The Hospitality Law Conference: Houston

Schedule

Wed, 13 May, 2026 at 01:00 pm to Thu, 14 May, 2026 at 05:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

The Houston Club | Houston, TX

Advertisement
A 1.5 day hospitality law conference covering deal-making, operations, risk, labor, and compliance—practical insights for decision makers.
About this Event

Welcome to The Hospitality Law Conference: Houston!

This is an immersive one-and-a-half-day educational experience designed for professionals across the lodging and food & beverage industries. Hosted at The Houston Club, this intimate and expert-led program brings together legal, business, and operational leaders to examine the most pressing legal and risk issues impacting hospitality today.

Through interactive sessions, real-world case studies, and meaningful networking opportunities, attendees will explore best practices, benchmark policies, and gain practical guidance they can immediately apply within their organizations.



Day 1: Let’s Make a Deal

Day 1 features Let’s Make a Deal, a dynamic half-day program bringing together key stakeholders from across the hospitality deal-making ecosystem. This program dives deep into the legal, financial, and strategic components that drive successful hotel projects, acquisitions, refinancings, and other transactions.

Designed for developers, owners, operators and their lawyers, lenders, investors, brokers, and finance executives, Let’s Make a Deal serves as a master class on current market trends, deal structures, portfolio strategies, exit options, risk management, and financing tools shaping today’s hospitality landscape.

Whether you’re closing your first hospitality deal, refinancing an existing asset, or refining your next acquisition strategy, Let’s Make a Deal delivers the insights and connections needed to move projects forward with confidence.


Day 2: Operational & Risk Challenges

Day 2 focuses on the complex operational challenges facing hospitality businesses today. Topics include labor and employment, food and beverage operations, safety and security, risk mitigation, management agreements, and emerging litigation trends.

Designed for owners, operators, HR professionals, security leaders, in-house counsel, and other hospitality practitioners, this full-day program offers practical insights and actionable strategies to help navigate the legal and operational issues that impact daily decision-making.

Attendees will gain up-to-date guidance, real-world examples, and best practices to strengthen compliance, enhance guest and employee safety, and protect their organizations from evolving risks.

Discover the latest cases, trends, challenges, and solutions shaping the hospitality industry—all while building meaningful professional connections. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed, prepared, and ahead of the curve.



Agenda

View the agenda here.


Meet the Speakers

View the speaker lineup here.


CLE

HospitalityLawyer.com® has partnered with MyLawCLE for this program.

MyLawCLE applies for CLE accreditation for all programs in every state, with the exception of live credits in Virginia. In Virginia, only self-study credits are sought.

After the CLE program concludes, all participating attorneys and paralegals will receive a certificate of completion as proof of attendance. In states that require attendance tracking, MyLawCLE records attendance directly. In all other states, participants are responsible for submitting the approved CLE certificate to their state bar or governing body.


Lodging Suggestions
  • Hyatt Regency Houston, 1200 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, (713) 654-1234
  • Baldwin Hotel,400 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77002, (713) 759-0202
  • Thompson Houston, 1717 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019, (402) 316-1067

Can't Attend in Houston?

If travel or scheduling makes Houston difficult this spring, we invite you to join us this fall for The Hospitality Law Conference: Washington DC, taking place in Arlington, Virginia.

>> Explore the Washington DC Program & Registration Here


Any Questions?

Visit our FAQs page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please email .


Day 1

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Check-In
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Host: Stephen Barth
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
Panel 1: Market Outlook & Deal-Making Trends
Host: Hector Medina, Ankura

Info: Where are the deals happening now? What’s driving investor interest—conversions, distressed assets, or new development?


🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:40 PM
Panel 2: Anatomy of a Hospitality Acquisition
Host: Manuel Bremont, Ankura

Info: A step-by-step walkthrough of hotel acquisitions—from LOI and diligence through closing.


🕑: 02:40 AM - 03:00 PM
Break
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:50 PM
Panel 3: Portfolio Management, Growth & Optimization
Host: Jonathan Falik, JF Capital Advisors

Info: Managing risk, performance, and value across multi-property hotel portfolios. Topics include acquisitions vs. dispositions, brand strategy, operational alignment, financing considerations, restructurings, and legal exposure at scale.


🕑: 03:50 AM - 04:40 PM
Panel 4: Financing Structures, Legal Landmines & Deal Risk
Host: Jonathan Falik, JF Capital Advisors

Info: Capital stacks, lender expectations, creative structuring, and the legal pitfalls that can derail transactions—and how to avoid them.


