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Bray Whaler's Thanksgiving Thoughts

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2011-11-22T16:55:02-07:00

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we approach Thanksgiving our hearts are filled with gratitude. November marks the anniversary of our 25th year in business and we could not have done it without trusted relationships with true hospitality professionals like you.

In the beginning it was just Ronnie and me (working with dot matrix printers and 1980's hair-dos). Today, we are blessed with a dynamic team, amazing technology, and fantastic, long term professional relationships. Thanks to our clients' trust and referrals, we have purchased more than $2 billion of FF&E and OS&E for over 600 projects in nearly every state, and in 10 countries.

Our mission is to make purchasing a worry free process for you. We value the role you give us when creating beautiful, profitable hotels. So, for the next 25 years, we will continue to steadfastly guard your budget and schedule, while maintaining the quality and integrity of your design.

Many of you have asked us to share current tips and project highlights, so in the coming weeks you will be hearing from us. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the beauty of this fall season and accept our appreciation for the opportunity to serve you.

Kind regards,

Elisa Whaler
President and CEO

© 2011 Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler Awarded Rouge & Topaz Hotels

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2010-09-29T14:45:04-06:00

LATEST NEWS
September 29, 2010
Bray Whaler International awarded the Rouge & Topaz Hotels in Washington, DC
Brandon Oleson
Executive Director of Operations – Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler International has recently been awarded the procurement contract for FF&E renovations on two Washington, DC boutique hotels.

For both projects, Bray Whaler is teamed with hospitality project management powerhouse, bkg Service Corporation, and again, will be working with Dawson Design Associates on the partial renovation of the guestrooms and public areas in this refreshing 100 room boutique hotel.

Hotel Rouge is a fashionable, avant-garde hotel located in the heart of Embassy Row and surrounded by many of Washington DC’s prestigious museums, world-renowned landmarks, vibrant shopping and nightlife hotspots. Bray Whaler is proud to be working closely with the project team on the renovation for this edgy and artistic property, and is thrilled to bring their industry expertise to the project under the supervision of founding principal Ronnie Bray.

Hotel Topaz has been described as Washington’s “enlightened” hotel, and embraces an exotic Eastern culture inspired décor. The property has been designed to foster peace of mind, and exudes a palpable positive energy through its lifestyle luxury amenities and well trained staff. The hotel serves as the gateway to Washington, DC… offering up easy access to The White House, Washington Monument, Georgetown, Lincoln Memorial, and many other landmarks unique to the Nation’s capitol city.

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. The company’s culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands.

Press Contact:
Brandon Oleson
Bray Whaler International
Brandon.Oleson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 197
© 2010 Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler Awarded Fremont Marriott

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2010-09-17T14:10:35-06:00

LATEST NEWS
September 17, 2010
Bray Whaler International awarded the Fremont Marriott in Fremont, California
Brandon Oleson
Executive Director of Operations – Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler International has been awarded the procurement contract for FF&E on the Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, the Gateway to Silicon Valley.
Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley is conveniently located near San Jose Mineta and Oakland International Airports and serves high-tech business clients as well as the booming Northern California tourism industry. As the only full service hotel in Fremont, California, the hotel’s services and its proximity to Silicon Valley, Napa Valley and countless other Bay Area Attractions make it a popular destination for hotel guests desiring high-tech guestrooms, gourmet food prepared by the onsite restaurant, and spacious meeting and convention facilities.

Bray Whaler is pleased to have been awarded the four-phase procurement contract for the renovation of 355 guestrooms, 2 suites, and expansive meeting/convention spaces for this strategic Marriott property. With a model room anticipated in late Fall, 2010, the large-scale production renovation is scheduled to continue in phases through 2014. For this project, Bray Whaler is teamed with Moncur Design Associates as the interior design team, and bkg Service Corporation as the project management group. Bray Whaler will use its’ patented custom procurement software and seasoned staff to ensure appropriate vendor selection and FF&E budget oversight to assist the team in delivering this project on time and under budget.

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. The company’s culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands.

Press Contact:
Brandon Oleson
Bray Whaler International
Brandon.Oleson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 197
© 2010 Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler Gives Back to Deserving Community Projects

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2010-08-31T20:00:00-06:00

LATEST NEWS
August 30, 2010
Bray Whaler Gives Back to Deserving Community Projects

Brandon Oleson
Executive Director of Operations – Bray Whaler International

Recently, Bray Whaler donated their service and time for the procurement of two very deserving community projects in Texas; The Medical Center League House in Amarillo, and St. Phillips School and Community Center in Dallas.

As a hospitality procurement company, Bray Whaler recognized its ability to give back to the community and make a worthwhile contribution to these two projects by utilizing our systems and internal staff to provide the procurement of furnishings and equipment during a time when the US economy was being hit with the largest economic collapse since the Great Depression in the 1930’s.

