A New Vision for Tourism in Chicago
Lou Raizin and Laurence Geller
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
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Speakers
Lou Raizin
Lou Raizin has over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry. As a founder and the prime mover behind Broadway In Chicago, a joint theatrical venture formed in 2000, his leadership propelled the transformation of Chicago from a short-term stop on “the road” to the third most important city in the world for theater. Encompassing the five premier theater stages in the city, Broadway In Chicago has brought an economic impact of up to over $800 million annually to the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, and supports more than 9,200 local jobs. Raizin’s focus on economic development, tourism and culture has led to the creation and continued sponsorship of the annual League of Chicago Theater’s Emerging Theater Award and the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award. Raizin’s stint as Chair of the Chicago Loop Alliance led to the creation of Pop Up Art Loop, comprised of over 14 galleries, and a number of major public art projects in the city. Raizin serves on the Executive Committee of Choose Chicago, and has chaired the State Street Commission and serves as a director of a number of other civic and not-for-profit organizations.
Laurence S. Geller
Laurence S. Geller CBE is currently Chairman, Geller Investment Co. Mr. Geller is an accomplished businessman and entrepreneur who has led multi-national corporations in the hospitality industry, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: BEE), a company he founded in 1997. Prior to Strategic Hotel Capital, L.L.C., Mr. Geller was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Geller & Co., a gaming, tourism and lodging advisory company he founded in 1989. Geller & Co. specialized in domestic and international hotel, corporate and real estate development, financing, structuring, restructuring, and asset management. Previously, Mr. Geller held positions as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hyatt Development Corporation, Senior Vice President of Holiday Inns, Inc. (responsible for initially the International Division and subsequently, the North American Division’s growth, franchising, and operations) and Director of Grand Metropolitan Hotels in London. Mr. Geller serves on the Boards of Michels & Taylor (London) Ltd., and Dolphin Capital Investment Limited. He is a former Vice Chairman of the Urban Land Institute’s Commercial and Retail Council and has held the position of Chairman of the Industry Real Estate Financing Advisory Council of the American Hotel and Lodging Association for six non-consecutive terms. Mr. Geller serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Choose Chicago and Elevate Chicago, Children’s Memorial Hospital, the Board of the British American Business Consul, and the American Jewish Committee. Mr. Geller is Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Churchill Centre and serves on its Executive Committee. He is Ambassador for North America for the Hotel and Catering Institutional Management Association of the U.K. Mr. Geller is a graduate of Ealing Technical College’s school of hotel management and catering and in May 2011 was appointed Chancellor of the University of West London, the successor to Ealing Technical College. On December 31, 2011, Mr. Geller was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Mr. Geller previously served on the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) from 2002 until July 2006, and InnVest REIT from 2013-2014. Mr. Geller has over 45 years of experience in the lodging industry and has received numerous awards for his service to the hospitality industry and for his civic, educational and philanthropic endeavors.
