Independent Lodging Congress Announces Los Angeles Event Oct. 16 & 17

Registration is officially open for the Independent Lodging Congress annual conference, INDIE Congress DTLA 2019, which for the first time will be held in Los Angeles. The Independent Lodging Congress has also opened nominations for its annual INDIE Awards, which recognize independent hospitality enterprises and shares their achievements.

On October 16-17, 2019, leaders in independent hospitality development will meet for two days of collaboration, disruption and innovation among the world's leading hospitality minds. Uniting industry leaders and visionaries both inside and out of the independent lodging space, the conference will feature key note speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions that will inspire and ignite strategic ideation for the next generation of independent hotel owners and operators.

Located on consecutive days at the Hotel Figueroa and the Ace Hotel Theater (both in downtown Los Angeles), attendees of the INDIE Congress DTLA 2019will have the opportunity to listen, learn and engage with industry powerhouses as they share stories of success, failure and their predictions for the future of the independent hospitality business. Speakers confirmed to date include Brad Wilson, President & co-partner, Ace Hotels; Benjamin Trigano, co-founder, Mama Shelter; Javier Egipciaco, Managing Director, Arlo Hotels; Damon Lawrence, CEO, Homage Hospitality; Brooks Taliaferro Atwood, Design Director of R&R Architecture + Design and Bashar Wali, President, Provenance Hotels. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Part of what the Independent Lodging Congress has discovered is that hospitality, which includes F+B, Lodging, Wellness, etc., is very, very local," said Andrew Benioff, Founder & Chairman of the Independent Lodging Congress. "It has become extremely important for us to explore different communities. After six years on the East Coast, we are moving to L.A. in order to experience an entirely different feel and culture. We hope our attendees and community can bring a little bit of L.A. inspiration back to their projects, no matter where they are."

Nominations are now open on the ILC's website for The INDIE Awards, providing an opportunity to celebrate hotels and professionals who have created a path to success through innovation, a sense of place, and a spirit to serve. Categories include: Best Independent Hotel; Most Innovative Hotel Design; Best Hotel Bar or Restaurant; Best Tech Innovation; Indie Rebel, and Icon of Culture. Nominees will be judged by ILC Leadership, and four finalists in each category will be announced mid-July. From there, the public will vote for the winners who will be invited to INDIE Congress in L.A. this October to accept their award.

The Independent Lodging Congress has become what attendees and speakers have called the "gathering for disruptors in hospitality and travel," and is the first conference focused on generating change by challenging their attendees and asking the uncomfortable questions that lead to provocative conversation and actionable resolution.

Event sponsors include Llenrock Realty Partners; Eagle Point Hotel Partners; Filament; Linden Lane Capital Partners; Rockbridge; Expedia Group/Lodging Partner Services; Cooper Carry; Revolver New York, IDEAS, and Magrino.

Members of the media who wish to cover the Independent Lodging Congress can apply for press credentials in advance by contacting Jonathan Goldman at ILC@Magrinopr.com. To learn more about the Independent Lodging Congress, register or to become a sponsor for the 2019 event, please visit:www.ilcongress.com.