49

Business Experience (1)

Mrs.Ms. Gathright served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Company from its inception until her retirement on March 31, 2020. In addition, Mrs.Ms. Gathright held various senior management positions with each of the Apple REIT Companies from inception until they were sold to a third party or merged with the Company, as described in Note 12 below. Prior to her service with these companies, Mrs.Ms. Gathright served as Assistant Vice President and Investor Relations Manager for Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., a REIT that owned and operated apartment communities in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Texas. She also worked as an Asset Manager and Regional Controller of the Northern Region Operations for United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc., a REIT, and began her career with Ernst & Young LLP. Mrs.Ms. Gathright currently serves on the Board of Directors of Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. and serves on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of such board. Mrs.Ms. Gathright joined Derive Ventures as an advisor in 2022. Mrs.Ms. Gathright previously served on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and as President of the Courtyard Franchise Advisory Council. Mrs.Ms. Gathright currently serves on the AdvisoryUniversity of Virginia Foundation Board of Directors and the McIntire School of Commerce at the UniversityFoundation Board of Virginia. Mrs.Trustees. Ms. Gathright holds a Bachelor of Science degree, Graduate with Distinction, in Accounting from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. The Board of Directors believes her extensive hotel industry and real estate experience and her background in finance, strategic planning, leadership and management provide her with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

img204985166_30.jpg 

Carolyn B. Handlon

5


Table of contents

Director Since: 2023

Age: 65

Committees: (1)

Audit
Nominating and Corporate Governance

Business Experience

Ms. Handlon served as the Executive Vice President, Finance and Global Treasurer, of Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) for more than 17 years until her retirement in April 2022, overseeing the financial health and strategy, global investments, and capital markets for Marriott. Ms. Handlon joined Marriott in 1987 as Corporate Finance Manager and held various positions of increasing seniority and responsibility during her tenure with the company. During her 35 years of leadership experience with Marriott, Ms. Handlon’s areas of responsibility spanned global capital markets, global investment, real estate lending, corporate financial strategy and financial risk management. Instrumental in Marriott’s growth, Ms. Handlon was a key leader in strategic transformations, including the creation of Marriott’s asset-light business models, company spin-offs, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Marriott, Ms. Handlon worked for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and for the Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust. Ms. Handlon currently serves on the Board of Directors for Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. and on the Audit Committee, the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, and as chair of the Compensation Committee of such board. Ms. Handlon also serves on the Board of Directors for Science Applications International Corporation and on the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of such board. Ms. Handlon is a member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., the National Association of Corporate Directors and Women Corporate Directors. Ms. Handlon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. The Board of Directors believes her extensive 40-year background in the financial and global markets and real estate industries along with senior leadership, strategic planning, and hotel industry experience provide her with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

img204985166_14.jpg 

16


img204985166_31.jpg 

Glade M. Knight

Director Since: 2007

Executive Chairman

Director Since: 2007

Age: 79

Committees:

Age: 78

Executive (Chair)

Committees:

     Executive (Chair)

Business Experience (1)

Mr. Knight is the founder of the Company and has served as Executive Chairman since May 2014, and previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its inception. Mr. Knight was also the founder of each of the Apple REIT Companies and served as their Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from their inception until the companies were sold to a third party or merged with the Company, as described in Note 12 below. In addition, Mr. Knight served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., a REIT, from 1993 until it merged with Colonial Properties Trust, a REIT, in 2005. Following the merger in 2005 until April 2011, Mr. Knight served as a trustee of Colonial Properties Trust. Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc. owned and operated apartment communities in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Texas. Mr. Knight is a partner and the Chief Executive Officer of Energy 11 GP, LLC, the general partner of Energy 11, L.P., and Energy Resources 12 GP, LLC, which are the respective general partnerpartners of Energy 11, L.P. and Energy Resources 12, L.P., partnerships focused on investments in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Knight is the founding Chairman of Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. Additionally, he is a founding member of Brigham Young University’s Entrepreneurial Department of the Graduate School of Business Management. The Board of Directors believes his extensive REIT executive experience and extensive background in real estate, the hotel industry, investment, corporate finance and strategic planning, as well as his entrepreneurial background, provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director. On February 12, 2014, Mr. Knight, Apple Seven, Apple Eight, Apple Nine and their related advisory companies entered into settlement agreements with the SEC.Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Along with Apple Seven, Apple Eight, Apple Nine and their advisory companies, and without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations, Mr. Knight consented to the entry of an administrative order, under which Mr. Knight and the noted companies each agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations of Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A), 13(b)(2)(B), 14(a), and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Rules 12b-20, 13a-1, 13a-13, 13a-14, 14a-9, and 16a-3 thereunder. The Board of Directors believes his extensive REIT executive experience and extensive background in real estate, the hotel industry, investment, corporate finance and strategic planning, as well as his entrepreneurial background, provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

Glade M. Knight is the father of Justin G. Knight, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Nelson G. Knight, the Company’s President, Real Estate and Investments.

img204985166_14.jpg 

17

6


Table of contents

img204985166_32.jpg 

Justin G. Knight

Justin G. KnightChief Executive Officer

Director Since: 2015

Age: 49

Committees:

Director Since: 2015

Executive

Chief Executive Officer 

Age: 48

Committees:

     Executive

Business Experience (1)

Mr. Knight has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2014 and served as President of the Company from its inception through March 2020. Mr. Knight also served as President of each of the Apple REIT Companies, except Apple Suites, until they were sold to a third party or merged with the Company, as described in Note 12 below. Mr. Knight joined the Apple REIT Companies in 2000 and held various senior management positions prior to his appointment as President. Mr. Knight currently serves on the Marriott Owners Advisory Council, as President of the Residence Inn Association Board, and as Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and a member of its Executive Committee. Mr. Knight is also a member of the National Advisory Council of the Marriott School at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Mr. Knight holds a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Corporate Strategy and Finance from the Marriott School at Brigham Young University. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in Political Science from Brigham Young University. The Board of Directors believes his extensive executive experience and REIT industry, hotel industry, strategic planning, investment, finance and management experience provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

Justin G. Knight is the son of Glade M. Knight, the Company’s Executive Chairman, and the brother of Nelson G. Knight, the Company’s President, Real Estate and Investments.

img204985166_33.jpg 

Blythe J. McGarvie

Director Since: 2018

Age: 66

Committees:

Blythe J. McGarvie

Director Since: 2018

Age: 65

Committees:

Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)

Business Experience

Ms. McGarvie was a member of the faculty of Harvard Business School, teaching in the accounting and management department from July 2012 to June 2014. Ms. McGarvie served as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Leadership for International Finance, LLC, an advisory firm offering consulting services and providing leadership seminars, from 2003 to 2012, where she offered strategic reviews and leadership seminars for improved decision-making for corporate and academic groups. From 1999 to 2002, Ms. McGarvie was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BIC Group, a publicly traded consumer goods company with operations in 36 countries. Prior to that, Ms. McGarvie served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hannaford Bros. Co., a Fortune 500 retailer. Ms. McGarvie currently serves on the boards of directors of LKQ Corporation (“LKQ”), Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco”) and Wawa, Inc., and previously served on the boards of directors of Accenture plc, Viacom Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., The Travelers Companies, Inc. and Lafarge North America. She serves as chair of the LKQ Audit Committee and a member of its Governance/Nominating Committee and as chair of the Financial Policy Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and Employee and Public Responsibility Committee for Sonoco. Ms. McGarvie is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. The Board of Directors believes her extensive experience serving on a wide range of boards, as well as her strong finance, accounting, strategic planning and accountingESG background and entrepreneurial success provide her with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.


7


Table of contents

Daryl A. Nickel

Director Since: 2015

Age: 77

Committees:

     Compensation

     Executive

     Nominating and Corporate Governance

Business Experience

Mr. Nickel completed a 22-year career at Marriott International, Inc., a multinational hospitality company, in 2009. He served as a corporate officer of Marriott International from 1998 until his retirement and as Executive Vice President, Lodging Development, Select Service and Extended Stay Brands from 2001 until his retirement. After retiring from Marriott, Mr. Nickel continued to serve on the advisory board of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference until 2021 and worked as a consultant to several hotel companies, including Apple Fund Management, LLC (currently a Company subsidiary) from 2009 to 2010 and White Peterman Properties, Inc., a hotel development company, from 2011 to 2021. Before joining Marriott, Mr. Nickel was Senior Vice President in charge of franchise development at the Residence Inn Company, prior to its acquisition by Marriott. While in private practice, Mr. Nickel was managing partner of a D.C. law firm and his practice included representation of several hotel companies. Mr. Nickel graduated from Georgetown Law School and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University. Between college and law school, Mr. Nickel served in the U.S. Navy. The Board of Directors believes his executive management positions in the lodging industry and his hotel development and consulting experience provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.


L. Hugh Redd

Director Since: 2015

img204985166_14.jpg 

Age: 6418


img204985166_34.jpg 

L. Hugh Redd

Committees:

     Audit (Chair)

     Compensation

Director Since: 2015

Age: 65

Committees:

Audit (Chair)
Compensation

Business Experience

Mr. Redd was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of General Dynamics Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, until December 2013. He had worked for General Dynamics Corporation since 1986, serving as a Senior Financial Analyst and also as Vice President and Controller of General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Master in Professional Accounting degree from the University of Texas. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Redd currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. The Board of Directors believes his extensive financial and accounting experience, as well as his strategic planning and public company management experience, provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.


8


Table of contents

img204985166_35.jpg 

Howard E. Woolley

Director Since: 2021

Age: 65

Committees: (3)

Howard E. Woolley

Director Since: 2021

Age: 64

Committees:

Compensation
Nominating and Corporate Governance

Business Experience

Mr. Woolley has served as President of Howard Woolley Group, LLC, a government relations, public policy and regulatory risk advisory firm serving large technology and wireless industry corporations, since 2015. His firm has also provided diversity, equity, and inclusion advice to clients. Prior to founding Howard Woolley Group, LLC, Mr. Woolley served as Senior Vice President Wireless Policy and Strategic Alliances for Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon”). During his tenure at Verizon, Mr. Woolley led the federal and state government relations for Verizon Wireless which contributed to the company’s growth and expansion. He advised all CEOs of Verizon Wireless on public policy from the company’s founding in 2000 until his retirement in 2013. From 1981 until 1993, Mr. Woolley served in various congressional affairs and regulatory public policy positions ultimately rising to the position of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, with the National Association of Broadcasters. Mr. Woolley currently serves as the Lead Director on the Board of Directors for Somos, Inc., a telecommunications registry management and data solutions company, and serves on the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee of such board. Mr. Woolley also serves on the Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Board of Directors where he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nomination, Evaluation and Compensation Committee. Mr. Woolley serves on the Board of Trustees for Johns Hopkins University and the Board of Trustees for Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Executive Committee of such board, and co-chairs the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine External Affairs and Community Engagement Committee. Mr. Woolley is on the Board of Trustees for Syracuse University and serves on the Audit and Risk, Committee and Academic Affairs Committeeand Executive Committees for such board. Beginning in 2010, Mr. Woolley served on the boards of leading civil rights organizations including the National Urban League. Mr. Woolley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a Master of Administrative Sciences degree in business from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Woolley is a National Association of Corporate Directors Governance Fellow. The Board of Directors believes his extensive leadership and governance experience, as well as his experience in strategic planning, ESG, public policy, regulatory and government affairs, provide him with the skills and qualifications to serve as a director.

(1)
Following her appointment to the Board of Directors, Ms. Handlon was appointed to the Audit Committee and Governance Committee, effective March 24, 2023.
(2)
Below are the “Apple REIT Companies” that were sold to a third party or merged with the Company. All of the Apple REIT Companies, founded by Glade M. Knight, were REITs with ownership of primarily rooms-focused hotels.

img204985166_14.jpg 

19


(3)
Mr. Woolley was appointed to the Compensation Committee, effective February 7, 2023.

(1)

Below are the “Apple REIT Companies” that were sold to a third party or merged with the Company. All of the Apple REIT Companies, founded by Glade M. Knight, were REITs with ownership of primarily rooms-focused hotels.

 Company

FormationDate

 Sale/Merger Description

Apple Suites, Inc. (“Apple Suites”)

1999

Merged with Apple Hospitality Two, Inc. in January 2003

Apple Hospitality Two, Inc. (“Apple Two”)

2001

Sold to an affiliate of ING Clarion in May 2007

Apple Hospitality Five, Inc. (“Apple Five”)

2002

Sold to Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc. in October 2007

Apple REIT Six, Inc. (“Apple Six”)

2004

Sold to an affiliate of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII in May 2013

Apple REIT Seven, Inc. (“Apple Seven”)

2005

Merged with the Company in March 2014

Apple REIT Eight, Inc. (“Apple Eight”)

2007

Merged with the Company in March 2014

Apple REIT Nine, Inc. (“Apple Nine”)

2007

Original name of the Company. Name changed to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. in March 2014

Apple REIT Ten, Inc. (“Apple Ten”)

2010

Merged with the Company in September 2016


9


Table of contents

Proposal 2. Advisory Vote On Executive Compensation Paid by the Company

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company is providing its shareholders with the opportunity to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy, which shareholders approved by a non-binding advisory vote, of providing for an annual “say-on-pay” advisory vote. The Company encourages shareholders to read the disclosure under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for more information concerning the Company’s compensation philosophy, programs and practices, the compensation and governance-related actions taken in fiscal year 2021 and the compensation paid to the named executive officers.

Accordingly, the Company is asking you to approve the adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLVED: That the shareholders of the Company approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion in the proxy statement.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast will be necessary to approve this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The shareholder vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding and serves only as a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Although the vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee andDirector Retirement. Effective August, 24, 2022, Mr. Daryl A. Nickel retired from the Board of Directors value the opinions of shareholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ABOVE PROPOSAL.


10


Table of contents

Proposal 3. RatificationCompany. Mr. Nickel had been a member of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The firm of Ernst & Young LLPBoard since 2015. When he retired, Mr. Nickel served as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company in 2021. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be available to answer appropriate questions from shareholders. The Board of Directors has approved the retention of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2022, based on the recommendation ofExecutive Committee, the Audit Committee. Independent accounting fees for the last two fiscal years are shown in the table below:

Year

 

Audit Fees

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

Tax Fees

 

All Other Fees

2021

 

 

$

946,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

477,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

$

894,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

380,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP are permissible under applicable laws and regulations,Governance Committee and the annual audit of the CompanyCompensation Committee. Following this development, Carolyn B. Handlon was pre-approved by the Audit Committee, as required by applicable law. The nature of each of the services categorized in the preceding table is described below:

Audit Fees. These are fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or services normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements, and other accounting and financial reporting work necessary to comply with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and fees for services that only the Company’s independent auditor can reasonably provide.

Audit-Related Fees. These are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. Such services include accounting consultations, internal control reviews, audits in connection with acquisitions, attest services related to financial reporting that are not required by statute or regulation and required agreed-upon procedure engagements.

Tax Fees. Such services include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

All Other Fees. These are fees for other permissible work that does not meet the above category descriptions.  Such services include information technology and technical assistance provided to the Company. Generally, this category would include permitted corporate finance assistance, advisory services and licenses to technical accounting research software.

These accounting services are actively monitored (as to both spending level and work content) by the Audit Committee to maintain the appropriate objectivity and independence in the core area of accounting work performed by Ernst & Young LLP, which is the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services. In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services provided to the Company by its independent auditors must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. As authorized by that act, the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve up to $25,000 in audit and non-audit services. This authority may be exercised when the Audit Committee is not in session. Any decisions by the Chair of the Audit Committee under this delegated authority will be reported at the next meeting of the Audit Committee. All services reported in the preceding fee table for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 were pre-approved by the full Audit Committee, as required by then applicable law.

The Company is asking you to vote on the adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLVED: That the shareholders of the Company ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast will be necessary to approve this proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The shareholder vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding and serves only as a recommendationappointed to the Board of Directors. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Ernst & Young LLP.on March 1, 2023.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ABOVE PROPOSAL.

11

img204985166_14.jpg 

20


Table of contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Responsibility Overview

The Company has always worked to uphold high environmental, social and governance standards. Alignment with the best interests of the Company’s shareholders is at the forefront of Apple Hospitality’s values. Apple Hospitality is committed to maintaining strong governance practices that align with the best interests of its shareholders, minimizing the environmental impact of the Company and its hotels, and making a positive impact throughout the Company, the hospitality industry, local communities and the many communities served by the Company’s hotels. Together with brand affiliates, hotel management teams and industry colleagues, Apple Hospitality is focused on advancing sustainability initiatives that effectively balance environmental stewardship with the Company’s business goals, improving communities through thoughtful outreach programs, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Company remains focused on enhancing its Corporate Responsibility disclosures to provide stakeholders with a better understanding of the Company’s policies, programs, procedures and initiatives related to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and corporate governance. In 2020, the Company formally adopted the following policies:

an Environmental Policy;

a Health, Safety and Well-Being Policy;

a Human Rights Policy; and

a Vendor Code of Conduct.

All of the above policies are available within the Corporate Responsibility section of the Company's website at https://applehospitalityreit.com/corporate-responsibility/. Apple Hospitality’s policies are supported by the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the Company’s policies, programs and practices related to corporate responsibility and sustainability, including environmental, social, human capital and other matters. The Company’s senior management team is responsible for providing oversight over policy enforcement and updating the Company’s Board of Directors on implementation efforts. The Company commits to reporting publicly to its stakeholders on its progress and to considering stakeholder feedback to support the ongoing evolution of programs and strategies in support of the Company’s policies. The Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Advisory Committee is comprised of key Company leaders and is responsible for overseeing the Company’s ESG policies, initiatives and disclosures. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer serves as the executive sponsor for the ESG Advisory Committee.

The Company is working towards the publication of a Corporate Responsibility Report that it expects to publish later in 2022 that will convey its corporate responsibility strategy and priorities in detail, including the Company’s responsible investments, sustainability initiatives, environmental stewardship, social impact initiatives, community outreach and governance practices, including various metrics. To further advance the Company’s environmental, social and governance initiatives and standards, the Company is actively working towards the establishment of environmental stewardship and social responsibility targets.


12


Table of contents

Corporate Governance Practices

Below are some highlights of the Company’s corporate governance practices.

Practice

Description

Annual director elections with majority vote requirements

An incumbent director not receiving the majority of the votes cast in an election must tender his or her resignation from the Board

Independent directors

All members of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are independent directors who have access to management and employees

Board independence

     Six out of nine of the Company’s directors are independent

     Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are the only employee directors

Board diversity

Two out of nine directors are female and one is racially diverse

Lead independent director

Lead Independent Director is designated by independent directors, maintains expansive duties intended to optimize the Board’s effectiveness and independence, including serving as a liaison to facilitate communications between management and shareholders and the Board

Separation in leadership structure 

Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are separate individuals

Board self-evaluations

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees an annual self-evaluation of the Board and each committee

Succession planning

The Board actively monitors the Company’s succession planning and employee development and receives regular updates on employee engagement, retention and diversity

Director stock ownership

Directors are required to own securities of the Company with a value of at least 4 times their annual base cash retainer

Executive stock ownership

Executive officers are required to own securities of the Company with a value of at least 5 times (Chief Executive Officer) and 3 times (other executive officers) their annual base salary

Anti-hedging policy

The Company’s Insider Trading Policy prohibits directors and employees from engaging in any hedging of Company securities

Code of business conduct and ethics

The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that serves as the foundation for how it conducts its business

Incentive-based compensation

77% of 2021 target compensation for executive officers is incentive-based (50% based on shareholder return metrics and 50% based on operational performance metrics)

Elimination of certain takeover defenses

     The Company opted out of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act provisions requiring super majority vote for specified transactions with interested shareholders

     The Company has elected, pursuant to a provision in its bylaws, to exempt any acquisition of its shares from the control share acquisition provisions of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act

Accountability to shareholders

     Annual advisory vote on executive compensation

     No shareholder rights plan

     Continual shareholder outreach, communication and engagement

13


Table of contents

Sustainability Initiatives

The Company established a formal energy management program in 2018 and adopted a formal Environmental Policy in 2020 to ensure that energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management are a priority not only within the Company, but also with the Company’s third-party management companies and brands. As noted previously, the Company is working towards the publication of a Corporate Responsibility Report in 2022, including, as they relate to environmental matters, the Company’s responsible investments, sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship. To further advance the Company’s sustainability initiatives and standards, the Company is working towards the establishment of reduction targets for its primary environmental impacts.

