Consolo of Prudential Douglas Elliman to be panelist at October 12 NYcrew event

The role of retail and hotels in revitalizing the city and its neighborhoods will be discussed by a panel that includes "Queen of Retail" Faith Hope Consolo of Prudential Douglas Elliman at "Retail & Lodging: Rocking, Rolling & Revitalizing N.Y.C.," a NYcrew Network "Industry Focus" to be held Wednesday, October 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Citibank, 399 Park Ave., Auditorium/12th floor. "N.Y.C. is the capital of the retail world, and the tourism world," said Consolo, chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group. "It's only natural that the two would feed each other, and that's exactly what's happening. As a board member and director of communications of NYcrew, I am particularly delighted to offer my views on this important topic among my friends and colleagues." Her hospitality triumphs nationwide include coordinating the retail for Starwood's launch of W Hotels, The Waldorf-Astoria, the St. Regis Hotels in New York and Los Angeles, The Peninsula Group, Trump Hotels, Setai Miami/Wall Street, the Four Seasons, MGM Grand and Foxwoods, and Wynn Hotels, giving her a unique perspective on how the sectors support each other. "Shopping is the number one activity for visitors to New York and everywhere else in the world," Consolo said. "Hoteliers have come to realize the advantages of offering their guests more than just a quick souvenir shop. Today, more and more hotels are home to some of the world's best-known brands and retailers, with the two formats helping each other's bottom lines." The panel also will explore the short- and long-term prospects for retail and commercial real estate in New York City; revitalizing the city's retail market; and retail and hospitality's contribution to the city. Scheduled to join Consolo on the panel are Riyaz Akhtar, executive VP of development, Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, LLC; Andrew Jackson, project manager, The Hudson Cos. Incorporated; and Amelia Lim, executive VP, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. Barbara Champoux, Esq., a partner at Crowell & Moring, will moderate. The event is sponsored by NYcrew member, Laura Walker, VP of commercial banking, Citibank. Attendees must register by 5:30 p.m. on October 10th to receive the advance registration rate of $50 for NYcrew members, $65 for CREW chapter members, $85 for nonmembers and $30 for students. For more information, and to register, visit http://nycrew.org/node/86.