Interest in Industry Trends and Future High as Lodging Conference Nears September 23-26 Event

PHOENIX, AZ—Officials of The Lodging Conference, a major hotel conference that attracts the nation’s top senior hospitality executives, notes that hoteliers attending this year’s conference are seeking answers about how to respond to issues raised by the nation’s credit crunch, presidential election and slow economy, and in hearing the latest, most informed forecasts for the year ahead.

“The hotel outlook is murkier than at any time in the past five years,” said Morris Lasky, (top right photo) conference chairperson. “The responses we are getting suggest that hoteliers believe we are at a crossroads and they are looking for trends and forecasts to help them firm up their plans not only for the rest of 2008, but also for 2009.”

Key panels at the 2008 Lodging Conference include:

· Survival Skills: Hot Topics and Hotel Trends - Panelists Gamal Aziz, President & CEO, MGM Mirage Hospitality; Paul Kirwin, President, Carlson Hotels Worldwide - The Americas; Mitesh Shah, (top left photo) President & COO, Noble Investment Group; Arthur Adler, (middle right photo) Managing Director & CEO-Americas, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; and Steven A. Rudnitsky, (middle left photo) President & CEO Wyndham Hotel Group, will offer their opinions on relevant issues important to planning and implementing successful hotel strategies in a mixed economy.

· Follow Your Compass to Find Out Where We Are Headed in 2009 - Pat Ford, (bottom left photo) President of Lodging Econometrics; and David Loeb, Managing Director, Senior Real Estate Research Analyst, R.W. Baird Hotel Real Estate Team, join Mark Lomanno, (bottom right photo) President, Smith Travel Research in a presentation of the latest industry statistics and offer their views on the future direction of hotel industry trends for 2009 and beyond.

· The Great Hotel Owners Debate - Hotel executives Ted Darnall, Chief Operations Officer, HEI Hotels & Resorts; Stephen P. Joyce, President & COO, Choice Hotels International; Colin Reed, Chairman & CEO, Gaylord Entertainment; Monty Bennett, President & CEO, Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.; and Charles S. Henry, President, Hotel Capital Advisers, Inc., will address hot topic questions covering branding, management, market share, legal and financing.

In addition, guests will be able to take advantage of nearly 40 roundtable and breakout sessions during the four-day conference.

“We have received increased sponsorship support compared to previous conferences, which we interpret as a sign of optimism for 2009,” said Harry Javer, President, The Conference Bureau and conference co-founder.

“Once the election is decided and the direction of the country comes into focus, the industry is likely to rebound. We look forward to getting an update on the hotel operating and development outlook to better anticipate profitability in the coming 18 months.”

For additional information about The Lodging Conference, interested parties may call (212) 877-0866 or visit its Web site: http://www.lodginglink.com/.

Contact: Jerry Daly or Chris Daly, Daly Gray Public Relations, 703 435 6293