Paris, 23 July 1997 - Over 20 hotel investment experts, bankers and top hospitality executives will head the programme for the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA)'s 50th anniversary Congress, to convene in Amsterdam from 2-6 November 1997.

Themed "A Capital Event", the three-day conference will focus on finance, providing an anticipated 500 global hospitality professionals with expert advice on reducing risk, optimising operations and boosting the bottom line. Sessions are tailored to meet the needs both of chain and independent operators.

The IH&RA has chosen its annual Congress as the focal point of its 50th anniversary celebrations. To mark the occasion, Mr Wim Kok, Prime Minister of the Netherlands has been invited to officially open the Congress. Keynote speaker is Herman Cain, president & CEO of the National Restaurant Association of America, who is set to inspire delegates by revealing the secrets of his legendary management success in the restaurant sector.

Continuing the food service theme, "Beefing Up Your F&B Operation" will focus on the different options available for adding value to hotel F&B, including franchising and outsourcing. Nick Scade, director of The Restaurant Partnership, will look at how branding is breathing new life into F&B operations as alliances are forged with leading restaurant chains.

Simon Allison of J P Morgan's European Advisory Group will be "Bringing Finance into Focus" with an overview of existing and future financing trends in the worldwide hospitality industry. In "Back to Basics", Bert Luttjehuizen, senior executive vice-president, De Nationale Investeringsbank of the Netherlands will demystify financial terminology and explaining how hotel finance can be structured to the operator's advantage.

Dries de Vaal, partner at Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group, will lead a discussion on "Risk Evaluation - Beyond the Crystal Ball", aimed at identifying existing and potential factors which impact investment decisions. An overview of global megatrends revolutionising the hospitality industry will be provided by Michael Nowlis, President of CHRIE and deputy director of the Institut de Management Hôtelier International (Cornell-ESSEC) in "Investing in Your Future: Megatrends Driving Change".

With just over 300 business days to the introduction of the European Single Currency, "The Impact of the Euro" on the hospitality business worldwide will be examined by Graham Bishop, VP of Salomon Brothers' European Advisory Group.

As timeshare becomes an integral part of the hotel product mix, Adrian Pryce, consultant to RCI, will attempt to explode the misconceptions surrounding vacation ownership and explore the multiple opportunities it offers hotel operators as well as developers in "Timeshare in the Hotel Industry: Uneasy Companions or Natural Bedfellows?".

Dedicated meetings will also be held for independent hotel and restaurant operators, national hospitality association chief executives and operators of international and national hotel and restaurant chains.

Registration is open to non-members as well as members and accompanying persons. For delegate information contact Ellen Mollay, IH&RA, tel: (33 1) 44 89 94 00, fax: (33 1) 40 36 73 30, e-mail: [email protected].

Editor's note: The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA), this year celebrating 50 years of service to the industry, is a global network of independent and chain operators, national associations, hospitality suppliers and educational centres in the hotel and restaurant industry in more than 150 countries. As the "voice" of the industry" it represents, protects, promotes and informs its members to enable them to achieve their objectives.

Caroline Harvey (+33 1) 44 89 94 07
International Hotel & Restaurant Association - Mr. Alain-Philippe Feutré, Chief Executive Officer