Preliminary Agenda Topics

What future trends are you predicting in extended stay? What current economic factors are affecting your investment and operational strategies? What is the potential impact of changing demographics such as an aging population, shifts in remote work culture, the increasing scarcity of affordable housing options? What about evolving guest preferences? What are some shifts in the market that you may be anticipating, such as the potential for greater demand for hybrid properties that blend short-term and long-term stays, the rise of “staycation” trends in urban locations, and the increasing influence of tech-savvy, experience-driven consumers?

As extended stay hotels begin to increasingly mirror aspects of residential, co-living, and multifamily developments, there is a growing convergence of different real estate asset classes where traditional distinctions between "hotel" and "residential" are less clear. What opportunities are there to develop hybrid models that serve both transient and long-term tenants, and how might this trend shift investment strategies? What are the legal, regulatory, and operational implications of combining these asset types, including zoning issues, financing challenges, and the future of classification standards for mixed-use properties? What is the potential for new asset classes—such as multi-use properties blending extended stays with short-term rentals or office space—to emerge as a result of these blurred lines?

In the extended stay segment, differentiation is critical as the sector experiences increasing competition and diverse demand drivers. How are brands developing sophisticated differentiation strategies in an increasingly crowded market by targeting niche segments – including medical travelers, military families, digital nomads, and senior living alternatives – and creating tailored value propositions for each segment? How can extended stay brands differentiate themselves when the basic product offerings overlap? What role do localized experiences and community integration play in positioning an extended stay brand in specific regions or demographics? How can extended stay brands leverage technology like smart rooms and app-based services to enhance the guest experience and create a competitive advantage? What strategies can extended stay brands employ to foster customer loyalty and repeat business in a segment where guests are transient by nature?

The need for long-term, but still temporary, housing for relocating workers has helped push forward the growing demand for extended stay hotels. How are you targeting such workers, whether they are relocating corporate professionals, traveling medical professionals, or skilled tradesmen working on long-term infrastructure projects? How are you refining offerings to target relocating and/or remote business professionals? Will the return-to-office push and its impact on remote work impact extended stay demand? How can extended stay hotels meet the needs of people displaced from their homes in the wake of natural disasters such as the recent fires in Los Angeles or the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene?

What is the current lending environment for new extended stay hotel development? How have tightening credit conditions and higher borrowing costs due to high interest rates influenced project feasibility, financing strategies, and lender requirements? Has the slow lowering of interest rates over the last few months moved the needle at all? How has the shift toward more conservative lending by traditional banks and the growing role of alternative lenders, private equity, and opportunity funds made an impact in financing these types of projects? What are some different opportunities for structuring deals, such as the use of pre-leased space or hybrid models combining residential and hotel components, to mitigate risks and secure financing in the current market? Are there concerns over new tariffs having a downstream impact on new construction through increased material costs?

How are you structuring extended stay hotel developments with the intention of selling to private equity firms? How can you ensure alignment with the risk profiles and financial return expectations of private equity investors? What are the key financial metrics that private equity firms prioritize, such as EBITDA margins, occupancy rates, and potential for value-added improvements? How are you exploring exit strategies, including the timing of the sale, capital gains considerations, and creating attractive deal structures that maximize ROI for investors?

How are you managing your capital stack to balance debt, equity, and alternative financing options such as mezzanine debt, joint ventures, and tax-exempt bonds? How have higher interest rates impacted the financial viability of long-term hold strategies in the extended stay segment compared to traditional hotels? What are the most effective ways to structure a capital stack for an extended stay property to ensure both flexibility and long-term profitability? How can you utilize joint ventures to mitigate risk while securing financing for new properties or renovations? Given the extended timeline of cash flow for extended stay properties, how should investors reassess their ROI models for long-term hold strategies in a volatile market?

How can private equity and family office investors adjust the equity/debt mix in extended stay hotel projects to align with the sector’s unique cash flow characteristics and long-term hold strategies? What key factors should be considered when determining the appropriate preferred return structure in a deal for extended stay properties? How can profit-sharing mechanisms and equity kicker provisions be creatively structured to ensure alignment of interests between developers and investors in the extended stay market? What are the benefits and risks of incorporating mezzanine debt or hybrid equity structures in extended stay hotel investments, especially considering the sector’s longer revenue ramp-up period? How can co-investment opportunities be structured to appeal to both family offices and private equity investors while addressing the risk-return profile specific to extended stay properties?

Family offices often seek stable cash flow and low-risk investments, so how can you demonstrate the resilience of the extended stay model in various market conditions (such as during economic downturns) and showcase strong historical performance metrics? What tactics can you use to position extended stay hotel projects as appealing investments for family offices? What focus are you placing on building long-term relationships and offering tailored investment opportunities? How can you align investment proposals with the family’s values and legacy goals, whether that’s sustainability, community impact, or generational wealth preservation?

