The organisers of Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) have scored a major coup by getting HRH Prince Michael of Kent to agree to open this year’s event in Moscow, 21-22 October 2008.
Prince Michael, a qualified Russian interpreter who has led many delegations of British businessmen to Russia, will speak at the welcome lunch on 21 October, as well as presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award and attending the reception on 22 October.

Jonathan Worsley, RHIC conference co-organiser, said: “We are delighted Prince Michael is participating as conference patron. He is very keen to encourage the growth of tourism and hotel investment throughout Russia and the wider CIS countries as he has a strong emotional attachment to the country and, in his capacity as Patron of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, has an active interest in promoting bi-laterial trade between Russia and the United Kingdom.”

“RHIC participants will have a rare opportunity to personally meet a member of the British royal family and hear his remarks relating to investment in Russia.”

Related through both his grandparents to Tsar Nicholas II, Prince Michael has always had a love for Russia, which he first visited in 1992, following the collapse of communism. His Royal Highness is also closely involved in a number of charity, arts and humanitarian organizations in Russia, including The Children’s Fire and Burn Trust and the St. Gregory’s Foundation.

Prince Michael is a cousin to both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. He has formally represented the Queen on several state occasions abroad, and undertakes numerous public engagements every year for well over one hundred charities. He lives with Princess Michael at Kensington Palace in London.

The Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference will run from October 21-22, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, and is jointly organised by The Bench and Questex Media Group, Inc.

For more information and to register, visit www.russia-cisconference.com
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