AH&LA 2007 Summer Summit, June 11-14

At the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, TN

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. October 14, 2008

MAY 22, 2007. AH&LA is putting the intelligence of nearly 20 committees in one place for four fast-paced days of business, knowledge, and networking. Signature events include the annual AH&LA Stars of the Industry Awards and the Lodging Industry Summit.

Educational highlights include a half-day Women in Lodging session and a Condominium/Vacation Ownership seminar.

At AH&LA's annual Lodging Industry Summit, leading lodging business analysts offer attendees their collective perspectives and forecasts for the U.S. travel and hotel industries. Participants will analyze current industry performance and provide their insight on the future, providing key sector information to help hoteliers plan strategies.

The Summit presenters, who are recognized leaders in their disciplines, include D.K. Shifflet, president and CEO, D.K. Shifflet and Associates; John Russell, CEO, NYLO Hotels, LLC., and partner, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell; Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D., principal, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Mark Lomanno, president, Smith Travel Research; and Pat Ford, president, Lodging Econometrics.

What Women in Lodging Want is the theme of the half-day session focusing on the development and advancement of women in the hospitality industry, and the tremendous advancement opportunities that are available. A special guest speaker will open the session, which will be followed by a World Caf'e-style, moderated networking event encouraging women from every sector and segment to exchange insight and information in an open environment.

A Condominium/Vacation Ownership Seminar, led by Robert J. Webb, Esq., RRP, Baker & Hostetler LLP, and treasurer of the American Resort Development Association; Mark Lomanno, president, Smith Travel Research; and Minh Vu, Epstein, Becker & Green, former U.S. Department of Justice attorney, cover hot topics regarding condo hotels, vacation ownership rental and purchase agreements, legal issues, how the ADA impacts condos, and much more.

The Stars of the Industry awards program honors outstanding lodging employees, managers, and general managers across the nation. Hotels are also recognized for creative public relations programs in community service; guest relations; and special events, one-time only and ongoing; diversity; and the environment. In addition, the Educational Institute (EI) honors educators who contribute to raising the caliber of hospitality professionals in the field; the Lawson Odde award honors a member of the AH&LA board; and each state association has the opportunity to recognize its most valuable volunteer.

Several events, including a series of dinners being held at some of the best eateries in town, are planned to give members an opportunity to network. Proceeds from the dinners benefit the Educational Foundation. In addition, AH&LA's HotelPAC is hosting a golf tournament at the world-class Gaylord Springs Golf Links.

'The hotel industry continues to thrive, and AH&LA is bringing every industry segment together to provide attendees with the information to continue this growth,' said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. 'This is a great chance for our members, and the board, to network, to gain knowledge, and to build business. It supports our goal of providing opportunities for our members to improve the lodging industry.'