Morgan Patterson Speaks on Real Estate Challenges in the Hospitality Industry at TMA Southeast Regional Conference

ASHEVILLE, NC—Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Morgan Patterson was a speaker at the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) Southeast Regional Conference. Patterson spoke in an education session titled “Hospitality is Real Estate.”

Real Estate site selection is one of the most critical components and a large fixed cost. The largest hotel company in the world, AirBnB, owns nothing. How can traditional hospitality businesses compete? In this panel discussion, Patterson and other industry insiders discussed the changes and disruptions occurring with real estate and how attendees can assist their clients in re-evaluating current and future real estate needs.

Key discussion points and questions included:

• Restaurants: Own or Lease? Fixed rent or percentage rent?
• Hotels: Hotel or Condo? Leasing or Managing?
• Timeshare Resorts: Common ownership and HOAs.
• Golf Courses: Member or Owner?
• What options are there for re-organizing and restructuring?

Patterson was joined in the panel discussion by US Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peek McEwen (Middle District of Florida), Hilco Real Estate Executive Vice President Navin Nagrani and GlassRatner Managing Director Joel Murovitz, and Ray Yancey, President of R.A. Yancey & Associates, Inc., moderated the discussion.

The 31^st annual TMA Southeast Regional Conference took place May 29-31 in Asheville, NC and was co-sponsored by the TMA’s Alabama, Atlanta, Carolinas, Florida and Tennessee chapters.

Morgan Patterson ’s practice focuses on bankruptcy and creditor’s rights in complex Chapter 11 proceedings. Patterson represents both debtors and a variety of secured and unsecured creditors. She is also experienced in representing liquidating trusts and official committees.