Due to their efficient operating model and strong consumer preference, the Company is primarily invested in rooms-focused hotels. In addition to being more operationally efficient, rooms-focused hotels are more environmentally efficient than full-service hotels and resorts and use less electricity, water and natural gas on a per-square-foot basis. In addition to its overall strategy of investing in rooms-focused hotels, the Company is committed to identifying and incorporating sustainability opportunities into its investment and asset management strategies, with a focus on minimizing its environmental impact through reductions in energy and water consumption and improvements in waste management. The Company’s hotels are concentrated in the Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt brand families. In addition to the initiatives the Company implements at its hotels through its asset management strategies, the Company also works with its third-party management companies to leverage brand initiatives to further drive sustainability across its hotels.

The Company seeks to invest in proven sustainability practices when renovating its hotels and in portfolio-wide capital projects that can enhance asset value while also improving environmental performance. For example, the Company has realized cost savings and reductions in its carbon footprint through the installation of LED lighting, energy management systems, smart irrigation systems and the use of energy and water conservation guidelines at the property level, with 100% of the Company’s portfolio enrolled in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program. Additionally, as part of the Company’s acquisition due diligence, the Company performs sustainability assessments to identify areas of opportunity that will improve the property’s environmental performance, and when working with developers to construct new hotels, strives to implement environmentally efficient construction and building functionality. For example, in 2020, the Company acquired a newly constructed Hyatt House and Hyatt Place in Tempe, Arizona, that are LEED Certified®. In 2021, the Company acquired a Hampton Inn & Suites in Portland, Oregon that was constructed with a green roof system. Additional information related to the Company’s sustainability initiatives can be found on the Company’s website at https://applehospitalityreit.com/sustainability/. Information on or accessible through the Company’s website is not and should not be considered part of this proxy statement.

Social Responsibility

Apple Hospitality is dedicated to making a positive impact throughout the Company, local communities, the hospitality industry and the many communities served by the Company’s hotels. The safety, health and well-being of guests, hotel associates and employees has always been the Company’s top priority, and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has worked diligently to implement enhanced safety and cleanliness protocols at all of its hotels and its corporate office. In 2020, Apple Hospitality formally adopted a Health, Safety and Well-Being Policy, a Human Rights Policy and a Vendor Code of Conduct to further drive positive social impact. Additional information related to the Company’s social responsibility initiatives can be found on the Company’s website at https://applehospitalityreit.com/social-responsibility/. Information on or accessible through the Company’s website is not and should not be considered part of this proxy statement. As noted above, the Company is working towards the publication of a Corporate Responsibility Report in 2022 that will convey its corporate responsibility strategy, priorities and metrics in detail, including, as they relate to social responsibility matters, the Company’s social impact initiatives and community outreach. The Company is actively working towards the establishment of targets that will further advance the Company’s social responsibility initiatives and standards.

The Company is committed to strengthening its communities through charitable giving, encouraging employees to volunteer their time and talents, and participation in the many philanthropic programs important to its employees and leaders within its industry, including its brands, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and its third-party hotel management companies. In 2017, the Company formed Apple Gives, an employee-led charitable organization, to expand its impact and further advance the achievement of the Company’s corporate philanthropic goals. Apple Gives organizes company-wide community events with charitable organizations, deploys aid to markets and associates affected by natural disasters, and allocates funds and other resources to a variety of causes. Apple Gives strives to select organizations that are important to the Company’s employees, the Company’s third-party management

14


Table of contents

companies, its hotels and numerous industry organizations. Since Apple Gives was formed, the Company has contributed to more than 100 non-profit organizations, including through company-matched donations, and employees have devoted more than 550 hours volunteering and fundraising for a variety of charitable organizations. The Company’s hotels and third-party management companies are engaged in targeted charitable programs that provide support to their respective communities, and hotel associates are encouraged to serve in ways that improve their localities. The Company’s third-party management colleagues donate to food drives, participate in charity walks and bike rides, assemble care packages, donate school supplies, provide disaster relief, and pursue numerous other altruistic initiatives.

550+ Hours

Volunteered by the Company’s Employees 

100+ Non-Profit Organizations

Helped by the Company 

Human Capital

The Company believes that each of its team members plays a vital role in the success of the organization. Management aims to provide an inspiring, equitable and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, empowered and encouraged to make positive differences within the Company and throughout their communities, with a belief that the most successful management provides clear leadership while empowering the team to make timely and responsible decisions and to take actions necessary to achieve exceptional operating results.

The Company is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The Company’s executive team, comprising eight individuals, is 50% female.

The Company has implemented various initiatives to ensure the Company remains inclusive, equitable and supportive for all, including:

a formal online training program that all employees of the Company are required to complete annually focused on the prevention of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, including unconscious bias;

the Company’s CEO, Justin G. Knight, took the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge, which is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace; and

the recruitment of a diverse pool of candidates for all job vacancies. 

The Company offers competitive compensation and benefits, a flexible leave policy, fully paid parental leave, an education reimbursement program, and a culture that encourages balance of work and personal life. The Company provides its employees with two days paid leave each year for volunteer work and donation matching to support non-profit organizations. The Company emphasizes an open-door policy for communications and conducts annual employee satisfaction surveys, which provide the opportunity for continuous improvement.

 The Company is committed to working safely and maintaining a safe workplace in compliance with cleanliness guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act standards.

All employees involved in the day-to-day operation of the Company’s hotels are employed by third-party management companies engaged pursuant to the hotel management agreements. Apple Hospitality is committed to the health, safety, security and well-being of hotel associates and guests and is proud to support the initiatives of the

15


Table of contents

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), including: the 5-Star Promise; Safe Stay initiative; No Room for Trafficking program; and career development opportunities. The Company’s CEO serves as the chair of the AHLA 2022 Board of Directors.

Corporate Governance, Risk Oversight and Procedures for Shareholder Communications

Board of Directors. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that all of the Company’s directors (and nominees for director), except Mrs. Kristian M. Gathright, Mr. Glade M. Knight and Mr. Justin G. Knight, are “independent” within the meaning of the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)., including Mr. Daryl A. Nickel, who retired in August 2022. In making this determination, the Board considered all relationships between the applicable director and the Company, including commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships. Although retired from the Company, due to her previous employment by the Company, Mrs. Gathright will not be considered independent under the NYSE rules until at least three years have elapsed since her retirement date of March 31, 2020.until October 2023.

The Board has adopted a categorical standard that a director is not independent (a) if he or she receives any personal financial benefit from, on account of or in connection with a relationship between the Company and the director (excluding directors’ fees and equity-based awards); (b) if he or she is a partner, officer, employee or managing member of an entity that has a business or professional relationship with, and that receives compensation from, the Company; or (c) if he or she is a non-managing member or shareholder of such an entity and owns 10% or more of the membership interests or common stock of that entity. The Board may determine that a director with a business or other relationship that does not fit within the categorical standard described in the immediately preceding sentence is independent, but in that event, the Board is required to disclose the basis for its determination in the Company’s then current annual proxy statement.  Proxy Statement.

In order to optimize the effectiveness and independence of the Board, the independent directors have designated an independent, non-employee director to serve as the Company’s Lead Independent Director, which currently is held by Jon Fosheim. See “Committees of the Board and Board Leadership.”

Code of Ethics. The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Company’s officers, directors and employees, which is available at the Company’s website, www.applehospitalityreit.com.www.applehospitalityreit.com. The purpose of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is to promote (a) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest; (b) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in periodic reports required to be filed by the Company; and (c) compliance with all applicable rules and regulations that apply to the Company and its officers, directors and employees. Any waiver of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Company’s executive officers or Board may be made only by the Board or one of the Board’s committees. The Company anticipates that any waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be posted on the Company’s website.

Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth the guidelines and principles for the conduct of the Board of Directors, which is available at the Company’s website, www.applehospitalityreit.com.www.applehospitalityreit.com. The Corporate Governance Guidelines reflect the Board of Directors’ commitment to monitoring the effectiveness of decision-making at the Board and management level and ensuring adherence to good corporate governance principles, all with a goal of enhancing shareholder value over the long term.

Risk Oversight. The Board believes that risk oversight is a key function of a Board of Directors. It administers its oversight responsibilities through its Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee. All members of each of these committees are independent directors. The entire Board is kept abreast of and involved in the Company’s risk oversight process. It is through the approval of officers and compensation plans, as well as management updates on property performance, industry performance, financing strategy, acquisitions and dispositions strategy and capital improvements, that the Board has input to manage the Company’s various risks. Additionally, through the Audit Committee, the Board reviews management’s and independent auditors’ reports on the Company’s internal controls and any associated potential risks of fraudulent activities as well as risks related to cyber security. Throughcybersecurity. In 2022, the Nominating and CorporateBoard approved changes to the Charter of the Governance Committee to formalize the Board reviews the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and related risks, as well asCommittee’s role in reviewing the Company’s policies, programs and practices related to corporate responsibility and sustainability including environmental and relatedclimate-related risks social, human capital and other matters.opportunities. Through the Compensation Committee, the Board oversees risk related to compensation practices with the objective of balancing risk/rewards to overall business strategy, including the Company’s corporate responsibility initiatives. Risk oversight is also one of the factors considered by the Board in establishing its leadership structure. The Company has separated the roles of Executive

img204985166_14.jpg 

21


Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to create a leadership structure that the Board believes strikes the appropriate balance between the authority of those who oversee the Company and

16


Table of contents

those who manage it on a day-to-day basis and also has a Lead Independent Director to optimize the effectiveness and independence of the Board.

Shareholder Communications. The Company and the Board value the views and opinions of the Company’s shareholders and believe strong corporate governance practices demand consistent outreach, effective communication and regular engagement with shareholders. Regular shareholder engagement better positions the Company to:

understand which issues are most important to its shareholders and provide relevant information;
provide transparency related to its business, operations, strategies, governance and compensation;
recognize expectations for future performance;
identify emerging issues that may affect its business, operations, strategies, governance or compensation; and
obtain valuable feedback offor its business and the lodging industry in general.

The Company’s shareholder and investor interaction includes the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, industry conferences, analyst meetings, investor road shows, property tours and individual meetings, both in person and virtually. The Company also provides information to stakeholders through its website, quarterly earnings calls, SEC filings, proxy statement,Proxy Statement, news releases, investor presentations and other communication channels. Shareholders and other interested parties may send communications to the Board or to specified individual directors. Any such communications should be directed to the attention of the Lead Independent Director at Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. The Lead Independent Director will decide what action should be taken with respect to the communication, including whether such communication should be reported to the full Board.

Share Ownership Guidelines. The Board believes that equity ownership by directors and executive officers will align their interests with shareholders’ interests. To that end, the Company has adopted formal share ownership guidelines, included in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, applicable to all of its directors and executive officers. On an annual basis, the Company evaluates the ownership status of the directors and executive officers. Directors and executive officers are required to own securities of the Company with a value equal to the following multiple of their annual base cash retainer (for directors) or their annual base salary (for executive officers):

Directors

4x

Chief Executive Officer

5x

Other executive officers

3x

New directors and the Chief Executive Officer are required to comply with the ownership requirements within two years of becoming a member of the Board or Chief Executive Officer and other new executive officers are required to comply with the ownership requirements by January 1st of the year following the fourth anniversary of being named an executive officer. In February 2022, the Board increased the share ownership requirement applicable to directors from two times the annual base cash retainer to four times the annual base cash retainer with a transition period of two years. All current directors and executive officers have either met the equity ownership levels of the guidelines or are within the applicable transition period.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive the stock ownership requirements in the event of financial hardship or other good cause.

Hedging and Pledging of Company Securities. The Company’sInsider Trading Policy prohibits directors and employees, including the executive officers, from hedging their ownership of the Company’s stock, including a prohibition on engaging in the following transactions: (i) trading in call or put options involving the Company’s securities and other derivative securities; (ii) engaging in short sales of the Company’s securities; (iii) holding the Company’s securities in a margin account; (iv) other hedging or monetization transactions related to the Company’s securities, including the use

img204985166_14.jpg 

22


of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds; and (v) pledging more than 50% of the number of the Company’s securities held individually to secure margin or other loans.

Board Self-Evaluation. Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of the Compensation, Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the annual self-evaluation of the Board and each committee. The self-evaluation requires each director to complete a detailed questionnaire soliciting input on matters such as board structurestructure and composition, committee structure, board and committee meeting conduct, board support, education, and board and committee performance. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reports the assessments to the Board, and if the Board determines that changes in its governance practices need to be made, management and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will work with the Board to implement the necessary changes.

17

img204985166_14.jpg 

23


Table of contents

Consideration of Director NomineesCOMMITTEES OF THE BOARD AND BOARD LEADERSHIP

Director Qualifications. The Company believes the Board should encompass a diverse range of talent, skill and expertise sufficient to provide sound and prudent guidance with respect to the Company’s operations and interests. Each director also is expected to exhibit high standards of integrity, practical and mature business judgment, including the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, and be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively.

The Board has determined that the Board of Directors as a whole must have the right mix of characteristics and skills for the optimal functioning of the Board in its oversight of the Company. The Board believes it should be comprised of persons with skills in areas such as finance, real estate, investment, banking, strategic planning, human resources, leadership of business organizations, and legal matters. Although the Board does not have a diversity policy, the Board is committed to diversity and believes it is desirable for the Board to be composed of individuals who represent a mix of viewpoints, experiences and backgrounds, including racial, ethnic and gender diversity. The Board will continue to endeavor to ensure the qualified pool of new director candidates is diverse and includes women, individuals from minority groups and underrepresented communities. In addition to the targeted skill areas, the Board looks for a strong record of achievement in key knowledge areas that it believes are critical for directors to add value to the Board, including:

Strategy—knowledge of the Company’s business model, the formulation of corporate strategies, knowledge of key competitors and markets;

Leadership—skills in coaching and working with senior executives and the ability to assist the Chief Executive Officer;

Organizational Issues—understanding of strategy implementation, change management processes, group effectiveness and organizational design;

Relationships—understanding how to interact with investors, accountants, attorneys, management companies, analysts, and communities in which the Company operates;

Functional—understanding of finance matters, financial statements and auditing procedures, technical expertise, legal issues, information technology and marketing; and

Ethics—the ability to identify and raise key ethical issues concerning the activities of the Company and senior management as they affect the business community and society.

Nomination Procedures. The Board has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that oversees the nomination process and recommends nominees to the Board. As outlined above, in selecting a qualified nominee, the Board considers such factors as it deems appropriate, which may include the current composition of the Board; the range of talents of the nominee that would best complement those already represented on the Board; the extent to which the nominee would diversify the Board; the nominee’s standards of integrity, commitment and independence of thought and judgment; and the need for specialized expertise. Applying these criteria, the Board considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members, as well as management and shareholders. Shareholders of record may nominate directors in accordance with the Company’s bylaws which require, among other items, notice sent to the Company’s Secretary not less than 60 days prior to a shareholder meeting that will include the election of Board members. No nominations other than those proposed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were received for the Annual Meeting.

18


Table of contents

Committees of the Board and Board Leadership

Summary. The Board of Directors has four standing committees, which are specified below. The following table shows each committee’s function, membership and the number of meetings held during 2021:2022:

Executive Committee

ResponsibilitiesNumber of Meetings During 2022

Members

Number of

Meetings During

20210

ExecutiveMembers(3)

Glade M. Knight(1)

Glenn W. Bunting

Jon A. Fosheim

Justin G. Knight

Responsibilities

Has all powers vested in the Board of Directors, except powers specifically withheld under the Company’s bylaws or by law.

Glade M. Knight(1)

Glenn W. Bunting

Jon A. Fosheim

Justin G. Knight

Daryl A. Nickel

0

Audit Committee

Number of Meetings During 2022

5

Members

L. Hugh Redd(1)(2)

Glenn W. Bunting

Jon A. Fosheim(2)

Carolyn B. Handlon (2)(4)

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are outlined in its written charter that is available at the Company’s website, www.applehospitalityreit.com, and include oversight responsibility relating to the integrity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and financial reporting processes. The audit committeeAudit Committee also oversees the Company’s overall risk profile and risk management policies to includeincluding those related to cyber security.cybersecurity. A report by the Audit Committee appears in a following section of this proxy statement.

L. Hugh Redd(1)(2)Proxy Statement.

Glenn W. Bunting

Jon A. Fosheim(2)

5

Compensation Committee

Number of Meetings During 2022

2

Members(3)

Glenn W. Bunting(1)

L. Hugh Redd

Howard Woolley

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are outlined in its written charter that is available at the Company’s website, www.applehospitalityreit.com, and include administration of the Company’s compensation and incentive plans for the Company’s executive officers and oversight of the Company’s compensation practices.

Glenn W. Bunting(1)

Daryl A. Nickel

L. Hugh Redd

3

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Number of Meetings During 2022

4

Members(3)

Blythe J. McGarvie(1)

Jon A. Fosheim

Howard E. Woolley

Carolyn B. Handlon (4)

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are outlined in its written charter that is available at the Company’s website, www.applehospitalityreit.com, and include oversight of all aspects of the Company’s corporate governance, director compensation, and nominations process for the Board of Directors and its committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the Company’s policies, programs and practices related to corporate responsibility and sustainability, including environmental and related risks, social, human capital and other matters.

(1)
Indicates the Committee Chair.
(2)
Indicates Audit Committee Financial Expert.
(3)
Until his retirement in August 2022, Daryl A. Nickel served as a member of the Governance, Compensation and Executive Committees. Following Mr. Nickel's retirement on August 24, 2022, Mr. Woolley became a member of the Compensation Committee, effective February 7, 2023.
(4)
Following her appointment to the Board of Directors on March 1, 2023, Ms. Handlon was appointed to the Audit Committee and Governance Committee, effective March 24, 2023.

img204985166_14.jpg 

Blythe J. McGarvie(1)

Jon A. Fosheim

Daryl A. Nickel

Howard E. Woolley

524

(1)

Indicates the Committee Chair.

(2)

Indicates Audit Committee Financial Expert.


Board Leadership. The Board recognizes that one of its key responsibilities is to evaluate and determine its optimal leadership structure so as to provide independent oversight of management. The Board understands that there is no single generally accepted approach to providing Board leadership and the right Board leadership structure may vary as circumstances warrant. Consistent with this understanding, the independent directors periodically consider the Board’s leadership structure. Currently, the roles of Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are held by different directors. Mr. Glade M. Knight serves as Executive Chairman and Mr. Justin G. Knight serves as Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that this structure provides the appropriate balance between the authority of those who oversee the Company and those who manage it on a day-to-day basis. The Executive Chairman of the Board

19


Table of contents

presides at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board as a whole. The Executive Chairman performs such other duties, and exercises such powers, as from time to time shall be prescribed in the bylaws or by the Board.

Additionally, the Board has appointed Mr. Jon A. Fosheim to serve as Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director’s responsibilities include, among other things, presiding at meetings or executive sessions of the independent directors and non-employee directors, serving as a liaison to facilitate communications between the Executive Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and other members of the Board, without inhibiting direct communications between and among such persons, and serving as a liaison to shareholders who request direct communications and consultations with the Board.

Audit Committee Independence. The Board of Directors has determined that each current member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. To be considered independent, a member of the Audit Committee must not (other than in his or her capacity as a director or committee member, and subject to certain other limited exceptions) either (a) accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Company or any subsidiary; or (b) be an affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary. The Audit Committee currently has twothree members, Mr. Jon A. Fosheim, and Mr. L. Hugh Redd and Ms. Carolyn B. Handlon, who are “financial experts” within the meaning of the regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s management believes that the combined experience and capabilities of the Audit Committee members are sufficient for the current and anticipated operations and needs of the Company.In this regard, the Board has determined that each Audit Committee member is “financially literate” and that at least twothree members have “accounting or related financial management expertise,” as all such terms are defined by the rules of the NYSE.

Executive Sessions. The independent members of the Board of Directors meet independently of management and the non-independent directors in executive sessions on a regular basis, presided by the Lead Independent Director. During 2021,2022, the independent members of the Board of Directors met four times.

2021 Compensation of Directors

img204985166_14.jpg 

25


2022 COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

The compensation of the directors is reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Directors. During 2021,2022, the directors of the Company were compensated as follows:

Reimbursements to Directors in 2021.2022. All directors were reimbursed by the Company for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to attend meetings of the directors and committee meetings and in conducting the business of the Company.

