“Congratulations to team BLLA on a superb owner’s conference at the beautiful Westlake Village Inn. The boutique hotel segment has become an important and integral part of the overall hospitality landscape, creating unique and special experiences for discerning guests while at the same time creating new and novel experiences for the communities around them with specialized dining, exceptional food & beverage, and an un-encumbered uniqueness not governed by brand standards. This year's conference once again brought boutique hotel owners, operators, and providers together to openly discuss our industry, issues facing it, how to overcome them, and most importantly – ideas on how to keep growing the exciting boutique hotel business. Exciting things are happening, and you hear them first at BLLA.”

— David Goldstone, Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, World Cinema

“The BLLA Owners Conference was a great event, where I was able to meet other like-minded and creative boutique hotel owners and operators. Looking forward to attending again.”

— Atit Jariwala, CEO, Bridgeton

“The BLLA conference is intimate and authentic. I learned a lot from top professionals in the industry and also was inspired to see new ways of doing business. I love the blend of Consciousness, Creative and Practical business topics. Thank you for creating this special and informative environment to share, connect and support each other!”

— Shannon Kim, Founder & CEO, The Beauty Haus

“Thank you for the amazing conference! It was definitely one of the best conferences I have attended, and I thought Ariela was an amazing moderator who helped the conversations continue and thrive. I personally also loved the messaging around the entire event (intentions).”

— Susie Park, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, JLL

“The minds of the boutique community never fail to surprise me. At the Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, we dove deep into the brilliant minds of our boutique hoteliers and vendors and were able to uncover topics that are typically not discussed at conferences (i.e., how to ensure your guests encounter great sleep when staying at your property). The BLLA events are always one for the books because of Fran & Ariela’s curiosity and dedication to the industry, but also because all attendees, whether they are panelists, moderators, or attendees, come ready to engage! Can’t wait for next year!”

— Kayla Evans, Client Executive CLCS, March McLennan Agency

“As an entrepreneur and business owner, it is often hard to break away from the day-to-day needs of the business. The BLLA Owners Conference was a welcomed opportunity for me to take a step back, learn, and engage with some trailblazing leaders in our industry. Through thoughtful content and great networking, I left refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes next. Thank you, Ariela & Frances!”

— Joe Arends, President & Founder, Chicago Marketing Consultancy

“It was a fabulous and inspiring event. I look forward to the next one!” 

— Christy Coleman, Senior Interior Designer - Hospitality, LEO A DALY

“A huge thanks to the entire BLLA team for bringing together this community of thought leaders and innovators. It was a pleasure being part of our first BLLA conference.”

— Mark Kinsley, President & CEO, Englander

“BLLA is a fantastic conference where you get to meet top-level executives and thought leaders from the hospitality industry. It is executed in a thoughtful and genuine way. Truly insightful and joyful at the same time. Highly recommended."

— Romain Gaillard, CEO/Founder, The Detox Market

"Super proud to be an Advisory Board Member of this phenomenal organization that is dedicated to the luxury independent boutique lodging and lifestyle industries. The BLLA's dedication was front and center at the Owners Conference 2022, connecting pioneers, executives, creatives, and solution partners of the boutique hospitality world. A big thank you to Fran, Ariela, and the rest of the BLLA team for their tireless efforts in organizing quality gatherings and being the voice of this growing community of boutique lifestyle lovers.”

— Nile Tuzun, Founder & Chief Creative Storyteller, Studio Nilebrand

“It was great to be a part of! I love seeing your growth and the success of BLLA globally!”

— Shayne Rose, National Director, MDU, Cloud5 Communications

“It was great to meet so many creative hospitality folks.”

— Cory Schisler, Partner, The Madrona

“Thank you so much for a wonderful conference!! I especially loved the breakout sessions and ample time for networking. Really fantastic connections and inspiring conversations were had.”

— Jennifer Parks, Director, Membership and Communications, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection

“The BLLA Conference offered a powerhouse of two days: amazing speakers with interesting points of view on the industry on a variety of topics, a holistic approach to business and personal growth and development, and opportunities for intimate network building in a very conscientious and meaningful way.  You leave the BLLA with real relationships and friendships useful as businesses grow.”

— Lauren Stone, Director of Special Projects & Advising, Tappan

“We had such a beautiful and amazing time. We are very grateful for BLLA and each and every one of you. The event was so wonderful with a lot of great takeaways. We look forward to future events and connecting with you.”

