Burba named ALIS Lifetime Achievement winner

LOS ANGELES – James (Jim) Burba, longtime industry veteran and ALIS founder, will be presented with the ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award during the 25^th annual the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on Monday-Wednesday, January 26-28, 2026, in Los Angeles.

This award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the hospitality industry through their actions, deeds, and great accomplishments.

“Jim’s contributions to the industry have included trend setting ideas that have produced far-reaching impacts," said Jeff Higley, president of The BHN Group by Northstar. "In addition to his keen industry knowledge cultivated through his consultancy and investment analysis, Jim’s creative approach to events helped establish a successful, sustainable formula. It’s incredibly apropos to recognize Jim’s many industrywide accomplishments during the 25^th anniversary of ALIS.”

Jim’s creative approach to events helped establish a successful, sustainable formula. It’s incredibly apropos to recognize Jim’s many industrywide accomplishments during the 25th anniversary of ALIS.

Jeff Higley

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“It was a privilege for me to learn and grow under Jim's exceptional leadership,” stated Jonathon Zink, COO of The BHN Group by Northstar. “Jim's pioneering spirit and passion set him apart, making him a standout figure in the industry. His ability to stay ahead of the curve, innovate continuously, and drive shared success is truly remarkable.”

Burba began his career in hotel investment in 1978 and served as a consultant/investment analyst for over 25 years. He started with and became a principal at Pannell Kerr Forster. Later roles had him serving as a Senior Managing Director with Hotel Partners, Worldwide Director of Advisory Services at WATG, and President of Horwath HTL (U.S.).

During his consulting career, Burba became a pioneer in producing investment conferences for the rapidly changing hotel industry. Starting in Los Angeles (1986), he then expanded into Latin America (1996), Europe (1998), the Caribbean (2000), and Asia (2001). He co-founded Burba Hotel Network (BHN), and over three decades created and/or produced more than 150 hotel and tourism investment conferences in 22 countries. Under Burba’s leadership, BHN, its events, and partners generated over $18 million for hotel and community non-profit organizations. In 2017, Northstar Travel Media acquired the conferences owned by BHN and its partners, including ALIS, ALIS Law, ALIS Summer Update, HICAP, HICAP Update, CHRIS, HOLA, HIFI, AOCAP and Hot.E.

During the third phase of Jim’s career, he and his husband, Bob Hayes, created Burba Hayes LLC, an entertainment production company. Since 2014, Burba Hayes has produced four feature films, and four Broadway shows. Burba and Hayes also authored the book Smart Partners (Select Books 2016).

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Burba to the California Travel and Tourism Commission (Visit California). Jim is a graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University and received his MBA from UCLA.

Registration for ALIS 2026 is open and Advance registration fee ends December 10th. Additional information and program details are available on the ALIS website. For general information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Valerie Feng, Associate of The BHN Group.

Produced by Northstar Travel Group, in association with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and The BHN Group by Northstar, the two-and-a-half-day ALIS event features an extensive array of seminars and panels hosted by leading experts and investors discussing important trends and identifying new opportunities.

The conference attracts the lodging industry’s leading hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers, and professional advisory community. ALIS is collocated with ALIS Law and ALIS DESIGN+, providing an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network, collaborate, and get deals done. ALIS Law is scheduled for Sunday-Monday, January 25-26, 2026, at the Courtyard/Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. ALIS DESIGN+ is set to take place Wednesday-Thursday, January 28-29, 2026, at the JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.