Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation—The accompanying historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ashford Inc., its majority-owned subsidiaries and entities which it controls. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between these entities have been eliminated in these historical condensed consolidated financial statements. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We believe the disclosures made herein are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. However, the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 2020.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, cost reimbursement revenue and reimbursed expenses were reclassified from their previous presentation into aggregated financial statement line items titled “cost reimbursement revenue” and “reimbursed expenses” in our consolidated statements of operations. Our presentation of the three months ended March 31, 2019, revenue and operating expense line item amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the fourth quarter of 2019. These reclassifications have no effect on total revenue, total operating expense or net income previously reported.

A variable interest entity (“VIE”) must be consolidated by a reporting entity if the reporting entity is the primary beneficiary because it has (i) the power to direct the VIE’s activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE upon our initial involvement with the VIE and we reassess whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis. Our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE is based upon the facts and circumstances for each VIE and requires significant judgment.

Noncontrolling Interests—The following tables present information about noncontrolling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries, including those related to consolidated VIEs, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020
	Ashford Holdings			JSAV⁽³⁾			OpenKey⁽⁴⁾			Pure Wellness ⁽⁵⁾		RED ⁽⁶⁾		Other
Ashford Inc. ownership interest	99.81		%	88.20		%	47.75		%	70.00	%	84.21	%	55.00	%
Redeemable noncontrolling interests^{(1) (2)}	0.19		%	11.80		%	26.38		%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities	—		%	—		%	25.87		%	30.00	%	15.79	%	45.00	%
	100.00		%	100.00		%	100.00		%	100.00	%	100.00	%	100.00	%

Carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	24		$	2,522		$	1,574		n/a		n/a		n/a
Redemption value adjustment, year-to-date	262			4			56			n/a		n/a		n/a
Redemption value adjustment, cumulative	377			788			2,153			n/a		n/a		n/a
Carrying value of noncontrolling interests	—			—			337			130		47		15
Assets, available only to settle subsidiary’s obligations ^{(7) (8)}	n/a			57,819			1,593			1,712		20,806		216
Liabilities ⁽⁹⁾	n/a			45,350			461			1,646		11,938		72
Notes payable ⁽⁹⁾	n/a			20,017			—			—		7,686		—
Revolving credit facility ⁽⁹⁾	n/a			135			—			40		246		—

	December 31, 2019
	Ashford Holdings			JSAV⁽³⁾			OpenKey⁽⁴⁾			Pure Wellness ⁽⁵⁾		RED ⁽⁶⁾		Other
Ashford Inc. ownership interest	99.81		%	88.20		%	47.61		%	70.00	%	84.21	%	55.00	%
Redeemable noncontrolling interests^{(1) (2)}	0.19		%	11.80		%	26.59		%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities	—		%	—		%	25.80		%	30.00	%	15.79	%	45.00	%
	100.00		%	100.00		%	100.00		%	100.00	%	100.00	%	100.00	%

Carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	98		$	2,449		$	1,584		n/a		n/a		n/a
Redemption value adjustment, year-to-date	(63		)	784			64			n/a		n/a		n/a
Redemption value adjustment, cumulative	115			784			2,097			n/a		n/a		n/a
Carrying value of noncontrolling interests	—			—			395			164		37		32
Assets, available only to settle subsidiary’s obligations ⁽⁷⁾	n/a			56,824			1,881			1,852		19,277		250
Liabilities ⁽⁹⁾	n/a			44,542			510			1,671		10,652		59
Notes payable ⁽⁹⁾	n/a			17,785			—			—		6,275		—
Revolving credit facility ⁽⁹⁾	n/a			2,599			—			45		106		—

________

⁽¹⁾

Redeemable noncontrolling interests are included in the “mezzanine” section of our condensed consolidated balance sheets as they may be redeemed by the holder for cash or registered shares in certain circumstances outside of the Company’s control. The carrying value of the noncontrolling interests is based on the greater of the accumulated historical cost or the redemption value, which is generally fair value.


⁽²⁾	Redeemable noncontrolling interests in Ashford Holdings represent the members’ proportionate share of equity in earnings/losses of Ashford Holdings. Net income/loss attributable to the common unit holders is allocated based on the weighted average ownership percentage of the members’ interest.


⁽³⁾	Represents ownership interests in JSAV, which we consolidate under the voting interest model. JSAV provides event technology and creative communications solutions in the hospitality industry. See also notes 1, 10 and 11.


⁽⁴⁾	Represents ownership interests in OpenKey, a VIE for which we are considered the primary beneficiary and therefore we consolidate it. OpenKey is a hospitality focused mobile key platform that provides a universal smartphone app for keyless entry into hotel guest rooms. See also notes 1, 10 and 11.


⁽⁵⁾	Represents ownership interests in Pure Wellness, a VIE for which we are considered the primary beneficiary and therefore we consolidate it. Pure Wellness provides hypoallergenic premium rooms in the hospitality industry. See also notes 1 and 10.

⁽⁶⁾

Represents ownership interests in RED, a VIE for which we are considered the primary beneficiary and therefore we consolidate it. RED is a provider of watersports activities and other travel and transportation services and includes the entity that conducts RED’s legacy U.S. Virgin Islands operations and Sebago, a leading provider of watersports activities and excursion services based in Key West, Florida which was acquired by RED in 2019. We are provided a preferred return on our investment in RED’s legacy U.S. Virgin Islands operations and Sebago which is accounted for in our income allocation based on the applicable partnership agreement. See also notes 1 and 10.


