WHITE PLAINS, NY, September 28, 2009…The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show^® (IH/M&RS) has announced a seminar lineup that will offer solutions and tactics to drive business in 2010 and beyond, including such topics as recovering from a down economy and capitalizing on the social media boom. Taking place November 7-10, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the 94^th annual IH/M&RS will present some 35,000 industry professionals with the most comprehensive professional development opportunity of the year.

“Education continues to play a key role in the IH/M&RS experience, offering attendees valuable insight about emerging trends and hot topics from notable industry leaders,” said Lynn White, show manager. “This year’s seminar lineup is especially compelling, addressing topics that are beyond the norm, yet vitally important.”

The educational program begins on Saturday, November 7, with the Hospitality Leadership Forum, a full day conference for senior level hospitality managers that will address such topics as “Tweets and APPtitude,” “Managing Human Capital in a Difficult Economy,” “Purchasing Strategies for New Realities,” “Does IT Matter” and “Know What a Guest Wants, Even When They Don’t Know.” In addition, the Hospitality Leadership Forum features the highly-acclaimed “CEO Leadership Panel” and “U.S. Lodging Industry Summit Panel,” with insight from notable industry leaders.

Marlene Colucci, executive vice president of public policy for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), along with a panel of prominent legislative leaders, will present the 2009 Hospitality Leadership Forum keynote address from 12:45 – 2:15 pm on Saturday. Colucci is the force behind AH&LA’s policy agenda and lobbying efforts, providing guidance on all legislative and regulatory matters impacting members and directing the association’s political activity. In addition, she works directly with members of Congress and the administration to promote travel and tourism as an industry. Prior to joining AH&LA in 2005, Colucci served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush in the Office of Domestic Policy. In that capacity, she coordinated all labor, transportation and postal reform policy initiatives for the White House. Prior to that, she was appointed by the President to serve at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., as both the deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs and as counsel to the Deputy Secretary of Labor. (Marlene Colucci headshot available upon request).

Hospitality Leadership Forum registration, which includes the Saturday keynote luncheon and admission to exhibits November 8-10, is $139 per person and available online, at www.ihmrs.com.

Seminars will continue throughout Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9, addressing such topics as “Inside the Buyer’s Brain,” “Grabbing More Market Share,” “Attracting International Guests,” “When Will the Big Apple Bounce Back,” “Understanding Hotel Ratings Companies,” “How Congress’ Legislative Battles on Healthcare, Labor and Corporate Responsibility Impact the Hospitality Industry,” and “What Does Today’s Hotel Guest Really Want?”

The New York Marketplace, a new 8,000 square foot foodservice-focused area developed in conjunction with The M. Tucker Company, will serve as the venue for chef Q&A’s and seminars. Chefs will share insight and fine dining direction in one-on-one interviews with trade publication editors, while seminars will address applying retail merchandising techniques to your foodservice operations, survival tactics for commercial foodservice operators, email marketing for the foodservice industry and the issues surrounding school foodservice programs.

Seminars taking place on Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9, are free of charge for registered attendees of the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. Registration is $30 through October 10, and $50 after this date, and available online at www.ihmrs.com.

The 94^th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show will run Saturday, November 7, through Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Following a full-day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 7, the IH/M&RS will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 10.

The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association; and is managed by GLM^®, LLC.

For IH/M&RS exhibitor information, contact Lynn White, show manager, at GLM, 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604-3547. Telephone (914) 421-3249. Fax (914) 948-6197. E-mail:lynn_white@glmshows.com. For attendee information, contact GLM Customer Relations at (914) 421-3237, or by email, at customer_relations@glmshows.com. Additional information and registration is available online, at www.ihmrs.com.

