The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) has confirmed a number of speakers and panelists for the 12th annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), May 6-8, 2008. The event will take place at the modern conference center in the newly-developed Hyatt Regency Trinidad, targeting lenders and those seeking to invest in the Caribbean with informative plenary sessions on the financial aspects of Caribbean hospitality, with a new emphasis this year on “Going Green.”

CHTIC will begin at 6pm on May 6, with opening keynote addresses from CHA President, Peter Odle, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Chairman, Senator the Hon. Allen M. Chastanet, and local representatives. The Opening Reception will start at 7pm and provide delegates with a delightful experience of authentic Trinidadian hospitality.

CHA has lined up a comprehensive program of workshops and sessions over the course of May 7-8.

The plenary session, The Outlook For The Caribbean, will begin on May 7, featuring expert speakers: Warren Jestin, Senior Vice President & Chief Economist, Scotiabank; Simon J. S. Townend, Partner, KPMG Corporate Finances; David F. Larone, Director, PKF Consulting; and Duane T. Vinson, Vice President, Smith Travel Research. Moderated by James Burba, President, Burba Hotel Network, the panelists will address current forecasts for the economy and hotel industry, and take a special look at the capital markets with a focus on lenders as well as investors and equity.

In line with the increased emphasis of “green” practices in the tourism industry, CHA is featuring a series of Going Green-themed Breakout Sessions focusing on the financial aspects of operating an environmentally-safe hotel or tourism business.

Sessions include:

• Going Green: Developing A Green Hotel Or Resort – moderated by Timothy M.E. Peck, Regional Director, OBM International
• Going Green: Renovating Existing Hotels & Resorts – moderated by Paul Zamek, Managing Director, OBM International
• Going Green By Operating Green – moderated by Deirdre Shurland, Director, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)
• Going Green: Destination Strategies – moderated by Ilan Marcoschamer, Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Other Breakout Sessions include:

• The Outlook For Transactions – moderated by Gregory Rumpel, Executive Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels
• Beyond The Beach: Driving Revenue Through Cultural Experiences – moderated by CTO Secretary General Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace
• Hotel And Tourism Ownership: What Are The Big Issues And The Big Opportunities? – moderated by Joel W. Hiser, CEO, Horwath HTL
• The Branded Residential Opportunities At The Luxury Level – moderated by Rogerio Basso, Hospitality, Ernst & Young LLP 

CHA is also planning a number of Development Track Workshops, providing information in an interactive environment, including:

• How Do You Assess The Costs/Benefits Of Adding Amenities Like Golf, Spas, Marinas, Etc?
• How Do You Understand The ABC’s Of Mixed-Use Development Agreements?
• How Do You Negotiate The Hotel Management Agreement?
• How Do You Evaluate The Economics Of Various Vacation Ownership Components?
• How Do You Put The Finance Package Together And Find The Right Lender?
• How Do You Evaluate Potential Affiliation Options – Brands And Other Choices?
• How Do You Develop The Destination Resort For The International Residential Buyer?