At the 2013 Hotel Business Executive Roundtable, hosted by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., panelists gathered at Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport in Linthicum, MD, to discuss the select-service segment.

President & COO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Michael Leven's acceptance speech of the 2013 ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hosted by La Quinta Inns & Suites, panelists at the 2013 Hotel Business Management Company Roundtable—held at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Convention Center San Antonio—gave insight on key operational challenges, competition in the marketplace and ways management companies can achieve success.

"Managing The Marketplace: Street Corner Strategies For Success"

Held at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Convention Center San Antonio, a number of leading management executives, as well as key La Quinta personnel, were brought together for the most recent Hotel Business Roundtable entitled "Managing The Marketplace: Street Corner Strategies For Success." The group discussed some of the leading challenges facing management companies in the industry today and how to navigate around them.

"Resetting the Horizon on Growth and Expansion"

Waldorf Astoria, Chicago, IL - August 14-15, 2012 - Hosted by Hilton Worldwide and Sponsored by National Strategic Accounts/Hospitality, Ferguson, Gallagher Real Estate and Hospitality Services, Protect A Bed, Simmons Mattress Co., Valley Forge Fabrics. 

With hotel conversions a critical component to industry growth in a difficult economic environment, HOTEL BUSINESS® recently held its "Repositioning For Success" roundtable in Columbus, OH. The event, which was held at the Red Roof in Downtown Columbus, was sponsored and hosted by Red Roof Inns.

As part of the event, participants were asked to assess the current climate for repositioning opportunities as well as how to determine a good candidate for a conversion.

Earth, Wyndham, Fire performing at the general session of Wyndham Hotel Group's 2012 Global Conference.

Industry veteran and well-known developer Hasmukh P. (H.P.) Rama of JHM Hotels was recently honored with an Award for Excellence & Inspiration at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. This video presentation, which was put together by HOTEL BUSINESS®, was shown to attendees of the conference just prior to Rama accepting the award.

Print coverage of the event appears in the March 21, 2012 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

As the industry gains traction, the role of management companies has come into sharper focus. To get a better sense of the current landscape, leading industry executives participated at the recent 2012 HOTEL BUSINESS® Management Roundtable - "Managing Expectations: From Construction To Conversion" - held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld and hosted by DoubleTree by Hilton.

Panelists included William (Bill) Fortier, Hilton Worldwide and Mark J. Kucera, Presidian Hotels and Resorts; Michael Tall, Charlestowne Hotels; Lewis H. Wiens, True North Hotel Group, Inc.; R. Mark Woodworth, PKF Hospitality Research; John Pharr, Strand Development Co., LLC; Ben Seidel, Real Hospitality Group; James Carroll, Crestline Hotels & Resorts; Edward J. Rohling, Pillar Hotels & Resorts; Tim Walker, Island Hospitality Management; Rob Palleschi, DoubleTree by Hilton; Carlos Rodriguez, Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC; and Joseph C. Moffa, Riley Hotel Group.

The Roundtable was moderated by Stefani C. O'Connor, executive news editor/Hotel Business and managing editor/Roundtables.

The event was sponsored by Ferguson Enterprises, Gallagher Real Estate and Hospitality Services, Keurig/Green Mountain Coffee, ProfitSword, LLC, Pure Solutions and Valley Forge Fabrics.

Print coverage of the event appears in the April 7, 2012 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

As the industry gains traction, the role of management companies has come into sharper focus. To get a better sense of the current landscape, leading industry executives participated at the recent 2012 HOTEL BUSINESS® Management Roundtable - "Managing Expectations: From Construction To Conversion" - held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld and hosted by DoubleTree by Hilton.

Panelists included William (Bill) Fortier, Hilton Worldwide and Mark J. Kucera, Presidian Hotels and Resorts; Michael Tall, Charlestowne Hotels; Lewis H. Wiens, True North Hotel Group, Inc.; R. Mark Woodworth, PKF Hospitality Research; John Pharr, Strand Development Co., LLC; Ben Seidel, Real Hospitality Group; James Carroll, Crestline Hotels & Resorts; Edward J. Rohling, Pillar Hotels & Resorts; Tim Walker, Island Hospitality Management; Rob Palleschi, DoubleTree by Hilton; Carlos Rodriguez, Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC; and Joseph C. Moffa, Riley Hotel Group.

The Roundtable was moderated by Stefani C. O'Connor, executive news editor/Hotel Business and managing editor/Roundtables.

The event was sponsored by Ferguson Enterprises, Gallagher Real Estate and Hospitality Services, Keurig/Green Mountain Coffee, ProfitSword, LLC, Pure Solutions and Valley Forge Fabrics.

