UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): October 19, 2015
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Maryland | 001-31775 | 86-1062192 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS employer identification number) | ||
| 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100 | ||||
| Dallas, Texas | 75254 | |||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (972) 490-9600
Check the appropriated box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14-a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) (“Ashford Trust” or the “Company”) today announced a number of corporate governance enhancements.
The following is a summary of the new governance initiatives:
| • | An amendment to the Company’s Bylaws requiring majority vote for the election of directors (with a plurality vote standard retained for contested director elections), consistent with the proposal approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2015 annual meeting; |
| • | An amendment to the Company’s Bylaws requiring shareholder vote to adopt a Shareholder Rights Plan with a term exceeding 12 months; and |
| • | Modification of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines to prohibit pledging of stock by directors and all executives. |
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release of the Company, dated October 19, 2015, announcing corporate governance enhancements. | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: October 19, 2015
| ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ DAVID A. BROOKS | ||
| David A. Brooks | |||
| Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel | |||