Significant growth in global hotel development is attracting record attendance for the fourth, annual International Hotel Conference, to be held at the Cavaleri Hilton in Rome, Italy, on October 11-13, 2006.

Stephen F. Bollenbach, co-chairman and CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Roberto E. Wirth, president and general manager of Hassler Roma S.P.A., will be the keynote speakers."There is a substantial increase in international development underway and our diversified speakers, such as Bollenbach, Jennifer Fox, chief operating officer, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Europe and William H. Schwab, director, real estate debt markets, Deutsche Bank AG London, will provide a unique global view of the industry," said Morris E. Lasky, conference co-chairman and president of Lodging Unlimited, Inc.   "Our agenda and relaxed atmosphere are attracting record attendance.  Our sponsorships and display space are essentially sold out and registrations are higher than actual attendance of last year."

Ninety speakers from approximately 35 countries will be featured at the International Hotel Conference.  More than 30 think tanks covering a wide range of topics from the future of destination resort hotels to acquisitions and hotel financing.  Round tables of small groups will discuss a variety of subjects, including ground-breaking hotel technology, trend-setting spa development and the outlook for condo hotels.  The popular Deal Forum, featuring one-on-one meetings with franchise companies, lenders, consultants, brokers and other key influentials, has been expanded to include 25 experts    

"Our relocation to Rome and its easier access also has bolstered attendance," said Mary Lou Koys, co-chairman of The International Hotel Conference.  "We expect attendance to exceed the 250 that participated last year, yet remains appropriate-sized so that there is plenty of time for personal interaction among all the participants."

A partial list of speakers includes:

Peter M. Anscomb, senior vice president and international head of hospitality and leisure, The Royal Bank of Scotland; David Horton, senior vice president, Doubletree Hotels; Dieter Huckestein, chairman and president, Yellowstone World; Russell Kett, managing director, HVS International; and Roland Vos, president Europe, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. 

The International Hotel Conference is the premier annual gathering of senior level hospitality executives, including owners, operators, brands, leading institutions, bankers, architects/designers, attorneys, brokers and other members of the hotel and related communities.

Additional information about the event, registration, sponsorships and related activities can be found at the event's Web site www.internationalhotelconference.com, or by contacting the conference organizer, Morris Lasky at mlasky@aol.com.