Between Thelma and Louise and Groundhog Day.
Exploring Scenarios.
There will definitely be an be an “after COVID” but will the different scenarios play out anything like we think?
BREAKING NEWS : Everything is Going Back To Normal!
BREAKING NEWS : Nothing Will Ever Be The Same!
For some, the car is already accelerating toward the Grand Canyon. It’s “Thelma and Louise”, where, finally cornered by the authorities, they drop foot on the gas. Rather than be captured and spend the rest of their lives in jail, they choose death. We’ve all seen the movie, and know how it ends.
For others, the state of hospitality is the story of a highly self-centered, arrogant weatherman, in “Groundhog Day” who finds himself trapped in a time loop of self-discovery, improvement and opportunities to redeem and introspect on the actions from his past life. Escaping death and forced to confront the realities and inner truth of his selfish self importance, he ultimately redeems himself. With time and patience.
The shift to “traveling differently” does not necessarily sound the death knell for hospitality, people will travel again, many believe it’s only a matter of time before things return to normal… specifically, a return to the “same normal,” not a “new normal,” as Ian Schrager predicted recently. Then again, maybe “times they are a changin’ ” and people will slowly adapt, as we’ve always done to a “new normal”. Fluidity of memory and a capacity to forget is the most
defining trait of our species.
Join us for an insightful and fun panel on the potential seismic changes to the hotel asset class and implications for the industry… and no, we don’t have a crystal ball.
In discussion with
Scott J. Woroch
Partner and Managing Director, Kadenwood Partners
Prior to co-founding Kadenwood Partners in 2015, Scott was Executive Vice President, Worldwide Development for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He was responsible for overseeing Four Seasons global expansion, During his tenure, Four Seasons grew from 53 hotels in 2000 to 96 hotels at the end of 2014. Scott has extensive relationships with hotel owners and investors worldwide.
Prior to joining Four Seasons in 2000, Scott had a 10-year career in hotel development, with Westin and Strategic Hotels and Resorts. Prior to entering the hospitality industry, he had a successful career practicing real estate law in Washington D.C. He has an A.B., cum laude, from Cornell University, and a Law degree from the George Washington University.
Josh Littman
Vice President of Development, Europe, SH Hotels & Resorts
Josh has more than 20 years of experience in property sales and marketing and real estate development. Most recently, he was head of luxury development in Europe for the InterContinental hotel group, responsible for developing the group's luxury brands. Prior to that, he spent six years as Vice President of Hotel and Casino Development for Hard Rock International. He also holds an MBA in International Business/Finance and a Bachelor's degree in International Business.
Steven Smit
Chief Investment & Development Officer YAYS
With a background in hotel operations, corporate finance and real estate, Steven combines his experiences to unlock locations for curious travellers, with Yays 'concierged boutique apartments' located in the most authentic neighbourhoods of Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, The Hague. Prior to that Steven worked in Colliers Hotel investment and transactions advisory, and with Deloitte in Mergers and Acquisitions.
Steven holds a Master in Financial Management an MBA and a Masters in real Estate.
TIMED AGENDA (all times CET)
3:00 - 3:15 Zoom start, virtual coffee and ZoomFAT
3:15 - 3:30 Co-chair welcome, news, and introduction
3:30 - 4:45 Panel and Roundtable discussion, Questions and interactions
4:45 - 5:00 Wrap-up, Closing remarks, next meeting