Print coverage of the event appears in the April 7, 2012 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

At the recent IH/M&RS show last month, HOTEL BUSINESS® brought together a handful of industry executives to take part in the preliminary round of judging of its 2011 Deals of the Year Awards. During the event, the executives were asked about the potential for an economic turnaround as well as their feelings on the deal market going forward. 

Members of the hospitality community gathered on Sept. 13 for the annual Soiree on the Bay during the HD Boutique Expo & Conference in Miami. Sponsored by Aqua Hospitality Carpets, DH Hospitality, Fabric Innovations, Flexsteel Hospitality, Lacquercraft Hospitality, Hotel Business, Hotel Business DESIGN, Moen, Simmons Hospitality, Viamotif International and Zeftron, architects, designers, purchasing companies and vendors boarded the Floridian Princess yacht and spent the evening enjoying cocktails, dinner and dancing, while cruising down Miami's Intercoastal Waterway. 

Hosted by Red Roof Inns, Inc. and sponsored by Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc., participants in the roundtable included: Andrew Alexander, president, Red Roof Inns, Inc.; Richard Conti, president, The Plasencia Group, Inc.; Keith Daub, president/COO, Winegardner & Hammons, Inc.; Christopher Diffley, managing director/investment management group, RockBridge Capital, LLC; J.P. Ford, senior vp/director of business development, Lodging Econometrics; Robert Habeeb, president/COO, First Hospitality Group, Inc.; Joseph Smith, executive vp; Chesapeake Hospitality; and Robert Wallace, executive vp, brand operations & franchising, Red Roof Inns, Inc.

With the economy in recovery mode, the hospitality industry is beginning to come alive again with more renovation, adaptive reuse, conversion and even new construction projects. HOTEL BUSINESS® addressed the pros and cons of each of these development avenues at its most recent Executive Roundtable held at the Red Roof Inn Columbus Downtown-Convention Center in Columbus, OH.

Print coverage of the event appears in the July 15, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

Hosted exclusively by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Participating in the event were Mary Beth Cutshall, Hospitality Ventures Management Group; Navin Dimond, Stonebridge Companies; Kenneth H. Fearn, Integrated Capital; Warren Fields, Pyramid Hotel Group; Patrick Goddard, Trust Hospitality; Norman Jenkins, Capstone Development, LLC; Hung Luk, The Lam Group; D.J. Rama, JHM Hotels; Alison Reid, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.; Paul Sacco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Print coverage of the event appears in the June 7, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

Hosted by JMBM and sponsored by CSI MasterCard, Hotel Business conducted an executive roundtable just prior to the start of the Meet the Money Conference. The event was moderated by Hotel Business Editor Dennis Nessler and examined the capital markets and current lending conditions and touched on a number of other topics, such as asset values, workouts and deal structures.

Participants included Bill Sipple, HVS Capital; Jim Butler, JMBM; Judy Hoffman, Trigild; Mike Cahill, HREC; Sam Winterbottom, Grubb & Ellis; Marty Collins, Gatehouse Capital Corp.; Greg Hartmann, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Thomas Prins, Gemstone Hotels & Resorts; Tim Dick, TriMont Real Estate Advisors; and Todd Wynne-Parry, Pan Pacific Hotel Group.

Print coverage of the event appears in the May 21, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

Hosted by Hilton Worldwide and sponsored by Ferguson - A Wolseley Co.; Keurig; and A.J. Gallagher and Co. Participants included: Bruce Baltin, Colliers PKF Consulting USA; Peter M. Heinemann, Passport Resorts; Richard C. Kessler, The Kessler Collection; Greg Miller, Destination Hotels & Resorts; Greg Mount, Richfield Hospitality, Inc.; Sean Mullen, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd.; Bill Otto, Marcus Hotels & Resorts; Jim Petrus, Trump International Hotels Management, LLC; Paul Toner, RockResorts International, LLC/Vail Resorts Hospitality; and John Vanderslice, Hilton Worldwide.
Stefani C. O'Connor, Executive News Editor/Hotel Business and Managing Editor/HB Roundtables, moderated the event.
In a world where cost-containment and thrift are daily watchwords, but "bling" and the luxe life drive consumer interest, leading industry executives gathered in March at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Resort to examine how companies in the "new norm" are tackling changes in the luxury segment via strategic moves and creative initiatives, and to see what's ahead for luxury lodging as a concept.

Print coverage of the event appears in the April 7, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

Industry veteran and well-known developer Bruce White of White Lodging Services was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. This video presentation, which was put together by HOTEL BUSINESS®, was shown to attendees of the conference just prior to White accepting the award.

