The HVS CHICOS 2011 speaker line up continues to impress. According to Mr. Parris Jordan, Managing Director of HVS in the Caribbean, "We have secured a significant number of prominent speakers who will address the opportunities and challenges facing the Caribbean lodging industry." The inaugural HVS CHICOS will be held at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas November 10 -11, 2011.

In addition to major hotel investors and government officials, the opening panel is scheduled to include Pedro Fabregas, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Airlines/Eagle and Chad Meyerson, Global Director of Sales of JetBlue Airways. Regional government leaders will also participate in CHICOS 2011; The Prime Minister of Aruba, the Honorable Michiel Eman and the Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, the Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace will both speak on separate panels during the opening day of the conference.

CHICOS 2011 will also address alternative financing options for hospitality- related development projects. Despite challenges funding hospitality projects globally, new projects in the Caribbean are happening and the region is benefitting from an alternative financing source – the government of China, which has invested more than $7 billion during the past couple years. Dr. Adam Wu, Chief Operating Officer of the Chinese Business Network, will present at CHICOS 2011 and will address matters pertaining to direct Chinese investments into the Caribbean. Dr. Wu has also invited potential investors from China to attend CHICOS 2011. He will share the reasons for China's interest and commitment towards investing in the Caribbean, as well as the types of projects that are attractive for both the Government of China and private Chinese investors.

"Despite the recent challenges, the Caribbean hotel market has recently shown signs of recovery, with demand levels increasing in 2010 and strengthening further through the first half of 2011, compared to the same period last year," continues Jordan. "Overall, the Caribbean lodging market's fundamentals are improving, which bodes well for the hotel industry."

Improvement in the Caribbean lodging market has resulted in increasing investor interest to the region. As a result, "HVS CHICOS is very timely and will bring together global investors and operators as well as local Caribbean government officials and prominent decision-makers to address the many opportunities and challenges facing the Caribbean hotel industry."

For additional details and to register for to CHICOS 2011, visit http://www.hvschicos.com.

About HVS

HVS is the world's leading consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 2,000 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. We are client driven, entrepreneurial, and dedicated to providing the best advice and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Through a worldwide network of 30 offices staffed by 400 seasoned industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com/Offices/Bahamas/.