The Medical Center League House, in Amarillo, Texas, provides a home away from home for family members of loved ones hospitalized and receiving medical treatments in Amarillo. It is a 31 room “hotel-like”, 18,000 square foot facility with private guestrooms, common living room, kitchen, dining room, laundry, and prayer garden. This facility compliments the local Ronald McDonald House and is operated on a donation basis. The Medical Center League House is operated under the oversight of three community organizations: Baptist Community Services, Harrington Regional Medical Center, and the Junior League of Amarillo. Bray Whaler teamed up with many generous manufacturers and vendors in the industry to provide discounted and/or no-cost services and goods to make this project possible. The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, September 26th, 2010 from 2:00PM – 4:00PM.

St. Phillips School and Community Center, in Dallas, Texas, is a private parochial school providing social and educational services to over 1200 minority and/or impoverished African American and Hispanic students in South Dallas from Preschool through Elementary and Middle School. The school, whose operating funds come from institutional grants and internal fundraising campaigns, offers an amazing, enriching educational program unmatched by other schools in the area, for all children of low to moderate income families, regardless of race or creed. In 2009 the school received grants from the Crystal Charity Ball and Muse Foundation which funded the construction of a new gym, chapel, and classroom building. Bray Whaler donated the use of its procurement software and a project manager to purchase and deliver the furniture, equipment and accessories for these new facilities. St. Philips School is widely known and supported by the Dallas City Council, and its students have gone on to attend such prestigious schools as Stanford, Notre Dame, and Duke University.

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. The company’s culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands.

Press Contact:
Brandon Oleson
Bray Whaler International
Brandon.Oleson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 197

© 2010 Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler Awarded Westin Copley Place

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2010-04-22T17:32:59-06:00

LATEST NEWS
April 22, 2010

Bray Whaler Awarded Procurement for Westin Copley Place in Boston

CJ Johnson
MarCom Mgr – Bray Whaler International

Recently, Bray Whaler was awarded the renovation procurement the Westin Copley Place, Boston. Renovation encompasses 803 guestrooms, including 132 junior and 10 specialty suites. Winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award® in the heart of trendy Back Bay, the Westin is linked to the Hynes Convention Center via skybridge and is only a stroll away from shopping at the Copley Mall, Prudential Building, and Newbury Street.

As a long term partner with the Westin, Bray Whaler previously purchased their twenty-nine meeting rooms which provide over 54,000 square feet of space for almost all occasions. This includes two ballrooms, the elegant Staffordshire Room, and the 7th-floor conference center with a VIP Boardroom and eight hospitality suites

"We take great pride in partnering with our clients to provide solutions”. Elisa Whaler, owner of Bray Whaler, said in a statement. “By constantly striving to meet the overall vision while watching the bottom line, we create relationships that last by growing professional and personal success” Elisa added.

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. Their culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands. This philosophy has melded perfectly to Westin’s goal to provide forward-thinking services and amenities designed to restore harmony and inspire.

Press Contacts:
CJ Johnson
Bray Whaler International
Cindy.Johnson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 166

Brandon Oleson
Bray Whaler International
Brandon.Oleson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 197

© 2010 Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler Awarded DFW Grand Hyatt Renovation

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2010-03-22T19:29:56-06:00

LATEST NEWS
March 22, 2010

Bray Whaler International Awarded DFW Grand Hyatt Renovation Project in Dallas TX
CJ Johnson
MarCom Mgr – Bray Whaler International
In the first quarter of 2010, Bray Whaler International was awarded the procurement contract for The DFW Grand Hyatt Renovation project. This Hotel opened in 2003 as one of the first Hotels embedded in an airport concourse, while also being the First Grand Hyatt in Texas. The hotel is located in Concourse D and includes renovation of 259 Guestrooms, 16 Executive and Premier Suites, 2 VIP Suites, 20 Conference rooms as well as numerous ballrooms and meeting rooms.

BrayWhaler International is well position for this project, as they recently open a second office in Dallas in December. Bray Whaler prides itself in their team approach, and solutions based procurement style for this fast paced project. “We are excited to be partnering up with the talented designer’s Morrison, Seifert & Murphy, the management skills of Woodbine Development Corp and the savvy Hyatt Operations team. Our mission is to implement the design, operator requirements, and budget into a successful product the airport authorities will continue to be proud of”, says Elisa Whaler, Owner and CEO of BrayWhaler International and Purchasing Principal of the original Grand Hyatt’s DFW.

Press Contacts:
CJ Johnson
Bray Whaler International
Cindy.Johnson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 166

Brandon Oleson
Bray Whaler International
Brandon.Oleson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 197

© 2010 Bray Whaler International

Bray Whaler International Opens Office in Dallas TX

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2010-01-11T09:23:38-07:00

BrayWhaler International Opening Office in Dallas TX
On January 1st 2010 , Bray Whaler International opened a new office in Dallas, Texas. With nearly 25 years in the procurement industry, the choice to expand the company is in response to increased demand to service the Southern US region. The Bray Whaler team welcomes all to join in celebrating their expansion with a Grand Opening gathering in the new Dallas office on February 18th from 4pm till 7pm.

