MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 16, 2015—Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit, an annual gathering of hoteliers specializing in development and operations in the southern United States, today announced it will host its 13th annual conference August 18-19 in Memphis, Tenn. In addition to the annual networking and educational opportunities, the day-and-a-half conference has partnered with the new Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid to host its afternoon Hospitality Suite on the 18th. Attendees will tour the highly successful retail/hospitality operation, including the unique Big Cypress Lodge and a 28-story, vertical ride to the Look Out at the Pyramid for a 360 degree view of the city.
“While we enjoy our standing as one of the best kept secrets in the hospitality industry, we’ve decided to shed some of that anonymity this year by offering attendees an opportunity to combine a bit of entertainment with their education,” said Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company and conference co-founder. “Once again, we have secured some of the top names in hospitality to opine on the state-of-the-industry while providing ample opportunities to network with peers. Contrary to popular opinion, we believe the 13th might just be our ‘luckiest’ yet, as evidenced by the pronounced and continued optimism the industry is experiencing right now.”
The conference opens at the renowned Rendezvous Restaurant with a “Lunch with the Speakers,” giving attendees an opportunity to interact with speakers in a more intimate setting. Day One concludes with an evening cocktail reception and dinner at the world famous Peabody Hotel. The event supports the Political Action Committees for the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association (MMH&LA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). The evening event has limited seating, so registrants are encouraged to RSVP early.
AAHOA President & CEO Chip Rogers, Interstate Hotels & Resorts and President and Chairman of AH&LA Jim Abrahamson and Chairman of the Broadmoor Steve Bartolin are among the confirmed speakers. Panel topics include, “Designing for the Future Guest” and “Putting Technology in the Comfort Zone.” The final agenda is online now at the SLS website at http://www.southernlodgingsummit-memphis.com/agenda.php.
Celebrating its 13th year, the Southern Lodging Summit was co-founded by Pinkowski & Company, an independent, Memphis- headquartered hotel industry consulting firm, and Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association. The hospitality industry event brings together hotel professionals who target the southern and mid-south region of the United States for development and operations. The annual event draws a diverse group of owners, operators, sales executives, financial institutions, architects, attorneys, and hotel company representatives from more than 22 states nationwide.