Room 1E07
Each year, more and more changes occur in the travel industry. It is a business imperative to keep current and know what those industry changes entail. These leaders will conduct a candid discussion on the issues facing the travel industry today, while giving perspective on the future path of the industry. Moderator: John Russell, IH/M&RS board member and chief executive officer, NYLO Hotels. Panelists: Jim Abrahamson, president, InterContinental Hotels Group, The Americas; Alexandra Champalimaud, president & principal designer, Champalimaud; Michael Gibbons, president & CEO, Mainstreet Ventures and chairman, National Restaurant Association Board of Directors; Hubert Joly, president & CEO, Carlson Hotels Worldwide; and Jeff Wagoner, president, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Keynote Session: “U.S. Lodging Industry Summit Panel”
Room 1E07
Recognized experts in their disciplines will supply a wealth of cutting-edge data for five key business segments. This forum offers information on seasonal performance and future trends, forming a complete picture, to help hoteliers plan future strategies. Moderator: John R. Campbell, secretary/treasurer, AH&LA and general manager, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Panelists: Patrick H. Ford, president, Lodging Econometrics; Mark V. Lomanno, president, STR; Robert Mandelbaum, director of research information services, PKF Hospitality Research; Warren J. Marr, director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and Douglas K. Shifflet, chairman & CEO, D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Ltd.

Marlene Colucci,executive vice president, public policy, American Hotel & Lodging Association.

How has the emergence of social media and smart phone technology opened up new avenues for hotel marketers? What are the best uses for these new technologies, and should hotels put more effort marketing via website such as Twitter and electronics such as the iPhone? An expert panel examines these emerging trends and their potential impact on the hotel industry. Moderator: Len Vermillion, editor, Lodging Magazine & editorial director, McNeill Group Inc. Panelists: Ryan Bower, director of CRM, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; David Doucette, executive director, internet marketing, Fairmont Raffles Hotels; and Chris Malone, chief marketing officer, Choice Hotels International.

“Lodging Outlook: Where Are We? Where Are We Going? And How Do We Get There?”

ISHC members representing several different areas of expertise will share a candid look at where we are in the investment cycle and how to plan for the future. Moderator: Matthew Arrants, director, Pinnacle Advisory Group. Panelists: William M. Bosch, partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Bonnie E. Buckhiester, ISCH, president & CEO, Buckhiester Management USA Inc.; Janna L. Hesser, ISCH, principal, Quality Management Services, LLC; Thomas Marone, principal, Warnick + Company; and Rick Pastorino, principal, REVPAR International, Inc.

This panel discussion will address subtopics related to talent retention and attraction, cost savings measures (comp & benefits; safety & workers’ compensation; cross training); status of EFCA legislation and other timely topics. The session will focus on how everyone is doing more with less, but with an emphasis on practical solutions or ideas that some hotels or companies are introducing to navigate through this challenging time in our industry. Moderator: Dr. Nicholas J. Hadgis, dean, School or Hospitality Management, Widener University. Panelists: Cindy Johnson, director of human resources, The Broadmoor; Alan Momeyer, vice president, human resources, Loews Corporation; and Andria L. Ryan, Esq., Fisher & Phillips, LLP.

This discussion on smart CapEx today considers that people are watching every dollar. Get the insider’s view on new purchasing strategies for today’s economy, including how firms are getting the most for their dollars and innovative solutions for FF&A purchasing. Moderator: Michelle Finn, vice president, Hospitality Design Group/Nielsen Business Media. Panelists: Craig Amos, senior vice president, capital investments, Apple REIT Investors; Alan Benjamin, ISHP, ISHC, president, Benjamin West; and Karen Rubin, CRE, CHA, MAI, senior vice president, feasibility & investment analysis, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

This session will report the results of 2009 Hotel Guest Technology Study. It will identify the technologies that result in higher guest satisfaction and make guests come back to the brand.

Moderator: Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu, associate professor, University of Delaware. Panelists: Pearl Brewer, Ph.D., professor and executive director of graduate studies, University of Nevada; Timucin Dis, chief information officer, Rixos Hotels; and Kevin H. Smith, executive vice president, Hotel Dynamics, LLC.

