Educational Seminars at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show
All AH&LA Fall Conference/IHMRS attendees receive complimentary admission to the educational seminars on both Sunday and Monday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. 

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Room: 1E09
Keynote Session: Targeting Unique Markets to Develop New Business
Moderator:
• Gerry Fernandez, president, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance
Panelists:
• Vijay Dandapani, president & COO, Apple Core Hotels
• Jennifer Lee-Harrison, director of marketing communications, Choice Hotels International 
• Thomas Mathes, general manager, Eventi Hotel
• Nathalia Sosa, director of leisure sales, Hyatt Hotels

In this competitive environment it is essential to differentiate by targeting unique markets. And the sheer size and potential economic impact of the top five multicultural groups makes it impossible to ignore the significant opportunity they represent. Get the facts first – you’ll learn each market’s frequency to travel, the number of guests and nights spent in hotels, travel-related expenditures, and a brief profile of their travel activity. Then learn from our panel how they’ve been successful in tapping into these markets to develop new business, as well as get tips on how to most effectively market to each of the groups.
Developed by AH&LA’s Multicultural & Diversity Advisory Council
Recertification Points: 2 

3 Concurrent Seminars
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 
1. Upgrading After the Downturn: Maximizing Hotel F&B Renovations
Room: 1E06
Moderator:
• Michael Costa, industry relations editor, Hotel F&B Magazine
Panelists: 
• Susan Santiago, vice president of food & beverage, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Nathan Tanner, vice president - restaurants, Larkspur Hotels and Restaurants
• Doug Zeif, senior vice president, LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels

As money for long-overdue F&B renovations starts to free up in budgets, work is underway in all segments across the industry. How can hotels get the most for their money and increase customer traffic in the long-term as a result? Hear from this panel of VPs how they did just that.
Developed by AH&LA’s Food & Beverage Committee
Recertification Points: 1

2. American Express Business Insights
Room: 1E08
Speaker:
• Michael Grillo, vice president, business insights Americas lodging and airlines, American Express

Developed by American Express
Recertification Points: 1

American Express will provide an overview of travel spending trends, including lodging and airline activity, and will identify the key drivers of those trends, including consumer travel patterns, the migration of customers among lodging tiers, and the broader economic environment. In addition, this presentation will include analysis of key segments such as business vs. leisure, source markets, and generational segments.

3. Distribution Channel Analysis: Determine Your Optimal Mix
Room: 1E07
Moderator:
• Mark Lomanno, chief strategy officer, STR
Panelists:
• Mark Carrier, president, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group
• Cindy Estis Green, managing partner, The Estis Group
• Steve Hood, senior vice president, research, STR

After examining the channel mix for nearly 25,000 hotels, the results of the AH&LA Foundation/STR report Distribution Channel Analysis for Hotels will be revealed. From GDS evaluation to third party transactions to hotel Website traffic, this panel will examine cost analyses and revenue-to-cost ratios to help you evaluate your own channel mix. Additional factors, such as chain scale vs. independents and the affect of consumer media on distribution strategy, will also be discussed, with particular attention paid to the economic impact of OTCs on the industry as a whole.
Recertification Points: 1 

3 Concurrent Seminars
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

1. Tiered Purchasing Strategies
Room: 1E06
Moderator:
• Geoff Feingold, CMHS, director, national accounts, hospitality, HD Supply
Panelists:
• Peggy Mosley, president/CEO, Groveland Hotel
• Sal Shahriar, executive vice president, Hersha Hospitality Management
• Rick Summa, vice president, procurement services, Choice Hotels International

Budgets, timing, and purchasing priorities – these are just a few things that have changed over the last few years. As the industry begins to rebound, hear from hotel brands in various market segments, independent hotels, and management companies, as they discuss the different ways they are now purchasing products and services for their properties. As renovations continue to be the focus of the industry, do not miss out on hearing from our esteemed group of panelists as they offer tips and discuss "their way" of purchasing in this new climate.
Developed by AH&LA’s Allied Executive Committee & Lodging Magazine
Recertification Points: 1

2. Be Prepared for an Audit When the Government Comes Calling
Room: 1E08
Moderator:
• Nicholas J. Hadgis, Ph.D., dean, School of Hospitality Management, Widener University
Panelists: 
• Claire Gruenfelder, director of human resources, The Boar’s Head
• Robert Mellwig, senior vice president, human resources, Destination Hotels & Resorts
• Andria Ryan, Esq., partner, Fisher & Phillips LLP
• Greg Smith, executive vice president of human resources, Denihan Hospitality Group
• Nicole Voth, human resources director, DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington

With a dramatic increase in government audits occurring, this panel of human resources professionals and a labor lawyer will discuss how to prepare for and deal with ICE, DOL, and OSHA audits.
Developed by AH&LA’s Human Resources Committee
Recertification Points: 1

3. Getting to Know the Chinese Travel Market
Room: 1E07
Moderator:
• julie heizer, deputy director, industry relations, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce
Panelists:
• Andrew Flack, vice president, global brand marketing, Hilton Hotels & Resorts
• Todd Kohr, marketing manager, Hershey's Global Retail, The Hershey Company, Hershey's Chocolate World

China is the world’s fastest growing market for international travelers, and savvy businesses are putting out the welcome mat. In this session, you will get the facts and figures on the market, and insights on what you can do to attract Chinese visitors.
Recertification Points: 1 

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WIL Keynote: Identifying and Maximizing Your Transferrable Skills
Room: 1E09
Moderator:
• Amy Hedin, principal, Human Point, LLC 
Panelists:
• Kristi Argyilian, executive vice president & chief transformational officer, UM (Universal McCann)
• Claire Rosenzweig, CAE, president & CEO, Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York
• Dawn Sweeney, president/CEO, National Restaurant Association
• Jean Thomas, director of donor & public relations, The Seeing Eye

You don’t have to be born and bred in hospitality to be a successful front desk clerk, salesperson, or even general manager. It may be your skills from doing jobs in other industries that really work to your advantage. This panel features successful women who have used another industry to leverage their hospitality career or vice versa. They’ll share how their outside perspective worked to their advantage and give you a different viewpoint on the challenges women face in every industry.
Developed by AH&LA’s Women in Lodging Executive Committee
Recertification Points: 2

3 Concurrent Seminars
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
1. Career Mapping Every Step of Your 20s
Room: 1E15
Moderator:
• Mark Williams, director of development, Coakley & Williams Hotel Management Company
Panelists:
• Leo Campbell, corporate manager of education & career development, Loews Hotels
• Stefani Raggio, senior regional director of people & culture, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
• Mike Walsh, general manager, Royalton
• Randall Williams, CHA, senior resort manager, Hyatt Windward Pointe

Your 20s are a time of figuring out who you are, what you want, and how you’re going to get there. Although the “under 30s” are often grouped together, the needs and goals of a 22-year old are very different than that of a 29-year old. So we’re going to break it down for you. In this session, you’ll hear from two sets of panelists focusing on the varying career maturation process for ages 22-26 and 27-30+. Designed to be an engaging dialogue with the audience, you’ll gain new perspective and insight for ensuring a successful and meaningful career every step of your 20s and beyond.
Developed by AH&LA’s Under 30 Council
Recertification Points: 1

2. Sustainability…Is Your Company Prepared?
Room: 1E08
Moderator: 
• Nancy Loman Scanlon, Ph.D., CHE, associate professor, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Florida International University 
Panelists:
• Michael Babicki, director sustainability, Wyndham Worldwide
• Diana Beltran, corporate social responsibility manager, Grand Hyatt New York
• Whitney Hoover, LEED GA, sustainability manager, The New York Palace Hotel
• Andy Mims, vice president of sustainability, Gaylord Entertainment

Is your company prepared to meet the demands of corporations, tour operators and even the U.S. government, with property sustainability programs? 'Green' management has become 'Sustainable' management. Sales and marketing teams are scrambling to respond to RFP's requiring a 'sustainability (or green) management program as a condition of booking room nights, meetings, conferences, and conventions. Hear about the newest trends and industry practices to keep your company in the forefront of industry change. Hear from industry experts who are leading the way on sustainable management for the lodging industry.
Developed by AH&LA’s Engineering & Environment Committee
Recertification Points: 1

3. Missed Opportunities in Hotel Food and Beverage Operations
Room: 1E07
Speaker:
• Ted R. Mandigo, CPA, ISHC, assistant professor, Kendall College and TR Mandigo & Co. Hotel Consultants

This session will address the innovations in hotel food service operations implemented in successful hotels. We will also discuss incorporating revenue management techniques in food service operations to improve revenue and profitability and challenges in competing with on-the-street restaurant operations. We will identify opportunities that hotels have in competing for dining patrons and also discuss how lenders’ and managements’ attitudes stifle development of food service concepts and operations and how to overcome those.
Developed by: Kendall College