Print coverage of the event appears in the March 7, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

Hosted exclusively by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Participating in the event were Gerald P. Chase, New Castle Hotels & Resorts; Teague Hunter, Hunter Realty Associates; Dave Johnson, Aimbridge Hospitality; Naveen Kakarla, Hersha Hospitality Management; Jeffrey S. Laliberte, Wheelock Street Capital; Jim Merkel, RockBridge Capital; David Mumford, Mumford Company, Inc.; Chandrakant (CK) Patel, AAHOA/BVM Holdings; Russell Urban, HEI Hotels & Resorts; Bruce Wiles, Thayer Lodging Group; and Paul Sacco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Stefani C. O'Connor, Executive News Editor/Hotel Business and Managing Editor/HB Roundtables, moderated the event.

With the lodging industry seeing some traction in fundamentals, top executives across a variety of disciplines gathered in New York City to relate how their respective companies have been weathering the economic storm and what has been learned that will now make for an increasingly successful year ahead as business transitions to a more-positive side.

Print coverage of the event appears in the January 15, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Hosted exclusively by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Participating in the event were Gerald P. Chase, New Castle Hotels & Resorts; Teague Hunter, Hunter Realty Associates; Dave Johnson, Aimbridge Hospitality; Naveen Kakarla, Hersha Hospitality Management; Jeffrey S. Laliberte, Wheelock Street Capital; Jim Merkel, RockBridge Capital; David Mumford, Mumford Company, Inc.; Chandrakant (CK) Patel, AAHOA/BVM Holdings; Russell Urban, HEI Hotels & Resorts; Bruce Wiles, Thayer Lodging Group; and Paul Sacco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Stefani C. O'Connor, Executive News Editor/Hotel Business and Managing Editor/HB Roundtables, moderated the event.

With the lodging industry seeing some traction in fundamentals, top executives across a variety of disciplines gathered in New York City to relate how their respective companies have been weathering the economic storm and what has been learned that will now make for an increasingly successful year ahead as business transitions to a more-positive side.

Print coverage of the event appears in the January 15, 2011 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Hosted by IH/M&RS and sponsored by Protect-A-Bed, Samsung and U.S. Acrylic. Participating in the event were Carlton Harwood, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.; Rick Betz; W.W. Grainger; Walt Sheffler, Avendra, LLC; Matt Schwarz, Courtesy Products, Inc.; Paul Davis, Wyndham Hotel Group; Jeff Palla, LaQuinta Inns & Suites; Jennifer Jones, BuyEfficient; Rick Summa, Choice Hotels International; David Kahn, HD Supply; Larry Morse, American Hotel Register; and Rick Bennett, Best Western International.

Executives from a number of different disciplines within hospitality discussed the evolution of Supply Chain Management over the course of the last decade and its impact on the industry.

Print coverage of the event appears in the December 15, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Hosted by Carlson Hotels and sponsored by Gallagher Hospitality Services, a division of Arthur J Gallagher & Co. Participating in the event were C.A. Anderson, The Dow Hotel Co.; Daniel W. Daniele, Corporex Select Service Hotels, LLC/Corporex Capital; Bill DeForrest, Lane Hospitality; Douglas N. Dreher, The Hotel Group; Leigh Hitz, Magnolia Hotels; Leo M. Sand, Sand Companies, Inc.; Philip M. Silberstein, Carlson Hotels, The Americas; R. Mark Woodworth, Colliers PKF Hospitality Research; Deno Yiankes, White Lodging Services Corp. Moderated by Stefani C. O'Connor, Executive News Editor Hotel Business and Managing Editor HB Roundtables.

In an effort to look ahead to 2011, Hotel Business canvassed a number of industry executives on their opinions regarding economic conditions as well as future hotel development.

Print coverage of the event appears in the September 7, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Hosted by Carlson Hotels and sponsored by Gallagher Hospitality Services, a division of Arthur J Gallagher & Co. Participating in the event were C.A. Anderson, The Dow Hotel Co.; Daniel W. Daniele, Corporex Select Service Hotels, LLC/Corporex Capital; Bill DeForrest, Lane Hospitality; Douglas N. Dreher, The Hotel Group; Leigh Hitz, Magnolia Hotels; Leo M. Sand, Sand Companies, Inc.; Philip M. Silberstein, Carlson Hotels, The Americas; R. Mark Woodworth, Colliers PKF Hospitality Research; Deno Yiankes, White Lodging Services Corp. Moderated by Stefani C. O'Connor, Executive News Editor Hotel Business and Managing Editor HB Roundtables.

A host of industry professionals gathered recently at the Country Inn & Suites in Chanhassen, MN, for the annual Hotel Business Owners & Developers Roundtable. The discussion examined a number of key issues moving forward such as market conditions, development challenges and the current deal climate.

