Conference tackles tough economic times

Wed., April 1, 2009
Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front Street West, Toront0

6:15 pm – 8:30 pm    
Opening Reception
Conference hosts Colliers International Hotels, HLT Advisory Inc. and our 2009 Gold Sponsors welcome you to the Ballroom at the Fairmont Royal York for the most anticipated networking event of the year. All registered delegates are invited to this deluxe function to reunite with old acquaintances and strike new relationships.

Thurs., April 2, 2009
Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front Street West, Toronto

7:00 am – 8:30 am
Ballroom
Conference Registration and Exhibition Opens
Continental Breakfast

8:30 am – 8:45 am
Concert Hall
Opening Remarks:
Lyle Hall, HLT Advisory Inc.


MORNING PLENARY
SESSION

8:45 am - 10:15 am
Concert Hall

Sick Patient Or Post-Mortem? Diagnosing The Canadian Hotel Investment Industry. What Will It Take To Survive?
With stock markets and currencies wildly fluctuating, real estate players huddling on the sidelines, and guest room demand slowing, how do we really stack-up against other world markets? Which Canadian markets are best weathering the storm, and which need a lifeline?  Does “safe and steady” always win the race?  Are there any asset classes a safe-haven in this market? How will the state of the oil industry help or hinder the lodging sector? A panel of leading hotel advisors and economic experts weigh-in on timely issues impacting the Canadian lodging industry.

10:15 am – 10:45 am
Networking Refreshment Break

MORNING BREAKOUT
SESSIONS

10:45 am – 11:45 am
Location TBD
  
A1: Yesterday, It Was Pushing The Top Line. Today, It’s Managing Investor, Employee and Lender Relations! Can We Draw From Lessons Learned In The Past During Unprecedented Times?

With so many variables affecting the sector, how do you prioritize the three most precious commodities for success; people, time and capital?  Join a lively debate with a panel characterized by an owner, lender, stock market analyst, and brand and asset managers, as they bring varying perspectives on how best to deal with the significant day to day issues impacting the industry.

10:45 am – 11:45 am
Location TBD
    
A2: Mixed-Use Projects: Develop, Sell or Mothball In Today’s Environment? Are There Parallels And Distinctions In Relation To The US?
Some projects have been a hit, others have hit hard.  Are these projects do-able in these choppy times? This session takes a close look at how these projects are underwritten, identifying key elements for success, from the perspective of an owner, user and lender, along with some forecasts on how these projects will operate in the near to medium term.

11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Buffet Networking Lunch

AFTERNOON BREAKOUT
SESSIONS: B1 or B2

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location TBD
    
B1: Renovation Capital: As Incomes Decline, Do Owners Continue To Inject Capital Dollars Or Let The Asset Float?
History has proven hotels in good condition retain their value, but with a tough financing market, ever changing brand requirements and new competition down the street, what’s an owner to do? This session sheds light on prudent ways to enhance an asset, and ultimately the bottom line, and examines meaningful measures to assess rates of return.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location TBD
    
B2: What’s Its Worth? What Does Today’s Financial Turmoil Mean For Individual Hotel Asset Values?
How do you peg hotel value when there is minimal activity and extenuating market circumstances?  Cost of debt capital is increasing and owners are demanding greater rates of return.  This session will assess key valuation standards; cost of debt, in-place income, achievable future operating results, and capital renovations, and their respective impact on the pricing of a variety of hotel asset classes and markets.

AFTERNOON BREAKOUT
SESSIONS: C1 OR C2

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Location TBD

C1: Decisions, Decisions—The Four D’s; Develop, Divest, Distribute or Deal?
A panel of leading hotel owners, from private companies to public entities and hotel investment companies, will be given several investment scenarios and some “play money”.  Do they sell, expand, pay themselves or try to cooperate with strategic partners.  These days, options for deal making go beyond an outright sale.

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Location TBD

C2: Your Debt Is Due…Do You Panic Or Pro-Actively Take A Stand?
The present environment has left few take-out and refinancing options, and borrowers are faced with real time problems. This group will review current market financing conditions and brainstorm how best to work with your lender during these challenging times.

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Afternoon Refreshment Break

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Concert Hall

Does Canada’s Hotel Sector Count On The World Stage?  Who Owns, Operates and Invests Here, And Will They Be Here Tomorrow?
Perspective and experience are wonderful forecasting tools. These leaders in the North American and worldwide lodging industries have collectivity seen the impacts of a wide range of economic events on just about every asset class in a wide variety of markets. They’re in the thick of an industry that, once again, is being reinvented. Hear war stories and prognostications for the future from the “C suite.” See where Canada fits and how it performs in a global context.

5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Closing Remarks:
Bill Stone, Colliers International Hotels

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Ballroom
Exhibitor Move Out

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

JIM ABRAHAMSON, IHG

DEBORAH BOROTSIK     
Colliers International Hotels

SAM DAMIANI, TD Securities

BRIAN FLOOD, CB Richard Ellis

KEVIN FRID, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International

KENNY GIBSON, Innvest REIT

ABID J. GILANI,
Marriott International

SARAH GLENN
LYLE HALL, HLT Advisory Inc.

TAYLOR GRAY The Cordish Company

CHUCK HENRY
Hotel Capital Advisers Inc.

ED KHEDIGUIAN
GE Capital Solutions

NEIL LABATTE
First Global Advisors

DAVID LARONE,
PKF Consulting Inc.

TAMARA LAWSON
Westmont Hospitality Group

BRIAN LEON
Choice Hotels Canada Inc.

BETSY MACDONALD, HVS

COLIN MCDONALD, Sofitel

RICHARD (RICK) MATHESON
RBC Capital Markets - Real Estate Group

GARY MORRISON
Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc.

DAVID NOWAK
Westerkirk Capital

VINOD (VINNIE) PATEL
Northampton Group Inc.

CAROL PENNYCOOK
Davies Ward Philips and Vineberg

IRWIN PRINCE
Realstar Hospitality

CARRIE RUSSELL, HVS

SEAN J. SHANNON,
Carlson Hotels Worldwide

GREG SPRUNG
Canadian Western Bank

CHARLES SUDDABY
Cushman & Wakefield LePage Inc.

RON TAYLOR
Arcturus Realty Corporation

ARNI THORSTEINSON
Temple REIT

MICHEL VAUCLAIR
Oxford Properties Group Inc.

CINDY WILSON
HLT Advisory Inc.

CRAIG WRIGHT
RBC Capital Markets - Real Estate Group