By Sharon Hirschowitz
The International Luxury Hotel Association‘s LA Chapter recently hosted a vibrant end-of-summer networking event at the W Hotel Hollywood Rooftop Bar. Spearheaded by Chapter Head Marcus Lee of HVS, the gathering brought together LA’s luxury hospitality elite for an evening of connection and collaboration.
Attendees enjoyed stunning views of the Hollywood Hills while mingling with industry leaders. The newly-renovated W Hollywood, made available through Trinity Investment’s ownership, provided an ideal backdrop for forging new relationships and strengthening existing ones.
A special thank you to Cumming Group and Innspace for sponsoring this event.
Aggie Zamir of Cumming Group remarked, “Partnering with ILHA aligns perfectly with our focus on luxury hospitality. The energy and enthusiasm at this inaugural LA Chapter event was palpable.”
“It was fantastic to bring together LA’s luxury hospitality community,” said Barak Hirschowitz, President of ILHA. “These events create invaluable opportunities for our members to connect and drive the industry forward.”
The event showcased the strength of the LA Chapter’s board, which includes:
- Marcus Lee (HVS) – Chapter Head
- Archer Brosh (Palisociety)
- Erik Eveleigh (SH Hotels & Resorts)
- Tom McHugh (Hodges Ward Elliott)
- Samantha Sugarman (Trinity Investments)
- Aggie Zamir (Cumming Group)
- Andrea Quartner (BDT & MSD Partners)
- William Hales (Innspace)
- Mark Zikov (The Kor Group)
- Blake Malecha (BLVD Hospitality)
- Michael Cohen (CIM Group)
- David Kuperberg (Hyatt Hotels Corporation)
“Our chapter’s end-of-summer event underscores the strength of the hospitality community throughout the greater LA region, and we look forward to continuing to drive meaningful connections that push the industry forward. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my fellow board members, whose dedication and collaboration made this event possible!” Marcus Lee, HVS.
The evening featured a raffle benefiting the Hollywood Food Coalition, adding a philanthropic element to the festivities. Prizes included an exclusive night at the Magic Castle and signed LA Rams memorabilia.
Hollywood Food Coalition is an organization that has served the food insecure in Los Angeles since 1987. They have three programs:
- The Community Dinner has served free multi-course and nutritious meals to unhoused and low-income neighbors every night of the year (they haven’t missed a night since 1987!). Over 91,000 meals served in 2023.
- The Community Wellness connects dinner guests with housing, mental and physical healthcare, hygiene and clothing supplies, and other services, in collaboration with other nonprofits.
- The Community Exchange, rescues excess food from hundreds of businesses and food recovery groups annually, and redistributes it within a network of over 160 small nonprofits throughout LA County. Since the start of the program in 2020, it has rescued almost 8 million pounds of food.
Lastly, but not least, HoFoCo builds community by collaborating with community partners and volunteers, who help us execute our mission.
If you want to continue supporting HoFoCo please donate here
From hotel executives to developers, the diverse guest list fostered dynamic conversations. Attendees left energized and looking forward to future ILHA LA Chapter gatherings.
This successful launch sets the stage for the LA Chapter to become a vital hub for luxury hospitality professionals in Southern California. By bringing together the industry’s brightest minds, ILHA continues to shape the future of high-end hospitality.
