On October 21 and 22, 2009 over 200 hundred of resort industry professionals from owners to senior management, consultants, financers, developers, builders and more will gather at the Westin Calgary for the 2nd annual Canadian Resort Investment Conference (CRIC). Only once a year is there a forum such as the CRIC that brings together an array of depth and experience in real estate/resort development. With 2009 being one of the most challenging years on record, the need for new business models, rebuilding investor confidence and understanding changing consumer values are more critical than ever.

 

Previously held in Kelowna in 2008, the CRIC has evolved into Canada's only conference dedicated to providing invaluable insight into all aspects of resort/recreational real estate development and operations. Ed Romanowski, President of Bellstar Hotels and Resorts notes "Last year's conference featured sessions with industry leaders sharing their experiences, and with today's business climate it was clear that developers saw a benefit in coming together to offer advice, support and encouragement."

 

This year, the CRIC has attracted some of the most innovative and successful experts in the field. Speakers confirmed to-date includes:
Greg Ashley, KOR Real Estate      
James Askew, rareEarth Project Marketing
David Bowra, The Bowra Group Inc.     
Bryan Bruce, Cascada Real Estate Advisors
Nick Carter, Travelers Acceptance Corporation     
Chris Fair, Resonance Consultancy
Philippe Gadbois, Atlific Hotels & Resorts    
Peter Giamalva, Dartmoor Hill, LLC
Lyle Hall, HLT Advisory Inc.      
Tamara Huculak, Lando & Company LLP
Joe Iadarola, MassMutual Financial Group    
Richard Leigh-Bennett, Harris Decima Research Inc.
Barb Livingstone, Calgary Herald     
Joe Miotto, NORR Architects Planners Inc.
Richard Morawetz, Alvarez & Marsal Canada ULC 
Sue Nickason, Canadian Resort Consultants
Gary Morrison, Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc.  
John O'Neill, O'Neill Hotels & Resorts 
David Allison, Braun/Allison Inc    
John Pennington, Kananaskis Alpine Resort Inc.
Jennifer Podmore, MPC Intelligence Inc.     
Moe Rehemtulla, Government of Alberta
Ed Romanowski, Bellstar Hotels & Resorts     
Harold Fast, Business Development Bank of Canada  
Eric Spindler, Blakes 
Bill Stone, Colliers International Hotels     
Andrew Voysey, Koru Pacific
Beth Walters, PKF Consulting Inc.     
Mark West, Epic Real Estate Solutions Inc.
Dale Wheeldon, Economic Development Association of BC   
Brian Wills, Lynnpeaks Consulting Ltd.
Cindy Wilson, HLT Advisory Inc.     
Paul Woodward, Koru Pacific
Lucie Gagne, Group RCI     
Jon Zwickel, Bellstar Hotels & Resorts

Topics discussed at the conference will include exploring new formulas of resort marketing, examining trends in consumer behavior, new financing solutions and sources, repositioning after the economic fall-out, an in-depth look at who the purchaser is today, the importance of community relations pre and post project development, and a look at overall future trends in the resort industry.