Compensation ofNon-EmployeeDirectors. In 2021, the non-employee directors (classified by the Company as all directors other than Mr. Glade M. Knight and Mr. Justin G. Knight) were scheduled to receive the following compensation in quarterly installments:

Position Held

2021 Compensation

 

Board of Directors - Annual Retainer (payable in cash)

$

65,000

 

Board of Directors - Annual Retainer (payable in common shares)

 

100,000

 

Audit Committee Chair (in addition to fees for service on Disclosure Committee)

 

15,000

 

Compensation Committee Chair

 

10,000

 

Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee Chair

 

10,000

 

Lead Independent Director

 

10,000

 

In January 2022, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee engaged Ferguson Partners Consulting L.P. (“FPC”) to evaluate the independent directors’ compensation. Utilizing the same peer group as the report prepared for executive compensation discussed below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the annual retainer paid to the non-employee directors was determined to be on the lower end of the peer group, ranking in the 25th percentile;

20


Table of contents

separately it was found that the proportion of compensation paid in the form of equity was amongst the highest of the peer group, ranking in the top decile. After reviewing the report and considering FPC’s recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended to the Board of Directors a change to the non-employee directors’ compensation to bring the compensation close to the median of the peer group. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believesbelieved the change was important to continue to attract and retain superior board members. Upon review and discussion of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Directors approved the following non-employee director compensation effective beginning March 2022:2022, for the non-employee directors (classified by the Company as all directors other than Mr. Glade M. Knight and Mr. Justin G. Knight), which was scheduled to be received in quarterly installments:

Position Held

2022 Compensation

 

Board of Directors - Annual Retainer (payable in cash)

$

70,000

 

Board of Directors - Annual Retainer (payable in Common Shares)

 

115,000

 

Audit Committee Chair (in addition to fees for service on Disclosure Committee)

 

20,000

 

Compensation Committee Chair

 

15,000

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair

 

15,000

 

Lead Independent Director

 

15,000

 

Prior to the increase, the non-employee directors were scheduled to receive, in quarterly installments: (i) an annual retainer, calculated from March of the current year2021 through February 2022, of the following year, of $185,000$165,000 ($115,000100,000 paid in vested stock grants and $70,000$65,000 paid in cash) paid in quarterly installments,, (ii) an annual retainer for the Chair of the Audit Committee of $20,000$15,000 (in addition to fees for service on the Company’s Disclosure Committee) paid in cash, in quarterly installments, and (iii) an annual retainer for the Chair of the Compensation Committee, the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Lead Independent Director of $15,000,$10,000, each paid in cash in quarterly installments.  cash.

Non-Employee Director DeferralProgram. Effective June 1, 2018, the Board of Directors adopted the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program (the “Director Deferral Program”) under the Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan”) for the purpose of providing non-employee members of the Board the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual retainer payable to them for their service on the Board, including the portion of the annual retainer amounts payable in cash (including for service as a Chair of a committee of the Board or Lead Independent Director) and the portion of the annual retainer amounts payable in fully vested Common Shares. As specified by the director, the receipt of payment may be deferred until either (i) the date that his or her service on the Board has ended, (ii) a specified date, or (iii) the earlier of the specified date or the date that his or her service on the Board has ended. The deferred amounts will also be paid if, prior to the time specified by the director, the Company experiences a change in control or upon death of the director. For the portion of the director fees payable in shares, the director may elect to defer his or her fees in the form of deferred stock units, and for the portion of the director fees payable in cash, the director may elect to defer his or her fees either in the form of deferred stock units or as deferred cash fees.

img204985166_14.jpg 

26


Under the Director Deferral Program, the Company has established a notional deferral account (for bookkeeping purposes only) for each non-employee director who has elected to participate and all deferred fees are credited to this account, whether in cash or stock, as of the date the fee otherwise would have been paid to the director (the “Quarterly Deferral Date”). Deferred fees converted into deferred stock units are credited to the deferral account based on the fair market value of the Company’s Common Shares on the Quarterly Deferral Date. On each Quarterly Deferral Date, dividends earned on deferred stock units are credited to the deferral account in the form of additional deferred stock units based on dividends declared by the Company on its outstanding Common Shares during the quarter and the fair market value of the stock on such date. Additionally, on each Quarterly Deferral Date, deferred cash fees are credited with an additional deferred cash amount based on the dividends declared by the Company during the quarter on its outstanding Common Shares and the share equivalent, as defined in the Director Deferral Program, of the deferred cash balance from the preceding quarter. Upon the applicable payment date, as described above in the preceding paragraph, any deferred stock units credited to a director’s deferral account will be settled solely by delivering an amount of the Company’s Common Shares equal to the number of such deferred stock units, and, with respect to any deferred cash fees credited to the director’s deferral account, such fees will be paid solely in the form of cash. Directors have no rights as shareholders of the Company with respect to deferred stock units credited to their deferral accounts.

During 2021,2022, three of the non-employee directors elected to participate in the Director Deferral Program by deferring all or a portion of their annual retainer fees in the form of deferred stock units and/or deferred cash fees.units.

EmployeeDirectors. Mr. Glade M. Knight and Mr. Justin G. Knight are employee directors of the Company and accordingly, during 2021,2022, they received no compensation from the Company during their term of employment for their services as directors.

21


Table of contents

Director Compensation. The following table shows the amounts earned in 20212022 by the Company’s non-employee directors.

Director

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
(1)

 

Share
Awards
(2)

 

All Other
Compensation
(3)

 

Total

 

Glenn W. Bunting

$

83,333

 

$

111,249

 

$

 

$

194,582

 

Jon A. Fosheim

 

83,333

 

 

111,249

 

 

19,650

 

 

214,232

 

Kristian M. Gathright

 

69,167

 

 

111,249

 

 

 

 

180,416

 

Blythe J. McGarvie

 

83,333

 

 

111,249

 

 

 

 

194,582

 

Daryl A. Nickel (4)

 

50,335

 

 

80,324

 

 

11,142

 

 

141,801

 

L. Hugh Redd

 

92,333

 

 

111,249

 

 

11,319

 

 

214,901

 

Howard E. Woolley

 

69,167

 

 

111,249

 

 

6,627

 

 

187,043

 

Director

 

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash (1)

 

Share

Awards (2)

 

All Other

Compensation (3)

 

Total

 

Glenn W. Bunting

 

 

$

75,000

 

 

 

 

$

98,266

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

$

173,266

 

Jon A. Fosheim

 

 

 

75,000

 

 

 

 

 

98,266

 

 

 

 

 

901

 

 

 

 

 

174,167

 

Kristian M. Gathright

 

 

 

65,000

 

 

 

 

 

98,266

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

163,266

 

Blythe J. McGarvie

 

 

 

75,000

 

 

 

 

 

99,976

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

174,976

 

Daryl A. Nickel

 

 

 

65,000

 

 

 

 

 

98,266

 

 

 

 

 

973

 

 

 

 

 

164,239

 

L. Hugh Redd

 

 

 

84,000

 

 

 

 

 

98,266

 

 

 

 

 

578

 

 

 

 

 

182,844

 

Howard E. Woolley (4)

 

 

 

54,347

 

 

 

 

 

74,982

 

 

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

129,419

 

(1)
In addition to cash fees not deferred, the amounts in this column include any cash fees that non-employee directors elected to defer in the form of deferred stock units or deferred cash fees under the Director Deferral Program, as well as cash fees paid to Mr. Redd for service on the Disclosure Committee.
(2)
The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718. Each non-employee director that was a member of the Board of Directors for the entirety of 2022 was awarded approximately 6,626 (or 4,804 in the case of Mr. Nickel who retired from being a member of the Board of Directors in August 2022) fully vested Common Shares (or deferred stock units if so elected). No share options were granted in 2022.
(3)
This column represents earnings on deferred stock unit and deferred cash fee accounts under the Director Deferral Program.
(4)
Mr. Nickel retired from the Board on August 24, 2022, and, as a result, received cash fees and share awards through the date of his retirement.

(1)

In addition to cash fees not deferred, the amounts in this column include any cash fees that non-employee directors elected to defer in the form of deferred stock units or deferred cash fees under the Director Deferral Program.

(2)

The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Ms. McGarvie was awarded 6,684, Mr. Bunting, Mr. Fosheim, Mrs. Gathright, Mr. Nickel and Mr. Redd were awarded 6,564 and Mr. Woolley, who became a member of the Board of Directors on March 1, 2021, was awarded 4,930 fully vested Common Shares (or deferred stock units if so elected). No share options were granted in 2021.

(3)

This column represents earnings on deferred stock unit and deferred cash fee accounts under the Director Deferral Program.

(4)

Howard E. Woolley became a member of the Board of Directors on March 1, 2021.

Outstanding Stock Option Awards. In 2008, the Company adopted the Apple REIT Nine, Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”). The Directors’ Plan provided for automatic grants of options to acquire Common Shares. The Directors’ Plan applied to directors of the Company who were not employees or executive officers of the Company. The Directors’ Plan was terminated effective upon the listing of the Company’s

img204985166_14.jpg 

27


Common Shares on the NYSE on May 18, 2015 (the “Listing”). No further grants can be made under the Directors’ Plan, provided however, the termination did not affect any outstanding director option awards previously issued under the Directors’ Plan. Following the termination of the Directors’ Plan, all awards to directors are made under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

See “Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for the number of outstanding options that were granted to Mr. Glenn W. Bunting under the Directors’ Plan, which are all fully vested, as of the Record Date.March 20, 2023 (the "Record Date"). Since adoption of the Directors’ Plan, Mr. Bunting has not exercised any of his options to acquire Common Shares. The directors did not have any other outstanding option awards as of the Record Date.

img204985166_14.jpg 

28


PROPOSAL 2. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The firm of Ernst & Young LLP served as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company in 2022. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be available to answer appropriate questions from shareholders. The Board of Directors has approved the retention of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2023, based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Auditor Fees

Independent accounting fees for the last two fiscal years are shown in the table below:

Year

 

Audit Fees

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

 

Tax Fees

 

 

All Other Fees

 

2022

 

$

1,046,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

549,763

 

 

 

 

2021

 

$

946,900

 

 

 

 

 

$

477,150

 

 

 

 

All services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP are permissible under applicable laws and regulations, and the annual audit of the Company was pre-approved by the Audit Committee, Reportas required by applicable law. The nature of each of the services categorized in the preceding table is described below:

Audit Fees. These are fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or services normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements, and other accounting and financial reporting work necessary to comply with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and fees for services that only the Company’s independent auditor can reasonably provide.

Audit-Related Fees. These are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. Such services include accounting consultations, internal control reviews, audits in connection with acquisitions, attest services related to financial reporting that are not required by statute or regulation and required agreed-upon procedure engagements.

Tax Fees. Such services include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

All Other Fees. These are fees for other permissible work that does not meet the above category descriptions. Such services include information technology and technical assistance provided to the Company. Generally, this category would include permitted corporate finance assistance, advisory services and licenses to technical accounting research software.

These accounting services are actively monitored (as to both spending level and work content) by the Audit Committee to maintain the appropriate objectivity and independence in the core area of accounting work performed by Ernst & Young LLP, which is the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services

In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services provided to the Company by its independent auditors must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. As authorized by that act, the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve up to $25,000 in audit and non-audit services. This authority may be exercised when the Audit Committee is not in session. Any decisions by the Chair of

img204985166_14.jpg 

29


the Audit Committee under this delegated authority will be reported at the next meeting of the Audit Committee. All services reported in the preceding fee table for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 were pre-approved by the full Audit Committee, as required by then applicable law.

The Company is asking you to vote on the adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLVED: That the shareholders of the Company ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast will be necessary to approve this proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The shareholder vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding and serves only as a recommendation to the Board of Directors. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Ernst & Young LLP.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ABOVE PROPOSAL.

img204985166_14.jpg 

30


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently composed of three directors.(1) All three directors are independent directors as defined under “Committees of the Board and Board Leadership—Audit Committee Independence.” The Audit Committee operates under a written charter that was adopted by the Board of Directors and is annually reassessed and updated, as needed, in accordance with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. In fulfilling its oversight duties, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for fiscal year 20212022 with management and the Company’s independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, including the quality and acceptability of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, any critical audit matters identified during the audit and the clarity of disclosure in the financial statements. The Audit Committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and Ernst & Young LLP’s report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, internal controls, and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Ernst & Young LLP is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

22


Table of contents

The Audit Committee also has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed pursuant to the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and letter from the independent auditors required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed, with the independent auditors, the independent auditors’ independence.

Based on the review and discussions described in this Report, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20212022 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Current Members of theThe Audit Committee:(1)

L. Hugh Redd, Chair

Glenn W. Bunting

Jon A. Fosheim

(1)
Following the Audit Committee's approval of this report and recommendation to the Board of Directors, Carolyn B. Handlon became a member of the Audit Committee, effective March 24, 2023.

The Audit Committee Report above does not constitute “soliciting material” and will not be deemed “filed” or incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that might incorporate SEC filings by reference, in whole or in part, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in those filings.

Certain Relationships and Agreements

img204985166_14.jpg 

31

The Company has, and is expected to continue to engage in, transactions with related parties. These transactions cannot be construed to be at arm’s length and the results of the Company’s operations may be different if these transactions were conducted with non-related parties. The Company’s independent members of the Board of Directors are responsible for overseeing and reviewing the Company’s related party relationships (including the relationships discussed in this section) and are required to approve any significant modifications to the existing relationships, as well as any new significant related party transactions. The Board of Directors is not required to approve each individual transaction that falls under the related party relationships. However, under the direction of the Board of Directors, at least one member of the Company’s senior management team approves each related party transaction. 

Mr. Glade M. Knight, the Company’s Executive Chairman, owns Apple Realty Group, Inc. (“ARG”), which receives support services from the Company and reimburses the Company for the cost of these services as discussed below. Also, an entity controlled by Mr. Knight is currently a member of and Mr. Knight is Chief Executive Officer of Energy 11 GP, LLC and Energy Resources 12 GP, LLC, which are the respective general partners of Energy 11, L.P. and Energy Resources 12, L.P., each of which receive support services from ARG. As an executive officer of the Company, Mr. Knight’s total annual compensation in 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $1,445,716, $849,417 and $1,192,975 respectively, calculated in accordance with the determination of compensation in the Summary Compensation Table in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table” below.

Cost Sharing with Related Entities

The Company provides support services, including the use of the Company’s employees and corporate office, to ARG and is reimbursed by ARG for the cost of these services. Under this cost sharing structure, amounts reimbursed to the Company include both compensation for personnel and office-related costs (including office rent, utilities, office supplies, etc.) used by ARG. The amounts reimbursed to the Company are based on the actual costs of the services and a good faith estimate of the proportionate amount of time incurred by the Company’s employees on behalf of ARG. Total reimbursed costs allocated by the Company to ARG for 2021 totaled approximately $0.8 million.

As part of the cost sharing arrangement, certain day-to-day transactions may result in amounts due to or from the Company and ARG. To efficiently manage cash disbursements, the Company or ARG may make payments for the other company. Under this cash management process, each company may advance or defer up to $1 million at any time. Each quarter, any outstanding amounts are settled between the companies. This process allows each company to minimize its cash on hand and reduces the cost for each company. The amounts outstanding at any point in time are not significant to either of the companies. As of December 31, 2021, total amounts due from ARG for reimbursements under the cost sharing structure totaled approximately $0.3 million.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Apple Air Holding, LLC, owns a Learjet used primarily for acquisition, asset management, renovation and investor and public relations purposes. The aircraft is also leased to affiliates of the Company based on third party rates, which leasing activity was not significant during 2021. The

23


Table of contents

Company also utilizes one aircraft, owned by an entity which is owned by the Company’s Executive Chairman, for acquisition, asset management, renovation and investor and public relations purposes, and reimburses the entity at third party rates. Total costs incurred for the use of the aircraft during 2021 were less than $0.1 million.EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive Officers

Each executive officer is appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The following table sets forth biographical information regarding the Company’s executive officers, other than Mr. Glade M. Knight, Executive Chairman, and Mr. Justin G. Knight, Chief Executive Officer, who also serve as directors and whose information is provided above in the section titled “Proposals to be Voted Upon—Proposal“Proposal 1. Election of Directors”:

Name and Titleimg204985166_36.jpg 

Jeanette A. Clarke

Business Experience (1)

Jeanette A. Clarke

Senior Vice President and Chief Capital Investments Officer

Age: 4041

Business Experience(1)

Ms. Clarke was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Capital Investments Officer effective April 1, 2020. Ms. Clarke previously served as Senior Vice President of Capital Investments for the Company since March 2019 and has held various management and senior management positions with the Apple REIT Companies (as described in Note 1 below) since 2012. Ms. Clarke joined the Apple REIT Companies in 2008. Ms. Clarke has been instrumental in the development of the Company’s capital investments team, fostering valuable relationships with brand, manager and supplier teams, leading strategic capital reinvestment initiatives, and overseeing the Company’s energy efficiency and sustainability investment programs. Prior to joining the Apple REIT Companies, Ms. Clarke served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Genworth Financial, and from 2003 until 2008, she served in various roles at Circuit City Stores, Inc., including Accounting Manager of Expense, Service and Advertising Payables. Within the industry, Ms. Clarke serves on the Marriott Capital Asset Planning and Execution (CAPE) Board.Board and the Hilton Garden Inn Owners Advisory Council. Ms. Clarke holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and minor in Economics from Longwood University.

img204985166_37.jpg 

Karen C. Gallagher

Karen C. Gallagher

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Age: 4546

Business Experience (1)

Ms. Gallagher was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 1, 2020. Ms. Gallagher previously served as Senior Vice President of Asset Management for the Company since January 2012 and has held various management and senior management positions with the Apple REIT Companies (as described in Note 1 below) since 2005. Ms. Gallagher joined the Apple REIT Companies in 2003. Ms. Gallagher’s leadership of the asset management team has been instrumental in fostering relationships with brand and management company teams and developing the Company’s analytical and benchmarking of property-level performance methodology, each helping to maximize profitability. Prior to joining the Apple REIT Companies, from 2000 to 2003, Ms. Gallagher served as Senior Assurance Associate with Ernst & Young LLP, where she specialized in real estate clients. Within the industry, Ms. Gallagher serves as a member of the Hampton by Hilton Ownership Advisory Council, as well as the Global Finance Committee for the lodging industry sponsored by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals and American Hotel & Lodging Association. Ms. Gallagher holds a Master of Science degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, and a second major in Economics from the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia. Ms. Gallagher is a Certified Public Accountant.


24


Table of contents

Name and Title

img204985166_14.jpg 

Business Experience (1)32


img204985166_38.jpg 

Nelson G. Knight

Nelson G. Knight

President, Real Estate andInvestments

Age: 4041

Business Experience (1)

Mr. Knight was appointed President, Real Estate and Investments effective April 1, 2020. Mr. Knight previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for the Company since May 2014. Prior to serving in that position, Mr. Knight held various senior management positions with the Apple REIT Companies (as described in Note 1 below). Mr. Knight joined the Apple REIT Companies in 2005. Mr. Knight executes on the Company’s capital deployment strategies, including oversight of the Company’s capital reinvestment team. Mr. Knight serves on Hilton’s Product Advisory Council, on the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Franchise Advisory Council, and as an advisory board member of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. Mr. Knight also serves on the Board of Trustees for Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. Mr. Knight holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in History with a minor in Business from Southern Virginia University.

Nelson G. Knight is the son of Glade M. Knight, the Company’s Executive Chairman, and the brother of Justin G. Knight, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

img204985166_39.jpg 

Rachel S. Labrecque

Rachel S. Labrecque

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Age: 4344

Business Experience (1)

Ms. Labrecque was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer effective April 1, 2020. Ms. Labrecque previously served as Senior Vice President of Accounting for the Company since January 2019 and since joining the Apple REIT Companies (as described in Note 1 below) in 2015, has held various management and senior management positions. Ms. Labrecque oversees accounting, financial reporting, treasury operations and taxation for the Company. Prior to joining the Apple REIT Companies, Ms. Labrecque served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller (2011-2015), Vice President and Corporate Controller (2008-2011) and Director of Financial Reporting (2006-2008) of Bowlero Corporation, formerly BowlmorAMFBowlmor AMF Corporation. Ms. Labrecque also held various financial reporting, accounting and auditing roles with The Mills Corporation (a publicly traded REIT), AOL Time Warner, and Arthur Andersen, LLP. Ms. Labrecque holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business. Ms. Labrecque is a Certified Public Accountant.

img204985166_14.jpg 

33


img204985166_40.jpg 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

Elizabeth S. Perkins

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Age: 3940

Business Experience (1)

Ms. Perkins was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2020. Ms. Perkins previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Reporting for the Company since April 2015 and has held various management and senior management positions with the Apple REIT Companies (as described in Note 1 below) since 2008. Ms. Perkins joined the Apple REIT Companies in 2006. Ms. Perkins has been a key part of the leadership team at the Company, fostering valuable relationships, aiding in strategic investment decisions, directing corporate strategy and reporting initiatives, and overseeing the Company’s finance, capital markets, investor relations, risk management, information technology and internal audit functions. Ms. Perkins currently serves as the executive sponsor for the Company’s ESG Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Apple REIT Companies, from 2004 to 2006, Ms. Perkins served as Assurance Associate with Ernst & Young LLP, where she specialized in insurance clients and was part of the assurance IPO team for one of those key clients. Within the industry, Ms. Perkins currently serves on the Residence Inn by Marriott System Marketing Fund Council;Council and the distribution advisory councils for Marriott and Hilton. Ms. Perkins also serves on the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Consumer Innovation Forum, OwnersForWard Advisory Committee and ForWard Advisory Committee; andas Co-Chair of the distribution advisory councils for Marriott and Hilton.Owners Committee. Ms. Perkins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the J.M. Tull School of Accounting within the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.


