Laurence Geller is never afraid to tell it like it is. He'll bring his refreshing candor about the state of the lodging industry to a keynote luncheon address at next month's inaugural Midwest Lodging Investors Summit. The Summit, sponsored by Lodging Hospitality and the Penton Media Financial Services Group, will be held July 14-16 at the Sheraton Chicago.

Geller, who is president and CEO of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, has more than 40 years of experience in the lodging industry with companies like Holiday Inn, Grand Metropolitan Hotels and Hyatt Development before founding Strategic. The Chicago-based firm owns and asset manages 20 high-end hotels and resorts under flags such as Fairmont, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental and others.

Other highlights of the Summit:

• On Wednesday, July 16, hotel marketing seer Dr. Peter Yesawich will deliver a fast-paced and fascinating look at consumer trends affecting the hospitality industry.

• The opening general session on Tuesday, July 15 will feature a panel of industry analysts who will present data on the state of the hotel industry. Following these presentations, a panel of hotel company CEOs will give their in-the-trenches look at issues and challenges.

• A lineup of 16 panel discussions will cover a variety of topics — from sourcing debt and equity to choosing the best franchise flag for your property to financing a mixed-use development to successfully planning and executing a hotel renovation project.

For more information and to register for the Summit, go to http://www.MidwestLodgingInvestors.com.