CHIEF Scheduled Oct. 3-5, 2014 at El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is taking an outside-the-box approach with the launch of the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum (CHIEF) by creating an event from the ground-up that covers all crucial aspects of the Caribbean hospitality industry for hotel operators and the allied membership.  The inaugural CHIEF conference will take place Oct. 3 – 5, 2014 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.

            CHIEF will encompass multiple disciplines and aspects of Caribbean hospitality within an educational and sales setting.  Sessions at CHIEF will focus on operations, managing distribution channels, sales & marketing, social media, sustainability and financial efficiency, all of which provide cost-saving measures that increase profitability.

“We are taking the feedback from our hotel members and allied partners to create the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum which is focusing on applying 21st Century techniques to make a more streamlined and efficient hotel operation,” said Richard Doumeng, president of CHTA.

            CHIEF commences on Friday, Oct. 3, with the “State of the Industry,” which will provide an update on the current status overview of the Caribbean hospitality industry, followed by the opening of the tradeshow and a vendor reception.

A new trade show component will enable the growing allied interests to demonstrate the latest products, gadgets, green technology tools and services.  Allied companies will educate hoteliers on trends in consumer behavior and demand as well as the cost-saving benefits of the products and services they provide.

            “CHIEF has been designed with the needs of our hotel and allied members in mind.  This conference will give our hotel operators the tools needed to manage their properties better, market them more effectively, and improve their physical condition more economically,” said Jeffrey S. Vasser, CHA, director general and CEO of CHTA.  “The allied membership will be able to share best practices during the educational sessions and showcase the latest products and services at the tradeshow,” Vasser added.

            “We expect that independent hoteliers, operations managers, marketing managers, and owners of small, boutique hotels will attend CHIEF to take advantage of the invaluable strategies offered during the sessions,” said Emil Lee, president-elect of CHTA.

            CHTA is currently planning the complete program of sessions and speakers, including a supplemental track about Association Management for National Hotel Association Executives.  An awards luncheon is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5, where CHTA will present awards to the “Caribbean Stars of the Industry” including “Employee of the Year” and “Supervisor of the Year.”

            For additional information visit the CHIEF page of the CHTA website, email events@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com or call CHTA directly 305-443-3040. 

Companies interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities can email Gabi Doria-Simpson at gabi@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.