— Amanda Massicotte, Senior Director, Dragonfly Strategists

“Congratulations! The event was excellent. This is the one conference women in hospitality and real estate should not miss. The advice is real, the women are truly extraordinary, and the conversation is down-to-earth on point. Thank you so much for letting me be part of this great event.”

— Andrea Grigg, Global Head of Asset Management, JLL

“Thank you so much for hosting and putting on this event! I was so happy to have attended, and I am looking forward to the next one!”

— Alexandra Kuipers, Head of Marketing, INTELITY

“Thank you so much for including me in this dynamic event!! I was so honored to share in the day with all of you and impressed with how everything flowed.”

— AnGèle M. Cade, CEO & Co-Founder, Executive On the Go

“It was my first time attending a TIEWN/BLLA Conference, and I can’t wait to attend upcoming events. Frances and Ariela did an amazing job. Having a panel of speakers address each segment of the agenda brought different perspectives. I was very impressed you included “The Energy of Money” since the concept of Mindfulness and the Power of Meditation is the basis for myself attracting all things necessary to live an abundant life. I can’t say enough about how well everything was organized, giving us time to network with so many incredible women. Thank you - it couldn’t have been better!”

— Diana Blakeley, GRI, Broker Associate, Wine Country Real Estate Network

“Thank you BOTH for putting on such an inspiring event unlike any other! It was so great for everyone to get out of their comfort zones and truly take on the day with an open mind and heart. I actually had a Women in Insurance Symposium on Thursday and was able to share many of the conference takeaways with my other women colleagues.”

— Kayla Evans, Client Executive, CLCS, Marsh McLennan Agency

“If you ever question what the word authenticity truly means, I encourage you to spend a day with the BLLA Community. Even with the growth this group has experienced since 2019, they have been unwavering in their pursuit to be unapologetically authentic and teach the world what it means to be boutique.”

— Andrew Azzarello, Client Advisor, Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC

“It was my first time attending a BLLA conference, and I am already looking forward to the next one! Ariela and Frances curated an incredibly well-rounded, diverse and thought-provoking program covering today's most important hotel topics. There was a senior-level audience and the intimacy of the event allowed for high-quality levels of networking and discussion."

— Ernest Lee, Chief Growth Officer, citizenM

“Mark your calendars to attend next year’s BLLA Conference. The 2022 BLLA Conference brought professionals from across the globe together to share and learn about changing consumer needs and behaviors, new technologies, and operational models designed for success in the new norm. The networking opportunities provided a platform for informal business discussions and segment insights for customer acquisition and loyalty. The conference was valuable for understanding our growing category for the future.” 

— Janis Cannon, Senior Vice President, Upscale Brands Portfolio, Cambria Hotels and The Ascend Collection

“As a guest on the F&B panel at the BLLA Investment Conference at The Plaza earlier this month, I wanted to reach out and say thank you. Thank you for including me and giving me an opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with such a focused audience but also for the no less than five amazing business connections made that are all leading towards great new clients and opportunities. I’ve never written a testimonial, but I just wanted to acknowledge you for organizing such spectacular events and attracting the very best of our industry. Can’t wait for the next BLLA experience!”

— Jody Pennette, Founder & CEO, cb5 Hospitality Group

“I love what you stand for and are doing for this important segment of our industry. Your tireless efforts and professionalism are well-known and respected. You can count on our continued support and involvement for years to come. Thank you again for an INCREDIBLE conference.”

— David Goldstone, Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, World Cinema

“It is I who should thank you and the BLLA team. I so enjoyed it! I love the work you do for BLLA and am honored to help.”

— James Bermingham, CEO, Virgin Hotels

“Thanks for hosting such a great conference! It was really great to be there!”

— Atit Jariwala, CEO, Bridgeton

“The BLLA Investment Conference was fantastic. It was very informative and helpful in making great connections. I look forward to more events as I navigate the next steps in the development of our projects.”

— Samuel Chang, Partner, IBCaribbean

“Great work everyone. Wonderful event and venue.”

— Daniel C. Peek, COO, Hodges Ward Elliott

“Congratulations on 10 years and thanks for including me. I appreciate all you do and am glad the conference was a success!”

— Dan Flannery, CEO, Cape Resorts

“Thank you for having me. It was a very fun and positive experience. I just wish I could have stayed for more of the day.”

