Conference Location:

Long Beach Convention Center

CH&LA held the 2^nd Southern California Hotel & Lodging Conference in conjunction with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) on June 5, 2008.

Search Engine Marketing Seminar

Vikram Singh

The conference attendees learned from many high-quality speakers such as Vikram Singh, CEO of Evision Worldwide. The attendees were excited to go back to their hotels and put the ideas they generated on search engine marketing from the session into play!

Panel Discussion

Real "Going Green" Stories

Stefan Mühle, the General Manager of the Orchard Hotel in San Francisco, Christian Strobel, the Chief Development Officer of JDV Hospitality and John Huey, the Corporate Director of Sustainability for Delaware North were the panelist for the Real "Going Green" Stories seminar.

Stefan Mühle moderated the Going Green Panel.

One of the hotels Stefan manages, The Orchard Garden Hotel, was built to the nationally accepted standards for green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - for which they earned a coveted "Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design" (LEED®) certification.

Going Green Panelists had a lot to say on the subject

John Huey from Delaware North talks about what his company has done to make their properties more energy efficient, while Christian Strobel from JDV Hospitality gets ready to share his properties going green tales.

Panel Discussion

Back by popular demand - CH&LA's Disaster Preparedness Seminar

Phyllis Tan, the LA County Department of Public Health Communications Emergency Preparedness Liaison and Monica Ruzich the Disaster Specialist, Corporate & Community Education from Orange County Red Cross also spoke to the conference attendees on the importance of preparing for an emergency both at home and at work.

Director of Loss Prevention

The Marriott's Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly the Director of Loss Prevention from Marriott spoke on his recent experiences with the San Diego fires.

California Employment Law Update Seminar

Jeff Thurrell

Attorney, Jeff Thurrell from Fisher & Phillips, LLP, presented a California Employment Law Update and had a lot to tell those in attendance about the current wage and hour issues.

California Employment Law Update Seminar

Jeff Thurrell

Jeff is a dynamic speaker who lightens up the seriousness of a law seminar.

Lunchtime!

Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch?

The conference attendees got to enjoy a free delicious lunch while David Kong the CEO & President of Best Western International spoke.

Special Guest Speaker

David speaks to hundreds of attendees.

David Kong presented his views on the present state of the lodging industry and the prognosis for the future.

CH&LA Leadership with David Kong

David Kong with CH&LA's Chair, Peggy Mosley and CH&LA President Jim Abrams.

Panel Discussion with Industry Leaders

After lunch a panel discussion with industry leaders took place with a lively discussion.

Industry Panel Moderator Tony Bruno, Vice-President of Disneyland Resort Hotels & Downtown Disney

Tony fielded questions from the audience.

Industry Leaders

One of the most popular sessions of the day was the industry panel.

On the industry leader panel from left to right were: Cormac O'Modhrain, President, CIM Hotel Group Tarun Patel, AAHOA Jim Butler, Chairman, JMBM, Global Hospitality Group Karl Hoagland, CEO/Chairman, Larkspur Hospitality.

The Trade Show Floor

The trade show, held in the afternoon, was very popular. There were over a 100 exhibitors that participated in this year's trade show.

Trade Show Exhibitor

Phone Suite Inc.

Trade Show Exhibitor

Open Hospitality

Trade Show Exhibitor

Community South Small Business Leading

Trade Show Exhibitor

Danmer Custom Shutters

Victoria Bogust from Danmer Custom Shutters speaks to a conference attendee.

Trade Show Exhibitor

Gilchrist & Soames

The Gilchrist & Soames team enjoyed the trade show.

Trade Show Exhibitor

Fischer & Phillips, LLP

Jackie Greenbaum talks to an attendee about their firm.

Trade Show Exhibitor

Noble Laboratories

Trade Show Exhibitor

PAETEC Communications

Karen Lawenda and Samantha Spencer pose for a quick photo in-between talking to attendees about their communication solution.

Trade Show Exhibitor

Southwest Environmental

John Weber loves talk about water conservation!

Trade Show Exhibitor

Green Suites

Everyone loves a crowded trade show!

The trade show drew attendees from all over Southern California.

CH&LA and AAHOA leadership

Both the CH&LA and AAHOA leadership were pleased with the record attendance that participated in this free educational conference!

(Shown from left to right)

• Tarun Patel, AAHOA Vice Chairman
• Henry Patel, AAHOA Treasurer
• Ashwin "Ash" Patel, AAHOA Chairman
• Peggy Mosley, CH&LA Chair
• Fred Schwartz, AAHOA President
• Jim Abrams, CH&LA President & CEO
• C.K. Patel, AAHOA Secretary