Gregory L. DeShields, CHO, CHE currently serves as the Executive Director at PHLDiversity Multicultural Affairs Congress a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), adjunct instructor for Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality and Hospitality Educators.
A graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, Greg earned an A.S. Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, and a B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management. His professional certifications include: American Hotel & Lodging Association, Educational Institute – Certified Hospitality Educator – 2013 Asian American Hotel Owners Association – Certified Hotel Owner 2013 – Leadership Philadelphia – Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange.
Recently Greg served as Managing Director of Business Development for Temple University Fox School of Business & School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Professionally, Greg has been a manager in the hospitality industry for such companies as Hyatt Hotel, Omni Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Korman Company, General Manager of Philadelphia OIC’s Opportunities Inn: Hospitality Training Institute.
Greg’s Board membership and committee chairs include: Asian American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board (Philadelphia), Center City District (Philadelphia), Center City Proprietors Association (Philadelphia), COMHAR Inc. (Philadelphia) Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Independent Business Alliance (Philadelphia), Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Responsible Hospitality Institute (Philadelphia) – National Board and SKAL International (Philadelphia) Greg is an active member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, National Association of Black Hotel Owners Operators and Developers, and Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
Greg DeShields
PHLDiversity / Philadelphia CVB
PHLDiversity
A Division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
1601 Market Street Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
p 215-636-4433
Lodging Econometrics has tracked the hotel industry since 1998. Its global database includes new-hotel pipelines as well as renovations and brand conversions. Hotel franchisers once eager to launch new brands are focused on converting existing hotels because it’s a faster way to recover revenue lost to the COVID-19 pandemic than through new construction. In Episode 346, Lodging Leaders explores the increasing number of conversions in the U.S. hotel industry and what owners and operators need to consider before repositioning an asset.
In the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., financiers anticipated a swell of distressed hotel businesses. Some raised rescue funds to respond to what they thought was a pending crisis. Though there are financial rescues taking place, the level of such activity is far below what industry advisers and fund managers expected. Commercial real estate investors positioned to act in the early days of the pandemic held off and are now just beginning to unleash their cash hoards totaling billions of dollars. Episode 345 of Lodging Leaders podcast explores the state of capital investment in the hotel industry.