The Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association’s (BLLA)Êtop executive, Frances Kiradjian, brought together leading boutique hotel brand CEOs and the industry’s top service providers to participate in advancing hospitality’s only boutique luxury-focused educational program, in conjunction with UCLA Extension. The Board of Advisors recently held their first meeting in Los Angeles to announce a new five-day educational program for hospitality executives and professionals to launch in March 2018.
Through this partnership, BLLA will continue to be a leading innovator in the boutique and luxury hospitality space, promoting growth and knowledge within the industry. The Board of Advisors includes co-chairs Frances Kiradjian, founderÊand CEO of BLLA, and Van Anderson, Director of Corporate Education and Custom Programs Ð UCLA Extension. Other members include:
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Bruce Baltin, Partner – CBRE Hotels
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Brian De Lowe, PresidentÊand co-founder – Proper HospitalityÊand The Kor Group
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Mark Harmon, CEO – Auberge Resorts
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Tom Ito, Hospitality Practice Area Leader and Principal – Gensler
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Kim Kessler, Founder, KIPR
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Carlos Lopes, CEO – KARAS Hotels
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Jay B. Newman, COO – Athens Group
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Offer Nissenbaum, Managing Director, Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Shane O’Flaherty, National Director of HospitalityÊand Travel – Microsoft
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Edie Rodriguez, CEO – Crystal Cruises
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Roger L. Torneden, Ph.D., CFP, Director of Business, Management and Legal Programs, UCLA Extension
UCLA Extension and BLLA are also working towards an advanced curriculum for a more expanded educational program which the pair plans to offer beginning with a hybrid introductory course in the fall.Ê These courses will address current training needs in this multi-billion dollar industry.
The innovative and flexible programs planned incorporate up-to-the-minute research, emerging trends and new paradigms to give participants the most current picture possible of the upscale, independent boutique hotel industry.
The curriculum, developed by BLLA and the new Board of Advisors and taught by leading industry experts, will address the real-world complexities and dynamic trends that hotel executives face now and in the future. Topics may include:
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Emerging business models that are shaping today’s luxury hotel industry for tomorrow
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Synergizing sales, marketing and public relations efforts for maximum results
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Navigating the needs of hotel owners, managers and shareholders in a sharing economy world
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Implementing green business practices to saveÊdollars and save the planet
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Embracing the multitude of new technologies being introduced daily
áÊÊÊÊÊÊ Enhancing guest facing services and interfacing on-site services with experiential travel
