JNS Team Attends Independent Lodging Congress in Miami

This month, Partner Nicole Nathan and Associate Radek Wakulik attended the Independent Lodging Congress (ILC) in Miami. The two-day conference offered multiple opportunities to network with peers, discuss the latest trends in hospitality design and development, and source inspiration from across the city of Miami. Nicole and Radek connected with fellow hospitality development and design thought leaders from all over the world, from Hawaii to Andorra and the Czech Republic.

One of the pair’s most notable ILC experiences was a tour of the Historic Hampton House, an integral piece of Miami’s Black history and a classic example of the Miami Modern style of architecture. During the 1960s, when Jim Crow laws were still in place, the house hosted the famous meeting of Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali), Sam Cook, Jim Brown and Malcom X that was featured in the motion picture film “One Night in Miami.”

Nicole and Radek also had the opportunity to experience the colorful designs at every turn in Miami’s Wynwood District. Formerly the Miami Garment District, Wynwood is a world-class hub for art and fashion and home to the Wynwood Walls, a collection of vibrant murals on converted warehouse walls.

Situated adjacent to Wynwood in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood and home to one of the largest private contemporary art collections in North America, the Rubell Museum was another inspiring facet of the conference. Having pioneered a model for sharing private art collections with the public, the Rubell Museum offers a uniquely diverse collection made up of more than 7,200 pieces with a focus on under-recognized and emerging artists.

The JNS team returned from Miami full of inspiration and equipped with new industry knowledge and trends. Thank you to ILC for hosting such a valuable experience!