Top hospitality executives come together to support the boutique movement, lead by BLLA — Photo by BLLA

Los Angeles - BLLA, the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association and Founder and CEO, Frances Kiradjian, are pleased to announce that over 40 iconic and up-and-coming executives are confirmed to be a part of the Board of Advisors and various Committees for 2021. The top agenda items for these teams include supporting independent boutique hotels and small brands through the pandemic and into the beginning of profitability. These executives will assist the association in membership expansion, program planning, and a broader educational program for members. The sector has clearly risen in its popularity due to the changing landscape and preference of boutique hotels for investors, operators, and the traveling public.

By banding together in a type of "think tank," these creators, disruptors, and innovators will lay the continued groundwork for boutique hotels to continue to flourish authentically. Their work with BLLA will be integral to ensuring that the next generation of hospitality is one that is genuine, unique, profitable, and inspiring. The 2021 Board of Advisors and Association Committees have a vast array of knowledge in all parts of hospitality, but with a keen passion for the boutique sector. They have all committed to supporting the BLLA mission:

  • To counteract corporate monotony and champion creativity. To forget the forgettable and forge the once-in-a-lifetime. To break down doors and link the most brilliant minds in the hospitality industry. To build on our now 12-year legacy of reimagining the multifaceted future of boutique hotels and the boutique lifestyle—together.

Specifically, the Board of Advisors will be the core group who will help guide the association and provide valuable insights as travel resumes and hotels return to a sense of renewed beginnings, working closely with their communities. The Board will be structured to also provide direction and focus on connecting hoteliers with resources that are appropriate and friendly to boutiques, as well as helping strengthen the boutique community into a cohesive global working group that furthers the segment. There are many projects on the schedule for 2021 including data gathering and research, defining the community as new entities are purchased or merged with other boutique groups (trending), and supporting financial institutions and investors in understanding the many benefits of operating a boutique hotel post-pandemic.

The Board will be lead by BLLA Founder & CEO, Frances Kiradjian, who will continue her role as Chairwoman. Kiradjian states that "the top priorities for the 2021 agenda will be to continue the accelerated movement of investors into the independent boutique segment, supporting hotels through the crisis by offering complimentary services as well as branded properties that want to join the independent upscale ranks, advocating on their behalf globally, educating the industry and the public on the authenticity of boutiques, and growing the direct booking channel through stay-boutique.com. We are committed to also ensuring that the boutique ethos does not become a formula that is replicated - but that it holds true to its original essence."

Introducing the 2021 BLLA Board of Advisors:

Amber Asher, President and General Counsel, Standard Hotels
 Ariela Kiradjian, Partner & COO, BLLA
 Carolyn Schneider, Partner & President, Casetta Group
 Chris King, Chief Development Officer, Salamander Hotels & Resorts
 Dan Daley, Chief Operating Officer, Relevant Group
 Daniel C. Peek, President - Hotel Group, Hodges Ward Elliott
 David Bowd, Founder & CEO, Salt Hotels
 Frances Kiradjian, Chairwoman, Founder & CEO, BLLA
 Gigi Vega, General Manager, The Wall Street Hotel
 Jack Westergom, Founder & Managing Director, Manhattan Hospitality Advisors
 Jagruti Panwala, President, Wealth Protection Strategies, Past Chairwoman, AAHOA
Jennifer Barnwell, President, Curator Hotel Collection
 Jennifer Hawkins, Founder & CEO, Hawkins International PR
 Kia Weatherspoon, President, Determined by Design
 Luis Gallotti. Co-Founder, Amek Group
 Mark Keiser, Chief Development Officer, SH Hotels & Resorts
 Omar Palacios, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Partner, Geolo Capital
 Phil Hospod, Founder & CEO, Dovetail + Co
 Rami Zeidan, Founder & CEO, Life House
 Rani Gharbie, Head of Acquisitions & Development, The Pod Hotels
 Rob Blood, Founder, Lark Hotels
 Ross Walker, Founder, FOUND Places
 Samantha Ahuja, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
 Tammy Farley, Co-Founder, The Rainmaker Group

The Committees currently include Education, Program Planning, and Membership. The executives contributing their time and energy to the association are committed to participating and many are continuing in their roles for 2021. BLLA Partner and Advisory Board Member, Ariela Kiradjian, states that "we welcome their viewpoint and input and are truly grateful to our team of thought leaders who are donating their time to support the most highly sought after sector in hospitality, the authentic boutique hotels of the world. We are optimistic and excited about the future."

New Committee Members include Denise Korn with Gensler, Cara Federici with tech theory group, Andrew Freeman of af&co, Regina Connell of Bull Stockwell Allen, Christian Holmsen of rezStream, Tiffany Lin of ATLIST, Robert Stevenson of INTELITY, Jonathan Falik of JF Capital, Kevin Rohani of sbe, Allie Hope of Virgin Hotels, James Chappell of Horwath HTL, Kevin Davis of JLL, Moniqua Lane of The Downtown Clifton Hotel, Rani Gharbie of Pod Hotels, Ronit Copeland of Copeland Hospitality, John Keeling of Valencia Group, Romy Bhojwani of Yours Truly DC, Jamila Ross of The Copper Door B&B, Lori Christopherson of Lutron Electronics and Savannah Fox of Cuyama Buckhorn.

We invite you to explore all of our Board and Committee members who have continued their journey with us and those who have just begun, here.

About BLLA

The official organization for the world's independent boutique lifestyle hotels and leaders who are entrepreneurs themselves, promoting capital, resources, connection, education, and advocacy. As a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement, BLLA's boutique community currently extends to more than 10,000 verified boutique and lifestyle hotels. BLLA is a catalyst for trends and the future of the boutique lifestyle, exactly what today's traveler is embracing. BLLA.org / Stay-Boutique.com. BLLA is also a capital/partner matchmaker via its Boutique Money Group division.

The corporate manifesto is: Experience the intention behind the brand.

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