Organizers announced the launch of the event’s new website, thinc-conference.com allowing interested parties to register for the conference and sponsorships and to access additional information regarding the conference.
CHICAGO, ILL. – Organizers of The Hotel Investment Networking Conference (THINC) announced the event will be held at the Hilton Chicago, May 15-16, 2014. Co-hosts for the event are DePaul University School of Hospitality Leadership and Lodging Unlimited, the hospitality consulting company. Organizers also announced the launch of the event’s new website, thinc-conference.com allowing interested parties to register for the conference and sponsorships and to access additional information regarding the conference.
“It seems like there is a hotel conference every week, which is why we spent a great deal of time creating a concept that stands apart,” said Morris Lasky, co-chair and co-founder. “In addition to pre-eminent speakers, 100% of whom are CEO, presidents, owners, investors and senior executives, topical subject matter and interactive networking opportunities, the conference will be held the two days prior to the National Restaurant Association Show, one of the nation’s largest restaurant event. We believe this proximity will create synergistic opportunities for hoteliers and restaurateurs with developers, owners, operators, franchisors and the financial community.”
“Because of our central location in the country, participants can fly in the morning of the 15th to arrive for a 2:00 p.m. start time and fly out late the afternoon of the 16th or stay over for the Restaurant Show, while still enjoying a thought-provoking conference with great speakers. Most important are the formal and informal networking opportunities to meet with owners, presidents, CEOs and dealmakers throughout the day on Thursday and Friday,” said Mary Lou Lasky, co-chair and co-founder.
Lasky noted that DePaul’s School of Hospitality Leadership, which was formed just five years ago, already has earned a reputation as an important educational resource and is graduating more than 50 students a year who are finding good leadership positions within the industry. In addition to providing student support, The School of Hospitality Leadership will benefit from the proceeds of the conference.
“The content of the THINC Conference will distinguish it from other conferences, creating excellent networking opportunities,” said Chris Roberts, director of the School. “It also will give our top students an opportunity to experience up close and personal the business of hotels.”
“We have enjoyed a highly favorable response from both speakers and sponsors,” Lasky said. “We already have a high percentage of sponsorships sold out.” Leading sponsors include Marcus and Millichap National Hospitality Group, Hostmark Hospitality Group, HVS Consulting & Valuation, and Sheppard Mullin. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network also is working with conference to raise awareness and funds to combat the disease.
Currently, such leading hotel companies and executives as Jim Abrahamson, chief executive officer, Interstate Hotels & Resorts; Nancy Johnson, executive vice president, Industry Relations, Carlson; Katherine Lugar, president & CEO, AH&LA; Bob Alter, president, Seaview Investors LLC; and Pratik Patel, chairman, AAHOA; have agreed to speak. In addition to a series of in-depth discussions with top hotel power players, topics will include “Creating a Hotel Portfolio,” “Debt & Equity Finance Options,” “Economic Indicators & Valuation Parameters,” “Hotel & Restaurant Profit Generators,” and “Branding Strategies & the Franchise Agreement,” amongst others.
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