— Robin Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer, Montage International

“The upcoming BLLA conference will be my second BLLA event, and I cannot wait to return! Fran and Ariela do a terrific job curating boutique lodging conferences. I look forward to seeing my friends & colleagues in the boutique hospitality space as well as meeting other industry leaders & potential partners."

— David Kessler, CEO, Sandstone Partners

“I recently participated in the BLLA conference and want to thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do to lead this niche in the industry. Being a very small property, it has been a struggle to relate to other larger properties. For a moment I even have thought to myself many times, we don’t belong. Until this past week. After participating in the conference I feel like I have found my tribe. I am very excited about the future and just want to thank you for making a place for properties and professionals like me. I look forward to growing with you guys.”

— Mallory Studer, Owner, Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel

“The Boutique Lifestyle Leadership Conference was phenomenal! The array of topics was impressive. There was an opportunity to learn, be engaged, take away strategies, and be inspired. I can't wait for the next one!”

— Jackie Roby, Chief Excellence Officer, Inspired Journey Consulting

“The conference was incredible, I felt like all the information was very insightful and timely.”

— Katie Wayles, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, World Cinema

“We are always honored to take part in anything that BLLA is hosting and producing, the organization is a valuable support platform for our dynamic industry. BLLA's creative approach to generating thought-provoking programming and opportunities for the Boutique lodging sector to come together and share ideas and inspirations is unparalleled.”

— David Bowd, Co-Founder & CEO, Salt Hotels & Kevin O'Shea, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Salt Hotels

“It was an incredible conference and extremely insightful. Very well done to all of you and congratulations. Keep on rocking and disrupting the space. You are all amazing and a force to reckon with. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my insights- I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to being a part of it again next year, hopefully in person.”

— Hemal Jain, General Manager, Alila Villas Uluwatu 

“Thank you so much for offering me this great opportunity to share insights from our Mountain Resort. It was a huge pleasure to be part of this year’s BLLA conference. I do hope that you are satisfied with the general outcome of these two days! It was really nice and interesting to attend to certain sessions. All my best wishes and talk to you soon, hopefully.”

— Benjamin Dietsche, Executive Manager, CERVO Mountain Resort

“The Intimate and personalized nature of Boutique Hospitality is not always served well at larger industry conventions where more traditional KPI’s and statistics and vendors rightfully earn their space.  We are not a small community worldwide, but we are a very specific community that needs to be centered around a set of values and best practices that define us as a niche segment within the industry.

“This is where BLLA and its members come into place and help us all stay aligned with the boutique ethos and industry players.  To look for inspiration, celebrate the exceptional and help, as a group, to raise the bar for our Industry, our teams and ultimately our guests.”

— Sergio Maclean, Principal Owner, Mac&Lo LLC Hospitality Management & Consulting

"The 2021 Boutique Lifestyle Leadership Conference was truly insightful, including a remarkable community of thought leaders and inspirational hospitality executives offering valuable feedback to move our industry forward."

— Cara Federici, CEO, The Madison Melle Agency & tech theory group

“You did an amazing job putting together so many interesting speakers!”

— Susan Fowler, Owner, Down to Basics

“The content was great. Presentations were professional and well produced.”

— Nathan Gawlik, Hospitality Consultant and Writer, ResNexus

“Fran, Ariela, and Nicole – thank you for the invitation and great prep work! And we appreciate Alec being a great Zoom host, getting our live session underway without a hitch.”

— Andrea Foster, Senior Vice President, Development, Marcus Hotels & Resorts

“Thanks for interviewing me, loved our conversation. It felt very natural. Thank you for having us. Can't wait to discover the other content pieces.”

— Sebastien Leitner, VP Partnerships, Cloudbeds

“It was an honor to be part of the show. Thanks again for the opportunity. As we said, we are convinced that small hotels can do better.”

— Hannes Illmer, Co-Owner, Villa Eden 

“I am honored to have been part of the inspiring 2021 BLLA Leadership Conference, moderating the panel about Mexico tourism.  BLLA secured such seasoned, knowledgeable speakers, and I have learned a great deal from the sessions!”

— Kim Kessler, Founder, KIPR Global 

“Throughout my career, I’ve been actively involved in a number of industry groups including serving as the Chair of an international, member-driven association that I’m still a very active member of. Through a serendipitous connection, I was recently introduced to BLLA and am so impressed by the mission, energy, creativity, voice, and team that continues to champion what’s possible and certainly not settling for “good enough” when uniquely better is so readily reflected by a diverse and engaged membership.”