🕑: 04:40 PM - 04:45 PM
Closing Remarks
🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:45 PM
Dealmakers Reception
Day 2

🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:50 AM
Check-In & Continental Breakfast
🕑: 08:50 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome
Host: Stephen Barth
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Keep Your Hospitality Establishment Our of Jeopardy! A Focus on AI and Ethics
Host: Kendall Kelly Hayden, Cozen O'Connor
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Trade Secrets & Restrictive Covenants: Advice to Safeguard Critical Assets
Host: Jordan Schwartz, Conn Maciel Carey
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Break
🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
Top Employment Issues in the Hotel and Hospitality Sector
Host: Andria Ryan, Fisher Phillips
🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM
Service Charges Under Fire: Navigating a New Wave of Hospitality Litigation
Host: Amanda Monroe
🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:20 AM
Break
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
Legal & Operational Issues Associated with Hemp-Based Beverages
Host: Elizabeth DeConti
🕑: 11:50 AM - 12:20 PM
Truth Decay: Deepfakes, Digital Evidence, and the Defense Advantage
Host: Lars Daniel, Rimkus Consulting Group
🕑: 12:20 PM - 01:20 PM
Award Luncheon
🕑: 01:20 PM - 01:50 PM
Key Negotiable Provisions of Hospitality-related Purchase Agreements
Host: Colby Birkes, Dentons
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:20 PM
Latest Trends in Franchise Agreements
Host: Jennifer Nellany, Cozen O'Connor
🕑: 02:20 PM - 02:45 PM
Break
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
Mastering Large Loss Property Claims: The Hidden Factors that Impact Claim Rec
Host: Marco Flores, Stormlex Law Group
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Top Hospitality Cases
Host: Diana Barber
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:15 PM
Closing Remarks
🕑: 04:15 PM
Reception
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

The Houston Club, 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 395.00 to USD 995.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
HospitalityLawyer.com\u00ae

Host or Publisher HospitalityLawyer.com®

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Houston

C\u00f3mo Obtener Cr\u00e9dito Para Tu Negocio  - Taller GRATIS
Wed, 13 May Cómo Obtener Crédito Para Tu Negocio - Taller GRATIS

SEDES - System for Education Empowerment and Success

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
MAH May Luncheon - TBD
Wed, 13 May at 11:30 am MAH May Luncheon - TBD

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Maximizing Business Success With Social Media Marketing
Wed, 13 May at 11:30 am Maximizing Business Success With Social Media Marketing

4601 Old Yale St

DIGITAL-MARKETING
Accelerator Series: Scripts for Success by Realty of America
Wed, 13 May at 12:00 pm Accelerator Series: Scripts for Success by Realty of America

2550 N Loop W

Understanding Glass Wall Acoustics & Happy Hour!
Wed, 13 May at 03:00 pm Understanding Glass Wall Acoustics & Happy Hour!

Versatile Office Interiors

ART
R&B Game Night Wednesdays
Wed, 13 May at 04:00 pm R&B Game Night Wednesdays

12513 Westheimer Rd suite c

CONTESTS
Happy Hour Social Networking Event
Wed, 13 May at 05:00 pm Happy Hour Social Networking Event

Dish Society

Paws for Cause
Wed, 13 May at 05:30 pm Paws for Cause

10595 Westoffice Dr

NONPROFIT
Startups Mentorship Program
Fri, 18 Sep at 11:00 am Startups Mentorship Program

WeWork (Virtual Session)

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
VIRTUAL CEO EVENT
Tue, 30 Aug at 06:30 pm VIRTUAL CEO EVENT

2550 N Loop W, Suite 250

VIRTUAL
Hazardous Energy Control - Houston
Tue, 24 Jan at 08:00 am Hazardous Energy Control - Houston

Eaton Training Center - Houston

WORKSHOPS PERFORMANCES
Electrical Safety for the Qualified Worker - Houston
Tue, 16 May at 08:00 am Electrical Safety for the Qualified Worker - Houston

Eaton Training Center - Houston

WORKSHOPS
Build Your First Successful AI SaaS Startup Today! - Workshop
Tue, 23 Apr at 01:00 pm Build Your First Successful AI SaaS Startup Today! - Workshop

TBD

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
Launch Your Own Successful AI App | AI Startup | Workshop 2026
Tue, 30 Apr at 12:00 pm Launch Your Own Successful AI App | AI Startup | Workshop 2026

TBD

WORKSHOPS BUSINESS
Houston Expansion
Thu, 20 Jun at 06:00 pm Houston Expansion

Hilton Houston Westchase

Prompt to Profit \u2014 Learn Generative AI for Business and Innovation
Wed, 22 Oct at 01:00 pm Prompt to Profit — Learn Generative AI for Business and Innovation

TBD

WORKSHOPS BUSINESS
Dark Intelligence
Thu, 13 Nov at 05:00 pm Dark Intelligence

River Oaks District

WORKSHOPS ART
Workplace Diversity & Inclusion \u2013 Empower Teams in Houston,  TX
Wed, 19 Nov at 09:00 am Workplace Diversity & Inclusion – Empower Teams in Houston, TX

For venue details reach us at: [email protected]

WORKSHOPS SPORTS
Business Analytics Weekend (CBAP) Training in Lansing, MI
Sat, 06 Dec at 09:00 am Business Analytics Weekend (CBAP) Training in Lansing, MI

2950 N Loop W

WORKSHOPS
Managing Performance 1 Day Workshop | Houston, TX
Fri, 12 Dec at 09:00 am Managing Performance 1 Day Workshop | Houston, TX

For venue details reach us at [email protected]

WORKSHOPS PERFORMANCES

What's Happening Next in Houston?

Discover Houston Events