Industry Outlook Conference

Oct. 16, 2013 - For its twenty-fifth consecutive year, hospitality and tourism experts will come together to discuss the state of the economy and forecast the future of the industry at the Southern California Visitor Industry Outlook Conference.

The event, presented by The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona, PFK Consulting and the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the newly renovated Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

“The Visitor Industry Outlook Conference provides expert analysis of what the hospitality industry can expect for the upcoming year in Southern California,” said Dr. Margie Ferree Jones from The Collins College. “Billions of dollars are pumped into the hospitality and tourism industry every year, so sharing data and insights with key players has helped with organizational and financial growth across the board.”

The event includes PKF Consulting’s extensive lodging forecast report with detailed analyses of markets throughout Southern California. These markets include: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Kern counties as well as the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley. David Adler, CEO and Founder of Bizbash Media, the leading trade media for the meeting and events industry, will be the keynote speaker.

A special element this year will be honoring Bruce Baltin, senior vice president of PKF Consulting, for helping to found the conference in 1988. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go toward a naming opportunity for The Collins College’s building expansion project in Baltin’s honor.

Event sponsors include: Ensemble Hotel Partners; Sonnenblick-Eichner Company; Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board; Attorney William Delvac, and Larry Shupnick, senior vice president of development and acquisitions for Interstate Hotels & Resorts and Collins College board member.

For information on all the speakers and to purchase tickets, visithttp://socalvioc2013.eventbrite.com/. Media are welcome to attend the conference for free. They may also have a copy of the forecast report upon request.