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Fortier began his career working as consultant-manage- ment advisory services for the accounting firm Pannell Kerr Forster inDenver.He latermoved into lodging devel- opment with Marriott International in Bethesda, MD, where he worked in various capacities including manager of market planning and feasibility, and regional vice presi- dent of lodging development. In 1996, Fortier moved to Hilton Hotels Corporation in Beverly Hills and in 2001 he became senior vice president – franchise development of Hilton's Brand Performance and Development group where he successfully integrated the Franchise Development, Project Management and Contract Management teams after Hilton's acquisition of Promus Corporation in 1999. Today, Fortier oversees development and franchising of all Hilton brands for both North and South America. Just this past December, the Penn State School of Hospitality Management named Fortier a Conti Professor. Conti Professors visit the school as guest lecturers. This past fall, Fortier led a classroom discussion with over 200 students about hospitality real estate and development from both the franchisor and franchisee perspective. Fortier earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. He later complet- ed graduate studies in real estate and finance from the University of Houston and the University of Colorado. Aries Capital, LLC is a full-service real estate lender VENDOR SHOWCASE and mortgage banking firm offering long-term, interim and mezzanine loans. The firm manages two asset bro- kerage and consulting companies — Aries Hospitality Investments and Freeman Reality Advisors. Aries also has two direct lending affiliates Aries Real Estate Fund and Urban Development Fund. Over the past 20 years,Aries has arranged or directly funded over $3 billion to commercial real estate owners and developers worldwide, with a special expertise in the hospitality industry. Aries Capital and the company's chairman and CEO Neil D. Freeman have been staunch supporters of the NABHOOD mission and arranged or financed hotel properties for several NABHOOD members, says Ingraham. Freeman and Aries are frequent presenters at hotel investment summits around the world including NAB- HOOD, held in late July (see below). To learn more about Aries Capital go to their website, www.ariescapital.com. ACQUISITIONS AND PURCHASES 2012 promises to be a stimulating year as the hotel invest- ment industry and the greater economy continues to recov- er from the recession. There are several exciting projects in the works, which we are not at liberty to announce just yet as contracts and financing are in the final stages. Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23 • NABHOOD to hold the 16th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership and Investment Summit and Trade show—July 25 – 28, 2012 — Doral Golf Resort and Spa — Miami. Other upcoming hotel investment conferences • Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference — April 24 – 26, 2012 —Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino — Puerto Rico of note: • Asian American Hotel Owners Association — May 2 – 5, 2012 — Omni Hotel and World Congress Center — Atlanta, GA • Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) — May 7 – 8, 2012 — JW Marriott Marquis — Miami, FL • South American Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference—September 10 – 11, 2012—The Westin Lima Hotel & Resort Convention Center — Lima, Peru • African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) — September 25 – 26, 2012 — Intercontinental Hotel — Nairobi, Kenya T C N A L E N D F A R O E V E S