— Jim Root, General Manager/Director of Wellbeing, Mii amo and Enchantment Group

“Thanks to Frances, Ariela and Nicole for the invite and for bringing us virtually together. You have all created an inspiring virtual event.”

— Dave Neupert, Owner, Gold-Diggers 

“Thanks for having us. We look forward to continuing collaboration between Curator/ Pebblebrook and BLLA. Congratulations on a great conference.”

— Jon Bortz, Chairman & CEO, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

“Thank you to the BLLA team! We always enjoy the content and events and appreciate you including us.”

— Jennifer Barnwell, President, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection

“YOU do such a good job of bringing the right people together. So many good takeaways from this conference and so many wonderful things to quote.”

— Regina Connell, Founder, Collective Work

"I am honored and excited to be receiving this reward from BLLA. I have followed BLLA for years and view it to be the leading voice in the boutique industry and thus cherish the recognition. I am particularly proud to be receiving this award in 2021, a year during which my team and I, along with our entire industry, have been faced with many challenges as we grow our brands. This award is a reminder to me that though the global pandemic has presented us with many obstacles, we should all be very optimistic for the bright future that we as an industry have in front of us."

— Phillip Bates, Founder, TMC Hospitality + StayBoutique Award Winner - Emerging Boutique Hotelier of the Year

“It was an excellent conference. The content ranged from inspiring and hopeful to providing very useful information both personally and professionally. I also appreciated the opportunity to network with other women in the industry and see some old friends too.”

— Beth Searls, Principal, Canfield Lane Hospitality

“Frances and Ariela have founded and now run the best, most engaging, and most effective community of owners and operators of independent and lifestyle hotels. I mean it sincerely and am delighted to endorse the tremendous and fantastic work they are doing for the Boutique and Lifestyle hotel industry."

— Romy Bhojwani, Director of Hospitality Analytics, CoStar Group

“I loved the speed dating - met so many interesting and accomplished women. The keynote speaker was incredible, as were the different topics. Thank you for putting this conference together, Frances. It was an honor to meet all of you!”

— Teri Torell Murrison, Writer, Dispatches from Out West

“This was great information and the community of women leaders was strengthened by this conference.”

— Faye Hall Jackson, Professor, Tuskegee University

“Overall I enjoyed the event and I appreciate the work put into it. It is a great initiative. I am happy I joined.”

— Dana Toma, Owner, DT Business Solutions

“It is very rewarding to connect with like-minded, successful women in our industry. It is empowering to hear their success stories.”

— Vivian Chambers, Founder, The Muse Collection

“It was a privilege to be one of the speakers on the "Resilience: The Future of the Hospitality & Travel Industries and the Relationship to Education" panel. This was an incredible opportunity to challenge the persisting gender imbalance within the industry. BLLA created a safe environment for us to share how education factors into Evolvin’ Women’s socially responsible initiatives and how these initiatives encourage unemployed women to tap into their potential as female leaders.”

— Assia Riccio, Founder, Evolvin’ Women

“It was a great conference well organized and moderated with excellent co panelists so knowledgeable and I am sure the points of discussions would be of great value to the attendees. Well done BLLA Events organizers.”

— Master Surendran, Accredited Feng Shui Master, Vastu Consultant & Bio Energetican, Fengshuiserver.com

“This was the first time I have attended the Women in Travel and Hospitality Conference and I give huge kudos to all of those involved in planning and executing such an amazing event! The content, presenters and overall program was inspiring, informational and simply something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. As 2021 was virtual, I can only imagine how much more inspired I would be attending this conference in person! Way to go!”

— Kari Bigot, VP Head of North America Sales, ALTOUR

"I just needed to say how much I appreciated our telephone conversation! YOU are the FIRST person to see our glass as half full instead of half empty and I can't thank you enough for that!

“Your expertise, professionalism, and insightfulness play such an important role in how we navigate life and business and I believe you exude this in all you set out to do. It is no wonder you have been so very successful. I also know you have worked VERY hard for everything you have so beautifully achieved and still do. I look forward to our collaborative progression in seeing this property become a Luxury Boutique Hotel Resort and Event Center.

“Thank you again for your generous time and very kind demeanor."

— Christina Schneider, Officer, DreamAcre Properties, LLC

“Thanks to the BLLA team for putting together an inspiring and informative conference leveraging technology to deliver great content to the passionate entrepreneurs who occupy the independent hospitality space. Today more than ever consumers crave experiences that are best delivered by boutique owners and operators.”

