Following the success of the third Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference, The Bench and Questex Media Group have announced the formation of a strategic partnership to host the conference on 21 - 22 October 2008.Questex and the Bench are organisers of the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) and the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC),

Attendance figures are expected to double in the first year alone, making it a must-attend event for stakeholders in Russia & CIS hotel investment, according to conference organiser, Jonathan Worsley.

“Russia and the CIS have enormous potential for hotel investors, developers, operators and consultants and we are very excited about the prospect of bringing together industry stakeholders to meet new investment partners and allowing them to explore the region through this conference. We plan to attract key figures and industry leaders from the region and beyond, to facilitate a conference that becomes the leading hotel investment conference in Russia and the CIS.” said Worsley.

Taking place at the newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, the conference is already attracting much interest. It will be opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, who has agreed to be the Patron of this year’s conference. Through his strong ties to Russia, His Royal Highness travels extensively on business and has led numerous delegations of businessmen to Russia in recent years.

 

Dr Daniel Thorniley, Senior Vice President, Economist Group will be opening the conference as the keynote speaker and in a recent publication stated that “Russia is the best business secret in the world”. Other speakers confirmed include Ian Carter, CEO, Hilton International; Ed Fuller, President, Marriott Lodging International; Davor G. Gjivoje, Chairman, Networld, Inc.; Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Mark Wynne-Smith, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; and Michael O’Hare, Managing Director, Horwath HTL Hungary & Russia.  Worsley stated the primary objectives are to raise awareness of the new ventures and investment opportunities available in the region and to create a high-level networking forum.

 

The conference founder, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, previously co-hosted the event with Horwath HTL at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow. The third annual event was a resounding success with 200 senior level industry executives from 24 countries attending. Antony D’Avino, Executive Vice President, Questex Media Group added: “As the new organisers and hosts of the conference we are grateful to our Founder Sponsor for the groundwork and the assistance they have provided so far. We are delighted that both Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels and Horwath HTL, as platinum sponsors, will be very involved in the conference going forward, combining their strengths and market knowledge in assisting us with the 2008 programme.”
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