CHICAGO—Following a long battle with cancer, Lodging Conference co-founder and conference chairman Morris Lasky has died. An industry veteran of more than 50 years, the 78-year-old Lasky also presided over Lodging Unlimited, where he was CEO and president.
Jointly owned by Lasky and Harry Javer, co-founder and producer, the Lodging Conference now will be owned and managed entirely by Javer. The annual event, which is always held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, will take place this October.
Of his late colleague Javer says, “I've known Morris for more than two decades and I can't recall a day when he was not upbeat. Even during these last few months, he remained optimistic. As the conference chairperson and co-founder, he helped guide the conference program since 1995. His industry knowledge and contacts were invaluable when we started this event twenty-one years ago. Morris will be missed, and we will honor his memory by continuing to improve this great industry event that he so loved.”
Conference director Linda Chelmow—who worked with Lasky for 24 years—adds, "More than a giant in the industry, Morris was a personal friend to all of us who knew him. His warmth and hospitality was evident in everything he did. Morris will be greatly missed by the hospitality industry he so greatly loved in a career that spanned over 50 years.
Lasky also kept busy with Lodging Unlimited, which he formed the company in 1970 to provide management, consulting and marketing services to the hospitality industry. The firm has overseen $7 billion in management activity, consulting, development, real estate acquisitions, sales and financings to the hotel industry.
Previously, from 1962 to 1970, Lasky served as SVP of American Motor Inns, a Helmsley-Spears subsidiary formed to acquire troubled hospitality properties. He began his hospitality career in 1956 with Motel Enterprises as a general manager and was promoted to VP of operations for the entire chain at age 23.
An event honoring Lasky, “A Celebration of Morris' Life,” will be held Monday April 6th, from 3 pm to 8pm, at the Cog Hill Golf Course in Lemont, IL.
An event honoring Lasky, “A Celebration of Morris' Life,” will be held
Monday April 6th, from 3 pm to 8pm, at the Cog Hill Golf Course in Lemont, Il
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Rayna Katz
Rayna Katz is a seasoned business journalist whose extensive experience includes coverage of the lodging sector, travel and the culinary space. She was most recently content director for a business-to-business publisher, overseeing four publications. While at Meeting News, a travel trade publication, she received a Best Reporting award for a story on meeting cancellations in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