— Walter Isenberg, President & CEO, Sage Hospitality Group

“BLLA is the premier organization for independent hoteliers, bringing together a bespoke group of industry peers hyper-focused on thinking outside of the box. For first-time hoteliers or those established but hoping to gain traction in the independent arena, I would highly recommend BLLA as an organization and The Boutique Hotel Investment Conference.”

— Michael Kitchen, Partner, Aparium Hotel Group

“Thank you all SO much for putting on another amazing conference, and for allowing MMA to be a part of it. It was an incredible two days. We look forward to many more collaborations in the future, and hope that we can see all of your faces in-person very soon. Cheers to staying Boutique!

— Kayla Evans, Client Executive, Marsh & McLennan Agency

"Thanks so much for having me! I love that our fireside chat was 45 minutes and Ariela asked substantive/real questions!"

— Rami Zeidan, Founder & CEO, Life House

"I just wanted to congratulate you both on a great conference!

“As a newcomer, I can tell you that this was by far the best industry conference that I have ever attended. (And I have been to most of them).

“It was organized, filled with great content, inspirational AND ran on time. I cannot believe that I ever questioned if an 'investment' conference would be worth two days of my time. It was incredibly valuable."

— Janet Eason, Founding Partner & Business and Brand Strategist, Eason Branding

"We are so grateful for BLLA and the wonderful community they’ve been able to create around the boutique community and lifestyle.

“As a fairly new boutique investment & hospitality group, they have welcomed us with open arms and provided so many great connections and resources that have positively impacted us. Speaking at the 2021 Boutique Hotel Investment Conference was an honor, and I look forward to strengthening the relationships made with other like-minded groups and individuals.”

— Lance Helfert, Principal, Montecito Venture Partners

"It was my pleasure to participate. Great job on the event!"

— Jay Stein, CEO, Dream Hotel Group

"It was great to connect with you virtually. Love the dynamic duo!!"

— Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO, JLL Hotels & Hospitality

"I just want to let you know I am really impressed with this lineup of speakers at your Investment Conference. Congrats!"

— Jeff Weinstein, Editor in Chief, HOTELS magazine, HOTELS’ Investment Outlook

"What an incredible organization for the boutique and lifestyle hotel community!"

— Alexandra Marcus, Account Executive - Hospitality & Spa | Therabody

"Congrats on all you have achieved. BLLA has really come a long way. You should be very proud of yourself!"

— Raul Leal, CEO, Virgin Hotels

“This is a conference with creative content and a vibrant atmosphere. The networking opportunities are fun and the line-up of speakers is outstanding, ranging from industry pioneers to new trend-setters. I found the conference insightful and inspirational - highly recommend the event for anyone involved in boutique hotel investments.”

— Tea Ros, Managing Director, Strategic Hotel Consulting

"Huge fan of what you guys do for our industry. Thanks for including me."

— Brian De Lowe, Co-Founder & President, Proper Hospitality

“Incredible…..the speed-dating was SO beneficial…..really. And all the sessions…. And Ian and Arianna back to back? Wow. THANK YOU!”

— Lynn Curry, President & Co-Owner, Resources for Leisure Assets

“It was a pleasure, first time and I found it interesting and fun to participate.”

— Arnaud Zannier, Founder, Zannier Hotels

“Thank you for this incredibly well organized event and platform. You are also about boutique hotels and creativity and for that I thank you!”

— Jacques Olivier Chauvin, CEO, Fauchon Hotels

“To the BLLA Leadership and Organization - Thank you! Anything for the BLLA!”

— Ian Schrager, Founder, Ian Schrager Company

“Just wanted to say well done and bravo - the best virtual experience I have seen by far!”

— David Bowd, Founder & CEO, SALT Hotels

“Just a quick note to say congratulation on the summit; was well organized and thought out. We all got a lot out of it.”

— Lance Helfert, Principal, Montecito Venture Partners

“I was honored to be included in such a great event and I look forward to staying connected with you all as we move forward.”

— Paul Cicerchia, Executive Vice President, Willis Towers Watson

“You guys did a terrific job during a very challenging time for our industry.”

— Rani Gharbie, Head of Acquisitions & Development, The Pod Hotels (BD Hotels)

“Big thank you to Frances and Ariela Kiradjian! We are huge fans of BLLA.”

