CHICOS 2014 Panel to Discuss Hotel Investment Issues in the Caribbean

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07 October 2014 3:00pm
CHICOS 2014 Panel to Discuss Hotel Investment Issues in the Caribbean

Discussion panels and workshops at the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) will focus on key subjects impacting the investment climate in the Caribbean including available capital, mixed-use development and other investment opportunities in the region.

CHICOS, scheduled for November 13-14, 2014 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, will showcase an impressive panel of investors and operators who will discuss the major issues which affect them today. And sharing their insights of the region's strengths weaknesses, opportunities and challenges are four of the Caribbean's movers and shakers.

"It is an absolute honor for us to bring together some of the most influential leaders in our region," claims Mr. Parris Jordan, Chairman of CHICOS. "Their interest in participating in our Conference, as well as their desire for growth in the Caribbean allow for investors, operators and developers in the region to gain so much more from our Conference."

What promises to be a highlight of the Conference will feature this impressive group of industry thought leaders:

- Craig S. Smith, President of the Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International. Craig is responsible for more than 75 hotels in eighteen countries spanning nine lodging brands, including The Ritz-Carlton and its brand extensions, JW Marriott Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, and Marriott Executive Apartments. His focus is to double the company's portfolio in the Caribbean and Latin America.

- Dave Callaghan, Vice President, Resort Sales & Service, Interval International, a global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry. Dave, oversees Interval's presence for the Caribbean, Eastern United States and Eastern Canada, as well as directs the day-to-day sales and service activities for the territory. He is also responsible for building the company's developer client base in the region.

- Kenneth M. Blatt, Chief Operating Officer of the Hotel Division and Principal in Caribbean Property Group, LLC (CPG). Kenny has been with CPG since 2003. CPG is a real estate investment firm with offices in New York, San Juan, and West Palm Beach, that develops, redevelops, acquires, manages, operates and owns real estate assets in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Central America - in hotel, retail, industrial and office space. CPG is the managing partner in Caribbean Real Estate Opportunity Fund I, a $500 million real estate fund co-sponsored by Goldman Sachs and Perry Capital, the focus of which is to invest in income producing real estate assets in the Caribbean and Central America.

- The Honorable Minister Richard Sealy, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Office and Minister of Tourism for Barbados. Recently appointed the new chairman of CTO, Minister Sealy will use this regional leadership role to facilitate change in the overall Caribbean and lead the Organization. Minister Sealy was appointed as Minister of Tourism in January 2008. Some of the initiatives he has been responsible for during this tenure as Minister of Tourism include: $25 million Tourism Industry Relief Fund (TIRF) for tourism businesses affected by the recent global economic crisis; the establishment of a special program to encourage greater participation of the Barbadian Diaspora in the promotion of Barbados' vital tourism industry; the development of Latin America, specifically Brazil, as a legitimate source market for destination Barbados; creating Barbados' first Tourism Master Plan; initiating the process to reform the public sector institutions that govern the tourism sector; utilizing information technology in the context of marketing Barbados tourism product offering; and implementing events specifically designed to boost visitor arrivals in the sports and culture sectors.

Staged by HVS, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), CHICOS brings together more than 300 regional and international investors and operators as well as the region’s leading decision makers.

CHICOS 2014 will have delegates and speakers from governmental representatives, opinion leaders, developers, bankers and other lenders, tourism officials, investment funds, hotel chain executives, individuals/companies seeking investors for their tourism projects, franchise and operations companies, public and private institutions, consultants, advisors, architects and designers - all to discuss the region's markets and possibilities
 

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