SEGMENT 01

Communion

8:00 - 8:35 am EST

Trade Show Hall

Explore the Industry’s Top Companies

We invite you to discover a curated selection of exceptional companies in the global hospitality industry. You will have the ability to chat with the company representatives directly.

SEGMENT 02

Opening Remarks

8:30 - 8:45 am EST

Welcome

Welcome: Boutique vs. Lifestyle

with Frances Kiradjian, Founder & CEO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique and Ariela Kiradjian, Partner & COO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique

8:45 - 9:05 am EST

Debate

Recovery Outlook

with Amanda Hite, President of STR

Interviewed by Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection

As an industry, we have been through a lot together these last few years. As we begin to see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel, what does recovery look like? The landscape has shifted permanently in many ways, how will we continue to adapt? 

9:05 - 9:25 am EST

Keynote

Investing Authentically

with James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels

Interviewed by Ariela Kiradjian, Partner & COO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique

What does authentic mean in the hospitality industry? It’s a term so easily used, but rarely is it executed in its true meaning. We have invited a great leader to talk with our community about leadership, authenticity scaling, and conscious commerce.

SEGMENT 03

The Foundations

9:25 - 9:50 am EST

Think Tank

Creative Deal Structures + Operational Insights

with Clark Hanrattie, Partner at HEI Hotels & Resorts and Atit Jariwala, CEO of Bridgeton

Interviewed by Andrea Foster, Senior Vice President of Development at Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Sponsored by Stayntouch

Get an inside scoop on the top ways to get creative with deal structures with leaders who have seen a great many of deals come across their plate. What are some examples of ways owners have looked outside the box to get financing? Should you own the land out-right or lease it? How can technology enhance operations without losing the essence of human connection? Our panelists will get raw and real for the community to get an overall sense of what they see happening in the market right now.

9:50 - 10:20 am EST

Think Tank

Development

with Rafael Museri, CEO & Co-Founder of Selina, Ernest Lee, Chief Growth Officer at citizenM, and Robin Kennedy, EVP, Chief Development Officer at Montage International

Interviewed by Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer at edyn

Sponsored by Curator Hotel & Resort Collection

As more and more people realize the impact of boutique hotels, it is no surprise that developers today have more competition. Our development experts will review the current competitive landscape and share their thoughts on growth strategies. Where are the key areas of new development? Is the attention on major markets or on thriving secondary and tertiary markets? Join a panel of boutique development experts as they converse on building purpose-driven hotels that reflect the guiding objectives of championing innovation, delivering the unexpected, and sparking joy.

10:20 - 10:45 am EST

Think Tank

Branded Boutique

with Allison Reid, Chief Development Officer at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Sarah Robbins, COO of 21c Museum Hotels, and Janis Cannon, Senior Vice President, Upscale Brands Portfolio, Cambria Hotels and The Ascend Collection

Interviewed by Frances Kiradjian, Founder & CEO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique

Sponsored by Marsh McLennan

At BLLA, we welcome boutique hotels of all shapes and sizes, including those a part of the independent collections of big brands. We will give our community a 360 degree of what is happening in these branded boutique hotels to equip our independent owners with a bird’s eye view of investment trends and opportunities.

10:45 - 11:20 am EST

Debate

Equity

with Jeff Stulmaker, Partner & Chief Investment Officer at KHP Capital Partners, Davonne Reaves, President of The Vonne Group, and Matthew Livian, Managing Director at Prospect Ridge

Interviewed by Rani Gharbie, Senior Vice President - Acquisitions at Life House

Sponsored by The Olympia Companies

Providing financing for a boutique hotel has been daunting in the past, however, the tables are turning. Equity solutions are becoming more available without the use of a brand. As boutique and lifestyle properties gain attention in the marketplace, has it become easier to secure funding? Who are the active players in the boutique and lifestyle sectors? This panel will provide insight into the existing climate for making the deal.

11:20 - 11:55 am EST

Debate

Debt

with Nitin Jagga, Vice President at Goldman Sachs, Adam Maisel, Principal at Ramsfield Hospitality Finance, and Jason Ourman, Partner at Apollo Global Management

Interviewed by Kevin Davis, Americas CEO at JLL Hotels & Hospitality

While taking on additional debt may not be especially appealing, it might be better suited for your particular situation at this time. Depending on your past performance, if you are able to prove your ability and the detailed plan going forward, you will be better able to control your outcome using debt financing. You may also need to bring in partners that know you and your situation. Debt financing may offer added convenience if you are using it for hotel construction. Your options increase with the use of this form of financing although it may be much harder in these days of COVID. In what scenarios is debt financing advantageous? How does this form of financing apply to the age of COVID-19? This panel will delve into the convenience of taking on additional debt, having the capacity to control your outcome, and being able to pave the way for a promising future within the independent boutique & luxury hospitality sector.

11:55 am - 12:30 pm EST

Think Tank

To Operate or Not to Operate. That is the Question.

with Jorgan von Stiening, President of Palisociety and Dan Flannery, SVP & Global Managing Director at EDITION Hotels

Interviewed by Hilda Delgado, Chief Financial Officer of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts

Sponsored by Selfbook

Running a hotel successfully can be an amazing experience if done properly. It can clearly enhance your bottom line, increasing the value of your property along the way. Hospitality operational management is complex, with many twists and turns. You need the right infrastructure to make it all work. This panel of experts will outline some of the top benefits as well as the playbook to make it all work well beyond your expectations.

12:30 - 12:50 pm EST

Case Study

The Investment Landscape: Let's Get Real

with Ben Leahy, Partner at Cedar Capital Partners

Interviewed by Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer at edyn

Truth be told, the conversation around investment is different in the U.S. than it is in Europe. How does the U.S. market differ from the European market in the scope of financing? Are costs going up in tandem or is revenue exceeding costs? Will there be a golden light for distressed assets? Join these experts as they offer their insights into the reality of the global investment landscape.

