CHICOS Program to Include Providing Capital, All-Inclusive Resorts and Sustainable Hotels

September 15, 2014•4 Minutes
RTC Director RTC Director

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 is scheduled Nov. 13-14, 2014 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

 

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

 

Panelists at CHICOS will examine providing capital to the region, all-inclusive properties, profitability of sustainable hotels and Caribbean nations in which to invest with conference sessions as follows:

 

  • The outlook for investors as shared by capital providers and advisors
  • Examples of successful mixed-use projects
  • All-Inclusive properties and the impact on European Plan hotels
  • The success of sustainable hotels and tourism developments in the region
  • Guidelines to assist you in determining which hotel and market segment to target
  • Discussion of which countries are now “hot” for investment

 

Confirmed industry executives speaking at CHICOS include:

  • Craig Smith, President, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International
  • Marco Roca, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Hard Rock International
  • Kenny Blatt, Principal & COO Hospitality, CPG Real Estate
  • David Callaghan, Vice President, Resort Sales and Service, Interval International
  • Reynaldo Ramirez, Director, Eastern Mexico/Dominican Republic, Resort Sales and Service, Interval International
  • Jeffrey S. Vasser, CHA, Director General and CEO, CHTA
  • Hugh Riley, Secretary General, CTO

 

“CHICOS is honored to have such distinguished speakers meet and network at our event and bring together representation from throughout the region and beyond,” says Mr. Parris Jordan, Chairman of the CHICOS conference and Managing Director of HVS in the Caribbean. “History has shown us that our attendees represent interests from the U.S. and Canada, South America, Central America, nearly two dozen Caribbean nations, various European countries, China, Hong Kong and countries in the Middle East.”

 

“CHTA member hoteliers looking to finance developments in order to secure their long-term viability in this competitive marketplace will find CHICOS indispensable,” said Jeffrey S. Vasser, CHA, director general and CEO for CHTA.  “From a networking standpoint as well as resource for information with thought-provoking workshops and discussions, the two-day event will offer exceptional content,” Vasser added.

 

Last year’s 300 attendees included delegates from Anguilla, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Panama, Puerto Rico, Spain, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, United Kingdom, United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela.

 

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.