NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference Videos

Due to COVID-19, 2020 was a year of deep disruption for the hospitality industry across the global spectrum.  During the annual CEOs Check In panel, top industry leaders shared and compared notes on how the year has unfolded, their current perspectives, their challenges, what they are learning and their expectations for what’s next.  Moderated by Kelly Evans, anchor, The Exchange and co-anchor, Power Lunch, CNBC, the panel featured: Keith Barr, chief executive officer, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG); Sébastien M. Bazin, chairman and chief executive officer, Accor; Mark S. Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation; David Kong, president and chief executive officer, BWH Hotel Group; Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton; and Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief executive officer, Marriott International.

The economic and societal stresses of the global pandemic have underscored, more sharply than ever before, how public policy directly impacts the lodging and travel industries, including you, your business, and your associates. The issues are manifold, touching not only upon the issues of immigration, labor, and workplace safety, but also, upon aid, basic travel mobility, and hygiene. Hear about the hot-button policy issues from the individuals who are not only leading the national dialogue, but who are also leading the organizations that most directly influence Washington. This panel was moderated by Conference Chair, Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels & Co. and co-chairman of the Board of Loews Corporation, and featured: Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer, U.S. Travel Association; Andy Ingraham, president, founder and chief executive officer, National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD); Chip Rogers, president and chief executive officer, AHLA; and Cecil P. Staton, president and chief executive officer, AAHOA.

A View from the Front Lines: Steps Hotel Owners are Taking to Pivot toward Recovery

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry faces myriad challenges that are rapidly evolving as new developments occur. Often the most helpful and intuitive insights come from those experts on the front line. This panel was informed by the Tisch Center's highly successful alumni and brought together those who could discuss the most pressing issues, including what is happening to hotel values, how owners are evaluating the decision to open or stay closed, how the mix of operating cost reductions, and safety-related enhancements are affecting break-even levels. Moderated by Sean Hennessey, assistant professor, NYU School of Professional Studies, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, the panel featured the following Tisch Center alumni: John Paulsen, vice president, hotel asset value enhancement, HotelAve; Steen Petri, senior vice president, investments, HEI Hotels & Resorts; and Evan Weiss, chief operating officer, Principal, LW Hospitality Advisors.

In the midst of the unprecedented pressures this year has brought, how have the brands adapted? Top thought leaders from the brand side of the business share what they have done, what they have learned, and what can be expected in the coming months and beyond. Moderated by Rick Ross, chair, Global Hotels and Leisure, Dentons, this panel included: Jim Alderman, chief executive officer, Radisson Hotel Group, Americas; Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Bruce Haase, president and chief executive officer, Extended Stay America; Patrick Pacious, president and chief executive officer, Choice Hotels International.

The pandemic will resolve in time, but between the unprecedented adjustments that have been required in addition to neccessity to incorporate new technology and protocols in real time, the hospitality businesses are unlikely to revert to old operational paradigms. Significant changes in the industry's operations began prior to this year’s events, but the pace of those changes have accelerated and will continue to evolve in the months and years to come. Hear experts weigh in on changing travel patterns, the advent of big data, emerging technologies, changes in labor models, evolving food & beverage trends, and how these exigencies are all spelling out a new future for hospitality. Moderated by Sean Hennessey, assistant professor, NYU School of Professional Studies, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, this panel's participants included: Jenny Lucas, senior vice president, Operations, Loews Hotels & Co.; Jonathan Segal, executive chairman, The ONE Group Hospitality; and Jay Stein, chief executive officer, Dream Hotel Group.

IREFAC is a highly respected industry organization, operating under the AHLA umbrella. When members convene, they discuss the latest deals, industry occurrences, and trends. Many IREFAC participant firms provide funding that enables deals to come to fruition. This session affords Conference attendees an “inside look” at an IREFAC meeting. Co-moderated by Jon E. Bortz, chairman and chief executive officer, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and Michael Murphy, head of lodging and leisure capital, First Fidelity Companies, panelists included: Mark W. Elliott, president, Hodges Ward Elliott; Kevin J. Jacobs, chief financial officer and president, global development, Hilton; Christopher J. Jordan, executive vice president, Wells Fargo; Michael G. Medzigian, chairman and chief executive officer, Watermark Lodging Trust, Inc; and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, chief executive officer, Americas, JLL Hotels & Hospitality. 

Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton received the IREFAC AWARD, which was presented by: Laurence Geller,
chairman, Geller Capital Partners and Michael Murphy, head of lodging and leisure capital, First Fidelity Companies

The four-way intersection between the hotel capital stack, brand, operations, and guest experience has always been complex. Now it is even more so. Hear industry leaders’ thoughts on navigating it during these tumultuous times—where can you go, where should you stop, and where must you proceed with caution? This panel was moderated by Jeffrey A. Horwitz, senior partner, Proskauer. Panelists included: Michael D. Bluhm, managing director, Global Head of Gaming & Lodging, Morgan Stanley-Investment Banking; Sean M. Dell’Orto, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Park Hotels & Resorts; R. Tyler Morse, chairman and chief executive officer, MCR; Dilip Petigara, chief executive officer, Access Point Financial; Mitesh Shah, chief executive officer and senior managing Principal, Noble Investment Group.

Due to COVID-19, society, work life, and home life have changed dramatically overnight. As we continue to adapt, how will these changes play out in the travel and lodging space? Underlying the immediate exigencies of the pandemic is the unwavering march forward of new technology and new players in the travel field. Will these innovation and disruptions save us or change us? Will they tether us or free us? What is going to change about how we travel right now, and in the years to come. This panel was moderatd by Jeffrey Weinstein, editor in chief, HOTELS. Panelists included: David A. Adler, chairman and founder, Bizbash; Caryn Seidman-Becker, chairman and chief executive officer, CLEAR; Fred Dixon, president and chief executive officer, NYC & Company; and Ariane Gorin, president, Expedia Business Services.

“Keep Calm and Do the Math” rings true this year more than ever. Hear from two of the top industry research and consultation specialists about the numbers behind 2020, and what history tells us we can expect next. Moderated by Robert M. Mandelbaum, director of research information services, CBRE Hotels Research, this panel included the expertise of: Amanda W. Hite, president, STR and Stephen Rushmore, Jr., president and chief executive officer, HVS.