The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) announced the dates of the annual Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC) 2003, to be held June 22 to 25, 2003, at the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center, in Punta Cana.

Dubbed `The Unconventional Convention,` the three-day conference honors the tradition of flexibility and adaptation that characterizes the travel and tourism industry. 

“To quote author Robert Byrne, `Everything is in a state of flux, including the status quo`,” said CHA President, Dominican hotelier Simón Suárez. 

“Our industry has proven its resiliency and capacity to adapt to external changes, time and time again. It now readies itself to bounce back from just one of those periods of uncertainty”. 
In response, CHA is breaking from tradition with an `unconventional` CHIC, designed as a relaxed, informal forum for the exchange of ideas to help the Caribbean tourism industry to recognize and tap the opportunities that come with change,” he concluded. To achieve an informal atmosphere of camaraderie, the event features a `guayabera over the business suit` policy and an open air trade show section in an outdoors pavilion. 
The informal atmosphere of CHIC 2003 will not sacrifice quality, however. Renowned industry leader Sir Ian Prosser will deliver the keynote address at CHIC 2003. Prosser is Chairman of the Board of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (formerly known as Six Continents PLC), with responsibility for the strategic direction of the company, as well as Chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council, a forum for global business leaders comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world`s foremost companies. 

WTTC and CHA have recently signed a 3-year agreement to work together to exchange relevant economic data and research, and promote the cause of travel and tourism.

In addition, the general sessions and break-out workshops are designed to be sassy and stimulating for all segments of the of the tourism industry, including small, medium, and large hotels, hotel companies, tourist boards, tour operators, marketing managers, etc. Topics include:
“The Future`s so bright…you gotta wear shades”:
Caribbean Tourism Outlook.
(I`ll Take 1,000) Tourists to Go: How do we get them now? How the travel industry has changed. Smart ways to drive your business in today`s ever-changing travel environment.
By Land or By Sea (or both!): Land based tourism vs. cruise industry
Put a Spin on It! Media workshop: find out from the experts what the media is looking for…believe us - it`s not another white sand beach!

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