Based in Centennial, Colorado, Bray Whaler has historically provided procurement services for the hospitality industry, but in recent years, has expanded its offerings to include purchasing for a wide variety of market sectors including: corporate, government, sports venues, healthcare, higher education and gaming.

"We look at today’s’ economy as an opportunity to re-position ourselves”. Elisa Whaler, owner of Bray Whaler, said in a statement. “Keeping our eye on the market, we’ve been able to continually enhance our offerings to suit the clients’ needs. We’ve accomplished this in part by expanding our team to include project managers who are LEED accredited, and /or hold degrees in interior design, construction management and finance. This exemplifies how our team brings a more diverse skill set to each project” Elisa added.

With over 1.6 billion dollars in combined purchases since 1986, and over 65 completed projects in Texas alone, BrayWhaler is positioned for the upcoming movement of new builds and renovations scheduled within the next 36 months. One such project, The Dallas Convention Center Hotel, was recently awarded to Bray Whaler International. The new complex broke ground September 15th, with a multi million dollar budget. The project boasts 1,000+ guestrooms and suites and 100,000 sq ft of public space area, and is slated to open early 2012,

Bray Whaler is focused on a global market and has purchased FF&E and OS&E for a diverse client base including branded hotels and World Class resorts.The portfolio showcases nationally recognized projects such as California’s stunning Terranea resort, Ty Warner’s Four Seasons on the coast of Santa Barbara, Napa Valley’s prestigious Calistoga Ranch, and the Aspen Mountain Club in Colorado. International highlights include Emaar’s Marassi Beach Club in Alexandria Egypt, the Royal Park Nikko in Yokahama Japan, Sandy Lane Hotel on the shores of Barbados’ and the Gansevoort in Turks and Caicos.

While the company’s success is broad based, they maintain focus on their mission to become an integral part of their clients’ team by identifying needs early in the process, and providing a “do what it takes” mentality to provide the high level of service each client deserves.

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. Their culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands.

Press Contacts:
CJ Johnson Bray Whaler International
Cindy.Johnson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 166

Bray Whaler Receives 2009 Best of Business Award

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2009-12-15T09:17:42-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO, November 7, 2009, Bray Whaler, Inc. has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Purchasing service category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

The Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is pleased to announce that Bray Whaler, Inc. has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Purchasing service category.

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5% of small businesses throughout the country. Using consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

About Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is a San Francisco based organization. The SBCA is a private sector entity that aims to provide tactical guidance with many day to day issues that small business owners face. In addition to our main goal of providing a central repository of small business operational advice; we use consumer feedback to identify companies that exemplify what makes small business a vital part of the American economy.
SOURCE: Small Business Commerce Association CONTACT: Small Business Commerce Association Email: Press@SBCAAwards.org URL: http://www.SBCAAwards.or

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. Their culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands.

Press Contacts:
CJ Johnson
Bray Whaler International
Cindy.Johnson@BrayWhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 166

Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel Awarded

brandon.oleson@braywhaler.com — 2009-09-25T09:00:00-06:00

LAST WEEK, Bray Whaler International was awarded the procurement contract for The Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel. The multi million dollar budget includes 1,000+ guestrooms and suites and 100,000 sq ft of public space, which will boast a luxurious spa to further drive convention center revenues in the years to come. The Complex broke ground September 15, 2009, and is slated to open early 2012.

Bray Whaler’s global focus with projects in Egypt, Spain, Honduras and Japan, to name a few, has spring-boarded from their national success. Over the last 23 years as a leading purchasing agency, Bray Whaler boasts over 400 successfully completed projects across the nation, with 46 of these projects in Texas.

The Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel project combined with Bray Whaler’s Texan stronghold of business relationships with builders, architects, contractors and vendors, has fueled the decision to open a new branch of the company in Dallas. “I anticipate the market upswing we are experiencing to continue, and by opening an office to better service the southern U.S. we can continue to provide the high level of customer service we have become known for” states Elisa Whaler, the company’s president.

As the economic future continues to evolve, Bray Whaler has formulated the recipe for success by expanding offerings and reaching into vertical commercial markets including higher education, government, healthcare, sports arenas, fitness clubs, and corporate facilities. “The key to success is having a “ready stance” to re-position and re-purpose as the market begins to re-surface,” states Elisa, “We project for the future, while continuing to improve resources and processes to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. When our client’s succeed, we succeed”.

Bray Whaler International is the premier global hospitality procurement firm, setting the industry standards. Their culture of success is based on a harmony of personal and professional well being, reinforced by structured systems and adaptability to market demands.

Press Contacts:
CJ Johnson
Bray Whaler International
sales@braywhaler.com
303.689.0800 ex 166