JESSE COLE, OWNER and founder of the Savannah Bananas baseball team, will deliver a special address at the 36th Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 19. The event, hosted by Hunter Hotel Advisors, takes place from March 18-20 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cole’s main stage session, “Elevate Your Game: Fans First,” will focus on strategies to enhance guest engagement, redefine service standards and strengthen brand storytelling, Hunter said in a statement.
“Jesse brings a unique perspective on customer engagement and brand development that resonates with hotel investors, operators, and industry leaders,” said Lee Hunter, Hunter Conference’s chairman. “This is an opportunity to learn from a true innovator.”
Cole, known for his yellow tuxedo and work in sports entertainment, has turned the Savannah Bananas into a widely recognized team, the statement said. The Bananas, featured on The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and Access Hollywood, have sold out every season and built a waitlist of more than 2 million fans under his leadership. He is also the founder of Fans First Entertainment, which combines baseball and entertainment with a focus on the show.
“Fans First. It’s the name of our company. It’s our goal. That’s what we’re doing—focusing on fans,” said Cole.
His philosophy has reshaped the sports experience and sparked discussions about reimagining guest engagement in hospitality, the statement said. By adopting a “Fans First” approach, the industry can rethink how to prioritize guests.
The conference will also feature industry leaders, panel discussions, and networking opportunities addressing challenges and trends in hotel investment.
More than 2,100 attendees registered for the 35th conference, including 40 percent hotel owners and 25 percent first-time attendees, according to Hunter. Speakers included Cassie Kozyrkov, Google’s first chief decision scientist; mentalist Oz Pearlman; Delta CEO Ed Bastian; and Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano.