— James Chappell, Global Business Director, Horwath HTL London

“Hats off to you for an incredible event! I thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and mentor sessions and speed-dating was so fun! I already recommended this format for a team event and have connected with several of my "matches" via email. Thank you for all of your efforts - I cannot begin to imagine what went into planning something like this!”

— Morgan Sauma, Manager of Business Development, Brooklinen

“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your wonderful BLLA virtual conference. You are to be commended as to the quality of the conference, speakers and content.”

— Jack Westergom, CEO, Manhattan Hospitality Advisors

“This was my first (hopefully first of many) attendance to your annual event and I just wanted to say a quick “Thank You” to your entire team for a thoughtful, informative and industry intentional experience. I have left the event better off for having spent the time in it, so thank you for making it so. I have made some valuable connections during the event and I plan to keep in touch with them ongoing.”

— David Speas, Business Development Executive, SuiteLife UM

“Thank YOU for all of your help and collaboration! I cannot believe how much we pulled off, joining so late as a sponsor, but I was really pleased with how everything turned out – and with how much sponsor-love BLLA showed.”

— Jill Noga, Channel Marketing Leader, Lutron

“The conference was phenomenal!”

— Michelle Nava, Development Analyst, sbe

"Congrats on an outstanding webinar today. I love what and how you are doing things at BLLA. We are so proud to be part of your dream. Love it."

— David Goldstone, Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, World Cinema

“I just wanted to take the time to thank you and the BLLA team for putting on the Boutique Lifestyle Digital Summit last week. It was such a wonderful virtual event, with incredible speakers and amazing information and resources. The format of the summit was great and I was incredibly impressed with the ways in which your team curated such highly interactive and beneficial sessions in the virtual landscape. I learned so much and I am so appreciative of all of the time and energy that went into organizing the conference.

”Congratulations on an incredibly successful event and thank you for being innovative and finding ways to network and learn from one another in this unprecedented time. We look forward to attending 2021’s summit!”

— Savannah Fox, Marketing & Operations Manager, Cuyama Buckhorn

“We both enjoyed it immensely and it certainly re-ignited a lot of dreams and conversations for us which is much needed in lockdown.”

— Simon & Gorgi Coghlan, Founders, The Provincial Hotel

"Thank you all for the inspirational panel this morning. Was honored to be a part of it and to hear your stories and personal insights. Loved the diverse backgrounds of the panel and the celebration of women leaders!

“And, thank you Frances for your constant and steadfast investment in elevating women and creating opportunities for others to reach their full potential."

— Janis Cannon, Senior Vice President, Upscale Brands Portfolio, Cambria Hotels and The Ascend Collection

“This was one of the best events I have attended so far and if the digital medium was so insightful, I can only imagine the power of connections we can make with an in-person event.”

— Hemal Jain, General Manager, The Alila Bali

“My THANK YOU to you. It was both a pleasure and an honor to participate. Congratulations on an outstanding event. Looking so forward to it being in person in 2022.”

— David Goldstone, Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, World Cinema

“Frances Kiradjian is a powerhouse in the industry. BLLA is very selective on vendors in their network, and their events bring out the top brass of the industry.”

— Mike Salazar, Vice President, Flexipass

“Wonderful conference with motivational speakers. I especially enjoyed how varied the disciplines were and how many different perspectives were represented.”

— Carolyn Schneider, Partner & President, Casetta Group

"I made amazing contacts at my first networking event for TIEWN. I also have to say that your website is stunning. The images are current and compelling.

“Thanks for being such an industry leader, and doing things with such finesse!"

— Susan Hayes, Business Consultant

“The program and speaker list is no small feat - congrats and kudos to you both. I am so proud to see how you have so gracefully navigated through this challenging time and are emerging like a bright light. It is indeed an Awakening! You continue to lead BLLA forward with smiles , smarts, a chic eye and positive energy – despite the complete disruption + chaos.”

— Denise Korn, Principal/Creative Director, Yellow&

“I’ve now had the pleasure of twice attending virtual BLLA conferences.  As a “motelier” still early in my journey, I’ve found the opportunity to learn directly from boutique vets and other industry newcomers to be impactful.  Despite being a virtual conference, I’ve found there to be great opportunities to connect with others and grow my network.  BLLA also sends out my favourite newsletter, with an assortment of interesting articles.”

— Sarah Sklash, Co-Founder, The June Motel