JAMES C. BATES, PRESIDENT/CEO

Mr. Bates has a long and successful track record in the hospitality industry for over 35 years. His innovative and dynamic approach to building brands, developing new product and executing excellent return on investment makes him a sought after expert in the market. Mr. Bates has held senior management positions with Hilton Hotels, Canadian Pacific, Best Western International, Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, Helmsley Hotels, Boutique Hotels & Resorts International as well as several independent properties and projects.

Mr. Bates began his career in Beverly Hills, California at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Wilshire Hotel and The Beverly Hilton Hotel. He is currently a partner in Boutique Hotels & Resorts International, a global luxury boutique hotel representation and global destination service sales company and sits on their advisory board. Mr. Bates is currently President and CEO of Destination Hotel Partners, LLC based in New York specializing in global hotel development; Chairman of Asset Management Partners, LLC and Green Hotels and Resorts International and CEO of Art Factory Hotels.

James Bates has served on several advisory boards including: Travel Industry Association of America, Pow Wow Planning Committee, World Travel Mart, ITB Berlin, Luxury Travel Expo, Best Western International EMAC Committee, Choice Hotels, Cendant Preferred Partners Committee, NYSAE We Love New York Day Chairman and NYSAE Chairman Associates Committee, Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International and Leading Hotels Of The World Marketing Advisory Committee. Mr. Bates has served on numerous Convention and Visitors Bureau Boards of Directors and advisory boards worldwide; and has participated on numerous panels and guest speaking engagements worldwide including NAFEO conference, Nixon Peabody IPED Conference and White House Initiative on HBCUs.