SEGMENT 04

Break

12:50 - 1:50 pm EST

Networking

Introduce Yourself & Grab Lunch

Come say hello to fellow attendees and grab some nourishment to re-fuel your day.

12:50 - 1:50 pm EST

Trade Show Hall

Explore the Industry’s Top Companies

We invite you to discover a curated selection of exceptional companies in the global hospitality industry. You will have the ability to chat with the company representatives directly.

SEGMENT 05

The Framework

1:50 - 2:05 pm EST

Case Study

Labor Relations

with Jay Krupin, Chair, Hospitality Labor Relations Group at Baker Hostetler, LLP

Interviewed by Phil Hospod, Founder & CEO of Dovetail + Co

Navigating today’s law for the labor we employ in our hotels, can be confusing and difficult. Cities, states, and even countries have different regulations in place and these laws need clear interpretation, particularly all the new COVID-19 rules. This discussion will begin to prepare listeners for what to watch out for to ensure you and your team are following best practices and the law itself. Are independent hoteliers better able to address these issues since they can make instant changes? Where is the best place to get daily updates?

2:05 - 2:40 pm EST

Think Tank

Investment Strategies + Structuring a Deal

with Jason Altberger, Chief Financial Officer at Sage Hospitality Group & President of Sage Investments, and Mark Keiser, Chief Development Officer at EOS Hospitality

Interviewed by Phil Hospod, Founder & CEO of Dovetail + Co

Sponsored by Jurny

There is a lot of movement in the hotel transaction landscape and it is anticipated that there will be continued merger and acquisition activity in 2022 that is expected to remain on an upward trend, but the concern is that results such as ADR and occupancy won’t be as strong as they were in 2019. How are investors navigating the landscape? What role do lodging stocks play in hotel transactions? What are the emerging markets for new investments? How do you target asset selection? How do you structure a deal specifically for independent boutique hotels? How do you tell the story? Prominent industry experts will discuss the current investment climate and how offshore investment money factors in.

2:40 - 3:10 pm EST

Think Tank

Valuations + Capital Markets

with Rod Clough, President of HVS Americas and Daniel C. Peek, Chief Operating Officer at Hodges Ward Elliott

Interviewed by Tracy Prigmore, Founder of She Has a Deal.

Amid an ever-changing world, valuation and a good sense of capital markets lie at the heart of justifying a concept to buyers and investors, as well as cultivating dependable relationships with lenders and stakeholders. What advantages do boutique hotels have when it comes to the type and level of valuation? What are the fundamentals of valuation that haven’t changed even following a pandemic? We welcome innovative leaders as they illuminate the factors of valuation and share how irreplaceable boutique properties will continue to flourish now and for many years to come.

3:10 - 3:40 pm EST

Think Tank

Food & Beverage

with Jody Pennette, Founder & CEO of cb5 Hospitality Group, and Jay Stein, CEO of Dream Hotel Group

Interviewed by Peter Wright, Division Manager at Nestle Premium Waters

Sponsored by Nestle Premium Waters

Whether we recognize it or not, food & beverage plays a pivotal role in spotlighting the creativity and vibrancy of a boutique hotel. It’s a driving tool for revenue, a reflection of lifestyle, and a way to enhance human connection. But how does food & beverage raise the value of an asset? Why is it so important to keep local vendors? What truly is the purpose of food & beverage in a boutique hotel? Hear from these leading visionaries as they relate food and beverage to topics of technology, marketing, and wellness, and ultimately bring forth an awakened awareness as to what great food and beverage programs mean to hospitality.

3:40 - 4:00 pm EST

Think Tank

Investor Relations

with Arash Azarbarzin, CEO of Highgate

Interviewed by David Goldstone, Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Advocate at World Cinema

Join us as we welcome Arash Azarbarzin and David Goldstone back to the BLLA stage! This think tank will address valuable questions such as where is Highgate investing and why? How would you describe Highgate’s investment in people? And, what role does technology play as part of the guest experience? This is a session you don’t want to miss.

4:00 - 4:25 pm EST

Debate

Hospitality Innovation Roundtable

with Luca Zambello, CEO & Co-Founder of Jurny, Michael Heflin, Chief Revenue Officer at Stayntouch

Interviewed by Sara Masterson, President of Olympia Hotel Management

In the ever-evolving sector of boutique hospitality, it is no secret that investment and innovation go hand-in-hand. In light of implementing technology, what should be at top of mind for hotels? How do we ensure that we are allowing consumers to engage with technology in a way that works for them? In what ways can operators leverage technology to work for different demographic types and still be effective? Get an inside look at the importance of innovation and its impact on the boutique lifestyle as we know it.

SEGMENT 06

Closing Remarks & After Party

4:25 - 4:30 pm EST

Closing Remarks

Reminders

with Frances Kiradjian, Founder & CEO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique and Ariela Kiradjian, Partner & COO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique

4:30 - 5:00 pm EST

Panel

End of Day Reflections

with Atit Jariwala, CEO of Bridgeton, Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer at edyn, Hilda Delgado, Chief Financial Officer of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, and Jayson Seidman, Founder & Managing Partner of Sandstone

Interviewed by Frances Kiradjian, Founder & CEO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique and Ariela Kiradjian, Partner & COO of BLLA and Co-Founder of StayBoutique

Sponsored by Lutron Electronics

5:15 - 6:15 pm EST

Networking

After Party

You have an exclusive invitation to this private gathering. Cocktails, mocktails and more! Please note: you must have a badge to enter this exclusive party.