Keynote Speaker: Thomas Baltimore; Co-Founder & President of RLJ Development, LLC

Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. is Co-Founder and President of RLJ Development, LLC (RLJ) and has direct day-to-day responsibility for all of the Company’s activities. RLJ is a privately-held real estate investment company founded and led by Robert L. Johnson and Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.
RLJ and its affiliates, including two private equity funds (RLJ Lodging Fund II, and RLJ Real Estate Fund III), have nearly $2 billion in equity under management from several major public and corporate pension funds and financial institutions. RLJ currently owns 124 hotels in major markets in North America, with more than 17,000 guestrooms and a portfolio value in excess of $2 billion. Mr. Baltimore is a seasoned and experienced hospitality executive.

 

Panel #1 (Option 1):  "Life After Plan A"
Every setback is a setup for a comeback.  A comeback would not be possible if there was not a lapse in progress. It was the wide perspective of the people on this panel that allowed them to become successful.  Loss of any kind always presents us with a choice. This is a choice that we are actually always making. It is the choice of how we interpret our experience. It is the choice of whether we accept and adapt to, or resist what is.  When you meet these panelists, you will notice that they all were experts at adapting. They knew how to roll with the punches. As a result, they were never shaken from the path to their goals.

Panelist:
                                                                                               
Peter C. Bynoe; Partner                                                                           Dr. Avé Sims; CEO
Investment Banking                                                                                 New Life Health Specialists, PLC
Division of Loop Capital Markets                                                

                                                                                              
Janae LeFlore; Senior Manager, Risk & Audit                                            Tyrone Racha; Senior Development Manager
Nicor National                                                                                          Tax Allocation Districts
                                                                                                               The Atlanta Development Authority
                                                                                                              

 

Panel#1 (Option 2):  “The Brand Called You”
Establishing a personal brand is more than a matter of polished business cards or wearing the right suit. Personal branding is about who we are crafted and communicated in a way that maximizes our influence with the people who can make us successful. Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of personal branding. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called you.  This panel will cover the principles behind the success of any brand so you can establish your own micro equivalent of the Nike swoosh.

Panelist:
                                                                                                           
Maurice Markey; Vice President                                                                             Maggie Anderson                                     Private Brands at Sam’s Club of Walmart                                                              The Empowerment Experiment

                                                                                                     
Aylwin Lewis; CEO                                                                                                 Derryl L. Reed; President & CEO
Potbelly                                                                                                                 Smokin’ Products, LLC

 

Panel #2:  “Rising to the Top: What Does It Take to Climb the Ladder?"
Come hear from experts on how to climb the corporate ladder and become an effective leader. The panel will discuss strategies for overcoming barriers and seizing opportunities and they will provide personal insight on mastering corporate culture.

Panelist:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                        

                                                                                                        
Anthony Kendall; CEO                                                                                          Erin Green; MBA 2010 Candidate
Mitchell & Titus                                                                                                      Chicago Booth

                                                                                                 
                                                                                                           
Eric Smith; Managing Director                                                                               Roger Kamau; Vice President
J.P. Morgan                                                                                                          Citi