Ken received a B.S. in Hotel Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a top hospitality university in the nation, and his M.S from University of South Florida in Hospitality Management. In addition, Ken graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, continuing his education in the Food and Beverage field. As owner of Tristar Hotel Group, Ken spends the majority of his time building, operating and developing hotels throughout the country. Along with Tristar, Ken also owns HMBookstore, a web-based learning management system providing hospitality training to university students, hotel operators and hotel employees globally. Lastly, Ken owns Hotel Management Online, LLC, the worldwide rights owner to i-Rates.

• Ken Edwards is a contributing Columnist for Hotel Business Review and Hotel Executive.com
• Employer of the year nominee - City of Phoenix.
• Previous Board of Director for IHG Hotel Owners
• Owner of HMBookstore, online eBook used by majority of the top 10 Hospitality Universities. Currently used by 22 Universities in North America and was recently featured as top eLearning training by Hotel Impossible-Travel Channel.
• Partner with i-Rates, new hospitality revenue management software.
• Has owned 15 hotels throughout career, currently owns 7 hotels in three states
• Expertise in the following areas: Revenue Management, cash management, multi-property management, sales & marketing, and food & beverage.
• Hotel of the Year honoree
• IHG Brand Committees Served: Direct Sales Committee-Chairman (2yrs), Holiday Inn Committee (2yrs), Holiday Inn Committee (3yrs), and IHG Frequent Travel Committee-Priority Club (2yrs).

Rick Tomljenovic received his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Forest Park College in Saint Louis, Missouri. Rick has spent over twenty-five years in the hotel industry working in various management positions including: General Manager, Guest Services-Room Division, Accounting, and Food & Beverage. With his superior managerial experience in the industry, Rick brings vast knowledge in the fields of Cash Management, Sales & Marketing, and the take-over / turn-around of properties. Currently, Rick Tomljenovic sits on the Carlson Hotel Owners Advisory Committee and is the Chief Operating Officer of Tristar Hotel Group, a position he has held for more than 18 years.

• Currently serving as Tristar's Director of West/Southwest/Midwest/Eastern operations, overseeing on-site property management as well as project development.
• Received his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Forest Park College.
• Instructor at Forest Park College for five years.
• Has spent over twenty-five years in the hotel industry working in management positions that include General Manager, guest services-room division, accounting, and food & beverage.
• With his experience, he brings vast knowledge in the fields of Cash Management, Accounting, Sales & Marketing and take-over / turn-around properties.
• Currently sits on the Carlson Hotel Owners Advisory Committee.
• Rick Tomljenovic is currently serving as Tristar’s Director of Operations, overseeing on-site property management as well as project development. He has overseen the construction, conversion and renovation of over 40 hotels in his career.
• Rick Tomljenovic received his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Forest Park College.
• He has managed four diamond hotels, full service resorts, full service hotels, extended stay, and select & limited service brands.
• Works closely with the Architects and Design firms when dealing with renovated or new build properties.
• Mr. Tomljenovic was a hotel instructor at Forest Park College for five years.
• He has spent the last 18 years as owner and partner with Tristar.
• With his experience he has been featured as a guest speaker and panel participant with several hospitality conventions.
• Past Board member for Carlson Hotels International Owners Association
• Served on several standard review boards with several brands.