The Hotel Times - June 2008 - (Page 10) CONFERENCE OUTLOOK » BY JONATHAN WORSLEY Another record-breaking year Save the date for next year' s IHIF ith more than 1,980 people from 62 countries attending this year' s International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, the IHIF was, in my view, a resounding success. Not because of the numbers, but because we had the entire industry from the European hotel investment community meeting, listening to sessions and challenging the norm. For the first time, we had a special summit on the environment and we, as organizers, did our small bit by making the conference carbon-neutral through Native Energy. Another issue facing our industry is human resources, and we had students on plenary sessions and on a breakout. We need to embrace and enthuse leaders of the future and we think we helped by encouraging students to join this industry. Michael Hirst, consultant for CB Richard Ellis Hotels, was full of praise for the event. ª Year after year, record attendance is testimony to the ongoing success of the event. You all deserve an award for your tireless energy and talents in putting on yet another blockbuster IHIF performance,º he commented. Hirst deservedly received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the industry. The theme for this year' s IHIF was ª Changing Gear.º This reflected the changes occurring in the global capital markets and the European lodging sector in particular. While operational performance in the European hotel investment industry is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future, changes occurring in the capital markets will W no doubt alter investment strategy in the short to medium term. The topics at IHIF reflected these issues, but we also concentrated on opportunities in developing economies such as Russia and the CIS. Given the interest in these markets, both Questex and The Bench have launched the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference from October 21-22, 2008, at The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow. What can you expect in 2009? Next year, IHIF will take place March 9-11 at the InterContinental Berlin. In May, 60 members of the industry will take a trip to the Ecole hôteliére de Lausanne in Switzerland to take part in the annual IHIF Advisory Board meeting, where they will start the planning process for While operational performance in the European hotel investment industry is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future, changes occurring in the capital markets will no doubt alter investment strategy in the short to medium term. IHIF 2009. Once again, we can promise you a first-class conference program and unrivaled networking opportunities. For me, I' m already looking forward to planning another blockbuster event. hmm@questex.com Jonathan Worsley is the co-organizer of the International Hotel Investment Forum. 10 The Hotel Times June 2008 www.TheHotelTimes.com http://www.TheHotelTimes.com
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