Print coverage of the event appears in the September 7, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Sponsored by Aqua Hospitality Carpets and Valley Forge Fabrics.

Hotel Business DESIGN™'s presents its Import vs. Domestic Sourcing roundtable held at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas. Taking part in the discussion are: Ricardo Moreno, Kay Lang & Associates; Giancarlo Giacchi, WATG; Ted Caroll, The Carroll Adams Group; Mark Friesen, Beyer Brown; Jeffery Jensen, HKS Hill Glazier; Cory Thomas, Monolith Companies; Sean Hatch, Hatch Purchasing; Jennifer Ramsey, Ramsey Purchasing; and Igor Krnajski, Denihan Hospitality Group. 

Exclusive Host and Sponsor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Participating in the event were Paul Sacco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Raymond Garfield, Jr., Garfield Traub Development; Kenneth Geist, Sage Hospitality; John Ferchill, the Ferchill Group; Anne Lloyd Jones, HVS; James LeFrak, LeFrak Organization; Mark Gordon, Cushman & Wakefield Sonnenblick Goldman; Paul Gladd, Presidential Hotel Investors; and Rob Winchester, Waterford Hotel Group. Print coverage of the event appears in the May 21 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS®.

Like all projects in today's economy, mixed-use development projects have become extremely difficult to finance and execute. However, there are still many advantages to getting involved in these types of projects as these interviews will demonstrate. HOTEL BUSINESS brought together a handful of executives with extensive experience in mixed-use developments to share some of their strategies and experiences.

Print coverage of the event appears in the May 21, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Exclusive Host and Sponsor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Participating in the event were Paul Sacco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Raymond Garfield, Jr., Garfield Traub Development; Kenneth Geist, Sage Hospitality; John Ferchill, the Ferchill Group; Anne Lloyd Jones, HVS; James LeFrak, LeFrak Organization; Mark Gordon, Cushman & Wakefield Sonnenblick Goldman; Paul Gladd, Presidential Hotel Investors; and Rob Winchester, Waterford Hotel Group. Print coverage of the event appears in the May 21 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS®.

Like all projects in today's economy, mixed-use development projects have become extremely difficult to finance and execute. However, there are still many advantages to getting involved in these types of projects as these interviews will demonstrate. HOTEL BUSINESS brought together a handful of executives with extensive experience in mixed-use developments to share some of their strategies and experiences.

Print coverage of the event appears in the May 21, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

The hotel industry and the business world at large seems to have a preference for neat and tidy buzzwords that, in just a few characters, succinctly sum up the current market trend. The word of today? Distress, of course.

"Finessing Distress" was, therefore, the logically paramount subject matter for this year's HOTEL BUSINESS® Management Companies Roundtable, which was hosted by Carlson Hotels Worldwide at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis and sponsored by American Hotel Register Co., Arthur J. Gallagher and Co., Cintas Corp. and LodgeNet Interactive Corp. Moderated by Stefani C. O’Connor, HOTEL BUSINESS® executive news editor and the managing editor of roundtables, the event provided an esteemed roster of participants that shed, for the first time in some cases, light on today's distressed hotel operations underworld.

Print coverage of the event appears in the April 7, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Industry veteran and well-known developer Gary Tharaldson of Tharaldson Inc. was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. This video presentation, which was put together by HOTEL BUSINESS®, was shown to attendees of the conference just prior to Tharaldson accepting the award.

Print coverage of the event appears in the March 7, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS. 

Exclusive Host and Sponsor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Participating in the event were Rob Leven, The Procaccianti Group; Paul Sacco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Benjamin Brunt, Noble Investment Group; Art Adler, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; John Tsunis, Long Island Hotels; Ron Danko, Jr., CB Richard Ellis Hotels; Jeff Cohen, Gatehouse Captial Corp.; CA Anderson, Interstate Hotels & Resorts; and Michael Medzigian, Watermark Capital Partners.
Print coverage of the event appears in the January 15, 2010 issue of HOTEL BUSINESS.

Two thousand-and-nine was clearly a year where the hotel investment and operational business opportunities were few and far between. Survival was instead the modus operandi for companies as they tried to overcome or steer around countless hazards and obstacles. It was not a year for the weak.

But out of even the darkest of times can often come new opportunities that can embolden an entire industry. So in an attempt to shed light upon such business prospects and their long-term implications, HOTEL BUSINESS® recently convened the Opportunity 2010 Roundtable, which was sponsored and hosted by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers and featured a group of industry-leading investment and management experts who are indeed gearing up for much bigger things this year and beyond.