This simulated focus group of frequent travelers gets you behind the scenes of what inspires new and repeat business. Moderated by a market research expert who knows the questions to ask to elicit valuable information, you’ll leave this session with key insight on how you should allocate your resources and market your property based on consumer preferences. Moderator: Regina Lewis, Ph.D., vice president, consumer insights, InterContinental Hotels Group. Panelists: Michael Davidson, vice president, national circulation sales, USA TODAY; Geoff Feingold, MHS, director of national accounts, hospitality, HD Supply; Gary Leopold, president & CEO, ISM; and Janet Stein, country manager, US, Hastens Beds.

Learn how to bring more business to your restaurant with a coordinated email marketing program. With more than 20 years experience developing and implementing marketing strategies for businesses and organizations in a variety of industries, Wendy Caplan Carroll coaches small businesses and organizations on best practices of email marketing, designing strategic marketing initiatives and developing creative approaches to marketing with the use of online tools. Speaker: Wendy Caplan-Carroll, Constant Contact.

Capture more market share as a hospitality vendor by hearing directly from client-side decision makers about what they look for in their suppliers. Both industry newcomers and veterans will learn how to change their selling tactics to remain competitive in the downturned economy and to be prepared for the economy of tomorrow. An interactive dialogue with a panel of top-level hotel executives - from independent to corporate organizations - provide candid advice and solutions for how to garner more of this multi-billion dollar industry in the coming year. Speakers: Rich Bennett, vice president of design & supply, Best Western International, Inc.; Jim Gwinn, director of purchasing, Ocean Properties; and Cary T. Schirmer, CEO, HPG International, LLC.

Today’s hoteliers need to find a way to take business from their competitive set as a means of both thriving and surviving in a down economy. Moderator: Chris Ostrowski, managing editor, Hotel Business magazine. Panelists: Gerry Chase, president & COO, Newcastle Hotels & Resorts; Greg Champion, chief operating officer, Benchmark Hospitality International; Doug Dreher, president and CEO, The Hotel Group; and Robert Habeeb, president, First Hospitality Group.

Learn how to manage your hotel’s environmental performance using newly-launched GreenQuest to record your energy usage and measure your carbon footprint with direct input to EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Additionally, tracking is the best way to qualify ROI and this session will show you to watch your energy, water, and waste savings add up. Moderator: Patrick Maher, partner, The Maher Group. Panelists: Mark Breuker, principal, Burton Energy Group; Andrew Schulte, senior associate consultant, ICF International, working in support of ENERGY STAR; and Jeff Slye, CEO, chief evolution officer, Business Evolution Consulting.

International guests hold varying cultural norms that impact their perceptions of your staff and your property. Word choice, personal space, hand gestures, and more differ by nationality, and your staff must be cognizant of these disparities to ensure high levels of guest satisfaction and effective conflict resolution. Often times you may not even be aware you’re committing a cultural taboo, but our seasoned panel will address communication techniques that appeal to the top five international visitor arrivals to help you garner more repeat business in this lucrative market. Moderator: Julie P. Heizer, deputy director, industry outreach, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce. Panelists: Jasmin Acevedo, international & diplomatic sales manager, Grand Hyatt New York; Daniel J. Costello, director of human resources & labor counsel, InterContinental The Barclay New York;Ross Hosking, executive vice president of global sales, Wyndham Hotel Group; Christine DaSilva, director of global media relations, Wyndham Hotel Group; and Gail Sayadian, director of group, tour & meetings, Choice Hotels International.

“Applying Today’s Hottest Retail Merchandizing Techniques to Your Foodservice Operation”

In these challenging economic times, creating a floor plan that yields the most per square foot is more important than ever. Foodservice operators from restaurants to business and institutional operators are seeking creative solutions to maximize revenues. Many of those answers are coming from non-traditional retail operations. This fast-paced seminar will highlight creative techniques from floor-planning and utilizing the right fixtures and cases to menu and product concepts that can be implemented with minimal expenditure. Moderator: Fred Klashman, president/publisher, TFS/IDA MEDIA. Panelists: Mike Egan, Sani-Floor, Inc.; and Michael Purcell, Multiteria.

