With more than 75 years of combined experience and hotel sales exceeding $1 billion, the CBRE Midwest Hotels team—comprised of Eric Belfrage, Michael Shirey, Laurel Keller and Brooke Benedict—is a trusted partner to a diverse array of clients. Our extensive client roster includes leading institutional investors such as Starwood Capital and Junius Real Estate Partners, global hospitality brands like Marriott International and Hilton. Management companies including Pyramid, GF, Westmont and Aimbridge Hospitality, key financial institutions including Key Bank, and Huntington Bank, and prominent owner-operators such as Great Wolf Lodge and The Witness Group.
Building on a firm foundation of hotel operations and advisory expertise, this powerhouse of seasoned industry veterans helps owners sell their properties by streamlining transactions and optimizing real estate investments. This broad experience, combined with a deep understanding of market dynamics, enables the team to deliver unparalleled strategic guidance and exceptional results across the Midwest, in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, western Pennsylvania, and western New York.
Eric is a Senior Vice President and is a seasoned hospitality industry veteran with over three decades of experience to his credit. Prior to his tenure at CBRE, Eric was the Managing Director of Integra Realty Resources. His approach as an advisor, rather than a broker, has helped his clients immensely.
Michael Shirey, Senior Vice President, is a real estate/hospitality industry professional with over 17 years of experience. Michael provides strategic insights and hands-on leadership for each assignment. Prior to his work in the hospitality industry, Michael specialized in office properties, focusing on both leasing and sales.
Laurel Keller is a First Vice President. Before transitioning to hotel brokerage, she spent more than 20 years completing hotel and attractions appraisals, feasibility studies, and market studies across 48 U.S. states, Canada, and the Middle East, studying assets with values ranging from under $1 million to over $2 billion.
Brooke Benedict, a Senior Investment Sales Analyst, brings over two decades of dedicated experience within CBRE to the Hotels Team. Her diverse expertise, honed through various roles in business management, marketing and client services, ensures seamless support for the team's strategic initiatives and impactful client deliverables.