25


Table of contents

img204985166_41.jpg 

Matthew P. Rash

Name and Title

Business Experience (1)

Matthew P. Rash

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Age: 43 44

Business Experience (1)

Mr. Rash was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary effective April 1, 2020. Mr. Rash previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel since joining the Company in March 2019. Mr. Rash oversees all legal matters for the Company and serves on the Company’s ESG Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rash served as a Partner (2016-2019) and Associate (2005-2015) at McGuireWoods LLP, a full-service law firm in Richmond, Virginia, where he specialized in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions and lending, working on numerous transactions with the Apple REIT Companies. From 2004 to 2005, he was a law clerk with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, for the Honorable James R. Spencer. Mr. Rash serves on the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Mr. Rash holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia.

(1)
See Note 2 to the Director Nominees table above in the section titled “Proposal 1. Election of Directors” for a description of the “Apple REIT Companies.”

(1)

See Note 1 to the Director Nominees table above in the section titled “Proposals to be Voted Upon—Proposal 1. Election of Directors” for a description of the “Apple REIT Companies.”img204985166_14.jpg 

34


PROPOSAL 3. ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PAID BY THE COMPANY

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company is providing its shareholders with the opportunity to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s NEOs as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy, which shareholders previously approved by a non-binding advisory vote, of providing for an annual “say-on-pay” advisory vote. The Company encourages shareholders to read the disclosure under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for more information concerning the Company’s compensation philosophy, programs and practices, the compensation and governance-related actions taken in fiscal year 2022 and the compensation paid to the NEOs.

Accordingly, the Company is asking you to approve the adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLVED: That the shareholders of the Company approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s NEOs, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion in the Proxy Statement.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast will be necessary to approve this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The shareholder vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding and serves only as a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Although the vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors value the opinions of shareholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ABOVE PROPOSAL.

img204985166_14.jpg 

35


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Company’s executive compensation arrangements for the Company’s named executive officersNEOs for 20212022 and explains the structure and rationale associated with each material element of the 20212022 compensation arrangements. The named executive officersNEOs for 20212022 are as follows:

Justin G. Knight

Chief Executive Officer

Nelson G. Knight

President, Real Estate and Investments

Elizabeth S. Perkins

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Karen C. Gallagher

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Nelson G. Knight

President, Real Estate and Investments

Rachel S. Labrecque

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Much like 2020, 2021 proved to beThe following chart provides a challenging year on a global scale. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated variantsbrief summary of the virus have reduced travel and have had a detrimental impact on regional and global economies. The global, national and local impact2022 incentive compensation program for the Company's NEOs approved by the Compensation Committee in February 2022. Further details of the pandemic has continued to evolve2022 incentive compensation program can be found in the paragraphs and many countries, including the U.S., as well as state and local governments, have reacted and continue to react with a wide variety of measures intended to control its spread, including states of emergency, mandatory quarantines, implementation of stay-at-home orders, business closures, border closings, and restrictions on travel and large gatherings, which has resulted in, and may continue to result in, cancellation of events, including sporting events, conferences and meetings. Despite the challenges brought on by sections below.

img204985166_42.jpg 


COVID-19 the Company has been successful in navigating the pandemic, with improving operational performance as well as strong relative stock outperformance as compared to its peer group.

COVID-19 continues to havehad a significant impact on the hospitality industry in 2022, contributing to an environment with relatively low visibility into future trends. In light of the uncertainties related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the lack of visibility into more predictable operating fundamentals and trends, the Company did not issue 20212022 operational and financial guidance, which was generally consistent with the approach taken in 20212022 by other members of the Company’s peer group. However, the Company and the executive team remained focused on a number of critical areas to effectively and successfully navigate the Company through the pandemic. As a result, and as discussed in further detail below, in February 2021,2022, the Compensation Committee approved an annual incentive program that provided that one-half (50%) of 20212022 incentive compensation would be based on discretionary operational performance goals and metrics and one-half (50%) of the 2022 incentive compensation program would continue to be based on shareholder return performance consistent with the Company’s historical incentive programs with 75% based 75% on relative shareholder return metrics and 25% based on total shareholder return metrics over one-year, two-year, and three-year periods. The first halfWith respect to the operational performance goals and metrics, 25% of the year—operational performance target was based on modified

img204985166_14.jpg 

36


funds from operations per share (as defined on page 40 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periodyear ended December 31, 2022) and 75% of January 1 to June 30, 2021—the target was based on operational performance goals established by the Compensation Committee at the beginningincluding: management of capital structure; environmental, social and governance goals; evaluation and pursuit of accretive transactions; effective execution of capital renovation plans; and management of operating expenses to maximize Adjusted Hotel EBITDA (as defined on page 41 of the year, including goals regarding portfolio occupancy growth, expense management, successful negotiation of covenant waivers to the Company’s credit facilities and effective allocation of capital to drive incremental returns, with no specific target or weighting assigned to each metric. After the first half ofAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year the Compensation Committee evaluated whether more specific quantitative metrics could reasonably be established for the rest of the year; however, it was deemed to not be feasible due to the continued impact of COVID-19, specifically the rise of COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the Delta variant which caused additional disruptions during this period. Therefore, operational performance goals for the period of July 1 toend December 31, 2021 were set by the

26


Table of contents

Compensation Committee in August 2021 and continued to be based on goals with no specific target or weighting assigned to each goal, including goals regarding top line growth, bottom line growth, capital allocation and balance sheet management.2022). The Compensation Committee will continuecontinues to maintain a rigorous framework, one that requires outperformance (55th percentile), to achieve target level payout for the relative total shareholder return metrics.

Key Executive CompensationCompensation Practices

The following is a summary of the Company’s key practices to alignaligning executive compensation with the interests of its shareholders, with target compensation percentages based on the Compensation Committee’s determinations:

What the Company Does

What the Company Doesn’t Do

Annual advisory vote on executive compensation;

     77%
Approximately 78% of executive target compensation for 20212022 is incentive-based;

Approximately 75% of executive target incentive-based compensation for 20212022 is payable in Common Shares of the Company;

50% of target incentive-based compensation for 20212022 is based on shareholder return metrics;

50% of target incentive-based compensation for 20212022 is based on operational performance goals;

goals and metrics;

Compensation Committee comprised entirely of independent directors;

Compensation Committee retains FPC, an independent compensation consultant who advises the committee on a regular basis;

Limited perquisites that are generally on the same terms as other employees and which represent only a small portion of total executive officer compensation;

Stock ownership requirements for executive officers;

Maximum amounts payable for executive incentive compensation awards; and

Market-aligned severance policy for executives with a double trigger for any change in control payments.

No employment contracts with executive officers;

Company Insider Trading Policy prohibits directors and employees from engaging in hedging of Company securities;

No dividends paid on restricted stock awards unless they vest;

No grants of stock options; and

No supplemental retirement plans.

img204985166_14.jpg 

37


Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

The Company provides its shareholders annually with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation, and in 20212022, approximately 97%96% of the shares voted were in support of the 20202021 compensation of the executive officers. The Compensation Committee viewed this advisory vote as an expression by the shareholders of their general satisfaction with the Company’s executive compensation program. Consistent with the advisory vote of the shareholders at the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, the Company will holdhas held advisory votes on executive compensation annually untiland shareholders will vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote at this Annual Meeting. Refer to "Proposal 4. Advisory Vote on Frequency of Executive Compensation Vote" on page 64 for further details regarding the vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote at this Annual Meeting. The vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote is required every six years with the next say-on-frequencyone, following the vote is conducted, which will be no later than 2023.at this Annual Meeting, to take place in 2029.


img204985166_43.jpg 

27


Table of contents

Pay for Performance Philosophy

The Company believes that a significant portion of each named executive officer’sNEO’s total compensation should be incentive basedincentive-based to best align their interestinterests with those of its shareholders. As a result, for 2021,2022, the Compensation Committee approved a target compensation for the named executive officersNEOs with the following average compensation mix:

img204985166_44.jpg 

All incentive compensation is performance based:performance-based:

50% on shareholder return metrics

50% on operational performance goals and metrics

The 20212022 incentive compensation plan was based on multiplefive discretionary operational performance goals, one objective operational performance metric and six objective shareholder return metrics. To further align interests with its shareholders, 75% of the target incentive compensation was payable in Common Shares of the Company, of which one-third was restricted and subject to a one-year vesting period and the remaining two-thirds being vested at

img204985166_14.jpg 

38


issuance. Based on FPC’s 20212023 peer group report discussed below, at that time the Company had the highest percentage of target executive compensation based on objective share and operating performance targets compared to its peer group.

General Philosophy and Objectives

The Company’s executive compensation philosophy continues to focus on attracting, motivating and retaining a superior management team that can maximize shareholder value. The compensation arrangements are designed to reward performance relative to financial and other metrics that the Company believes are key metrics that will enhance shareholder value and to reward executive officers for performance at levels that the Compensation Committee believes to be competitive with other public hospitality REITs. The compensation arrangements consist of both base salary and incentive compensation which is intended to incentivize executive officers to manage the Company in a prudent manner without encouraging unnecessary risk-taking. In establishing the compensation arrangements, the Compensation Committee believes the best way to maintain the alignment of management and shareholder objectives is to have a larger variable component tied to key metrics. On average, approximately 77%81% of target compensation of the named executive officersNEOs was designed to be variable in 2021.2022. The incentive goals in the incentive compensation program are set at competitive levels which are expected to require stretch performance but are believed to be achievable. However, as a result of the uncertainties in 20212022 related to the effect of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, no specific targets or weightings were initially assigned by the Compensation Committee to some of the individual operational performance goals. The Compensation Committee also reviews and considers the management team’s overall compensation. The Company has not adopted a formal policy or guideline for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among different forms of non-cash compensation.

28


Table of contents

Role of the CompensationCompensation Committee

Pursuant to the Compensation Committee’s charter, the Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in discharging the Board of Directors’ responsibilities relating to compensation of the Company’s officers. The Compensation Committee’s duties and responsibilities include, among other things, the following:

annually review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, and after evaluating performance in light of those goals and objectives, approve compensation of the Chief Executive Officer;

annually review corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the executive management officers of the Company, and after evaluating performance in light of those goals and objectives, approve compensation of the executive management officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer; and

review and make periodic recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the general compensation, benefits and perquisites policies and practices of the Company.

The Compensation Committee’s charter permits it to delegate its functions to one or more subcommittees as permitted by law and to retain consultants and other advisors to assist the Compensation Committee in carrying out its duties in evaluation of executive officer compensation.

In reviewing the Company’s executive compensation structure, the Compensation Committee evaluates data regarding executive compensation paid by, and executive compensation plans of, other public hospitality REITs and other peer group information which has been provided every two years since 2014 by FPC, most recently in 2021.2023. The Compensation Committee utilizes FPC’s recommendations in conjunction with market data to determine annual executive compensation. Target compensation for 20212022 for each named executive officerNEO was approved by the Compensation Committee after consideration of each individual’s experience in their position and the industry, the risks and deterrents associated with their positions, the anticipated difficulty to replace the individual, and total compensation paid to each named executive officerNEO in prior years.

img204985166_14.jpg 

39


Role oftheChief Executive Officer

In connection with determining compensation of executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee may seekhas sought input from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Any recommendations given by the Chief Executive Officer will be based upon the Chief Executive Officer’s assessment of the Company’s overall performance, each executive officer’s individual performance and employee retention considerations. The Compensation Committee reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations, and in its sole discretion determines all executive officer compensation. The Chief Executive Officer will not provide any recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding his own compensation.

Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee periodically consults with FPC as its independent executive compensation consultant regarding compensation arrangements. The Compensation Committee’s charter authorizes the Compensation Committee to retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant to advise it in the evaluation of executive officer compensation. The Company paid FPC approximately $17,000 in 2022 and $86,000 in 2021 to advise the Company regarding executive compensation. In addition, the Company paid FPC approximately $20,000 in 2022 to advise the Company regarding Board of Directors compensation. In connection with developing the executive compensation structure and making executive compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee relies upon FPC to:

advise the Compensation Committee on the principal aspects of the executive compensation program;

assist in the selection of a group of peer companies (based on, among other things, industry, size and asset type);

provide information on the compensation structures of and the compensation paid to executive officers by peer companies;

advise on appropriate levels of compensation; and

advise on compensation trends in light of unusual circumstances such aswithin the COVID-19 pandemic.

real estate industry.

Peer Group Information

In connection with its comprehensive review of the executive compensation arrangements for all of the Company’s executive officers, the Compensation Committee relies upon FPC to provide, among other things, compensation information and data regarding executive officers in the Company’s peer group. The peer group

29


Table of contents

compensation information and data are one factor the Compensation Committee considers in establishing the Company’s executive compensation arrangements. AtIn February 2022, when the time of FPC’s 2021 report,2022 incentive compensation program for the Company's NEOs was approved by the Compensation Committee, the peer group consisted of the following nine public company REITs in the hospitality industry with similar market capitalization to the Company withidentified in the table below. At that time, the peer group used in FPC's 2021 report, which was used in establishing the 2022 incentive compensation program, had an overall median market capitalization for 2021 of approximately $2.3 billion at the time of FPC’s 2021 report (the Company’s market capitalization at the time of the report was $2.9 billion):.

DiamondRock Hospitality Company ("DRH")

Hersha Hospitality Trust ("HT")

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. ("HST")

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("PK")

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust ("PEB")

RLJ Lodging Trust ("RLJ")

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. ("INN")

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. ("SHO")

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc. ("XHR")

img204985166_14.jpg 

40


In January 2023, FPC presented an updated report to the Compensation Committee with the same peer group and an overall median market capitalization for 2022 of approximately $2.0 billion at the time of FPC’s 2023 report (the Company’s market capitalization at the time of FPC's 2023 report was $3.9 billion).

img204985166_45.jpg 

Note: Market Capitalization at December 31, 2022

The Compensation Committee believes the peer group above represents companies with which the Company competes for talent and business. This peer group hasn't changed from 2021. The Compensation Committee used data from this peer group to provide the Compensation Committee with a context in which to make base salary determinations and decisions regarding appropriate payout levels for incentive compensation.

Elements of Executive Compensation

The Company’s executive compensation arrangements consist of base salary and incentive compensation. The incentive compensation for 2022 consists of operational metrics and goals and shareholder return metrics with target inventive compensation paid 25% in cash and 75% through equity awards.

Annual Base Salary

Annual base salary is a fixed level of compensation that reflects each named executive officer’sNEO’s position and individual performance and is intended to comprise, on average, approximately 20% of each named executive officer’sNEO’s target compensation. Base salary is designed to serve as a retention tool throughout the executive’s career. In determining base salaries, the Compensation Committee considers the salary information and data obtained for the executive officers in the peer group of companies identified above, each executive officer’s role and responsibility, unique skills, future potential with the

img204985166_14.jpg 

41


Company, and internal pay equity considerations. After evaluating these factors, the Compensation Committee approved the following annual base salary of each named executive officer.NEO.

 

 

2022 Annual
Base Salary
(1)

 

 

2021 Annual
Base Salary
(1)

 

Justin G. Knight

 

$

596,525

 

 

$

557,500

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

467,500

 

 

 

425,000

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

446,250

 

 

 

425,000

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

446,250

 

 

 

425,000

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

412,500

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Annual

Base Salary(1)

2020 Annual

Base Salary(1)

Justin G. Knight

 

 

$

557,500

 

 

 

$

557,500

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins (2)

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher (2)

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

Nelson G. Knight (2)

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

382,500

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque (2)

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

 

360,000

 

 

(1)
Annual base salary represents the annual base salary rate approved by the Compensation Committee.

(1)img204985166_14.jpg 

Annual base salary represents the annual base salary rate approved by the Compensation Committee.42

(2)

2020 annual base salary rate effective April 1, 2020, the date of appointment as an executive officer.


Incentive Compensation

The named executive officersNEOs are eligible to earn variable incentive compensation awards designed to reward the achievement of annual operational/financial performance measures and annual/multi-year total shareholder return measures. The Compensation Committee establishes target annual incentive award opportunities for each named executive officer,NEO, consisting of an annual cash bonus award and an equity compensation award opportunity, following an analysis of market information and data for executive officers in the peer group of companies identified above, each executive officer’s role and responsibility, unique skills, future potential with the Company, and internal pay equity considerations. The Compensation Committee considers all relevant facts and circumstances when evaluating performance, including changing market conditions and broad corporate strategic initiatives, along with overall responsibilities and contributions, and retains the ability to exercise its judgment and discretion to adjust an incentive compensation award.

For 2021,2022, approximately 75% of the target incentive compensation of the named executive officersNEOs was intended to be provided through equity awards and the remainder as an annual cash bonus, with one-third of the target equity award being restricted and subject to a one-year vesting period and the remaining two-thirds of the target equity

30


Table of contents

award being fully vested. Target incentive compensation awards earned upon the achievement of the performance goals consist of (i) for the shareholder return metrics discussed below, one-half of the total award in restricted Common Shares that vest on the second Friday of December in the year issued, i.e., December 9, 2022,8, 2023, and the remaining one-half in fully vested Common Shares and (ii) for the operating performance goals and metrics discussed below, one-half of the total award in fully vested Common Shares and the other half of the award as the annual cash bonus.

The Compensation Committee’s normal practice is to adopt annual performance goals for the annual incentive compensation awards following a review of the Company’s business plan and budget, which typically occurs in February of each year. Named executive officersNEOs employed as of the end of the year are eligible to receive incentive compensation awards to be determined pursuant to a weighted average formula based on the achievement of certain performance measures, consisting of shareholder return metrics and operational performance measures. For 2021,2022, as discussed further below, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of operational and financial guidance for 2022 disrupted the Compensation Committee’s ability to set normal objective operational performance measures.

Performance Measures

For 2021,In February 2022, the Compensation Committee adopted performance goals for the 20212022 incentive compensation awards, consisting of shareholder return metrics and operational performance goals. The shareholder returngoals and metrics, for the full year were set in February 2021, as were the operational performance goals for the first six months of the year, following a review of the Company’s business plan for the year. As discussed further below, the Compensation Committee determined to delay setting operational performance goals for the second half of 2021 until later in the year, at a point in time when the Compensation Committee expected to have additional information and clarity regarding potential trends and outlook for the Company and the industry as a whole. At the time each of the performance goals and metrics were set, the Compensation Committee believed that the goals and metrics that had been established were substantially uncertain to be achieved.

img204985166_14.jpg 

43


The Compensation Committee determined that the operational performance measures for 20212022 would need to be partially based on discretionary goals for the first and second halves of the year based on the overall progress of the industry and economy due to the high level ofcontinued economic uncertainty, but the shareholder return performance measures should be based on objective goalsmetrics (consistent with normal practice). The Compensation Committee did not set separate performance goals for individual executive officers. As described in greater detail in the sections that follow, the incentive compensation awards for 20212022 were based on the following operational and shareholder return performance goals and metrics and resulted in the following payout achievement levels:

 

Annual

Incentive

Compensation

Award

Established Goals for 2021

 

2021 Actual

 

2021 Actual

 

 

Weighting

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Results

 

Payout

 

Annual
Incentive
Compensation
Award

 

Established Goals for 2022

 

2022
Actual

 

2022
Actual

 

Operational Performance Goals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational performance (1st half of 2021)

 

 

25.0

%

 

Threshold performance

 

 

Target performance

 

 

Maximum performance

 

 

Maximum achievement

 

 

 

50.0

%

Operational performance (2nd half of 2021)

 

 

25.0

%

 

Threshold performance

 

 

Target performance

 

 

Maximum performance

 

 

80% Maximum achievement, 20% Target achievement

 

 

 

45.0

%

Weighting

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Results

 

Payout

 

Operational Performance Goals and Metrics

Operational Performance Goals and Metrics

 

Modified FFO per share

 

12.5

%

 

$

1.00

 

$

1.10

 

$

1.20

 

$

1.53

 

25.0

%

Capital structure - debt refinancing

 

7.5

%

 

Threshold performance

 

Target performance

 

Maximum performance

 

Maximum

 

 

15.0

%

Publish inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report

 

7.5

%

 

Threshold performance

 

Target performance

 

Maximum performance

 

Above Target

 

 

9.4

%

Evaluate and pursue accretive transactions

 

7.5

%

 

Threshold performance

 

Target performance

 

Maximum performance

 

Target

 

 

7.5

%

Execute 2022 CapEx Plan

 

7.5

%

 

Threshold performance

 

Target performance

 

Maximum performance

 

Above Target

 

 

13.1

%

Maximize Adjusted Hotel EBITDA

 

7.5

%

 

Threshold performance

 

Target performance

 

Maximum performance

 

Above Target

 

 

13.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Return Metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Return Metrics

 

Total shareholder one-year return

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

4.0

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

10.0

%

 

 

25.4

%

 

 

8.3

%

 

4.2

%

 

 

4.0

%

 

7.0

%

 

10.0

%

 

1.5

%

 

0.0

%

Total shareholder two-year return

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

13.0

%

 

 

19.0

%

 

 

1.4

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

4.2

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

13.0

%

 

19.0

%

 

25.8

%

 

8.3

%

Total shareholder three-year return

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

11.0

%

 

 

18.0

%

 

 

27.0

%

 

 

24.1

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

4.2

%

 

 

11.0

%

 

18.0

%

 

27.0

%

 

2.9

%

 

0.0

%

Total shareholder one-year return relative to peer group

 

 

12.5

%

 

30th percentile

 

 

55th percentile

 

 

75th percentile

 

 

96th percentile

 

 

 

25.0

%

 

12.5

%

 

30th percentile

 

55th percentile

 

75th percentile

 

100th percentile

 

 

25.0

%

Total shareholder two-year return relative to peer group

 

 

12.5

%

 

30th percentile

 

 

55th percentile

 

 

75th percentile

 

 

100th percentile

 

 

 

25.0

%

 

12.5

%

 

30th percentile

 

55th percentile

 

75th percentile

 

100th percentile

 

 

25.0

%

Total shareholder three-year return relative to peer group

 

 

12.5

%

 

30th percentile

 

 

55th percentile

 

 

75th percentile

 

 

100th percentile

 

 

 

25.0

%

 

12.5

%

 

30th percentile

 

55th percentile

 

75th percentile

 

100th percentile

 

 

25.0

%

31


Table of contents

The Compensation Committee believes that each of the goals and metrics set for 20212022 reflect key measurements of the Company’s operational, financial and shareholder return performance. The following summarizes how the Company measuresmeasured each goal or metric, as well as how the Company performed in 2021:2022.

