2014 NATHIC Event Returns to Chicago this November

NEW YORK (March 24, 2014) ─ The 2014 North America Hotel Investment Conference (NATHIC), to be held Nov. 19-21 at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, is expected to attract more than 300 hotel owners, investors, developers, operators, lenders, consultants and brand executives.

NATHIC, part of Questex Hospitality + Travel's International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Summit Series, will address a wide range of critical issues related to hotel development, ownership and management in North America. Now in its sixth year, the two-day event will feature general sessions, breakout discussions and keynote speakers who will focus on relevant topicsincluding financing, development, segment analysis, franchising, operations and technology.

The successful 2013 NATHIC event featured Current Events with the Bosses, a panel of C-level speakers from leading hotel companies who discussed the state of the industry; a hospitality real estate showcase with top brokers who promoted properties for sale; and a hospitality school competition where students pitched ideas to a panel of industry experts.

Other conference highlights included the following presentations: industry performance, hotel development pipeline, structuring third-party management agreements, the benefits of public versus private lending, insider tips on managing a renovation, an in- depth review of the transactions market, insights on repositioning assets for maximum success, franchising opportunities in North America, a look into future trends by a younger-generation of hoteliers and social media and digital marketing.

Marilyn McHugh, who oversees NATHIC as vice president of global events for Questex Hospitality + Travel, said this year's event will offer lodging and real estate industry professionals a dynamic forum designed to maximize investment opportunities.

"Our goal is to bring together hotel owners, developers, operators, lenders, consultants and brand executives under one roof for two days of discussions on key development and investment issues spanning the entire North American hospitality scene with no topics off the table," she said. "After a successful 2013 event, we could not be more excited to return to Chicago, and we look forward to an even richer educational and networking program."

Topics for the event are guided by the NATHIC Advisory Board, composed of a wide spectrum of prominent hotel owners, operators, franchisors, management companies, marketers and analysts to ensure content is immediately relevant to attendees.

For more information on the North America Hotel Investment Conference, visit www.nathic.com. Contact Nick Diligente at[email protected] for sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities.