CBRE Expands Hotels Practice with Addition of Laurel Keller in Columbus, Ohio

CBRE has announced that Laurel Keller has joined the firm as a First Vice President in its Columbus office for CBRE Hotels.

In this role, Keller works alongside Eric Belfrage and Michael Shirey, specializing in hotel investment sales nationwide and advising clients on acquisitions and dispositions while optimizing real estate value and investment performance. Based in the Midwest, she serves hospitality investors, owners and operators across the country.

"As Laurel's partners in hotel investment sales, Michael and I are excited to see our business continue to grow," said Belfrage. "She brings deep experience in both professional operations and analysis. Our team has always been built on respect, knowledge and integrity, and Laurel elevates our client service through thoughtful, data-driven analysis that strengthens every opportunity. Through Laurel's efforts, our team continues to facilitate our mission to serve our clients as trusted advisors."

Prior to CBRE, Keller 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. She has worked with major hospitality brands, developers and management companies as part of more than 2,000 projects and has extensive knowledge of brand criteria, best practices, valuation methodology and current market trends.

Keller holds the Appraisal Institute's MAI designation and is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. A graduate of Purdue University's Hospitality Management program, her early career spanned hotel and country club operations and revenue management, giving her practical hospitality insight that informs her work today.

"I've always been in hospitality," said Keller. "I learned the industry from the ground up, combining hands-on operational experience with formal education to broaden my perspective and expertise. That foundation helped me transition into valuation and advisory roles, bridging practical experience with hospitality investment strategy. As a CBRE broker, I'm able to leverage that expertise and my industry relationships to bring a holistic, value-focused perspective to every deal and every client we serve."