Like the rest of the industry, the New York City hotel market has been battered by the recession. Occupancies, rates and RevPAR have been down across all segments and sub-markets. A panel of Big Apple general managers, sales directors and consultants will present their business forecast for the winter and beyond and share their marketing and operational strategies to succeed in tough times. Moderator: Ed Watkins, editor, Lodging Hospitality magazine. Panelists: Vijay Dandapani, president & COO, Apple Core Hotels; John Fitzpatrick, CEO North America, Fitzpatrick Hotel Group; Sean Hennessey, CEO, Lodging Advisors; and Michael Silberstein, general manager, Crowne Plaza Times Square.

“Critical Topics in Managing Human Resources: What You Need to Know to Stay Ahead”

This seminar will address the use of social networks for both recruiting or as a candidate, preparing yourself for a leadership role including today’s skills and competencies, hot topics in HR including a legislative update, healthcare and more. Utilizing Social Networks in Attracting and Managing Your Talent - Panelists: Carolyn D. Richmond, co-chair, hospitality practice group, Fox-Rothshild, LLP and Kristy Seidel, manager of recruiting, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts;

Preparing Yourself or others for a Leadership Role - Panelists: Leo Campbell, corporate manager of education and career development, Loews Hotels and Jenny Lucas, corporate director of education and development, Loews Hotels; Flexible Staffing Strategies in the Current Economic Environment - Panelist: J. Bruce Tracey, associate professor of management, Cornell University.

“Making a Difference with Customer Service or Customer Relationship Management”

Given the economic situation, hotels and tourism sites are working hard to build customer loyalty and to provide reasons for guests to purchase their services. A review of customer relationship practices, originally developed to improve that loyalty and ensure repeat patrons, and good customer service procedures indicate that both can make a difference. They represent disparate approaches, each with their own strengths and challenges. Analyzing their effectiveness will show what you need to pay attention to in your business and how to build the emotional connection that keeps customers coming back. Speakers: Cynthia S. Deale, PhD, associate professor of hospitality management, East Carolina University; and Frederic B. Mayo, PhD, clinical professor of hospitality and tourism management, New York University.

Keynote Session: “Women in Lodging: PINK’s Founding Publisher Reveals Her Story”

What does success look like and how do you get there?! You won’t want to miss Founding Publisher of PINK Genevieve Bos talk about her vision of creating the ideal magazine for women who want a beautiful career and a beautiful life. The magazine’s mission – to inspire smart women to get even more out of their careers and their lives by being their authentic self and thinking more like an entrepreneur – will also serve as the theme for this session. Bos will also provide insight into what her readers are looking for in terms of their travel plans, and likes and dislikes. PINK has won multiple national industry awards for magazine content some have called “Fortune meets Oprah,” the Website, and conferences, with a growing readership of more than 650,000 career women. Presented by Genevieve Bos, founding publisher, PINK Magazine.

Filmmaker and mom Amy Kalafa of “Two Angry Moms” was fed up with her children eating highly-processed food filled with additives and preservatives at school. Her goal is to have moms unite to look at what children are eating in schools and learn what we can do to ensure that more nutritious food is served. Timely, controversial and cutting edge, the “Two Angry Moms” film and movement address an issue of great concern to parents across the country. What is happening to the health of our children and how does school food factor in? There will be a free screening of the movie. Speaker: Amy Kalafa, A-RAY Productions, Two Angry Moms.

Hotels and restaurants are dynamic environments. Customers and employees come from every walk of life. Typically the pace is fast and relationships are important. At the same time they are businesses. Supervisors are entrusted with managing the assets, and profitability is the primary measure of success. In their day-to-day activities, managers will be called upon to make many (quick) decisions. These may prove to be ethically challenging as they attempt to balance the needs of the business with those of their customers and employees – as well as personal beliefs. In this session the following will be considered – Are there accepted business practices? And are there things that ought to be done or not done – because they are the right thing to do?

