ULI Hosts The Hotel Business: When Will We Wake Up? Nov. 18

Nov. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- ATLANTA – ULI Atlanta, a district council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), will host a seminar “The Hotel Business: When Will We Wake Up?” on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Presented by the ULI’s Young Leaders Group, the seminar will feature four panelists who will discuss the current state of the hotel industry and the direction it is heading. This presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the 14th floor of Ventanas located on 275 Baker Street.

“The Hotel Business: When Will We Wake Up?” will explore facts and figures surrounding the 62 percent decline in metro Atlanta’s hotel occupancy between 2008 and 2009. The event will be moderated by R. Mark Woodworth, President of PKF Hospitality Research who is nationally known for his work in hospitality forecasting and analysis. The discussion panel will consist of Loews Hotels’ Regional Vice President and Managing Director, Valerie C. Ferguson, Common Sense Consulting President, Khalil Johnson, CEO of NYLO Hotels, John Russell and Chairman and CEO of the West Paces Hotel Group, Horst Schulze.

“Most companies have slashed travel budgets and people have postponed vacation plans. While hotels have been hurt by these trends – the hospitality sector typically leads the recovery of the commercial real estate industry” maintains Jeff DuFresne, Executive Director of ULI Atlanta. “Hotels present a ‘pure timing play’…always be prepared to sell before the market rebounds”.

The event is open to the public. Those interested in participating should visit http://www.uliatlanta.org to for pricing information. For more information about the ULI’s upcoming seminar, please contact the ULI at 770.951.8500.

Directions to the Ventanas: If you are heading south on I-85 or I-75 toward Atlanta take Exit 249C – Williams Street Turn right onto Baker Street and then make another right onto Marietta Street. Self parking entrance is immediately on your right where discounted self parking will be available for $5. Walk to the Baker Street pedestrian entrance of Ventanas. If you are using Marta, take the East/West line to the Phillips Arena Stop. Go east to Marietta Street and proceed north for one block to the intersection of Baker and Marietta. Ventanas is across from the Aquarium at the top of the 275 Baker Street building.

About the ULI Young Leaders Group:
The Young Leaders Group creates a unique setting for the leaders of tomorrow's real estate industry to interact, both professionally and socially, with the leaders of today. Occurring nearly every month, YLG events include panel discussions, presentations, tours, and socials to help ULI members under the age of 35 expand their networks, learn about developments throughout Atlanta, and hear how industry leaders have found success.

About the ULI:
ULI Atlanta brings together real estate experts, land use professionals and other stakeholders to support community building by addressing land use issues, identifying challenges to better land use and development, highlighting best practices from across the country, and developing new solutions to improve land use patterns.

As a district council of the Urban Land Institute, ULI Atlanta advances responsible land use policy and real estate development practice throughout greater Atlanta. The nonprofit group is supported by its members. They examine land use issues, impartially report their findings and convene forums to find solutions to complex land use problems. For more information on ULI Atlanta, call 770-951-8500 or visit http://www.ULIatlanta.org.