17th Annual Southern Lodging Summit Conference Scheduled for August 27th & 28th in Memphis, Tenn.

Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit (SLS), an annual hotel conference focusing on development and operations throughout the southern United States, today announced it will host its annual conference August 27-28, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. Confirmed Speakers include Mitch Patel, president & CEO, Vision Hospitality Group; Rick Pastorino, president, REVPAR International; Jane Cooper, president & COO, Herschend Family Entertainment; Mary Beth Cutshall, senior vice president/chief development officer, Hospitality Ventures Management Group; and Dianna Vaughan, global head, all suites brands, Hilton. Though regular entry costs $637, a discounted “Early Bird” rate of $597 runs through July 15, 2019.

“With the industry enjoying historic occupancy levels and near record rate growth, there is plenty for hoteliers to celebrate,” said Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company and conference co-founder. “The Southern Lodging Summit is the ideal venue for industry professionals to learn about what is hot today while simultaneously planning for tomorrow. As we approach our 20^th year, this conference seems as germane today, if not more so, than the year we started it.”

Now in its 17^th year, the conference launches with the SLS’ signature Luncheon with the Speakers at the world-famous Rendezvous BBQ Restaurant. Following the luncheon and afternoon activity, the opening day offers the “March of the Ducks” at the Peabody and an evening cocktail reception and epicurean dinner. Day Two commences at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, kicking off with industry prognosticators STR and CBRE presenting past and current trends. Additional panels throughout the day will focus on CapEx, national/state legislative update, “visionary viewpoints” from industry leaders and “unbranding the brands,” where panelists will discuss independent and soft brands.

Additionally, the conference hosts an online auction that is scheduled to run from August 1 through August 29, 2019. Auction items include packages for hotels and resorts, trips, and unique, one-of-a-kind experiences.

Celebrating its 17^th year, the Southern Lodging Summit was co-founded by Pinkowski & Company, an independent hotel industry consulting firm headquartered in Memphis, and Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association. The hospitality industry event brings together hotel professionals who target the southern and mid-south region of the United States for development and operations. The annual event draws a diverse group of owners, operators, sales executives, financial institutions, architects, attorneys, and hotel company representatives.