CHIC 98, the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, was held in Nassau, capital of The Bahamas Islands. From 14-18 June representations of this sector largely discussed, the state of the hotel industry and above all examined the steps to be taken to face the challenges posed by the coming new century.

CHIC 98, the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, the annual meeting of the tourist industry of the Region, was held in the hospitable Nassau, capital of The Bahamas Islands. From 14-18 June of this year, representations of this sector largely discussed, the state of the hotel industry and above all examined the steps to be taken to face the challenges posed by the coming new century. According to Dr. Mike Olsen's opinion who presided over the general session, there are five main forces which probably make an impact on our industry: technology, capital, assets, new management, capacity control and security. The Bahamian authorities, from the First Minister Mr. Hubert A. Ingram, the Minister of the Hotel Association from the Bahamas, addressed both messages of salutation to the CHIC sessions.Special mention is granted to Radisson Cable Beach and Nassau Marriott hotels which were the main venues of this meeting. Over 1,200 delegates shared intense working sessions where specific subjects of great interest were analyzed related to hotel industry; professional subjects aimed at achieving a higher efficiency in the economic arrangement and management, and above all, searching for a better quality of the tourist product. In the context of the Conference, CHA examined its operation and drew up plans for the new stage. One of the results was the election of Mr. Ed Malone, as a new president of this organization, replacing John Jefferis. CHA Executive Committee was also restructured to achieve that this organization be more and more representative. In this regard, Mr. Ed Malone, announced the appointment of five new presidents: Lou Roelofen, Princess Beach Resort & Casino, Curaçao; Daniel Amoux, La Criole Beach Hotel, Guadeloupe; Emilio Falcón, Cubanacan Hotels, Cuba and Dick Doumeng , Bolongo Bay Beach Club & Villas, St. Thomas, USVI. A fifth regional vice-president will be announced.

AWARD WINNERS Frank Rainieri, General Manager of Punta Cana Beach Resort, from Dominican Republic: Hotel Executive of the Caribbean Year. Earl Wattley, engineering assistant of The Buccaneer Hotel in St. Croix, Virgin Islands in the United States; Anghel Gerge, controller, Biras Creek Hotel, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, Supervisor of the Year; Sen. Noel Lynch, Hotel and Tourism Association of Barbados, Executive of Association of the Year, Big Association; Nadine Battle, Hotel and Commerce Association of the British Virgin Islands, Executive of the Year-Small Association; Ryk Blyth, Wyndham Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico, Betty Sperber Prize of Education in Tourism; Bill Moore, Culinary Federation of the Caribbean; Tony Mack Prize of Education in Tourism and Jim Weitkamp, Allied Member of the Year. Gabriel Escalante, Jamie Holmes and Geoffrey Lippman were also recognized for their contribution to CHA and to the Caribbean in general.