NEW YORK— Political commentators and strategists Mary Matalin and James Carville will deliver the keynote address at the 2007 Hospitality Leadership Forum. The full-day conference for senior level hospitality managers will take place on Saturday, Nov. 10, preceding the 92nd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. The IH/M&RS runs from Nov. 11-13 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here. The keynote address will offer attendees a look at today’s most important global political issues as well as a behind-the-scenes look at Washington, DC politics, according to Christian Falkenberg, show manager. “Matalin and Carville are sure to deliver an engaging and lively discussion about current political issues, while providing insight about winning strategies for success,” Falkenberg said. “We expect attendees to learn from their passion and ambition and walk away with a sound understanding of politics and the role they can take to influence change.” Matalin is currently editor-in-chief of Threshold Editions, publishers of several books aligned with her conservative political views. She most recently served as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney. Previously, Matalin hosted Crossfire, CNN’s debate show, and also co-hosted CNBC’s talk show, Equal Time. Carville is a political consultant well known for steering campaigns to victories. His early career of campaign management included the 1986 gubernatorial victory of Pennsylvania’s Robert Casey. In 1992, he guided Bill Clinton to the presidency and was subsequently named Campaign Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants for his leadership of Clinton’s “War Room” at campaign headquarters in Little Rock, AR. This led to the Academy Award nominated documentary, The War Room. Also highlighting the 4th annual Hospitality Leadership Forum is the CEO Leadership Panel and U.S. Lodging Industry Summit Panel, which will feature top level industry executives discussing the current state and future of the industry. Other topics to be addressed throughout the full-day conference include hospitality design, technology, sustainability, leadership, food and beverage and more. Following Saturday’s conference and networking activities, the IH/M&RS will feature three days of exhibits and seminars. The event will present 1,250 hospitality industry suppliers and is expected to attract approximately 35,000 in total trade attendance. The show will expand its international reach this year and feature more than 90 international companies representing at least 20 countries, and it will draw nearly 1,500 international buyers, Falkenberg reported. “As distribution systems become more refined and suppliers are able to sell globally with greater ease, the IH/M&RS becomes a greater and greater medium for bringing together international buyers and sellers of hospitality industry products and services,” he said. Countries represented by exhibiting suppliers will include Australia; Brazil; Canada; China; France; Israel; Ireland; Italy; Japan; South Korea; Spain; Switzerland; Taiwan; Tunisia; Turkey; the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. Falkenberg noted that the Italian Trade Commission will feature 15 companies with products for hotels. A second Italian pavilion, from the region of Lazio, will have eight companies displaying food and restaurant products. Resources to be featured from international exhibitors include bathroom amenities; bed linens; entertainment systems; flat-panel televisions; food service equipment; luxury bedding; seating; specialty teas; security systems; tabletop products and more. The IH/M&RS is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. It is managed by George Little Management.
