Dates Announced for the 14th Annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP)

The dates for the 14th annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) have been confirmed as October 8-10, 2003 at the InterContinental Hong Kong.

In relation to the timing of this announcement, HICAP co-chair Robert Hecker of Horwath Asia Pacific stated, "The outbreak of SARS has thrown our region and our hotel industry into its greatest crisis in recent memory, and travel, particularly to Hong Kong and China, remains curtailed. However, after much deliberation with our Steering Committee, we have concluded to forge ahead with HICAP as we believe proceeding at this point in time sends a worthwhile positive message regarding our support and confidence in the industry's recovery from this crisis." 

According to HICAP founder Rob Stiles of Sonnenblick-Goldman Company, "We are hopeful that the timing of this year's event will follow on the region's containment of the SARS outbreak and provide a welcome opportunity for industry players and representatives to gather and discuss the market outlook, critical issues and the recovery process. Nevertheless, according to  Stiles and Hecker, special arrangements will be made for delegates to cancel or roll over their registration fees without penalty if HICAP were to be postponed due to a continuation of the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong."

Stiles and Hecker also announced that Burba Hotel Network (BHN) again will organize HICAP and will begin the early registration process next week.