Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum (CHIEF) rescheduled

CHIEF RESCHEDULED TO ALLOW HOTELIERS, ALLIEDS

TIME TO HONE PLANS FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum (CHIEF) has been rescheduled and will now take place in the Fall 2015 to allow member hoteliers and allied members time to provide vital input for what is expected to become the must attend annual conference.

CHTA’s staff and leadership are recasting the organization with a newly focused strategy and the creation of a revitalized member benefit platform.  “We don’t want to rush this crucial conference without the proper input and planning from our membership,” said Jeffrey Vasser, CHA, the organization’s recently appointed Director General and CEO.

“We are creating an event from the ground up that covers crucial aspects of the Caribbean hospitality industry for both hotel operators and the allied membership,” he said.  “The rescheduled event will allow more time for input from an expanded Advisory Board made up of hoteliers, our strategic partners and from among our allied members, who represent a variety of industry segments,” Vasser added.

While the newly expanded Advisory Board will provide input for the planning of the actual program, it is expected that CHIEF will focus on operations, purchasing, managing distribution channels, sales & marketing, social media, sustainability and financial efficiency, all designed to provide cost-saving measures that increase profitability.

The new trade show, created with input from the allied membership, will enable the growing allied interests to demonstrate the latest products, gadgets, green technology tools and services providing hoteliers with a one-stop shopping venue.

Allied companies will also provide education sessions for hoteliers on trends in consumer behavior and demand.

“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,” Vasser said.  “The allied membership will be able to share best practices during the educational sessions and showcase the latest products and services at the tradeshow,” he 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 Richard Doumeng, president of CHTA.

“Representatives from large and chain hotels will also benefit from the region’s industry update, in-depth discussions on operations and sales topics, and the opportunity to network with hospitality and tourism leaders from across the region.  This is truly an event designed to benefit hoteliers from throughout the region’s hospitality and tourism industry,” Doumeng said.

“CHIEF will become the centerpiece of our annual CHTA program and help us engage both our hoteliers, allied members and strategic partners in a meaningful dialogue for the benefit of all interests,” Doumeng added.