⁽⁷⁾	Total assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, property and equipment and other assets that can only be used to settle the subsidiaries’ obligations.


⁽⁸⁾	The assets of Sebago are not available to settle the obligations of the entity that conducts RED’s legacy U.S. Virgin Islands operations.


⁽⁹⁾	Liabilities consist primarily of accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable for which creditors do not have recourse to Ashford Inc. except in the case of the term loans and line of credit held by RED’s legacy U.S. Virgin Islands operations, for which the creditor has recourse to Ashford Inc.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities—We hold “investments in unconsolidated entities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, which are considered to be variable interests and voting interests in the underlying entities. Certain of our investments in variable interests are not consolidated because we have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary. Certain other investments are not consolidated as the underlying entity does not meet the definition of a VIE and we do not control more than 50% of the voting interests. We review our “investments in unconsolidated entities” for impairment in each reporting period pursuant to the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. An investment is impaired when its estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of our investment. No such impairment was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

We held an investment in an unconsolidated variable interest entity with a carrying value of $500,000 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. We account for the investment at estimated fair value based on recent observable transactions as we do not exercise significant influence over the entity. No equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities due to a change in fair value of the investment was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. In the event that the assumptions used to estimate fair value change in the future, we may be required to record an impairment charge related to this investment.

Effective January 1, 2019, we acquired a 30% noncontrolling ownership interest in Real Estate Advisory Holdings LLC (“REA Holdings”), a real estate advisory firm that provides financing, advisory and property sales services primarily to clients in the hospitality and leisure industry, for a purchase price of approximately $3.0 million which was paid in the form of $2.1 million cash and the issuance of 16,529 shares of our common stock (approximately $890,000) to the seller pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act provided under Section 4(a)(2) thereunder. We have an option to acquire an additional 50% of the ownership interests in REA Holdings for $12.5 million beginning on January 1, 2022. Our investment in REA Holdings is accounted for under the equity method as we have significant influence over the voting interest entity.

The following table summarizes our carrying value and ownership interest in REA Holdings (in thousands):

The following table summarizes our equity in earnings (loss) in REA Holdings (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020		Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Equity in earnings (loss) in unconsolidated entities	$	236	$	(275	)

Use of Estimates—The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Property and Equipment, net—Property and equipment, including assets acquired under finance leases, is depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives or lease terms if shorter. We record property and equipment at cost. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, included assets related to our consolidated subsidiary Marietta Leasehold, L.P.’s (“Marietta”) finance lease of $43.8 million and $44.1 million, ERFP assets of $31.2 million and $33.5 million, audio visual equipment at JSAV of $15.4 million and $15.1 million and marine vessels at RED of $10.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively.

Other Liabilities—As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, other liabilities included reserves in the amount of $15.7 million and $10.8 million, respectively, related primarily to Ashford Trust and Braemar properties’ casualty insurance claims and related fees. The liability for casualty insurance claims and related fees is established based upon an analysis of historical data and actuarial estimates. We record the related funds received from Ashford Trust and Braemar in “restricted cash” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, other liabilities also included $1.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of reserves for Remington health insurance claims, $500,000 and $500,000, respectively, of the remaining purchase price due to the sellers of BAV Services (“BAV”) 18 months after the acquisition date, subject to certain conditions, and reserves of $5.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the fair value of contingent consideration due to the sellers of BAV. Other liabilities as of December 31, 2019 also included a $1.0 million accrual for contingent consideration due to the sellers of Sebago. See notes 4.

Revenue Recognition—See note 3.

Income Taxes—We are a taxable corporation for federal and state income tax purposes. Income tax expense includes U.S. federal and state income taxes, Mexico and Dominican Republic income taxes and U.S. Virgin Islands taxes. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, we account for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between our condensed consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.

The “Income Taxes” topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification addresses the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The guidance requires us to determine whether tax positions we have taken or expect to take in a tax return are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority based on the technical merits of the positions. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not threshold would be recorded as additional tax expense in the current period. We analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations for each jurisdiction, which includes the federal jurisdiction and various states. We classify interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes as income tax expense. We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and cities, beginning in 2017, in Mexico and the Dominican Republic and, beginning in 2018, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tax years 2015 through 2019 remain subject to potential examination by certain federal and state taxing authorities.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law and includes certain income tax provisions relevant to the business. The Company is required to recognize the effect on the consolidated financial statements in the period the law was enacted, which is the period ended March 31, 2020. For the period ended March 31, 2020, the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. At this time, the Company does not expect the impact of the CARES Act to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, under ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. However, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, ASU 2017-04 clarifies that an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2020. See our Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets accounting policy disclosed in note 5.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 modifies certain disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements including requiring disclosures on changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and a requirement to disclose the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this standard effective January, 1, 2020, and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We elected to prospectively adopt ASU 2018-15 effective January 1, 2020, in our condensed consolidated financial statements. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 resulted in reclassifying capitalized implementation costs of service contracts incurred in a hosting arrangement from “property and equipment, net” to “other assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of the service contracts will continue to be recorded in “reimbursed expenses” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 sets forth an “expected credit loss” impairment model to replace the current “incurred loss” method of recognizing credit losses. The standard requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for most financial assets held. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2019-10”). ASU 2019-10 revised the mandatory adoption date for public business entities that meet the definition of a smaller reporting company to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-10 may have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

March 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Carrying value of the investment in REA Holdings

Ownership interest in REA Holdings