Operational Performance Goals and Metrics

Due to the uncertain nature of the lodging industry and overall economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Compensation Committee set separatea mix of discretionary goals and objective metrics for the operating performance for the first and second halves of 2021. 2022. The amounts actually payable to each named executive officerNEO with respect to the operational performance goals were determined within the Compensation Committee’s discretion after an evaluation of performance against each goal. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased uncertaintiesuncertainty it created, the Compensation Committee did not assign a particular weighting when it established each operational performance goal or a specific pre-determined payout level of performance for each operating performance goal, as they were not based on quantitative performance measures. Instead, the Compensation Committee engaged in a detailed review of the performance with respect to each goal, progress towards the goal, and benefits realized by the Company, among other factors. In order to assess performance for the executive officers, during this evaluation, the Compensation Committee assigned weightings for each goal, with no single goal exceeding 15% of the potential payout attributable to the operational goals for the year. After a rigorous evaluation process, the Compensation Committee then determined the payout level, which would be at one of the following levels: target (100% payout, equal to the assigned weighting), threshold (50% payout, equal to half of the assigned weighting) or maximum (200% payout, equal to two times the assigned weighting).

img204985166_14.jpg 

44


The operational performance goals (not including operational performance metrics) for the first half of 20212022 consisted of the following:

Goal

Initial Weighting (As a % of Operational Goals)

Achievement

Performance Summary

Grow portfolio occupancyEffectively manage capital structure to include refinancing/extending debt with 2022 maturities

15%

Maximum

Successfully refinanced the Company's existing $850 million credit facility, increasing its borrowing capacity to approximately $1.2 billion, extending maturity dates and achieving improved pricing across the facility.
Successfully closed on an additional 7-year senior notes facility in June, and repaid 9 secured mortgages.
Through the activity noted above, the Company achieved its key balance sheet objectives: managing and continuing to stagger its debt maturities, increasing access to liquidity through upsizing its revolving credit facility, and shifting a portion of its secured debt to unsecured.
Successfully transitioned all variable rate debt from LIBOR to SOFR by amending all agreements, including interest rate swap agreements.

Publish inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report

15%

Above Target

Grew occupancy from
Published inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report in December 2022.
Report includes both the GRI Index and TCFD framework to provide a 2020 highcomprehensive overview of 54% (October 2020)the Company’s corporate responsibility performance and climate-related risk management which meaningfully enhances the Company's ESG disclosure.

Evaluate and pursue accretive transactions

15%

Target

Acquired two properties during 2022 which improved the Company's portfolio quality and positioned the portfolio for growth.
The Company's team underwrote a significant number of deals (including portfolios and individual assets) and stayed disciplined in its approach and underwriting methodology throughout the year.

Effectively execute 2022 capital expense plan

15%

Above Target

Capital expenses for the year were close to 74% in June 2021,the midpoint of the Company's expected range of $55-$65 million with weekend occupancies24 major projects falling at the high end of the second quarter exceeding pre-pandemic levels

Company's estimates of 20-25 major projects.

Portfolio occupancies exceeded industry averages
Navigated an incredibly competitive market, plagued with supply chain issues, labor and averages specificmaterial shortages, and the Company executed on a strategy that it believes drives value to Company’s chain scales

the Company's portfolio long term.
Successfully executed on targeted spend in major categories including facade work, roof replacements, HVAC replacements and parking lot resurfacing.

ManageEffectively manage operating expenses effectively as occupancy increasesto maximize Adjusted Hotel EBITDA

15%

MaximumAbove Target

Hotel operating expense increased 10%
The Company worked to mitigate expenses in a challenging labor and high inflation environment. The Company has focused on increasing utilization of labor management systems at the property level and has worked to develop internal reporting that allows for first six monthsmore granular benchmarking across management companies.
Negotiated additional savings in property taxes, energy costs and vendor contracts, and as a result of 2021 comparedthese efforts, the Company was able to same period of 2020 on 27% revenue growth

maintain actual margins in line with 2019 despite the challenging environment.

Successfully negotiate extended covenant waiver period under the unsecured facilities with favorable terms

10%

Maximum

Extended covenant waiver period into 2022 while enhancing ability to exit early by securing temporary covenant modifications

Obtained increased flexibility to acquire assets and pay dividends

Effectively allocate capital to drive incremental return

10%

Maximum

Entered into contract to sell 20 hotels for $211 million

Entered into contract to purchase 3 hotels for $148 million

Raised approximately $76 million through issuances of equity at an average price of $16.26 per share

Total Operational Performance Goal Weighting:

50%75%


32


Table of contents

The goals for the second half of 2021 consisted of the following:

Goal

Initial Weighting (As a % of Operational Goals)img204985166_14.jpg 

Achievement

Performance Summary

Work with third-party management companies to capture additional business and leisure room nights in key markets

5%

Target

Grew market share sequentially each month beginning in August 2021 and through November 2021

Total market share exceeded 2019 levels in November 2021

Continue revenue management efforts to maximize revenue production

5%

Maximum

Average daily rate (“ADR”) in the second half of 2021 was down only 2% on a comparable hotel basis and down slightly over 2% on a same store basis as compared to the same period in 2019. For comparison, first half 2021 ADR was down over 20% on a comparable hotel basis as compared to the same period in 2019

Effective use of revenue management systems with oversight from the asset management and revenue management teams has enabled the Company to grow rate much faster than in past cycles

Work with management companies to manage labor challenges  

5%

Maximum

Despite significant wage pressure and lower occupancy, second half of 2021 total wages through November per occupied room were down almost 4% on a same store basis compared to the same period in 2019

Total payroll was down approximately 5% compared to the same period in 2019 on a same store basis

Effective management of labor contributed to margin outperformance during the second half of the year

Control operating expenses to maximize margins

10%

Maximum

Even with reinstituting services and amenities and increased occupancy over the summer, the Company still achieved savings in rooms expenses excluding payroll of over 8% on a same store basis for the second half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019

Third quarter 2021 Adjusted Hotel EBITDA margin exceeded the same period in 2019 and the fourth quarter 2021 margin was only slightly down compared to 2019 on a comparable hotel basis despite meaningful variance in topline performance

Continue to identify opportunities to lower costs

5%

Maximum

Negotiated internet service pricing for nearly 60 hotels resulting in significant monthly savings

Obtained COVID relief credits through vendors and management companies

Renegotiated contracts for video, data and connectivity services at 42 hotels

Transitioned Hilton properties to new vendor reducing the number of internet circuits needed

Obtained grants to cover charger installations for electric vehicles anticipated to generate incremental room nights and incremental revenue

Leased space for cell towers at a number of hotels

Explore opportunistic dispositions

2.5%

Target

Completed sale of 20 hotels for $211 million

Evaluated potential additional sales with multiple buyers

Effectively deploy proceeds from sales

5%

Maximum

Purchased seven hotels for $312 million during the second half of 2021 using the $211 million proceeds from 20-hotel sale transaction and proceeds from equity raises

Anticipated stabilized yield on acquisitions averaged approximately 8%, within 50 basis points of 2019 capitalization rate for disposition assets after taking into consideration near term capital expenditures

Acquisitions were on average younger than dispositions with four of the seven acquired hotels being less than four years old and all of the assets being younger than the Company average

Five of the seven hotels are located in markets approaching or exceeding 2019 performance with two hotels purchased below replacement cost and recent comparable transaction price levels45

33


Table

The operational performance metric for 2022 was Modified FFO (as defined on page 40 of contents

Minimize transaction related frictional costs

2.5%

Maximum

Capitalization rate spread on forecasted results favored acquisitions with added benefit of lower capital expenditures, further bolstering relative returns

Rapid deployment of proceeds from portfolio sale further limited frictional costs

Manage business to ensure compliance with modified covenants under unsecured credit facilities

7.5%

Maximum

Completed successful early exit from covenant waiver period under unsecured credit facilities

Continued to operate within modified covenants on both annualized and trailing twelve-month basis

Explore options to restructure balance sheet and refinance or extend term of revolving credit facility

2.5%

Target

Continued discussions with lenders to explore both structure and timing for potential modifications

Total Operational Performance Goal Weighting:

50%

the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022) divided by the Company’s weighted average Common Shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Shareholder Return Metrics

Shareholder return metrics included both absolute and relative total shareholder return metrics:

Total shareholder return metrics – The Company used shareholder returns over a one-year period (measured from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022), a two-year period (measured from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021),2022) and a two-yearthree-year period (measured from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021) and a three-year period (measured from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021)2022), measuring the benefit to shareholders of holding the Company’s Common Shares over a period of time. Shareholder return includes the change in the share price as well as the reinvestment of dividends during the periods noted.

TotalRelative total shareholder return relative to a peer group metricsvs. peers – The Company used relative shareholder returns compared to the Company’s peers over a one-year period (measured from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022), a two-year period (measured from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021),2022) and a two-yearthree-year period (measured from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021) and a three-year period (measured from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021)2022), measuring the benefit to shareholders of holding the Company’s Common Shares relative to that of its peer companies. For this performance goal, consistent with prior years, the Company’s peer group consisted of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., Chatham Lodging Trust, Hersha Hospitality Trust, RLJ Lodging Trust and Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. Shareholder return includes the change in the share price as well as the reinvestment of dividends during the periods noted.

Consistent with prior years, the amounts payable with respect to the shareholder return measures were determined based upon whether the Company’s performance met certain “threshold,” “target” or “maximum” levels for each of the performance measures. The “threshold” level can be characterized as “stretch but attainable,” meaning that, although attainment is uncertain, based on historical performance, it can reasonably be anticipated that threshold performance may be achieved. The “target” and “maximum” levels represent increasingly challenging and aggressive levels of performance. With respect to each performance measure, results below the threshold level resulted in a payment of 0% of the target value, results between the threshold and the target levels resulted in a payment of 50% to 100% of the target value, results between the target and the maximum levels resulted in a payment of 100% to 200% of the target value, and results above the maximum level resulted in a payment of 200% of the target value.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s adverse impact on theThe Company and the hospitality industry as a whole, the Company was ablehas continued to maintain strong performance relative to its peer group. As reflected in the following tables,charts, for the one-year, two-year, and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021,2022, the Company outperformed the peer group cumulative total shareholder return average (consisting of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., Chatham Lodging Trust, Hersha Hospitality Trust, RLJ Lodging Trust and Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.) and outperformed this peer group on a one-year, two-year, and three-year total shareholder return basis (returns for the one-year, two-year and three-year periods ended December 31, 20212022 assume the reinvestment of dividends). See charts below.

34

img204985166_14.jpg 

46


Table of contents

img204985166_46.jpg 

img204985166_47.jpg 

35

img204985166_14.jpg 

47


Table of contents

Actual Award Earned

The Company’s 20212022 actual results as compared to the established goals are summarized in the table above under “Performance Measures.” For 2021,2022, the Company achieved an average of 185.3%166.5% of the target incentive for each of the metrics and goals discussed above, resulting in the compensation awards as follows:

 

2021 Target

Cash Incentive

Compensation

Award

Opportunity

 

2021 Target

Equity Incentive

Compensation

Award

Opportunity

 

2021 Target

Total Incentive

Compensation

Award

Opportunity

 

2021Actual

Cash Incentive

Compensation

Award

 

2021 Actual

Equity Incentive

Compensation

Award

 

2021 Actual

Total Incentive

Compensation

Award

2022 Target
Cash Incentive
Compensation
Award
Opportunity

 

2022 Target
Equity Incentive
Compensation
Award
Opportunity

 

2022 Target
Total Incentive
Compensation
Award
Opportunity

 

2022 Actual
Cash Incentive
Compensation
Award

 

2022 Actual
Equity Incentive
Compensation
Award

 

2022 Actual
Total Incentive
Compensation
Award

 

Justin G. Knight

 

$

975,625

 

 

 

 

$

2,926,875

 

 

 

$

3,902,500

 

 

 

$

1,853,688

 

 

 

$

5,378,614

 

 

 

$

7,232,302

 

 

$

1,043,919

 

$

3,131,756

 

$

4,175,675

 

$

1,735,515

 

$

5,215,226

 

$

6,950,741

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

409,063

 

1,227,188

 

1,636,251

 

680,066

 

2,043,596

 

2,723,662

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

 

 

956,250

 

 

 

 

1,275,000

 

 

 

 

605,625

 

 

 

 

1,757,267

 

 

 

 

2,362,892

 

 

 

390,469

 

1,171,406

 

1,561,875

 

649,154

 

1,950,694

 

2,599,848

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

 

 

956,250

 

 

 

 

1,275,000

 

 

 

 

605,625

 

 

 

 

1,757,267

 

 

 

 

2,362,892

 

 

 

390,469

 

1,171,406

 

1,561,875

 

649,154

 

1,950,694

 

2,599,848

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

371,875

 

 

 

 

 

1,115,625

 

 

 

 

1,487,500

 

 

 

 

706,563

 

 

 

 

2,050,144

 

 

 

 

2,756,707

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

234,375

 

 

 

 

 

703,125

 

 

 

 

937,500

 

 

 

 

445,313

 

 

 

 

1,292,108

 

 

 

 

1,737,421

 

 

 

257,813

 

773,438

 

1,031,251

 

428,613

 

1,287,971

 

1,716,584

 

These incentive compensation awards were determined by the Compensation Committee in February 2022,2023, and the cash was paid and equity grants were issued in March 2022,2023, with 67%two-thirds of the equity awards vested immediately and 33%one-third of the equity awards to vest in December 2022.2023.

Realized Pay

The tables below, which supplement the Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table, showsshow the value of the 20212022 and 20202021 compensation earned by each named executive officerNEO under the compensation program.

2022 Realized Pay Table (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

Share
Awards
(2)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

 

All Other
Compensation

 

2022 Total
Compensation
Realized

 

Justin G. Knight

$

596,525

 

$

5,215,226

 

$

1,735,515

 

$

270,694

 

$

7,817,960

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

467,500

 

 

2,043,596

 

 

680,066

 

 

126,522

 

 

3,317,684

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

446,250

 

 

1,950,694

 

 

649,154

 

 

122,384

 

 

3,168,482

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

446,250

 

 

1,950,694

 

 

649,154

 

 

122,595

 

 

3,168,693

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

412,500

 

 

1,287,971

 

 

428,613

 

 

92,431

 

 

2,221,515

 

2021 Realized Pay Table (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

Share

Awards (2)

 

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

 

All Other

Compensation

 

2021 Total

Compensation

Realized

Justin G. Knight

 

 

$

557,500

 

 

 

 

$

5,378,614

 

 

 

 

$

1,853,688

 

 

 

 

$

44,102

 

 

 

 

$

7,833,904

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,757,267

 

 

 

 

 

605,625

 

 

 

 

 

38,607

 

 

 

 

 

2,826,499

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,757,267

 

 

 

 

 

605,625

 

 

 

 

 

36,659

 

 

 

 

 

2,824,551

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

2,050,144

 

 

 

 

 

706,563

 

 

 

 

 

37,017

 

 

 

 

 

3,218,724

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,292,108

 

 

 

 

 

445,313

 

 

 

 

 

35,613

 

 

 

 

 

2,148,034

 

 

(1)
Amounts shown for Salary, Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation and All Other Compensation equal the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)
Amounts shown represent the value of the annual share awards earned for the 2022 performance year.

2021 Realized Pay Table (1)

Amounts shown for Salary, Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation and All Other Compensation equal the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

Amounts shown represent the value of the annual share awards earned for the 2021 performance year.img204985166_14.jpg 

48


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

Share
Awards
(2)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

 

All Other
Compensation

 

2021 Total
Compensation
Realized

 

Justin G. Knight

$

557,500

 

$

5,378,614

 

$

1,853,688

 

$

44,102

 

$

7,833,904

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

425,000

 

 

2,050,144

 

 

706,563

 

 

37,017

 

 

3,218,724

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

425,000

 

 

1,757,267

 

 

605,625

 

 

38,607

 

 

2,826,499

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

425,000

 

 

1,757,267

 

 

605,625

 

 

36,659

 

 

2,824,551

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

375,000

 

 

1,292,108

 

 

445,313

 

 

35,613

 

 

2,148,034

 

(1)
Amounts shown for Salary, Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation and All Other Compensation equal the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)
Amounts shown represent the value of the annual share awards earned for the 2021 performance year.

2020 Realized Pay Table (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

Share

Awards (2)

 

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

 

All Other

Compensation

 

2020 Total

Compensation

Realized

Justin G. Knight

 

 

$

493,625

 

 

 

 

$

2,634,188

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

$

89,813

 

 

 

 

$

3,217,626

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

 

369,563

 

 

 

 

 

1,124,997

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

49,864

 

 

 

 

 

1,544,424

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

 

373,250

 

 

 

 

 

1,124,997

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

45,389

 

 

 

 

 

1,543,636

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

 

358,500

 

 

 

 

 

1,338,750

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

60,584

 

 

 

 

 

1,757,834

 

 

(1)

Amounts shown for Salary, Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation and All Other Compensation equal the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

Amounts shown represent the value of the annual share awards earned for the 2020 performance year and a one-time restricted share award granted upon appointment of each of Ms. Perkins and Ms. Gallagher as an executive officer on April 1, 2020 equal to the executive’s annual base salary and vesting March 31, 2023.

The Realized Pay Tables differ from the Summary Compensation Table in that the 20212022 and 20202021 Realized Pay Tables show the actual value of the compensation earned based on the achievement of the performance metrics for

36


Table of contents

2021 2022 and 2020 and the additional 25% in incentive compensation awarded in 2020,2021, while the Summary Compensation Table reflects the estimated grant date fair value of such Common Shares that were to be issued subject to achievement of the performance conditions as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a detailed description of the grant date fair value of the share awards, see Note 1 to the “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table.” These tables are not a substitute for the “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table” and are intended to provide additional information that the Company believes is useful in facilitating an understanding of the 20212022 and 20202021 compensation amounts earned by its named executive officers.NEOs.

Perquisites and Other Benefits

The named executive officersNEOs participate in other benefits plans on the same terms as other employees. These plans include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and a 401(k) plan. Under the 401(k) plan, employees are eligible to defer a portion of their salary and the Company, at its discretion, may make a matching contribution. In 2021,2022, the Company made a matching contribution of up to $11,600,$12,200, with the actual company contribution amount determined by the individual’s contribution and as restricted by statutory limits. As noted in the Summary Compensation Table below, the Company provided limited perquisites to its named executive officersNEOs in 2021,2022, which included parking benefits. The emphasis in the compensation program for named executive officersNEOs is on the pay-for-performance elements.

