World's Hotel Investment Leaders to Gather in Berlin, Germany

The 7th Annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) will feature a veritable who's who list of global hotel investment community leaders 16-18 March 2004 at the InterContinental Hotel Berlin, Germany.

Conference chairman David Michels, chief executive of Hilton Group, heads a list of distinguished hoteliers speaking at IHIF. A sample of other senior figures participating include Steve Bollenbach, President & CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation; Jean-Marc Espalioux, Chairman of the Management Board, President & CEO of Accor; Richard North, CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group; Gabriel Burgio, Chief Executive of NH Hoteles; Robert Cotter, President & COO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Laurence Geller, Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Hotel Capital, LLC. and Thomas Higgins, President & CEO, Best Western International.

A trio of similarly distinguished hoteliers will round-off the three days, sharing their experience of setting-up and running world-class hotel groups. Bob Burns, founder of Regent Hotels; George Rafael, founder of Rafael Hotels; and Adrian Zecha, found of Aman Resorts, will be quizzed by Michael Hirst OBE, a former CEO of Hilton International.

Receiving the coveted IHIF Lifetime Achievement Award will be Kurt Ritter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rezidor SAS Hospitality. The coveted ISHC Pioneer Award will make its European debut and be presented to Regis Bulot, President International, Relais & Chateaux.

The IHIF is one of Europe's largest and most important conferences for hotel investment professionals. Last year attendance exceeded the 1,000 mark and is expected to be even stronger this year. Organisers of the event are CB Richard Ellis Hotels, Advanstar Communications and Burba Hotel Network.