WEST HILLS, Calif., Oct. 30, 2012 - If the positive reviews and accolades from satisfied attendees are any indication, the Boutique & Lifestyle Leadership Symposium is destined to become a much-anticipated yearly event. Numerous individuals and companies testified to their enjoyment of the three-day symposium, with words like "inspiring," "fresh," "amazing" and "compelling" used to describe their experiences. The symposium's organizers struck the perfect balance between the traditional conference format and a vibrant, dynamic style that speaks to the energy in the lifestyle boutique hotel, resort and spa industry.
 
The 2012 Boutique & Lifestyle Leadership Symposium consisted of three days of panel sessions and keynote speakers, as well as the presentation of the "Person of the Year" award.  The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (http://www.blla.org) organized the event, with the goal of stimulating the industry’s leaders to come together for the better good of the sector.  The organization was also generating interest in association membership from independent hotels, small hotel brands and collections of hotels in the boutique, lifestyle and luxury space as well as driving innovation within the community of hotel and spa owners, restaurateurs and vendors.  
 
Attendees greatly appreciated the opportunity to network and bounce ideas off one another. From students and trainees to seasoned industry veterans, the symposium guests, with the majority holding titles of CEO, Owner and General Manager, represented a wide range of property types and suppliers. The panel sessions offered the chance to share that experience and gain new perspectives. Many attendees described the sessions as ideal venues for growing knowledge and building relationships - both of which are indispensable to any business owner or manager.
 
Effective use of social media to garner “real” business, was certainly a hot topic at the symposium. To that end, all panel sessions were streamed live online and will be available for association members to view later. In the first day and a half of the event, more than 1,000 tweets were sent out by attendees. The discussion of social media involved how to engage with the current generation of tech-savvy guests. An entire panel session focused on how to leverage the Internet and visual media techniques to reach potential clients in new spaces.  What the eye can see and the ear can hear is an integral part of promoting digitally.
 
"The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association worked hard to create a new kind of event for the industry," said association founder Frances Kiradjian. "From the non-commercialized and professional-looking conference garb to the fun surprises, such as oxygen-laced popcorn served during the panel discussions, the event was innovative and exciting from start to finish. We hope that our attendees can take that positive energy and transfer it to their own corner of the hospitality industry."

About The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA)