The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Noble Investment Group and Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University are set to host Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, who will join Noble CEO Mit Shah for the ninth annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker series.
“Geoff leads a life that matters to so many," Shah said in a statement. "From his modest upbringing to his formative career as an operator, representing our industry as AHLA chairman, and his deep roots as a humanitarian, he embodies the very definition of the American Dream."
The Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series was established and endowed in honor of Bharat Shah at Georgia State’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. An immigrant to the United States, Shah’s vision for this series is to share the intimate and diverse personal journeys of "icons" whose stories of "struggle, perseverance, commitment and faith have led to the realization of the American Dream."
“At Hunter, we strive to share important voices and impactful insights that provide great value to our colleagues and our industry,” Conference Chair Lee Hunter said. “While many are used to hearing Geoff speak on industry-related topics, few have had the privilege of learning about his personal story of hardship and failure on his road to success. Geoff will join the incredible history of Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series guests who have inspired our hospitality leaders of tomorrow.”
Over the years, Shah has brought candid conversations with his father, Bharat Shah; the late Mark Elliott, president of Hodges Ward Elliott; Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels; Tom Baltimore, president, chairman and CEO of Park Hotels & Resorts; the late Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International; Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton; Vince Carter and Grant Hill, NBA and NCAA basketball stars, business leaders and philanthropists; and Sara Blakely, founder and executive chairwoman of Spanx; and Jesse Itzler, New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur.
Ballotti also is the 2023 recipient of the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award for his efforts to advance positive societal change.
Ballotti and Shah will take the main stage of the Hunter Conference on March 23, at 12:30 p.m. at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The session is open to registered attendees, special guests and Georgia State University students.