Professional
T. BLAKE DANNER, CHA, CHME
Blake Danner is an inspiring operations and sales professional, crafter of iconic brands and leader of high performing teams. During his 25+ year career, he has worked with some of the world’s leading lifestyle visionaries and created award winning new brands in the lifestyle hospitality space.
Blake is currently the Chief Operating Officer of aka Hotels and aka Hotel Residences. AKA balances the space and comfort of a fully appointed luxury apartment with the style and hospitality of an intimate hotel. AKA offers sophisticated hotel accommodations and spacious furnished residences with exceptional business, wellness, and lifestyle amenities in iconic neighborhoods. As leaders in long stay living, we have introduced our core residential philosophies to evolve the hotel category into a high-quality experience that is more livable. AKA accommodations reflect a tranquil and sophisticated design that strikes the perfect balance between the privacy and contentment of a residence and the hospitality, service, and style of an intimate hotel, so it has touches of residential living. With locations in NYC (4), Philadelphia (2), Boston (2), Washington DC (3), Miami, West Palm Beach, Los Angeles (2) and London.
Previously he was the Chief Operating Officer of Proper Hospitality, an industry leading fully-integrated real estate investment, development and management firm based in Los Angeles. With Proper Hotel locations in San Francisco, Santa Monica, CA, Austin TX and Downtown Los Angeles, coming soon in Miami Beach.
Proper Hospitality also operates Avalon Hotels in Beverly Hills and Avalon Hotel and Bungalows in Palm Springs and The Collective Hotels - Hotel June West LA, Malibu, Venice V Hotel on the historic Venice Boardwalk and historic The Culver Hotel.
Blake was the founding COO for The Sydell Group. As the founding COO of the company, he was an instrumental member creating 4 exciting new hotel brands-NoMad, The Line, Freehand and Saguaro. While with Sydell he oversaw tremendous growth of the young company, opening 11 hotels in 7 years. Fast Company named Sydell “One of the world’s top 10 innovative companies in style”
Blake spent 11 years working alongside the legendary Ian Schrager with Ian Schrager Hotels/Morgan’s Hotel Group early in his career, as the Sr. V.P., Sales. He was involved in the Openings of several iconic hotels, including The Clift, Sanderson, The Shore Club and Mondrian SOBE, all in key destinations. He created a cohesive global sales force that expanded from 20 to 90 sales professionals during his tenure.
Watch this video on Blake's passion on sales strategy:
