MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 13, 2018—Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit, an annual gathering of hoteliers specializing in development and operations in the southern United States, today announced the full speaker roster for its annual conference running August 28-29, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn.
“While we pride ourselves on the quality of our speakers every year, this year’s line-up and agenda is one of our finest ever,” said Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company and conference co-founder. “We have represented the perspectives of owners, operators, franchisors and other industry experts to provide one of the most informative hotel conferences today, with topics ranging from the recent and increased interest in F&B to dealing with labor issues. Once you add in the numerous networking opportunities with some of the leading figures in the hotel industry and our special mix of southern hospitality, this year’s Southern Lodging Summit becomes the must-attend event for hoteliers with interests in the Southern United States.”
Following an industry trends presentation by STR President & CEO Amanda Hite and the previously announced Presidents Panel moderated by IHG Vice President of Competitive Intelligence Isaac Collazo and featuring Terri Haack from Terranea Resort, Rajiv Trivedi with La Quinta Inns & Suites, Salamander Hotels & Resorts’ Prem Devadas and McNeill Hotels president and COO, Mark Ricketts, HotelNewsNow‘s editor-in-chief, Stephanie Ricca, will oversee a panel discussion on national and state legislative issues. The panelists include TnHTA President & CEO Greg Adkins, Fairbrook Hotels’ President and Secretary of AAHOA Vinay Patel and Troy Flanagan, vice president of government affairs for AHLA.
Prior to the August 29th luncheon, the topic will turn to labor issues with thoughts from CBRE’s Director of Research Information Services Robert Mandelbaum, Quality Management Services’ Founder and Principal Judy King and Graduate Hotels’ President Timothy G. Franzen. With unemployment at near record lows, the group will offer insights and advice on how to deal with one of the most vexing issues facing the industry today—how to find and retain good talent.
Lunch will conclude with an insightful interview of personal perspectives with Richard M. Kelleher, principal and CEO of Pyramid Hotel Group. Kelleher has founded two hotel companies and led three others for a total of five executive leadership roles. He will be introduced by Hilton’s Vice-President and Managing Director of Development for the SE Region John J. Koshivos and interviewed by Chuck Pinkowski of Pinkowski & Company, co-host of the event.
Jeff Higley, vice-president of digital media for HotelNewsNow and director of communications for STR, will then lead a panel on “What’s Driving the Food & Beverage Explosion?” David Marvin, founder and president of Legacy Ventures; Veronica Andrews, director of digital data, STR; Anthony Langan, corporate director of food & beverage, Boutique Lifestyle Hotels for Vision Hospitality Group; and Adrian Kurre, global head, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton, will provide their insights on the delectable topic.
The day will conclude with “Making Sales and Marketing a Success,” moderated by Wendy Ferrill, vice president of world-wide sales for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Her group, comprised of Jack Ferguson, founder, JPF Solutions, Renee Wilhite, corporate director of sales and marketing, Hostmark Hospitality Group, Betty Wilson, vice president Americas sales for IHG, and Bruce Rosenberg, CEO of HotelPlanner & Meetings.com, will discuss what it takes to succeed from their various perspectives.
