College & University Hotel Ownership Symposium (CUHOS)
A Room Where It All Comes Together
CUHOS is an invitation-only forum created by Pinnacle Advisory Group for colleges and universities that own, operate, or are developing campus-based hotels and conference centers. Hosted in partnership with leading universities, the event brings together administrators, operators, developers, and advisors for candid, peer-level conversation grounded in real-world experience and practical insight.
CUHOS was built around a simple but powerful idea - that the leaders navigating these unique assets have as much to learn from each other as from any advisor. The symposium creates a trusted environment for institutions facing similar opportunities and challenges to exchange ideas, share experience, and strengthen decision-making together.
By connecting higher-education leaders with experienced hospitality partners, CUHOS helps campus hotel projects achieve lasting value for their communities and missions. Past events have been hosted at Villanova University, Swarthmore College, and Harvard University, drawing institutions from across the country.
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Frequently asked questions
What makes college and university-owned hotels different?
Campus-based hotels and conference centers serve more than travelers. They host prospective students, visiting faculty, alumni, and the surrounding community, all while reflecting the institution’s brand and reputation. These projects balance financial performance with academic and institutional priorities, making them more complex than a typical hotel. Pinnacle understands this dual role and helps align hospitality operations with the broader goals of the university.
How do colleges and universities fund and structure hotel developments?
Campus hotels can be financed and governed in several ways—direct ownership, affiliates, ground leases, developer partnerships, or P3 structures. Each presents different implications for control, risk, and return. Pinnacle helps institutions evaluate these models and select the structure that best balances financial outcomes with governance and mission.
What role does the university play after the hotel opens?
Most institutions do not operate hotels directly. We support universities through operator selection, governance frameworks, reporting, and ongoing performance oversight—often serving as the institution’s asset manager. The operator manages daily operations, while we help ensure performance aligns with institutional goals.
What is the College & University Hotel Owners Symposium (CUHOS)?
CUHOS, a forum for institutions that own or are developing campus-based hotels and conference centers, is hosted by Pinnacle every other year. The event brings together university executives, hotel operators, developers, and advisors to share best practices, discuss challenges, and learn from real project outcomes. Topics typically include governance structures, financing models, operator selection, academic integration, and ongoing asset management. CUHOS creates space for institutions to learn from each other and approach campus hospitality with greater clarity and confidence.