In addition, the named executive officersNEOs are also entitled to receive accrued dividends on the share incentive compensation awards, which are payable in cash if the awards vest. Such amounts are included under the column, “All Other Compensation,” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

Ownership Requirements

The Board of Directors adopted share ownership guidelines that require executive officers to maintain a minimum share ownership in the Company. See “Corporate Governance, Risk Oversight and Procedures for Shareholder Communications—Governance—Share Ownership Guidelines.”

Limits onTax Deductibility ofExecutive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”), prohibits publicly held corporations from taking a tax deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of the corporation’s “covered employees,” which include its chief executive officer, its chief financial officer and its three other most highly compensated executive officers (as well as any person who ever was a covered employee for any prior taxable year beginning after December 31, 2016). Since the Company qualifies as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income distributed to shareholders (other than income of its taxable REIT subsidiaries), the payment of compensation that fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) will increase the Company’s required REIT distributions but does not have a material adverse consequence to the Company. Although the Company is mindful of the limits on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m), the Company nevertheless reserves the right to structure the compensation packages and awards in a manner that may exceed the limitation on deduction imposed by Section 162(m).

2022

img204985166_14.jpg 

49


2023 Incentive Compensation

COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on the hospitality industry contributing to an environment with relatively low visibility into future trends. In light of the uncertainties related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the lack of visibility into more predictable operating fundamentals and trends, the Company has not issued 2022 operational and financial guidance. However, the Company and the executive team remain focused on a number of critical areas to ensure that the Company effectively and successfully navigates through the pandemic. As a result, in February 2022,2023, the Compensation Committee approved the annual incentive program to provide that one-half (50%) of 20222023 incentive compensation will be based on operational performance goals and metrics and one-half (50%) of the incentive program will continue to measure shareholder return performance, based 75% on relative shareholder return metrics and 25% on total shareholder return metrics over one-year, two-year, and three-year periods. With respect to the operational performance metrics, 25% of the operational performance target will be based on total revenues, 25% will be based on modified funds from operations per share (as defined on page 4440 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021)2022) and 75%50% of the target will be based on operational performance goals including management of capital structure, environmental, social and governance goals,structure; evaluation and pursuit of accretive transactions, effective execution of capital renovation plans andtransactions; management of operating expenses to maximize Adjusted Hotel EBITDA (as defined on page 45labor and improvement of production; environmental, social and governance goals; and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year end December 31, 2021).enhancement of internal business intelligence tools. The

37


Table of contents

Compensation Committee will continue to maintain a rigorous framework, one that requires outperformance (55th percentile) to achieve target level payout for the relative total shareholder return metrics.

Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis contains certain non-GAAP financial measures which are described in more detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20212022 in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Current Members of theThe Compensation Committee:

Glenn W. Bunting, Chair

Daryl A. NickelL. Hugh Redd

L. Hugh ReddHoward E. Woolley

The Compensation Committee Report above does not constitute “soliciting material” and will not be deemed “filed” or incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that might incorporate SEC filings by reference, in whole or in part, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in those filings.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of the Compensation Committee areduring 2022 were Glenn W. Bunting, Daryl A. Nickel and L. Hugh Redd.Redd and until his retirement on August 24, 2022, Daryl A Nickel. Howard E. Woolley was appointed to the Compensation Committee on February 7, 2023. No member of the Compensation Committee is or has ever been an officer or employee of the Company, and no member of the Compensation Committee has or had any relationships requiring disclosure by the Company under the SEC’s rules requiring disclosure of certain relationships and related-party transactions. No executive officer serves or has served as a member of a compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any other entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and no executive officer serves or has served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers serves on the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, during 20212022, there were no interlocks with other companies within the meaning of the SEC’s proxy rules.


img204985166_14.jpg 

50

38


Table of contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth certain compensation information for each of the Company’s named executive officersNEOs for 2021.2022.

Summary Compensation Table

The Summary Compensation Table reflects compensation under the executive compensation arrangements discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Name

 

Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Share
Awards
(1)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(2)

 

All Other
Compensation
(3)

 

Total

 

Justin G. Knight (4)

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2022

 

$

596,525

 

$

4,133,501

 

$

1,735,515

 

$

270,694

 

$

6,736,235

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

557,500

 

 

3,636,740

 

 

1,853,688

 

 

44,102

 

 

6,092,030

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

493,625

 

 

3,330,589

 

 

 

 

89,813

 

 

3,914,027

 

Nelson G. Knight (5)

 

President, Real Estate and

 

2022

 

 

467,500

 

 

1,619,724

 

 

680,066

 

 

126,522

 

 

2,893,812

 

 

 

Investments

 

2021

 

 

425,000

 

 

1,386,201

 

 

706,563

 

 

37,017

 

 

2,554,781

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

358,500

 

 

1,142,556

 

 

 

 

60,584

 

 

1,561,640

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

Senior Vice President and

 

2022

 

 

446,250

 

 

1,546,100

 

 

649,154

 

 

122,384

 

 

2,763,888

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2021

 

 

425,000

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

605,625

 

 

38,607

 

 

2,257,405

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

369,563

 

 

1,015,085

 

 

 

 

49,864

 

 

1,434,512

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

Senior Vice President and

 

2022

 

 

446,250

 

 

1,546,100

 

 

649,154

 

 

122,595

 

 

2,764,099

 

 

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

2021

 

 

425,000

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

605,625

 

 

36,659

 

 

2,255,457

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

373,250

 

 

1,015,085

 

 

 

 

45,389

 

 

1,433,724

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

Senior Vice President and

 

2022

 

 

412,500

 

 

1,020,835

 

 

428,613

 

 

92,431

 

 

1,954,379

 

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

2021

 

 

375,000

 

 

873,656

 

 

445,313

 

 

35,613

 

 

1,729,582

 

Name

 

Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Share

Awards(1)

 

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation(2)

 

All Other

Compensation(3)

 

Total

Justin G. Knight(4)

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2021

 

 

$

557,500

 

 

 

 

$

3,636,740

 

 

 

 

$

1,853,688

 

 

 

 

$

44,102

 

 

 

 

$

6,092,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

493,625

 

 

 

 

 

3,330,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89,813

 

 

 

 

 

3,914,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

525,000

 

 

 

 

 

2,601,533

 

 

 

 

 

1,044,233

 

 

 

 

 

417,843

 

 

 

 

 

4,588,609

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

2021

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

 

 

 

605,625

 

 

 

 

 

38,607

 

 

 

 

 

2,257,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

369,563

 

 

 

 

 

1,015,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,864

 

 

 

 

 

1,434,512

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

2021

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

 

 

 

605,625

 

 

 

 

 

36,659

 

 

 

 

 

2,255,457

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

373,250

 

 

 

 

 

1,015,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,389

 

 

 

 

 

1,433,724

 

 

Nelson G. Knight(5)

 

President, Real Estate and Investments

 

2021

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,386,201

 

 

 

 

 

706,563

 

 

 

 

 

37,017

 

 

 

 

 

2,554,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

358,500

 

 

 

 

 

1,142,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,584

 

 

 

 

 

1,561,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

330,750

 

 

 

 

 

819,483

 

 

 

 

 

328,933

 

 

 

 

 

158,449

 

 

 

 

 

1,637,615

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 

2021

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

 

 

873,656

 

 

 

 

 

445,313

 

 

 

 

 

35,613

 

 

 

 

 

1,729,582

 

 

(1)
The amounts in this column reflect the estimated grant date fair value of the Common Shares to be issued subject to achievement of performance conditions as well as the grant date fair value of time-based vesting Common Shares that the Company issued in 2020 as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. As discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Incentive Compensation,” in 2022 each NEO participated in an incentive plan which included operational performance goals and metrics and six market-based metrics. In 2021, NEOs participated in an incentive plan which included operational performance goals and six market-based metrics. In prior years, NEOs participated in an incentive plan which included three Company performance-based metrics and six market-based metrics. The table below summarizes the estimated fair value of the share incentive awards as of February 9, 2022, February 16, 2021 and March 2, 2020, the dates the Compensation Committee approved the plans for both the performance-based and market-based incentives. To estimate the fair value of the market-based awards, the Company used a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the probability of the Company’s total shareholder return and relative return to the peer group for the applicable year as of February 9, 2022, February 16, 2021 and March 2, 2020, the effective dates of the incentive awards. For the Company’s operational performance-based incentives, the Company used the target as the probable incentive to be earned. See “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” below for the maximum value as of the grant date of the equity incentive plan awards for 2022 assuming the highest market and performance conditions were met. The amounts in this column also include one-time restricted share awards granted upon appointment of each of Ms. Perkins and Ms. Gallagher as an executive officer on April 1, 2020 equal to the executive’s annual base salary and vesting March 31, 2023.

(1)

The amounts in this column reflect the estimated grant date fair value of the Common Shares to be issued subject to achievement of performance conditions and the grant date fair value of vested and time-based vesting Common Shares that the Company issued in 2020 as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. As discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—2021 Incentive Compensation Award Opportunity and Actual Award Earned” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Performance Measures,” in 2021 each named executive officer participated in an incentive plan which included operational performance goals and six market-based metrics. In prior years, named executive officers participated in an incentive plan which included three Company performance-based metrics and six market-based metrics. The table below summarizes the estimated fair value of the share incentive awards as of February 16, 2021, March 2, 2020 and February 14, 2019, the dates the Compensation Committee approved the plans for both the performance-based and market-based incentives. To estimate the fair value of the market-based awards, the Company used a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the probability of the Company’s total shareholder return and relative return to the peer group for the applicable year as of February 16, 2021, March 2, 2020 and February 14, 2019, the effective dates of the incentive. For the Company’s operational performance-based incentives, the Company used the target as the probable incentive to be earned. See “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” below for the maximum value as of the grant date of the equity incentive plan awards for 2021 assuming the highest market and performance conditions were met. The amounts in this column also include one-time restricted share awards granted upon appointment of each of Ms. Perkins, Ms. Gallagher and Ms. Labrecque as an executive officer on April 1, 2020 equal to the executive’s annual base salary and vesting March 31, 2023.img204985166_14.jpg 

51

39


Table

(note 1, continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Year

 

Market-Based
Incentive

 

Company
Performance-
Based Incentive

Other Share Awards

 

Total Share
Awards

 

Justin G. Knight

 

2022

 

$

3,089,582

 

 

$

1,043,919

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,133,501

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2,661,115

 

 

 

975,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,636,740

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2,354,964

 

 

 

975,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,330,589

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

2022

 

 

1,210,661

 

 

 

409,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,619,724

 

 

 

2021

 

 

1,014,326

 

 

 

371,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,386,201

 

 

 

2020

 

 

807,869

 

 

 

334,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,142,556

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

2022

 

 

1,155,631

 

 

 

390,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,546,100

 

 

 

2021

 

 

869,423

 

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

 

2020

 

 

452,588

 

 

 

187,500

 

 

 

374,997

 

 

 

1,015,085

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

2022

 

 

1,155,631

 

 

 

390,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,546,100

 

 

 

2021

 

 

869,423

 

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

 

2020

 

 

452,588

 

 

 

187,500

 

 

 

374,997

 

 

 

1,015,085

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

2022

 

 

763,022

 

 

 

257,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,020,835

 

 

 

2021

 

 

639,281

 

 

 

234,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

873,656

 

(2)
The annual cash incentive compensation with respect to each year is paid in the following year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of contents

(note 1, continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Year

 

Market-Based

Incentive

 

Company

Performance-

Based Incentive

Other Share Awards

 

Total Share

Awards

Justin G. Knight

 

2021

 

$

2,661,115

 

 

$

975,625

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,636,740

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2,354,964

 

 

 

975,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,330,589

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

1,682,783

 

 

 

918,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,601,533

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

2021

 

 

869,423

 

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

452,588

 

 

 

187,500

 

 

 

374,997

 

 

 

1,015,085

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

2021

 

 

869,423

 

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

452,588

 

 

 

187,500

 

 

 

374,997

 

 

 

1,015,085

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

2021

 

 

1,014,326

 

 

 

371,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,386,201

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

807,869

 

 

 

334,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,142,556

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

530,077

 

 

 

289,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

819,483

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

2021

 

 

639,281

 

 

 

234,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

873,656

 

 

Executive Compensation—Incentive Compensation.”

(2)

The annual cash incentive compensation with respect to each year is paid in the following year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—2021 Incentive Compensation Award Opportunity and Actual Award Earned” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Performance Measures.”

(3)
Includes the portion of the health insurance, life and disability insurance, parking, and 401(k) match paid by the Company. Also includes estimated dividends on the share awards in all three years. For 2022, includes the following amounts for estimated dividends (approximately one-third of such amounts will be paid following vesting of the restricted Common Shares, as applicable): Mr. Justin G. Knight—$237,340; Mr. Nelson G. Knight—$93,002; Ms. Perkins—$88,774; Ms. Gallagher—$88,774; and Ms. Labrecque—$58,614.

(3)

Includes the portion of the health insurance, life and disability insurance, parking, and 401(k) match paid by the Company. Also includes estimated dividends on the share awards in all three years. For 2021, includes the following amounts for estimated dividends (approximately 33% of such amounts will be paid following vesting of the restricted Common Shares, as applicable): Mr. Justin G. Knight—$12,094; Ms. Perkins—$3,951; Ms. Gallagher—$3,951; Mr. Nelson G. Knight—$4,610; and Ms. Labrecque—$2,905.

(4)
Mr. Justin Knight also served as President through March 31, 2020.

(4)

Mr. Justin Knight also served(5)

Prior to serving as President, Real Estate and Investments effective April 1, 2020, Mr. Nelson Knight served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer through March 31, 2020.

(5)

Prior to serving as President, Real Estate and Investments effective April 1, 2020, Mr. Nelson Knight served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer through March 31, 2020.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information with respect to grants of awards made to the named executive officersNEOs during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan- Awards
(1)

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
(2)

 

 

Grant Date

 

Name

 

Grant Date

Threshold
($)

 

Target
($)

Maximum
($)

 

Threshold
($)

Target
($)

 

Maximum
($)

 

 

Fair Value
of Stock
Awards
(3)

 

Justin G. Knight

 

February 9, 2022

 

$

521,960

 

 

$

1,043,919

 

 

$

2,087,838

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,565,878

 

 

$

3,131,756

 

 

$

6,263,512

 

 

$

4,133,501

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

204,532

 

 

 

409,063

 

 

 

818,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

613,594

 

 

 

1,227,188

 

 

 

2,454,376

 

 

 

1,619,724

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

195,235

 

 

 

390,469

 

 

 

780,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

585,703

 

 

 

1,171,406

 

 

 

2,342,812

 

 

 

1,546,100

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

195,235

 

 

 

390,469

 

 

 

780,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

585,703

 

 

 

1,171,406

 

 

 

2,342,812

 

 

 

1,546,100

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

128,907

 

 

 

257,813

 

 

 

515,626

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

386,719

 

 

 

773,438

 

 

 

1,546,876

 

 

 

1,020,835

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under

Non-Equity Incentive Plan- Awards (1)

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under

Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)

Grant Date

Name

 

Grant Date

Threshold

($)

 

Target

($)

Maximum

($)

 

Threshold

($)

Target

($)

 

Maximum

($)

Fair Value of

Stock Awards(3)

Justin G. Knight

 

February 16, 2021

 

$

487,813

 

 

$

975,625

 

 

$

1,951,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,463,438

 

 

$

2,926,875

 

 

$

5,853,750

 

 

$

3,636,740

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

159,375

 

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

637,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

478,125

 

 

 

956,250

 

 

 

1,912,500

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

159,375

 

 

 

318,750

 

 

 

637,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

478,125

 

 

 

956,250

 

 

 

1,912,500

 

 

 

1,188,173

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

185,938

 

 

 

371,875

 

 

 

743,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

557,813

 

 

 

1,115,625

 

 

 

2,231,250

 

 

 

1,386,201

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

117,188

 

 

 

234,375

 

 

 

468,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

351,563

 

 

 

703,125

 

 

 

1,406,250

 

 

 

873,656

 

 

(1)
These columns show the range of potential payouts for 2022 performance under the Company’s annual cash incentive compensation for the NEOs as described in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Incentive Compensation.”

(1)

These columns show the range of potential payouts for 2021 performance under the Company’s annual cash incentive compensation for the named executive officers as described in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation— 2021 Incentive Compensation Award Opportunity and Actual Award Earned” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Performance Measures.”img204985166_14.jpg 

52

(2)

These columns show the range of potential payouts for 2021 performance under the Company’s share incentive compensation for the named executive officers as described in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation— 2021 Incentive Compensation Award Opportunity and Actual Award Earned” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Performance Measures.” If the performance conditions are met, the Company pays these awards in Common Shares, with the value of the Common Shares equal to the dollar amount of the payouts as set forth in the table. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Incentive Compensation.”

(3)

The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of the Common Shares to be issued subject to achievement of performance conditions as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 1 to the Summary Compensation Table above for additional information on the determination of the fair value of the Common Shares. The actual value of Common Shares issued with respect to 2021 performance is set forth above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation— 2021 Incentive Compensation Award Opportunity and Actual Award Earned.”

40


(3)
The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of the Common Shares to be issued subject to achievement of performance conditions as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 1 to the Summary Compensation Table above for additional information on the determination of contents

the fair value of the Common Shares. The actual value of Common Shares issued with respect to 2022 performance is set forth above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation—Incentive Compensation.”

2021 2022 Option ExercisesExercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth the number of restricted Common Shares that vested for each of the Company’s named executive officersNEOs during 20212022 and the value realized by these officers upon such vesting. The Company has not granted any options to its officers.

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(1)

 

 

Value Realized on
Vesting
(2)

 

Justin G. Knight

 

 

99,070

 

 

$

1,665,367

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

37,762

 

 

 

634,779

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

32,367

 

 

 

544,089

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

32,367

 

 

 

544,089

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

23,799

 

 

 

400,061

 

 

 

Stock Awards

Name

 

Number of Shares

Acquired on

Vesting (1)

 

Value Realized on

Vesting (2)

Justin G. Knight

 

 

 

93,910

 

 

 

 

$

1,469,692

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

 

26,737

 

 

 

 

 

418,434

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

 

26,737

 

 

 

 

 

418,434

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

 

47,727

 

 

 

 

 

746,928

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

 

25,668

 

 

 

 

 

401,704

 

 

(1)
Consists of restricted Common Shares issued in March 2022 (with respect to 2021 performance) that were earned as of December 31, 2021 and vested December 9, 2022.

(1)

Consists of restricted Common Shares issued in March 2021 (with respect to 2020 performance) that were earned as of December 31, 2020 and vested December 10, 2021.

(2)
The value upon vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of Common Shares vested on each vesting date (December 9, 2022) by the closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on such date ($16.81).

(2)

The value upon vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of Common Shares vested on each vesting date (December 10, 2021) by the closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on such date ($15.65).

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth all of the equity awards madeissued to the named executive officersNEOs that were outstanding as of December 31, 2021.2022.

Name

 

Grant Date

 

Number of Shares that have not Vested (1)

 

 

Market Value of Shares that have not Vested (1)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares (2)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Payout Value of Unearned Shares (2)

 

 

Grant Date

 

Number of Shares that have not Vested (1)

 

 

Market Value of Shares that have not Vested (1)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares (2)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Payout Value of Unearned Shares (2)

 

Justin G. Knight

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

362,461

 

 

$

5,853,750

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

396,927

 

 

$

6,263,512

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

155,537

 

 

 

2,454,376

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118,421

 

 

 

1,912,500

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148,467

 

 

 

2,342,812

 

 

April 1, 2020

 

 

42,277

 

 

$

682,774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2020

 

 

42,277

 

 

$

667,131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118,421

 

 

 

1,912,500

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148,467

 

 

 

2,342,812

 

 

April 1, 2020

 

 

42,277

 

 

 

682,774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2020

 

 

42,277

 

 

 

667,131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138,158

 

 

 

2,231,250

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

February 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,074

 

 

 

1,406,250

 

 

February 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,028

 

 

 

1,546,876

 

 

April 1, 2020

 

 

40,586

 

 

 

655,464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2020

 

 

40,586

 

 

 

640,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

These columns represent the number and value of time-based restricted Common Shares granted upon appointment of each of Ms. Perkins, Ms. Gallagher and Ms. Labrecque as an executive officer on April 1, 2020 and vesting March 31, 2023. The value is based on the closing price of the Company's shares on December 31, 2021 of $16.15 multiplied by the number of restricted shares.img204985166_14.jpg 

53


(1)
These columns represent the number and value of time-based restricted Common Shares granted upon appointment of each of Ms. Perkins, Ms. Gallagher and Ms. Labrecque as an executive officer on April 1, 2020 and vesting March 31, 2023. The value is based on the closing price of the Company's shares on December 31, 2022 of $15.78 multiplied by the number of restricted shares.

