�This first part of our on-going series continues to draw attendance in numbers that surpass our expectations,� said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, founder and president of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association.  �While the Hispanic community often provides the backbone for a hotel�s behind-the-scenes operations, there has been a dearth of ownership opportunities.  As more and more Latinos move into higher income brackets, that is rapidly changing.  Our goal is to provide this financially capable group with information about the benefits of hotel ownership and investment.�

�With some experts suggesting that we are on the brink of a recession, it is becoming increasingly important for savvy investors to become knowledgeable about their investment options in all economic climates,� said Omar Rodriguez, chairman of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association.  �The hospitality markets continue to provide strong investment opportunities, and we wish to communicate this to the Latino community.�  

The Phoenix Hotel Investment Seminar will focus on the basics of hotel investment, beginning with an overview of the hotel industry.  

Topics range from hotel segments and brands to investment strategies; from market, product and site selection to financing the deal.  

An overview of the industry will be given by John Keeling, Sr., vice president of PKF Consulting, specialists in the hospitality industry.  Other speakers include Bill Hall of Wyndham Worldwide, Patrick Feltes of GE Capital Solutions, Carlos Rodriguez of Driftwood Hospitality, Harry Garewal, president & CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Juan Carlos Contalba of Benchmark Hospitality.

Corporate sponsors include Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, La Quinta, Accor North America, Choice Hotels International, Hotel & Motel Management Magazine and American Airlines.  

HHOA will continue the seminar series in Los Angeles on July 1 and 2.  The organization will hold its inaugural Hispanic Hotel Investment Conference in October 2008 in Miami, Fla.  

About HHOA
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., HHOA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number of Hispanic-owned, -developed and -operated hotels, further the participation of Hispanic-owned suppliers serving the hotel industry and increase executive level employment opportunities for Hispanics within the lodging industry.  The industry�s leading brands, including Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Choice Hotels International, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and Global Hyatt Corporation have joined the organization and have become major corporate sponsors.  HHOA membership is open to hotel owners, developers, investors, financiers, real estate executives, investment bankers, professional advisors, analysts, franchisors, management company executives, industry product and service providers, hotel general managers, hotel sales and marketing managers, government agencies for tourism and development, hospitality schools, hospitality students or anyone seeking to do business within the Hispanic market.  
 

HHOA
Angela Gonzalez-Rowe
202-587-5707
www.hhoa.org