BLLA’s Annual New York Event Features Testimonies from Fashion Leader Varvatos, Hotel Pioneer Pomeranc; Hospitality Leaders Tout Influx of Investments

NEW YORK, NY, USA, June 12, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association's (BLLA) annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference last week featured testimonies about "staying boutique" from fashion leader John Varvatos, lifestyle hotel pioneer Jason Pomeranc, streetwear guru Jeff Carvalho and high-end coffee roaster Todd Carmichael, while announcing a name change to the nine-year-old trade organization.

The conference, which attracted more than 350 hoteliers, lifestyle executives, fashion icons and other attendees to Manhattan's The Times Center on June 6, highlighted the common philosophy between boutique hospitality and the fashion, retail, wellness and technology industries. The event's 40-plus speakers and panelists included Vox Media Chief Commercial Officer Lindsay Nelson and Plated Co-Founder and CEO Josh Hix, in addition to Varvatos, Pomeranc, Carvalho, who is a Partner from Highsnobiety and Carmichael, who is Co-Founder and CEO of La Colombe Coffee Roasters.
Panelists and attendees conducted lively discussions about entrepreneurship, the next generation of boutique money and how the concept of boutique is shifting beyond hospitality. With that in mind, the BLLA announced its name change from the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association to the Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association.

"We noticed that the word 'lodging' didn't describe our organization anymore," said Ariela Kiradjian, COO of BLLA. "What we realized is that our association gathered all of the fantastic global minds of boutique."

Among other conference highlights was Arlo Hotels Managing Director Javier Egipciaco's announcement that a new Arlo Hotel will be developed at New York's Hudson Yards, with other potential sites in Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Boston.

Pomeranc, who co-founded Thompson Hotels in 2001 and is the founder and owner of SIXTY Hotels, talked about how boutique-hotel investment activity was poised to increase in regions such as the Pacific Northwest and Texas as well as how older buildings can be repositioned to create a new lifestyle experience. Jacques and Rakel Cohen, whose Euro Capital Properties reopened the Watergate Hotel in 2016, detailed the fascinating story behind redeveloping the iconic and infamous Washington, D.C. property.

Meanwhile, Menin Hospitality's Jared Galbut and Keith Menin talked about the rise in Miami's stature as a boutique-hotel mecca as well as potential areas of development throughout the city.

Technology was also an ongoing theme throughout the all-day conference, with many panelists discussing the advantages smaller companies have over larger organizations when it comes to implementing new systems and amenities. "Smaller boutique brands can make decisions substantially faster in tech than larger organizations, putting them at a huge advantage," sad LG Electronics' Vice President Mike Kosla. "Boutiques can be more nimble," added KEYPR CEO Robert Stevenson. "They can discover what needs to be done, and you don't have to solve the problem over 50 hotels at the same time."

Additionally, Shannon L. McLay of The Financial Gym and Siobhan O'Leary of Convene explored the importance of financial wellness. "Design your culture and benefits platform the way you design services in hotels" said O'Leary.

BLLA also announced that Stay-Boutique.com, the world's first and only direct booking platform for boutique and lifestyle hotels, will officially re-launch this fall. For more information, www.globalboutiquedomination.com.

About BLLA
BLLA (Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association) is the world’s most innovative and progressive organization dedicated to the luxury independent boutique lifestyle industries. The association connects the world’s most dynamic executives with cutting edge business and operational insight. BLLA’s membership benefits allow access to the world’s leading minds in the space through events, research and education. Our mission is to provide leadership and opportunities for global recognition and connections to the world’s best companies. All resulting in strategic interactions and access to information that helps people and organizations thrive. Join the movement that BLLA gave birth to in 2009 and become a part of something that is truly unique, exciting and inspirational. www.blla.org

Frances Kiradjian
BLLA (Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association)
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