NEW YORK—Attendees at the 37th Annual NYU International Hospitality Investment Conference being held here at the Marriott Marquis might ponder the succinct observations of this morning’s panelists who composed The Leaders Forum in describing the current state of the lodging industry.
Moderator Scott D. Berman asked for one-word answers from his group, which included: Jim Abrahamson, CEO, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc.; Kirk Kinsell, president/CEO, Loews Hotels & Resorts; Lou Plasencia, CEO, The Plasencia Group; J. Allen Smith, president/CEO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; and Simon H. Turner, president/global development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
And the word up for the industry?
“Buoyant”—Turner
“Competitive”—Smith
“Fortunate”—Plasencia
“Denial”—Kinsell
“Changing”—Abrahamson
—Stefani C. O’Connor