The Midwest is a hot lodging market, and a new Lodging Hospitality-sponsored conference next year will explore the developmnent, ownership and management opportunities in the region. The first Midwest Lodging Investment Summit will be held July 14-16 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

The event will bring together a wide range of hospitality professionals — developers, owners, operators, brand companies, lenders and more — to learn about the future of the Midwest and entire U.S. lodging scene. Through general sessions, keynote addresses and breakout panels, the conference will provide attendees with concrete information on lodging markets, trends and opportunities.

The tentative agenda calls for two opening general sessions on the morning of Tuesday, July 15. In one, a panel of hotel company CEOs will present their perspectives on industry trends and opportunities. The other panel brings together a group of lenders to discuss the industry's financial landscape. On the morning of July 16, a general session panel of successful lodging franchisees will discuss the issues and challenges they face as owners.

A series of 20 breakout sessions will focus on four tracks: development/construction, operations, financing and lodging segments.

The Penton Media Commercial Real Estate Group is producing the Summit, and the event's academic partner is The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University.

For more information on the Midwest Lodging Investment Summit, go to www.midwestlodginginvestors.com.