The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Announces 4 Additional Award Categories For 2013

"It's like winning an Emmy."

Los Angeles, CA, August 20, 2013 – The hospitality industry's top boutique, lifestyle and luxury hotels and supplier vendors are competing for the top spots in the BLLA 2013 Awards. The new categories this year include the following: 1 - WORKPLACE SAFETY AWARD, 2 - ADAPTIVE REUSE OF A HISTORIC STRUCTURE AWARD, 3 - VOICE RESERVATIONS - BEST PRACTICES AWARD and 4 - PROPERTY GUEST ENGAGEMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD. These categories are in addition to the PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD given at last year's conference as well as HOTELIER OF THE YEAR, BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR and LIFESTYLE HOTEL OF THE YEAR given away at another venue last year.

The addition of these categories set the stage for what is becoming the pre-eminent boutique and lifestyle luxury conference and awards event. The awards allow properties and people in the industry the opportunity to become recognized by their peers. Past winners have much to say about winning these awards; "Our BLLA BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2012 award propelled us forward in incredible ways -- we've been lauded so much since then with Forbes, AAA, Good to Great, Conde Nast, and others," stated Jeff Lehman, GM of THE BETSY - SOUTH BEACH. Additionally, Tim Dixon, owner of the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee and winner of both BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR and HOTELIER OF THE YEAR 2011, stated "We're so excited to receive these awards. Our hotel has quickly become a diamond in the rough and receiving this form of recognition from the industry's only official boutique hotel association, BLLA, is like winning an Emmy!"

BLLA's annual Hospitality Awards are held each year giving hotels as well as suppliers/vendors the opportunity to be globally recognized for excellence in several categories. Fully-registered attendees of the Boutique Lifestyle International Leadership Symposium being held in Los Angeles October 21-23, 2012 at The Hollywood Roosevelt, a Thompson Hotel will enjoy a festive gala dinner on Tuesday evening where BLLA will announce the 2013 Award WINNERS & FINALISTS to some very special individuals and properties who have exhibited remarkable accomplishments and/or a touching life story. Anyone desiring to nominate a property or a person and/or complete the questionnaire for any of the Award categories described above may enter the competition at: bit.ly/BLLA2013Awards.

"We are ecstatic about serving this industry sector and showcasing the best-of-the-best utilizing overall criteria of people and places who are genuine winners and worthy of celebration now and for years to come," said Frances Kiradjian, Founder & Chair of BLLA. "We are also extremely grateful to BLLA's Inner Circle Club members who have co-sponsored this year's newest awards. This includes: The SUITELIFE by Venture for the WORKPLACE SAFETY AWARD, CohnReznick for ADAPTIVE REUSE OF A HISTORIC STRUCTURE AWARD, GUEST DIRECT for VOICE RESERVATIONS - BEST PRACTICES AWARD and VIZERGY for PROPERTY GUEST ENGAGEMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD."

CEO's and independent property owners are gathering in Los Angeles to discuss the sectors opportunities for development, investment and operating profitability. Organized by the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), the annual event has become known for providing the richest content available for owners and managers in this space who are looking for the next holy grail to take their properties to the next level.

The symposium has garnered support from the industry's top executives who take the time to come out and support the conference. The current list of celebrated speakers is available on the conference website HERE.

BLLA THANKS the following sponsors confirmed to-date for their support of the 2013 conference:

DIAMOND LEVEL Sponsors - CohnReznick, FRONTGATE, Greenberg Traurig, Guest Direct, LaBottega , SUITELIFE by Venture Insurance, Vizergy, Yo!Dog Marketing, Concept Amenities, VIVREAU

GOLD LEVEL Sponsors – Agilysys, BDK USA, Cardio-Ready, Clairvoyix, Digital Alchemy, Innovative Hospitality Concepts, LG Electronics, RoamingAround, RoomKey, SFERRA, Ultra Faucets, VTech Hospitality Division

SILVER LEVEL Sponsors: BDK USA,WESSCO INTERNATIONAL

MEDIA Sponsors - Boutique Design, E Turbo News, Hsyndicate, Hospitality Design, Hotel News Now, Hotel Online, Travel and Tour World

COCKTAIL HOUR SPONSORS: Portland Roasting Coffee, MONIN

PARTNERS: The Lodging Conference, Meet the Money, NEWH, CVENT

CHARITY: WHOLE WORLD WATER and SOAP AID

For further information: www.boutiqueleadershipconference.com

About The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA)

The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is the first and only alliance association dedicated to uniting the world's independent boutique and lifestyle hotels and small brands. Created to be the unifying voice of this distinctive subset within the hospitality industry. BLLA's goal is to unite the world's collection of boutique & lifestyle properties and the suppliers that sustain them, offering them the opportunity to successfully compete on a level playing field with major hotel companies, as well as market themselves to meet the ever-increasing demand from discerning boutique-seeking clients. For more information, or to become a member visit www.blla.org.

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