Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis to Host Charity Auction in Support of American Hotel & Lodging Ass

Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis to Host Charity Auction in Support of American Hotel & Lodging Association

Renowned Chef Carol Ann Silkes to Prepare Unforgettable Meal for Highest Bidder

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 13 - Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis, an annual gathering of hoteliers specializing in development and operations in the southern United States, today announced it will conduct an online charity auction in support of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), in conjunction with the 7th annual conference to be held here August 19-20.

More than 20 items will be featured, including travel packages to such highly popular destinations as London, Orlando and Yellowstone National Park.  “Foodies” may bid on an “unforgettable meal” prepared by acclaimed executive chef, Carol Ann Silkes, Ph.D., MBC, CEC of the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management.

Bidding has started and will remain open until 8 p.m., August 20.  Interested bidders should go to http://www.mmhla.com and click on the auction icon.  When the auction page comes up, click on “bid now.”  Registration for the auction is required; the “Register Now” icon is located on the page.

“We are fortunate to have sponsors provide us with so many wonderful items,” said Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company, co-host of the event.  “I especially look forward to watching how high the bidding goes for a Dr. Silkes meal.  She spent several years with the Hyatt Corporation, as well as over a decade with Chef John Folse and Company, and has worked as a professional food advisor for a weekly radio cooking show, television and live audiences, and a cookbook publishing company.  She is bound to make the winning bidder a delectable meal that will leave his/her mouth savoring exquisite flavors that will be truly unforgettable.”

“Food is my life’s passion.  It is what connects us all in this world,” Silkes said.  “Currently, I am researching the environmental, economic, and social impact on regional areas of local farmers markets as culinary tourism.”

  A sampling of other auction items include:
— Five-nights stay at the London Marriott Marble Arch in England, and
    London Eye Experience tickets—$3,000 estimated value
— Three-nights stay, one round of golf for two, and dinner for two at
    The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, Colo.—$2,300 estimated value
— Three-nights stay at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, in Indian
    Wells, Calif.—$1,450 estimated value

— Two-nights stay and four rounds of golf at the Grand Point Clear
    Resort & Spa, in Point Clear, Ala.—$900 estimated value

“Attendance by Southern-based hospitality companies and related interest groups in this conference has risen steadily,” Pinkowski added.  “The southern United States is a unique region that has distinct challenges and opportunities, compared to other parts of the country.  The Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis offers a broad spectrum of experts who will provide insights and hands-on advice about to work through the current difficult recession and beyond.”

Scheduled from 6 p.m., August 18, until 2 p.m., August 19, the Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis will open with a cocktail reception and dinner at The Peabody Hotel.  The following morning, the conference will move to the Memphis Cook Convention Center where topics will focus on the national and regional lodging and travel outlooks, industry trends, and the changing faces of operations and finance.  Laurence Geller, president, CEO, Strategic Hotels & Resorts, will be the keynote speaker during Wednesday’s luncheon.

Celebrating its 7th year, the Southern Lodging Summit @Memphis was co-founded by the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association and Pinkowski & Company, an independent hotel industry consulting firm headquartered in Memphis.  The hospitality industry event brings together hotel professionals who target the southern United States for development and operations.  The annual event draws a diverse crowd of owners, operators, sales executives, financial institutions, architects, attorneys, and hotel company representatives.

  Contact:  Chris Daly, media
        (703) 435-6293
        .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Source: Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis
 

CONTACT:  Chris Daly for Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis,
+1-703-435-6293, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Web Site:  http://www.mmhla.com/