DALLAS—In a session last week at the Lodging Conference, Dave Johnson of Plano-based Aimbridge Hospitality talked about the role of loyalty, technology and retaining talent within the hospitality structure. In that session, A View from the Top, moderator Don Landry of Top Ten Hospitality Advisors led the discussion focused on those topics along with markets to watch and hotel security.

Landry began by saying that with the chaos in Washington, DC, it is unlikely that substantial legislation will be passed in the remainder of the year. Within the hotel sector, demand is strong and supply is stronger, he said. Low-cost debt is out there and that low-debt environment invites new supply. Chinese funds still remain prevalent in the United States. The big question is when will rates go up?

Turning to some of the micro-issues within each hospitality operation, the panel weighed in on the challenges and opportunities for acquisition, development and lending, short-term and long-range impact of new brands on independents and soft brands, potential derailments that would impact demand and supply forecasts, financing trends and danger zones, and critical factors for success in 2018.