What are some advanced asset management strategies that can enhance the value of extended stay hotels before selling to institutional investors or private equity firms? How might strategies such as property repositioning efforts, optimizing operational efficiencies, improving guest satisfaction scores, upgrading amenities, and enhancing digital marketing to attract higher-quality tenants play a role? How can you prepare the property for sale by refining financials and improving metrics such as NOI to drive higher valuations?

How can extended stay hotels effectively segment guests by length-of-stay and booking behavior to create optimized dynamic pricing strategies and maximize RevPAR? What are the challenges in balancing short-term market fluctuations with the long-term revenue potential inherent in extended stays? How do dynamic LOS pricing models account for different types of extended stay guests, such as corporate travelers versus families or contractors? How can operators leverage advanced machine learning algorithms to forecast demand for extended stay properties, and how can you ensure accuracy in their pricing models? How can extended stay hotels implement dynamic pricing while maintaining brand value and guest satisfaction, especially with long-term stays where price sensitivity may differ?

How can AI-powered staffing tools be leveraged to predict labor demand for extended stay hotels? What are the key challenges in deploying AI-driven workforce management systems for extended stay properties, especially considering the varying lengths of guest stays? How can smart staffing solutions help mitigate the impact of labor shortages in the extended stay segment without compromising guest service quality? What metrics should be prioritized when measuring the effectiveness of AI-driven labor optimization in extended stay hotels, and how can those metrics inform future staffing decisions? How can AI tools adapt to seasonal fluctuations in demand for extended stay hotels, ensuring that staffing is both cost-efficient and responsive to changing market conditions?

Maintaining a resilient supply chain is critical to long-term operational success, especially as disruptions and price volatility continue to affect the availability and cost of essential supplies. How can extended stay hotels utilize predictive inventory management systems to anticipate demand and streamline the procurement of essential supplies over long periods? In light of supply chain disruptions, what are the most effective bulk purchasing strategies for extended stay properties to minimize cost fluctuations while ensuring consistent quality? How can extended stay hotels balance the need for cost control with maintaining high guest satisfaction, particularly when dealing with volatile supply costs for items like toiletries and linens? What role does technology play in enhancing supply chain resilience for extended stay hotels, and how can operators integrate these tools with existing operational systems? How can extended stay operators assess and manage risk in their supply chains, especially in regard to frequently used amenities and furniture that require longer-term planning?

How can extended stay hotels use OTA data to identify rate parity violations and adjust pricing
strategies to maintain competitive advantage while protecting profitability? What strategies can extended stay properties implement to optimize direct bookings without sacrificing visibility or partnerships with OTAs? How can the unique booking patterns of long-term guests be leveraged through OTAs to create more tailored pricing strategies for extended stay properties? In managing relationships with OTAs, what tactics can extended stay hotels use to avoid commission erosion while maximizing visibility on the platforms? How can extended stay operators balance dynamic pricing with the need for consistency across various channels to ensure customer trust and avoid confusion?

How can extended stay properties balance functionality with comfort in room design to accommodate long-term guests who require both living and working spaces? What role does technology play in enhancing the hybrid functionality of extended stay rooms, and how can IoT be utilized to improve both guest experience and operational efficiency? How can modular furniture and adaptable room layouts be incorporated to accommodate various guest needs, such as families, business travelers, or remote workers? What are the challenges in implementing hybridized room designs and technology while maintaining brand consistency and appealing to different guest demographics in the extended stay market? How can extended stay hotels leverage data to continually improve room design and technology integration, ensuring that these spaces evolve with guest expectations and market trends?

How do different local, state, and federal regulations impact the classification of extended stay properties, and how can operators navigate these distinctions effectively? In regions with complex zoning ordinances, what strategies can extended stay hotels implement to ensure compliance without compromising operational flexibility? How can extended stay properties manage the complexities of transient occupancy taxes versus long-term rental regulations, especially in areas with shifting policies? What role do tax incentives like Opportunity Zone breaks play in shaping investment decisions for extended stay hotels, and how can operators maximize these opportunities? As the extended stay segment continues to grow, what regulatory challenges are likely to emerge, and how can operators proactively adapt to ensure compliance and minimize risk?

Do you see much emphasis or demand for ESG considerations in the extended stay segment (especially when comparing to other hotel segments or multifamily assets)? Has the growing emphasis on ESG criteria in investment decisions been a factor in the extended stay segment? How can developers align their projects with ESG principles to attract institutional capital? How are key sustainability strategies being deployed in the extended stay segment – such as designing energy-efficient buildings or implementing waste reduction programs? How are you reporting on ESG goals and performance metrics?