Nigel Barker moderates at the event at the AC New York Times Square

Rehan Choudhry, Founder of a Beautiful Perspective and the Life is Beautiful Festival (left) and Dan Barasch, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Lowline (right)

AC Hotels, the global brand with nearly 140 properties, known for its modern design and Spanish soul, is launching a new series called AC Unpacked: A Conversation. Premiering at the AC New York Times Square on July 24, with iterations happening monthly around the world, the series turns communal spaces into crucibles for horizon-expanding global conversations, whether you find yourself in Pamplona, Panama City or Portland.

“The AC guest approaches life with curiosity, seeing travel as a way to create and curate genuine connections to people, experiences, and ideas that galvanize them,” said Benoit Racle, Senior Global Brand Director, AC Hotels by Marriott. “The AC Unpacked: A Conversation series is a carefully-curated program that will bring new ideas from creative visionaries all around the world to our guests and locals – providing inspiration for them in both their professional and personal lives.”

The inaugural event at Castell Rooftop Bar & Lounge at AC New York Times Square focused on the theme of ‘Vision’. Rehan Choudhry, Founder of A Beautiful Perspective and the Life is Beautiful Festival; and Dan Barasch, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Lowline; discussed how they used vision and global thinking to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. The session was moderated by renowned photographer, visionary and AC brand ambassador Nigel Barker.

Rehan Choudhry’s A Beautiful Perspective combines journalism, storytelling and live experiences to get people informed, inspired and involved in the world around them. Choudhry’s other project, the Life is Beautiful festival, debuted in 2013 in Las Vegas, and has since gone on to create $70 million of economic impact, attract more than 175,000 attendees and was named ‘Music Festival of the Year’ by Pollstar. The festival aims to encourage a “collective of dreamers” to celebrate the beauty in ourselves and in our surroundings, and year after year the festival features unforgettable headlining musicians; prominent visual artists adding installations to Downtown Las Vegas’ collection of murals; and thought-provoking speakers.

Dan Barasch’s The Lowline is an underground park being developed underneath the streets of New York City—in the Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal. The Lowline will be a one-acre park in a neighborhood where greenspace is hard to come by. The project uses innovative solar technology to capture light above ground and distribute it below, making it a space that can be used in all four seasons. Once a wild idea, the project got a big boost on Kickstarter, initially raising more than $155,000 for its development in 2012. The project promises to be the inverse of New York's High Line. Dan formerly held several strategy, operations, and marketing roles at Google; and worked in small business development within New York City government. Dan has also consulted for UNICEF in Nairobi and the 9/11 Survivors’ Fund in Washington DC.

Following the debut event on July 24, there are two more panel events planned at AC New York Times Square. The first is on September 6, focusing on Design, and Stephanie Mark, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of luxury fashion destination Coveteur will be among the panelists. The second is on October 11, focusing on Travel & Experiences. Similar events are also planned for locations in Europe and Latin America.  All the events will be followed by an ‘Ideas Exchange’ cocktail hour where guests can foster connections with a global network of like-minded individuals.

For more information about AC Hotels and the AC Unpacked: A Conversation series, visit: http://achotels.marriott.com/unpacked

About AC Hotels by Marriott:
AC Hotels by Marriott®, a lifestyle brand that celebrates a new way to hotel complemented by a European soul and Spanish roots, boasts more than 120 design-led hotels in 15 countries and territories. Design-driven AC Hotels by Marriott® edit away the unnecessary to remove friction, providing thoughtfully designed moments of beauty, allowing guests to focus on what’s important to them. The properties’ modern design for modern business include buzzing AC Lounges, the perfect place for locals or visitors to get work done in style or to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and tapas.  High-design guest rooms and public spaces with sleek furnishings and intuitive technology features such as the Media Salons and AC Libraries inspire and connect. AC Hotels by Marriott® is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information, visit ac-hotels.com. For more information, visit http://achotels.marriott.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 6,000 properties in 120 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.