The Small Hotels Retreat, "Serving the Needs of Small & Independent Hoteliers," will take place on Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2009 at the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and is hosted by The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), in conjunction with the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association.

The event's primary audience is small hotels consisting of 75 rooms or less however, the conference is open to all CHTA members. The conference has been designed by small hoteliers for small and independent hoteliers. Attendees of the event will take away information from one another such as ideas, personal advice and most importantly hands-on experience from established experts within the industry. The retreat will have the same format as last year with presentations during the morning and "round-table" discussions in the afternoon that focus on developing marketing skills, technology and human resources. Both will cover a variety of aspects in these critical areas. 

The conference includes a trade show where exhibitors who specialize in serving the smaller hospitality area have the opportunity to promote their products and services to hoteliers. Rates for a tabletop display are US$750 plus US$150 per exhibitor delegate registration. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both days in the exhibit area for networking opportunities with exhibitors.

Last year 18 countries were represented at the retreat with approximately 84 hotel delegates.

"The point of the Small Hotels Retreat is to gather hoteliers and offer one another advice and proactive steps to increase consumer awareness of the privately-owned boutique hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean. We also use this opportunity to discuss the challenges facing all hotels and seek strategies to promote a successful year," noted Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, president of CHTA.

CHTA is offering an early bird registration fee of US$150 for hotelier delegates and US$275 for non-hoteliers who pay by Sept. 1, 2009. Registration increases to US$200 for hoteliers and US$325 non-hoteliers after Sept. 1, 2009. A special group rate of US$135 per night (single or double occupancy) has been set at the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Reservations can be made online via the Small Hotels Retreat section of the CHTA website or by contacting Patricia Telemaque at the hotel 340-715-6115 ext. 6203. Taxes and surcharges are not included in the group rate. The group rate must be booked by Sept. 4, 2009. .