Is bigger better? Global hospitality chains are buying up competitors in a consolidation trend driven by abundant liquidity and low interest rates. But corporate M&A isn't the only disruptor in the industry. Independent "boutique" hotels offering personalized service are growing in popularity. And web-based home-sharing services, like Airbnb, are attracting millions of travelers eager to book cozy lodgings at a fraction of the prices charged by traditional hotels. The industry has shown an appetite for consolidation, but will bigger-is-better satisfy consumers' affinity for low cost and a personal touch? How will the boutique concept expand across the independent and branded global markets? And what categories and locales are ripest for M&A in 2015? Our panel of investors and executives will consider these questions and share their insights about the future of hospitality.

Moderator: Jesse Sharf
Speakers: Alan Fuerstman, Mahmood Khimji, David Palmer, Michael Rosenfeld, Henry Silverman