Speakers: Richard F. Ghiselli, PhD, CCE, professor & department head, department of hospitality & tourism management, Purdue University; and Mick Lalopa, PhD, professor, department of hospitality & tourism management, Purdue University.

This seminar will feature executives from the country’s top rating companies. These executives will educate attendees on the various processes of each of their rating system and will discuss how property ratings are formulated. Each company will also address the procedure by which they allow guests to post ratings on their web sites. Moderator: Lydia Westbrook, research director, AH&LA Information Center. Panelists: Shane O’Flaherty, president & CEO, Forbes Travel Guide; Douglas K. Shifflet, chairman & CEO, D.K. Shifflet & Assoc. Ltd.; and Tony Perrone, regional manager, AAA National.

“Bottom Line or Hard Line? How Congress’ Legislative Battles on Healthcare, Labor, and Corporate Responsibility Impact America’s Hospitality Industry”

Come hear from top Washington insiders about what is going on in Washington. One year into the Obama Administration, decisions that are being made today will affect your health care, labor negotiations, energy usage, taxes, tourism promotion, foreign labor pool and many other issues. How is Washington working for you and what should motivate you into action?

Moderator: Marlene Colucci, senior vice president for public policy, American Hotel & Lodging Association. Panelists: David J. Evans, group vice president, government relations, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation; Janine Jones Smith, consultant, JonesSmith Consulting; Kevin Maher, senior vice president of governmental affairs, American Hotel & Lodging Association; Joy Rothschild, senior vice president, human resources, Omni Hotels; and Max Sandlin, U.S. House of Representatives (D-Texas-1) ret.

“Survival Tactics for Commercial Foodservice Operators”
The New York Marketplace, Booth 2000

With the economic downturn, you should be exploring how you can further leverage your employees and work your resources to determine how to drive revenue and identify savings. The economic tsunami will transform many business models and it is critical for commercial and non-commercial foodservice operations to maintain and expand their networks, employees’ high motivation and ethics. If you are looking for solutions to execute in your environment, this session is for you. Speaker: Marsha Diamond, MA, RD, International Speaker, Advisor and Coach, M.Diamond, LLC.

As a follow up to last year’s successful Bootcamp, the Under 30 Gateway invites young professionals to participate in these fast-paced roundtables, featuring discussions led by industry experts on generational communication, effective networking, issues on the Hill, high growth segments and cities, and inter-office communication. It’s everything you want to know, need to know, and were too embarrassed to ask. See you there, front and center.

Speakers: Toma Brashear, franchise development & investor, NYLO Hotels; Melissa Froehlich Flood, vice president, government affairs, Marriott International, Inc.; Jamie Notter, vice president, organizational effectiveness, Management Solutions Plus; Alan Tuttle, manager university relations, Marriott International; and Becky Wedemeyer, vice president, organizational development & learning, Choice Hotels International.

This interactive and entertaining panel will discuss what guests say they want in their travel experience and what they expect from a hotel. How have technological developments changed customer expectations and how can they be leveraged to keep guests coming back? Also, the panel will explore some unique products and services hotels offer that allows them to consistently attract frequent business travelers, satisfy meeting planners and intrigue the leisure guests. Moderator: Frank Wolfe, CAE, chief executive officer, Hospitality Finance and Technology Professionals. Panelists: Ted Horner, owner, E Horner & Associates Pty Ltd.; and Richard Siegal, publisher, Hospitality Upgrade magazine.

In a changing world, creative and courageous thought is more important than ever. Each year, boutique DESIGN magazine seeks out such young, envelope-pushing designers for its feature, Boutique 18. This year’s group embodies the spirit of adventure, raw talent and progressive thinking that will propel the hospitality interior design industry into a brave new world. Moderator: Kelly Hushin, editor-in-chief, boutique DESIGN magazine. Panelists: Charles de Lisle, principal, The Charles de Lisle Workshop; and Alexis Readinger, principal, Preen, Inc.