(2)

The payout value of unearned Common Shares is based on the “Maximum” payout of equity incentive plan awards for 2021 performance as performance as of December 31, 2021 exceeded “Target” performance levels. The number of unearned Common Shares is based on the payout value divided by the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on December 31, 2021 of $16.15.

(2)
The payout value of unearned Common Shares is based on the “Maximum” payout of equity incentive plan awards for 2022 performance as performance as of December 31, 2021 exceeded “Target” performance levels. The number of unearned Common Shares is based on the payout value divided by the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on December 31, 2022 of $15.78.

Compensation Plans

ExecutiveChange of ControlSeverance Plan

On May 29, 2014, the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”), which was amended effective March 22, 2019. The Severance Plan was further amended effective April 1, 2020 to include the executive officers appointed on that date as participants under the plan. Each of the named executive officersNEOs of the Company were participants in the Severance Plan at December 31, 2021.2022.

The Severance Plan generally provides severance or income protection benefits to participants in the event of their termination in connection with certain changes in control of the Company, including, (subjectsubject to certain exceptions)

41


Table of contents

exceptions, (i) the acquisition by any person of securities having 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities other than as a result of an issuance of securities initiated by the Company or open market purchases approved by the Board, or (ii) when, as the result of, or in connection with, a cash tender or exchange offer, a merger or other business combination, a sale of assets, a contested election, or any combination of these transactions, the persons who were directors of the Company before such transactions cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or any successor’s board, within two years of the last of such transactions (each such event, a “Change in Control”).

If a participant in the Severance Plan is terminated during the one-year period commencing on the date of a Change in Control by the Company, other than for Cause, or by a participant for Good Reason, such participant will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of (i) to the extent not previously paid, his or her salary and any accrued paid time off through the date of termination, (ii) his or her Annual Bonus, prorated for the number of days he or she worked during the year in which the termination occurred, and (iii) 3.0 times the sum of (x) his or her Annual Bonus and (y) his or her Annual Base Salary. Participants will also generally be entitled to receive additional benefits, including the following: (i) accelerated vesting of any and all stock incentive awards, (ii) welfare benefits (including, without limitation, medical, dental, health, disability, individual life and group life insurance benefits) for the participant and his or her family for the one-year period following termination, (iii) payment by the Company of the full premium for continuation of insurance benefits under COBRA for up to 12 months following termination, (iv) payment by the Company of life insurance premiums for 12 months if the participant elects to convert any group term life insurance to an individual policy, and (v) payment by the Company of up to $15,000 in reasonable fees and costs charged by a nationally recognized outplacement firm.

Subject to certain exceptions, in the event that, upon or immediately after a Change in Control, a participant is offered a position with a title, responsibilities and compensation reasonably comparable to the title, responsibilities and compensation of such participant with the Company preceding the Change in Control at the successor to the Company, and the participant does not accept such position, the participant will not be entitled to any of the benefits described above. If the participant accepts such position, he or she will conclusively be deemed not to have been terminated.

The Company has also adopted change of control severance plans applicable to all other employees of the Company.

For purposes of the Severance Plan, the terms, “Annual Base Salary,” “Annual Bonus,” “Cause” and “Good Reason” are defined as follows:

img204985166_14.jpg 

54


Annual Base Salary” means an amount equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the executive by the Company in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which a Change in Control occurs.

Annual Bonus” means an amount equal to the annual bonus paid to the executive by the Company during the calendar year immediately preceding the year which contains the date on which a Change in Control occurs.

Cause” means (a) the executive’s continued or deliberate neglect of his or her duties, (b) willful misconduct by the executive injurious to the Company, whether monetary or otherwise, (c) the executive’s violation of any code or standard of ethics generally applicable to employees of the Company, (d) the executive’s active disloyalty to the Company, (e) the executive’s conviction of a felony, (f) the executive’s habitual drunkenness or drug abuse or (g) the executive’s excessive absenteeism unrelated to a disability (as defined in the Company’s long-term disability plan).

Good Reason” means any action by the Company without the executive’s consent that results in any of the following: (a) a reduction of the executive’s annual salary to an amount which is materially less than the amount of the executive’s Annual Base Salary; (b) a material reduction in the executive’s duties with the Company, provided that a change in title or position shall not be “Good Reason” absent a material reduction in duties; or (c) a relocation of more than 50 miles from the executive’s workplace of 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, without the consent of the executive.

42


Table of contents

2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

In May 2014, the Board of Directors approved the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and in May 2015, the shareholders approved the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan permits the grant of awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, stock units, unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, performance shares and other performance-based awards, other equity-based awards, and cash bonus awards to any employee, officer, or director of the Company or an affiliate of the Company, a consultant or adviser currently providing services to the Company or an affiliate of the Company, or any other person whose participation in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to be in the best interests of the Company.

In addition to the payments and benefits provided pursuant to the terms of the Severance Plan described above, the named executive officersNEOs also receive additional benefits under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan upon a Change in Control as defined under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. If the Company experiences a Change in Control in which outstanding awards will not be assumed or continued by the surviving entity: (i) all restricted stock and stock units will vest and the underlying shares will be delivered immediately before the Change in Control, and (ii) at the Compensation Committee’s discretion either (x) all options and SARs will become exercisable 15 days before the Change in Control and terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control, or (y) all options, SARs, restricted stock and stock units will be canceled and cashed out in connection with the Change in Control for an amount in cash or securities having a value, in the case of restricted stock or stock units, equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to the shareholders pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares subject to such options or SARs multiplied by the amount, if any, by which the formula or fixed price per share paid to shareholders pursuant to such Change in Control exceeds the exercise price applicable to such shares. In the event the option exercise price or SAR exercise price of an award exceeds the price per share paid to shareholders in the Change in Control, such options and SARs may be terminated for no consideration. In the case of performance-based awards, if at least half of the performance period has lapsed, the Compensation Committee will determine the actual performance to date as of a date reasonably proximal to the date of the consummation of the Change in Control, and such level of performance will be treated as achieved immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control. If less than half of the performance period has lapsed, or if actual performance is not determinable, the performance-based awards will be treated as though target performance has been achieved.

img204985166_14.jpg 

55


A Change in Control under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan means the occurrence of any of the following:

(a)

a “Person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis;

(a)
a “Person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis;

(b)

individuals who, on the date on which the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan was adopted, constitute the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of such Board of Directors who either were members of such Board of Directors on the date on which the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan was adopted or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board of Directors then in office;

(b)
individuals who, on the date on which the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan was adopted, constitute the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of such Board of Directors who either were members of such Board of Directors on the date on which the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan was adopted or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board of Directors then in office;

(c)

the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, other than any such transaction in which the holders of securities that represented one hundred percent (100%) of the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction;

(c)
the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, other than any such transaction in which the holders of securities that represented one hundred percent (100%) of the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction;

(d)

there is consummated any direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “Person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act); or

(d)
there is consummated any direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “Person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act); or

(e)

the stockholders of the Company adopt a plan or proposal for the liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company.

(e)
the stockholders of the Company adopt a plan or proposal for the liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company.

43


Table of contents

No Tax Gross-UpGross-Up Payments

The Company does not provide, and no named executive officerNEO is entitled to receive, any tax gross-up payments in connection with his or her compensation or severance provided by the Company.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The compensation payable to the Company’s named executive officersNEOs upon (i) termination of the executive without Cause or by the executive for Good Reason within one year of a Change in Control pursuant to the Severance Plan and (ii) a Change in Control, regardless of a corresponding termination, pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan is, in each case, set forth above in the section entitled “Compensation Plans.” The compensation payable to the named executive officersNEOs upon such terminations or Change in Control will be paid in a single lump sum. All of the benefits payable upon termination pursuant to the Severance Plan are conditioned upon the executive’s execution of a general release of claims.

The following table summarizes the cash payments and estimated equivalent cash value of benefits that would have been provided to the named executive officersNEOs under the terms of the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Severance Plan upon a termination or Change in Control as of December 31, 2021,2022, and thus reflects amounts earned through such time and estimates of the amounts which would be paid to the named executive officerNEO as of December 31, 2021.2022. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the termination or Change in Control.

 

 

Termination

 

No Termination

Name/Payment of Benefit

 

Without Cause/

For Good Reason Upon or

Within One Year of a Change in

Control

 

Change in

Control

Justin G. Knight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

$

12,472,941

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

 

4,377,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards (1)

 

 

 

682,774

 

 

 

 

$

682,774

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

 

4,371,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards (1)

 

 

 

682,774

 

 

 

 

 

682,774

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

 

6,776,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

 

4,098,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards (1)

 

 

 

655,464

 

 

 

 

 

655,464

 

 

(1)

Consists solely of acceleration of equity awards if the awards are not assumed or continued by the surviving entity. Amounts assume that equity awards under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan are not assumed or continued by the surviving entity in the Change in Control and, therefore, that such awards vest in full upon the Change in Control. img204985166_14.jpg 

56

Pay Ratio Disclosure


Presented below is

 

 

Termination

 

 

No Termination

 

Name/Payment of Benefit

 

Without Cause/
For Good Reason Upon or
Within One Year of a Change in
Control

 

 

Change in
Control

 

Justin G. Knight

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

$

31,040,176

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

12,571,153

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

10,922,902

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards (1)

 

 

667,131

 

 

$

667,131

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

10,916,487

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards (1)

 

 

667,131

 

 

 

667,131

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Severance

 

 

8,288,618

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of Equity Awards (1)

 

 

640,447

 

 

 

640,447

 

(1)
Consists solely of acceleration of equity awards if the ratio ofawards are not assumed or continued by the annual total compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer to the annual total compensation of the Company’s median employee (excluding the Chief Executive Officer). The ratio presented below is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-Ksurviving entity. Amounts assume that equity awards under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan are not assumed or continued by the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the annual total compensation of the median employee of the Company was $154,780. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the annual total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, as reportedsurviving entity in the “Total” column ofChange in Control and, therefore, that such awards vest in full upon the Summary Compensation Table aboveChange in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table,” was $6,092,030. For 2021, the annual total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer was 39.4 times that of the annual total compensation of the median employee.Control.

img204985166_14.jpg 

57

The median employee of the Company was determined by finding the employee with the median total compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, based on total gross taxable compensation for 2021. The

44


Table of contents

Company did not apply any cost-of-living adjustments as part of the calculation. The Company selected the median employee based on the 62 full-time, part-time and temporary workers who were employed by the Company at December 31, 2021 (excluding the Chief Executive Officer). This is the same methodology used by the Company in the 2021 Proxy Statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Other Matters for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Management knows of no matters, other than those stated above, that are likely to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any matters that are not currently known properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy are expected to vote the Common Shares represented by such proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Company’s Board of Directors adopted and the Company’s shareholders approved the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of up to 10 million Common Shares, subject to adjustments, to employees, officers, and directors of the Company or affiliates of the Company, consultants or advisers currently providing services to the Company or affiliates of the Company, and any other person whose participation in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan is determined by the Compensation Committee to be in the best interests of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors previously adopted, and the Company’s shareholders approved the Directors’ Plan to provide incentives to attract and retain directors. In May 2015, the Directors’ Plan was terminated effective upon the Listing, and no further grants can be made under the Directors’ Plan, provided however, that the termination did not affect any outstanding director option awards previously issued under the Directors’ Plan.

The following is a summary of securities issued under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2022:

 

 

Number of Securities
to be Issued
Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(1)

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(2)

 

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
First Column)
(3)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

 

142,019

 

 

 

 

$

21.48

 

 

 

 

 

7,141,024

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity compensation plans

 

 

 

142,019

 

 

 

 

 

21.48

 

 

 

 

 

7,141,024

 

 

(1)
Represents 57,011 stock options granted to the Company’s current and former directors under the Directors’ Plan. Also includes 85,008 fully vested deferred stock units, including quarterly dividends earned, under the Director Deferral Program that are not included in the calculation of the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options.
(2)
The weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options relates solely to stock options, which are the only currently outstanding exercisable security.
(3)
Does not include remaining Common Shares registered under the Directors’ Plan, as no further grants can be made under the Plan.

img204985166_14.jpg 

58


PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

Presented below is the ratio of the annual total compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer to the annual total compensation of the Company’s median employee (excluding the Chief Executive Officer). The ratio presented below is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the annual total compensation of the median employee of the Company was $166,083. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the annual total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, as reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table above in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table,” was $6,736,235. For 2022, the annual total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer was 40.6 times that of the annual total compensation of the median employee.

The median employee of the Company was determined by finding the employee with the median total compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, based on total gross taxable compensation for 2022. The Company did not apply any cost-of-living adjustments as part of the calculation. The Company selected the median employee based on the 62 full-time, part-time and temporary workers who were employed by the Company at December 31, 2022 (excluding the Chief Executive Officer). This is the same methodology used by the Company in the 2022 Proxy Statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

img204985166_14.jpg 

59


PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

This Pay Versus Performance section is not deemed filed with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, respectively, whether made before or after the date of this proxy statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language therein.

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation actually paid to our CEO and to our other NEOs compared to Company performance for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

The disclosure included in this section is prescribed by SEC rules and does not necessarily align with how the Company or the Compensation Committee views the link between the Company’s performance and its NEO’s pay. For a discussion of how the Company views its executive compensation structure, including alignment with Company performance, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 36. The Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On:

 

 

 

Company Selected Measure:

 

Year

Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1)

 

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (1)(2)

 

Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (3)

 

Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (2)(3)

 

Total Shareholder Return (4)(5)

 

Peer Group Total Shareholder Return (5)(6)

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

Modified FFO per share (7)

 

2022

$

6,736,235

 

$

7,792,417

 

$

2,594,045

 

$

2,949,383

 

$

104.13

 

$

50.94

 

$

144,804,963

 

$

1.53

 

2021

 

6,092,030

 

 

8,045,665

 

 

2,199,306

 

 

2,927,328

 

 

101.73

 

 

60.62

 

 

18,827,539

 

 

0.93

 

2020

 

3,914,027

 

 

3,677,980

 

 

1,450,701

 

 

1,743,731

 

 

81.11

 

 

55.73

 

 

(173,206,725

)

 

0.09

 

(1)
The principal executive officer ("PEO") for 2022, 2021 and 2020 was Justin G. Knight, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(2)
Compensation actually paid is based on the Total compensation measure included in the Summary Compensation Table ("SCT") on page 51, with the following adjustments made to the amounts disclosed for equity awards.

(note 2, continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for PEO

2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

Amounts reported under "Share Awards" in the SCT

$

(4,133,501

)

$

(3,636,740

)

$

(3,330,589

)

For awards granted in the covered fiscal year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of awards outstanding and unvested as of covered fiscal
  year-end

 

5,215,244

 

 

5,378,614

 

 

2,634,188

 

For awards granted in prior years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value from prior year-end to vesting date for awards
  granted prior to covered fiscal year that vested during covered fiscal
  year

 

(97,097

)

 

152,598

 

 

6,487

 

Add the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on equity
  awards during the covered fiscal year prior to vesting date of the
  award

 

71,536

 

 

59,163

 

 

453,868

 

Total Adjustments for PEO

$

1,056,182

 

$

1,953,635

 

$

(236,046

)

img204985166_14.jpg 

60


Adjustments for the Average of Other NEOs

2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

Amounts reported under "Share Awards" in the SCT

$

(1,433,190

)

$

(1,159,051

)

$

(1,036,802

)

For awards granted in the covered fiscal year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of awards outstanding and unvested as of covered fiscal
  year-end

 

1,808,257

 

 

1,714,196

 

 

1,293,577

 

For awards granted in prior years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value from prior year-end to covered fiscal year-end for
  awards granted prior to covered fiscal year and outstanding and
  unvested at covered fiscal year-end

 

(11,575

)

 

101,363

 

 

-

 

Change in fair value from prior year-end to vesting date for awards
  granted prior to covered fiscal year that vested during covered fiscal
  year

 

(30,953

)

 

51,531

 

 

513

 

Add the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on equity
  awards during the covered fiscal year prior to vesting date of the
  award

 

22,799

 

 

19,982

 

 

35,742

 

Total Adjustments for the Average of Other NEOs

$

355,338

 

$

728,021

 

$

293,030

 

(3)
The non-PEO NEOs ("average other NEOs") are the following for each year disclosed. 2022: Elizabeth S. Perkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Karen C. Gallagher, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Nelson G. Knight, President, Real Estate and Investments; and Rachel S. Labrecque, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer; 2021: Ms. Perkins; Ms. Gallagher; Mr. Nelson G. Knight; and Ms. Labrecque; and 2020: Ms. Perkins; Ms. Gallagher; Mr. Nelson G. Knight; and Mr. Matthew P. Rash, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
(4)
Total shareholder return measures the benefit to shareholders of holding the Company's Common Shares over a period of time, including the change in the share price as well as the reinvestment of dividends during the same period of time.
(5)
For each fiscal year in the table, the amount included for the Company and its peer group is the cumulative total shareholder return as of the end of that year. The measurement period begins with the market close on the last trading day before the earliest fiscal year in the table (December 31, 2019), through and including the end of the Company's last completed fiscal year (December 31, 2022).
(6)
Total shareholder return relative to a peer group measures the benefit to shareholders of holding the Company's Common Shares relative to that of its peer companies over a period of time, including the change in the share price as well as the reinvestment of dividends during the same period of time. The Company's peer group, for each listed year in the table above, consisted of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., Chatham Lodging Trust, Hersha Hospitality Trust, RLJ Lodging Trust and Summit Hotel Properties, Inc., which is consistent with the same peer group used in total shareholder return metrics as part of the incentive compensation awards adopted by the Compensation Committee for each year included in the table above.
(7)
Modified FFO per share - The Company used Modified FFO as defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 on page 40 and reconciled to audited net income on page 40 for each year included in the table above and divided it by the Company’s weighted average Common Shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As noted above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Executive Compensation," for the 2022 annual incentive compensation plan, Modified FFO per share is the most important financial measure in calculating the operational performance goals and metrics, making up 12.5% of the total weighting for the annual incentive compensation award.

img204985166_14.jpg 

61


Relationship between Pay and Performance

The following charts show the relationship of the compensation actually paid to the Company's NEOs in comparison to total shareholder return, peer group shareholder return, net income (loss) and Modified FFO per share.

Compensation Actually Paid versus Total Shareholder Return $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $7,000,000 $8,000,000 $9,000,000 $ 2020 2021 2022 $120.00 $100.00 $80.00 $60.00 $40.00 $20.00 $ PEO Actual Pay Avg. Other NEO Actual Pay TSR Peer Group TSR Total Shareholder Return

img204985166_48.jpg 

 

 

 

Number of Securities

to be Issued

Upon Exercise of

Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights(1)

 

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights(2)

 

Number of Securities

Remaining Available for

Future Issuance Under

Equity Compensation

Plans (Excluding

Securities Reflected in

First Column)(3)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

 

266,664

 

 

 

 

$

21.34

 

 

 

 

 

7,702,690

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity compensation plans

 

 

 

266,664

 

 

 

 

 

21.34

 

 

 

 

 

7,702,690

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid versus Net Income $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,

img204985166_49.jpg 

Compensation Actually Paid versus MFFO Per Share Modified FFO Per Share$1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $7,000,000 $8,000,000 $9,000,000 $ 2020 2021 2022 $ $0.20 $0.40 $0.60 $0.80 $1.00 $1.20 $1.40 $1.60 $1.80 Net Income $ PEO Actual Pay Avg. Other NEO Actual Pay Modify FFO Per Share

(1)

Represents 165,955 stock options granted to the Company’s current and former directors under the Directors’ Plan. Also includes 100,709 fully vested deferred stock units, including quarterly dividends earned, under the Director Deferral Program that are not included in the calculation of the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options.img204985166_14.jpg 

62


img204985166_50.jpg 

The compensation structure for the Company's NEOs is specifically designed so that a significant portion of their total compensation is incentive based and directly aligns their interests with those of the Company's shareholders. The table and charts above show that the compensation actually paid to the Company's NEOs closely aligned with shareholder value. During all three years, the compensation actually paid to the PEO and non-PEOs was greater than the summary compensation table total as a result of higher total shareholder return performance relative to peers and total operational based equity awards that were earned at or above target, except for 2020, where the actual compensation paid to the PEO was less than the Summary Compensation Table total due to a voluntary 60% reduction in the PEO's target compensation for 2020.

The following are the most important financial performance measures used by the Company in its determination of incentive compensation:

Total shareholder return (1-, 2- and 3-year returns)
Total shareholder return relative to peer group (1-, 2- and 3-year returns)
Modified FFO per share (as defined on page 40 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022)
Adjusted Hotel EBITDA (as defined on page 41 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022)

(2)

The weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options relates solely to stock options, which are the only currently outstanding exercisable security.img204985166_14.jpg 

63


PROPOSAL 4. ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION VOTE

As described in Proposal 3 above, the Company's shareholders are being provided the opportunity to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company's NEOs. The advisory vote on executive compensation described in Proposal 3 above is referred to as a "say-on-pay vote."

