Influential hotel industry executives from various destinations gathered in Los Angeles, California, January 23-25, 2017, at the JW Marriott and Microsoft theater for the annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) awards presentation, hosted by Burba Hotel Network (BHN) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA).

ALIS is recognized as the biggest hotel investment conference globally, and many influential executives are honored with an illustrious award for their achievements. Over the span of 3-days, ALIS creates an open environment where attendees learn about the latest trends and issues related to the hospitality industry. It’s also one of the ideal events to push forward business deals. 

Many hotel executives, owners and delegates meet at the ALIS conference hosted at the JW Marriott, Los Angeles California. Photo courtesy of AHLA.

During these events, connection and interactions appear everywhere. Conversations ensue and advice, opinion, and thoughts are exchanged about topics covered during ALIS including technology, which was a core topic. Mike Magrans, Principal of Real Estate Transactions at Ernst & Young mentioned that the role of technology is “about analytics – at the heart of every hotel company, the greater company purpose is a home away from home and providing unique experiences. You can’t do that without leveraging technology and leveraging data that customers provide. Historically, that data was broadly mined in customer management tools, and now you have the ability to combine CRM, databases, online search behavior, air traffic, competitor sales, and future reservations to understand demand and optimize pricing.”

Destination Luxury had the wonderful opportunity to interview Fredrik Korallus, CEO at Generator Hostels Ltd. in London, United Kingdom. Korallus shared insightful thoughts

“I think it’s interesting what’s happening with the lifestyle sector. Every brand has been trying to create lifestyle brands. But I think the people who really get it, don’t cater to the traditional travelers. They don’t have loyalty programs. It’s more of a social-driven experience branding,” stated the CEO at Generator Hostels LTD.

Since the advent of the summit, a large portion of its revenues are directed to advances in education, research, and training missions of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH & LEF), the charitable fundraising and financial fund-management subsidiary of the AHLA. The org was founded in 1953, and is an elite organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding research in the area of hospitality.

With almost three decades of experience, multiple events executed, and more than 90,000 international Delegates, BHN conferences are very reputable among industry leaders. BHN supplies an atmosphere where networking, business, and discussions take place. The BHN website is a gateway for information about the conferences provided, as well as a direct link to important players in the hospitality investment world.

Here are this year’s winners:

Development (Full Service) of the Year 2016:
Marriott Marquis Houston – Houston, TX – The 1,000-room Marriott Marquis Houston was developed and owned by RIDA Development Corporation and ARES Management and is managed by Marriott International.

Development (Select/Limited Service) of the Year 2016:
Courtyard New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center – New York, NY – The 317-room Courtyard New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center was developed by Robert Finvarb Companies and Hidrock Properties and is managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company.

Single Asset Transaction of the Year 2016:
LondonHouse Chicago – Chicago, IL – an affiliate of Union Investment Real Estate purchased the 452-room for approximately US$315 million through a sale-lease-management back transaction from an Oxford Group, LLC led venture with Angelo, Gordon, & Co.

Pictured from left to right: Representing the Single Asset Transaction of the Year 2016 winner, LondonHouse Chicago – John W. Rutledge, Founder, President and CEO, Oxford Capital Group, LLC/Oxford Hotels and Resorts, LLC and Theodor Kubak, Senior Investment Manager, Union Investment Real Estate

Merger & Acquisition of the Year 2016:
Marriott International, Inc. / Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. – Marriott International, Inc. acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. for approximately US $14.6 billion

Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year 2016:
Amish Barot, Managing Director/Head of Americas, REGAL, Deutsche Bank

Pictured here: Award Recipient of the Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year 2016, Amish Barot, Managing Director/Head of Americas, REGAL, Deutsche Bank

Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS): Thomas J. Corcoran, Jr., chairman of the board and co-founder of FelCor Lodging Trust

Pictured from left to right: Jim Burba, president of BHN and ALIS chair, and ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Thomas J. Corcoran, Jr., chairman of the board and co-founder of FelCor Lodging Trust.

ISHC 2017 Pioneer Award: Ian Schrager, Chairman and CEO, Ian Schrager Company

Pictured from left to right: Andrea L. Belfanti, Executive Director, ISHC; ISHC 2017 Pioneer Award recipient Ian Schrager, Chairman and CEO, Ian Schrager Company; and David M. Neff, Chair, ISHC.

 
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