Kendall College Les Roches School of Hospitality Management today announced that the Dean of the School, Jeffrey Catrett, will present a speech at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show today in New York City. Catrett was selected by the American Hotel & Lodging Association to speak at the popular trade show because of his insight on the impact that retiring Baby Boomers will have on the hospitality industry.

Catrett’s presentation will take place at 3 p.m. EST. As Catrett explains: “In October 2007, the first Baby Boomer filed for Social Security; 78 million more will follow over the next eighteen years. As Baby Boomers enter their sixties, intelligent and innovative businesses should be both creative and caring in meeting the sweeping changes this greying population will demand. Although accommodating seniors is increasingly a fact of life for hospitality businesses, not enough thought has been devoted to the needs of older guests.”

Catrett will discuss the expectations of the important and growing Boomer market segment, while highlighting mistakes made by the healthcare industry to demonstrate how the hospitality industry can avoid the same pitfalls. In addition, Mr. Catrett will share advice about what the hospitality industry can do to prepare for and better service the growing number of aging Baby Boomers.

“As a Baby Boomer myself and working in the hospitality industry, I am passionate about this issue. It’s important for hospitality leaders not to lose sight of the fact that the largest generation of all–the Baby Boomers–will continue to be an essential element in the economic success of any enterprise,” says Catrett.

The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, the world’s largest showcase and exchange of industry products, trends, and developments, is being held from November 8-11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The Show, which draws over 35,000 attendees each year, will house more than 1,250 exhibitors.