This Proposal 4 affords shareholders the opportunity to cast a non-binding, advisory vote on how often the Company should include a say-on-pay vote in its proxy materials for future annual shareholder meetings (or special shareholder meeting at which directors will be elected and for which the Company must include executive compensation information in the Proxy Statement for that meeting). Under this Proposal 4, shareholders may vote to have the say-on-pay vote every year, every two years or every three years. Shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board of Director's recommendation. The shareholder vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding and serves only as a recommendation to the Board of Directors.

The Company believes that say-on-pay votes should be conducted every year so that shareholders may annually express their views on the Company's executive compensation program. The Company values the opinions expressed by shareholders in these votes and will continue to consider the outcome of these votes in making its decisions on executive compensation. The next advisory vote will take place in 2029.

This advisory vote will be adopted for state law purposes if the votes for one of the three options exceed the votes cast for the other two options combined. However, the Company will consider shareholders to have expressed a non-binding preference for the frequency option that receives the most favorable votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR A FREQUENCY OF "1 YEAR" FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSAL.

(3)

Does not include remaining Common Shares registered under the Directors’ Plan, as no further grants can be made under the Plan.img204985166_14.jpg 

64

Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management


OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As discussed in “Corporate Governance, Risk Oversight and Procedures for Shareholder Communications—Governance—Share Ownership Guidelines,” the Company has adopted share ownership guidelines for its Board of Directors and executive officers. The determination of “beneficial ownership” for purposes of this proxy statementProxy Statement has been based on information reported to the Company and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. References below to “beneficial ownership” by a particular person, and similar references, should not be construed as an admission or determination by the Company that Common Shares in fact are beneficially owned by such person.

45


Table of contents

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Shares as of March 18, 202220, 2023 with respect to (a) each current director and director nominee, (b) each named executive officer,NEO, (c) all of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group and (d) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of greater than a 5% interest in the Company’s Common Shares. Unless otherwise indicated, all Common Shares are owned directly and the indicated person has sole voting and investment power, and the address of each named person is c/o Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Title of Class

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership

Percent
of Class
(1)

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn W. Bunting

 

 

111,843

 

(2)

 

*

 

 

 

Jon A. Fosheim

 

 

66,126

 

(3)

 

*

 

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

258,089

 

(4)

 

*

 

 

 

Kristian M. Gathright

 

 

977,530

 

(5)

 

*

 

 

 

Carolyn B. Handlon

 

 

 

(17)

 

*

 

 

 

Glade M. Knight

 

 

10,668,998

 

(4)(6)(7)

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

Justin G. Knight

 

 

2,049,152

 

(4)(8)

 

*

 

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

1,173,387

 

(4)(9)

 

*

 

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

186,731

 

(4)(10)

 

*

 

 

 

Blythe J. McGarvie

 

 

45,935

 

(11)

 

*

 

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

241,925

 

(4)

 

*

 

 

 

L. Hugh Redd

 

 

137,310

 

(12)

 

*

 

 

 

Howard E. Woolley

 

 

24,273

 

(13)

 

*

 

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)

 

 

15,962,395

 

(14)

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than Five Percent Beneficial Owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

 

32,610,261

 

(15)

 

 

14.2

%

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.

 

 

20,278,170

 

(16)

 

 

8.8

%

* Less than one percent of class.

Title of Class

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership

 

Percent

of Class (1)

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn W. Bunting

 

 

 

121,881

 

(2)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Jon A. Fosheim

 

 

 

57,519

 

(3)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Karen C. Gallagher

 

 

 

191,507

 

(4)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Kristian M. Gathright

 

 

 

972,251

 

(5)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Glade M. Knight

 

 

 

10,588,982

 

(4)(6)(7)

 

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

 

Justin G. Knight

 

 

 

1,908,828

 

(4)(8)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Nelson G. Knight

 

 

 

1,109,864

 

(4)(9)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Rachel S. Labrecque

 

 

 

143,188

 

(4)(10)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Blythe J. McGarvie

 

 

 

38,981

 

(11)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Daryl A. Nickel

 

 

 

84,808

 

(12)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth S. Perkins

 

 

 

172,943

 

(4)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

L. Hugh Redd

 

 

 

129,201

 

(13)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Howard E. Woolley

 

 

 

14,064

 

(14)

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)

 

 

 

15,481,254

 

(15)

 

 

 

6.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than Five Percent Beneficial Owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

 

 

32,805,485

 

(16)

 

 

 

14.3

%

 

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.

 

 

 

20,973,768

 

(17)

 

 

 

9.2

%

 

(1)
Based on 229,346,567 Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date.
(2)
Includes 57,011 Common Shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options, although no options have been exercised to date, and 10,000 shares held by the spouse of Glenn W. Bunting.
(3)
Includes 26,771 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.
(4)
Includes restricted Common Shares subject to time vesting.
(5)
Includes 962,599 shares held through a revocable trust.
(6)
Includes 9,837,031 shares held in a limited liability company which is 99% owned by an irrevocable trust (the “Estate Planning Trust”) for the benefit of Glade M. Knight’s children and other descendants. Glade M. Knight is the manager and

*img204985166_14.jpg 

Less than one percent of class.65


sole voting member of the limited liability company and continues to have the sole power to vote and the sole power to transfer the shares held by the limited liability company. Justin G. Knight and Nelson G. Knight are trustees of the Estate Planning Trust. Each of Justin G. Knight and Nelson G. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported shares held in the limited liability company to the extent the shares reported exceed the reporting person’s pecuniary interest in such shares.
(7)
Includes 268,858 shares held by the spouse of Glade M. Knight.
(8)
Includes 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership and 32,807 shares held in irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children. Justin G. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership of the 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein; Justin G. Knight shares voting and dispositive control over such shares with Nelson G. Knight.
(9)
Includes 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership and 37,601 shares held in irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children. Nelson G. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership of the 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein; Nelson G. Knight shares voting and dispositive control over such shares with Justin G. Knight.
(10)
Includes 2,074 shares held by the spouse of Rachel S. Labrecque.
(11)
Includes 30,000 shares held in a trust.
(12)
Includes 27,313 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.
(13)
Includes 18,138 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.
(14)
Includes the Common Shares beneficially owned as of March 20, 2023 of all persons serving as directors and executive officers as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
(15)
Based upon a Statement on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 9, 2023 with the SEC that indicated that The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to zero Common Shares, shared voting power with respect to 345,597 Common Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 32,048,771 Common Shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 561,490 Common Shares. The address of The Vanguard Group, Inc., as reported by it in the Schedule 13G/A, is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.
(16)
Based upon a Statement on Schedule 13G/A filed on January 25, 2023 with the SEC that indicated that BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 19,648,512 Common Shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 20,278,170 Common Shares. Blackrock, Inc. further reported that it is the parent holding company for certain persons or entities that have acquired the Company’s Common Shares and that are listed in that Schedule 13G/A. The address of BlackRock, Inc., as reported by it in the Schedule 13G/A, is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.
(17)
Carolyn Handlon was appointed to the Board of Directors on March 1, 2023 and did not own any shares of the Company as of the Record Date.

(1)img204985166_14.jpg 

Based on 228,888,561 Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date.66


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS

The Company has engaged in, and is expected to continue to engage in, transactions with related parties. These transactions cannot be construed to be at arm’s length and the results of the Company’s operations may be different if these transactions were conducted with non-related parties. The Company’s independent members of the Board of Directors are responsible for overseeing and annually reviewing the Company’s related party relationships (including the relationships discussed in this section) and are required to approve any significant modifications to the existing relationships, as well as any new significant related party transactions. The Board of Directors is not required to approve each individual transaction that falls under the related party relationships. However, under the direction of the Board of Directors, at least one member of the Company’s senior management team approves each related party transaction.

Mr. Glade M. Knight, the Company’s Executive Chairman, owns Apple Realty Group, Inc. (“ARG”), which receives support services from the Company and reimburses the Company for the cost of these services as discussed below. Mr. Knight is also currently a partner and the Chief Executive Officer of Energy 11 GP, LLC and Energy Resources 12 GP, LLC, which are the respective general partners of Energy 11, L.P. and Energy Resources 12, L.P., each of which receives support services from ARG. As an executive officer of the Company, Mr. Knight’s total annual compensation in 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $1,588,476, $1,445,716 and $849,417, respectively, calculated in accordance with the determination of compensation in the Summary Compensation Table in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table” above.

The Company provides support services, including the use of the Company’s employees and corporate office, to ARG and is reimbursed by ARG for the cost of these services. Under this cost sharing structure, amounts reimbursed to the Company include both compensation for personnel and office-related costs (including office rent, utilities, office supplies, etc.) used by ARG. The amounts reimbursed to the Company are based on the actual costs of the services and a good faith estimate of the proportionate amount of time incurred by the Company’s employees on behalf of ARG. Total reimbursed costs allocated by the Company to ARG for 2022 totaled approximately $1.0 million.

As part of the cost sharing arrangement, certain day-to-day transactions may result in amounts due to or from the Company and ARG. To efficiently manage cash disbursements, the Company or ARG may make payments for the other company. Under this cash management process, each company may advance or defer up to $1 million at any time. Each quarter, any outstanding amounts are settled between the companies. This process allows each company to minimize its cash on hand and reduces the cost for each company. The amounts outstanding at any point in time are not significant to either of the companies. As of December 31, 2022, total amounts due from ARG for reimbursements under the cost sharing structure totaled approximately $0.4 million.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Apple Air Holding, LLC, owns a Learjet used primarily for acquisition, asset management, renovation, investor, corporate and public relations and other business purposes. The aircraft is also leased to affiliates of the Company based on third party rates, which leasing activity was not significant during 2022. From time to time, the Company utilizes aircraft, owned by an entity which is owned by the Company’s Executive Chairman, for acquisition, asset management, renovation, investor, corporate and public relations and other business purposes, and reimburses this entity at third party rates. Total costs incurred for the use of the aircraft during 2022 were less than $0.1 million.

(2)img204985166_14.jpg 

Includes 74,003 Common Shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options, although no options have been exercised to date, and 10,000 shares held by the spouse of Glenn W. Bunting.67


INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

General

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Courtyard and Residence Inn Richmond Downtown, located at 1320 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, on Thursday, May 18, 2023at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Your proxy may be revoked at any time before being voted at the Annual Meeting, either by a written notice of revocation that is received by the Company before the Annual Meeting or by conduct that is inconsistent with the continued effectiveness of the proxy, such as delivering another proxy with a later date or attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Unless your proxy indicates otherwise, all shares represented by a proxy that you sign and return will be voted "FOR" the nominees listed in proposal 1, "FOR" proposals 2 and 3, and "1 YEAR" for proposal 4, and in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders for any other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting.

Record holders of the Company’s Common Shares at the close of business on March 20, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement, the Company’s Annual Report, and the proxy card are first being made available, and the Notice of Internet Availability is first being mailed, to shareholders on or about March 31, 2023.

As permitted by the rules of the SEC, the Company is making this Proxy Statement and its Annual Report available to its shareholders electronically via the Internet. The Company believes that this process expedites receipt of its proxy materials by shareholders, while lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting. If you received the Notice of Internet Availability by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the Proxy Statement and Annual Report. The Notice of Internet Availability also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy over the Internet. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting printed materials contained in the Notice of Internet Availability.

At the close of business on the Record Date, a total of 229,346,567 Common Shares were issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on all matters, including those to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote. The presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the Common Shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

In the event that a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, it is expected the meeting will be adjourned or postponed in order to solicit additional proxies.

The Company is furnishing its Proxy Statement, proxy and the Annual Report to you electronically via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each shareholder. The Company has sent to its shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that provides instructions on how to access its proxy materials on the Internet, how to request and receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement, Annual Report and proxy for the Annual Meeting and future meetings of shareholders, and how to vote online at www.proxyvote.com. Shareholders can also call 1-800-579-1639 to request proxy materials or 1-800-690-6903 to vote by telephone. Additionally, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y. Please read the enclosed information carefully before submitting your proxy.

Information: The Notice of Internet Availability, this Proxy Statement and related proxy materials are being mailed or made available to shareholders on or about March 31, 2023. Copies of this Proxy Statement, the Company’s proxy card and its Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y.

(3)img204985166_14.jpg 

Includes 31,137 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.68

(4)

Includes restricted Common Shares subject to time vesting.

(5)

Includes 964,274 shares held through a revocable trust.

(6)

Includes 9,837,031 shares held in a limited liability company which is 99% owned by an irrevocable trust (the “Estate Planning Trust”) for the benefit of Glade M. Knight’s children and other descendants. Glade M. Knight is the manager and sole voting member of the limited liability company and continues to have the sole power to vote and the sole power to transfer the shares held by the limited liability company. Justin G. Knight and Nelson G. Knight are trustees of the Estate Planning Trust. Each of Justin G. Knight and Nelson G. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported shares held in the limited liability company to the extent the shares reported exceed the reporting person’s pecuniary interest in such shares.

(7)

Includes 268,858 shares held by the spouse of Glade M. Knight.

(8)

Includes 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership and 32,807 shares held in irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children. Justin G. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership of the 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein; Justin G. Knight shares voting and dispositive control over such shares with Nelson G. Knight.

(9)

Includes 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership and 37,601 shares held in irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children. Nelson G. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership of the 304,504 shares held in a family limited partnership, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein; Nelson G. Knight shares voting and dispositive control over such shares with Justin G. Knight.

(10)

Includes 2,074 shares held by the spouse of Rachel S. Labrecque.

(11)

Includes 23,046 shares held in a trust.

(12)

Includes 35,811 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.

(13)

Includes 19,204 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.

(14)

Includes 10,479 deferred stock units held under the Non-Employee Director Deferral Program.

(15)

Includes the Common Shares beneficially owned as of March 18, 2022 of all persons serving as directors and executive officers as of the date of this proxy statement.

46


Table

Solicitation of contents

(16)

Based upon a Statement on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 9, 2022 with the SEC that indicated that The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 0 Common Shares, shared voting power with respect to 385,528 Common Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 32,230,369 Common Shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 575,116 Common Shares. The address of The Vanguard Group, Inc., as reported by it in the Schedule 13G/A, is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

(17)

Based upon a Statement on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 3, 2022 with the SEC that indicated that BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 19,320,615 Common Shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 20,973,768 Common Shares. Blackrock, Inc. further reported that it is the parent holding company for certain persons or entities that have acquired the Company’s Common Shares and that are listed in that Schedule 13G/A. The address of BlackRock, Inc., as reported by it in the Schedule 13G/A, is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.


Proxies

47The Company will be responsible for the costs of the solicitation set forth in this Proxy Statement. Brokerage houses, fiduciaries, nominees and others will be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of Common Shares. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, certain of the Company’s directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone, personal contact, or other means of communication. No additional compensation, except for reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, will be paid to directors, officers and employees of the Company in connection with the solicitation. Any questions or requests for assistance regarding this proxy solicitation may be directed to the Company by telephone at (804) 344-8121, Attention: Investor Relations, or your bank, broker or other custodian that holds your shares. You may revoke a previously delivered proxy by delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, or by submitting a later dated proxy by Internet, telephone or a duly executed paper ballot at any time before the proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. The Company will honor the latest vote received. Proxy holders will vote shares represented by written proxies, if properly signed and returned to the Secretary, in accordance with instructions of the shareholders. If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may revoke or change your voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank or other nominee and following their instructions.

OTHER MATTERS


TableOther Matters for the 2023 Annual Meeting of contentsShareholders

Management knows of no matters, other than those stated above, that are likely to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any matters that are not currently known properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy are expected to vote the Common Shares represented by such proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Matters to be Presented at the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Any qualified shareholder who wishes to make a proposal to be acted upon next year at the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must submit such proposal for inclusion in the proxy statementProxy Statement and proxy card to the Company at its principal office inat 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, by no later than December 1, 2022.2023.

In addition, the Company’s bylaws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to certain matters, including shareholder proposals not included in the Company’s proxy statementProxy Statement or nominees to the Board, to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders. In general, notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company (i) on or after February 1st and before March 1st of the year in which the meeting will be held, or (ii) not less than 60 days before the date of the meeting if the date of such meeting is earlier than May 1st or later than May 31st in such year. The notice must contain specified information concerning the matters to be brought before such meeting and concerning the shareholder proposing such matters. Therefore, assuming the Company’s 20232024 Annual Meeting is held in May 2023,2024, to be presented at such Annual Meeting, a shareholder proposal must be received by the Company on or after February 1, 20232024 but no later than February 28, 2023.29, 2024.

In addition to satisfying the foregoing advance notice requirements under ourthe Company's bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no later than March 14, 2023.amended.

img204985166_14.jpg 

69


Householding of Proxy Materials

Some banks, brokers and other record holders of Common Shares may participate in the practice of “householding” proxy statements, annual reports and Notices of Internet Availability of those documents. This means that, unless shareholders give contrary instructions, only one copy of the Company’s proxy statement,Proxy Statement, annual report or Notice of Internet Availability may be sent to multiple shareholders in each household. The Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of any of those documents to you if you write to the Company at Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Attn: Ms. Kelly Clarke, Investor Relations Department or call (804) 344-8121. If you want to receive separate copies of the Company’s proxy statement,Proxy Statement, annual report or Notice of Internet Availability in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should send your name, the name of your brokerage firm and your account number to Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 (telephone number: 1-866-540-7095) or you may contact the Company at the above address or telephone number.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON May 13, 202218, 2023

This proxy statementProxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/03784Y.03784Y. In addition, shareholders may access this information, as well as transmit their voting instructions, at www.proxyvote.com by having their proxy card and related instructions in hand.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 img204985166_51.jpg 

Matthew P. Rash

Secretary

March 31, 20222023

THE COMPANY DEPENDS UPON ALL SHAREHOLDERS PROMPTLY VOTING TO AVOID COSTLY SOLICITATION. YOU CAN SAVE THE COMPANY CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE BY PROMPTLY TRANSMITTING YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ONLINE OR BY PHONE OR BY SIGNING AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD IMMEDIATELY.

img204985166_14.jpg 

70

48


Table of contents

EXHIBIT 1

The following table reconciles the Company's GAAP net income to Modified FFO for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Year Ended

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Net income

$

144,805

 

Depreciation of real estate owned

 

178,641

 

Gain on sale of real estate

 

(1,785

)

Loss on impairment of depreciable real estate assets

 

26,175

 

Funds from operations

 

347,836

 

Amortization of finance ground lease assets

 

3,038

 

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable operating leases, net

 

396

 

Non-cash straight-line operating ground lease expense

 

154

 

Modified funds from operations

$

351,424

 

img204985166_14.jpg 

71


SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE img204985166_52.jpg 

APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC.INC 814 EAST MAIN STREET RICHMOND, VA 23219 Logo SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 12, 2022.17, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 12, 2022.17, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: D75295-P65529V05137-P84013 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC. For All Withhold All For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: All All Except nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.below.The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors £ £ £Nominees:01) Glenn W. Bunting 02) Jon A. Fosheim 03) Kristian M. Gathright 04) Carolyn B. Handlon 05) Glade M. Knight 05)06) Justin G. Knight 06)07) Blythe J. McGarvie 07) Daryl A. Nickel 08) L. Hugh Redd 09) Howard E. Woolley The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals 2 and 3: 2. Approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation paid by the Company. 3. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to serve for 2022.2023. 3. Approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation paid by the Company. For Against Abstain The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 Year on the following proposal 4: 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Abstain 4. Approval on an advisory basis on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation NOTE: In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. For Against Abstain £ £ £ £ £ £Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

img204985166_14.jpg 

72


Table of contents

img204985166_53.jpg 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. D75296-P65529 Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 13, 202218, 2023 9:00 AM EDT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors. The undersigned hereby appoints Justin Knight and Matthew Rash as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all common shares of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. held by the undersigned on March 18, 2022,20, 2023, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Courtyard and Residence Inn Richmond Downtown, located at 1320 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, on Friday,Thursday, May 13, 202218, 2023 at 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time, or any adjournment thereof. If one of the director nominees specified on the reverse side ceases to be available for election as a director, discretionary authority may be exercised by the Proxies named herein to vote for a substitute. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR”"FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, “FOR”"FOR" PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND "1 YEAR" FOR PROPOSAL 4, AND ACCORDING TO THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, "FOR" PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND "1 YEAR" FOR PROPOSAL 4, AND ACCORDING TO THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. Continued and to be signed on reverse side

img204985166_14.jpg 

73