IHC 2005—focusing on financial and management strategies for European hotels—will be held 12-14 September at Le Méridien in Monte Carlo, Monaco

The third annual International Hotel Conference, produced by 40-year hotel industry veteran Morris Lasky, president and C.E.O. of Chicago-based hotel-management company Lodging Unlimited Inc., has set a new standard in continuing education for European hotel management. The event is scheduled to be held at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 12-14 September 2005.

"Our goal with this year's International Hotel Conference, as with the previous two, is to offer targeted, useful, topical sessions that will provide attendees with innovative information and ideas," Lasky said. "We will feature a roster of superb speakers whom we think do an excellent job of stimulating the audience of upper-level hoteliers and financiers who are in attendance.

"About the only thing casual at this conference is the dress code," he said.

Lasky, along with Conference Co-chair Mary Lou Koys, Executive Vice President of Lodging Unlimited, assembled a virtual who's-who of more than 100 international hotel-industry professionals to serve as speakers during sessions covering topics ranging from marketing, travel trends and financing to hotel design, crucial legal issues and Internet booking—and most everything in between.

A partial list of 2005 speakers includes:

• Martin Armitstead, Director of Hotels, RH International
• Giorgio Boscolo, Chairman & Chief Executive, Boscolo Group SpA
• Michael Cooper, Development Director, UK and Ireland, InterContinental Hotels
• Christian Karaoglanian, Chief Development Officer, Accor
• Kevin Kearney, Executive Vice President International Hotel Development
• Marriot International, Inc.
• Russell Kett, Managing Director, HVS International
• Reas M. Kondraschow, Senior Vice President & Managing Director Cendant Hotel Group International, Inc.
• Ramsey Mankarious, Chief Executive Officer, Cedar Capital Partners
• Paul M. McManus, President & CEO, The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd.
• Roy Paul, Senior Vice President Development, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Robert Riley, Chief Executive Officer, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts
• Peter van der Mark, Secretary General, Organisation for Timeshare in Europe
• Paul Vosper, Executive Director & Chief Operations Officer Morgan Stanley Investment Banking Division
• Christof Winkelmann, First Vice President, Head of International Hotel Financing Aareal Bank AG
• Mark Wynne-Smith, European CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

Think Tanks and Roundtables
Educational think tank sessions will include: "Generating Maximum Revenue from Your Hotel," "Maximizing Results at Full Service Hotels," "The Impact of International Laws on Your Hotel," "Where in the World Are the Best Hotel Opportunities," "Internet Strategies," "Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for Your Hotel Portfolio," "Hospitality Technology: Preview The Hotel of the Future," "Five-Star Hotels and Beyond," "Investors and Buying Opportunities," "Hotel Designs That Add Profit," "The Charm and Profitability of Boutique Hotels," "Financing A Large Hotel Deal," "Developing Leisure Travel," "Limited Service Overview," "Condo Hotels and Residence Clubs," "Destination Properties: Resorts and Spas," "Timeshare and Fractional Properties," "The Deal Makers," and "Financing the Smaller Hotel Deal."

Roundtable discussions will focus on: "Marketing and Public Relations," "Hotel Management and Operations," "Financial Deal Structuring," "Design Trends," "Developing a Spa," "Timeshare and Condo Hotels," "Resorts, Luxury and Boutique Hotels," and "Limited Service and Mid-Market Hotels."

Lasky said the IHC draws hotel executives, financiers and other industry professionals from 27 nations around the world.
"Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with major lenders who will work with them to answer their specific questions and provide the information necessary to get a deal financed," Lasky said.

A Partial List of Lenders includes: Aareal Bank AG, Barclays Bank Plc, Bazarian International Associates, L.L.C., Calyon Corporate and Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank AG London, HSH Nordbank AG – NY Branch and Morgan Stanley.

"We're thrilled with the growth, response and feedback we're getting from this European conference series," Lasky said. "Our educational seminars, panels and think-tank sessions are drawing hotel professionals from around the world. That tells us that our objective of providing top-quality networking opportunities in a casual atmosphere in one of the most beautiful locations in the world is truly being appreciated.

"The 2005 International Hotel Conference is expected to be bigger and better than ever," he added. "We always wanted to be the industry's premier ‘must attend' event, and if the response we're getting about this year's conference is any indication, we'll reach that goal in no time."

Exhibitor and Sponsor opportunities are available to companies looking to spotlight their product and service expertise during the conference, Lasky said.

Attendees can save 200 Euros by registering before May 31, 2005. For more information on the International Hotel Conference, visit www.internationalhotelconference.com.

About Lodging Unlimited
Lodging Unlimited Inc., Chicago, Ill., provides the highest level of management, consulting and marketing services for the hospitality industry. Morris E. Lasky, the company's Chief Executive Officer, began his hospitality career in 1956 and has since become one of the industry's leaders in acquisition strategies and operations expertise. He helped found and has been the Chairman of The Lodging Conference since 1995. It is one of the hotel industry's premier conferences and is held every fall at The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Lasky has directed Lodging Unlimited in $5 billion of management activity, development real estate and financing. For more information, call 312-595-1390 or e-mail mlasky@aol.com or visit www.lodgingunlimited.com