LONDON, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO agreed to
participate as conference patron due to his keen interest in Russia and its
overall growth and development. Prince Michael will provide opening remarks at
the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) welcome lunch on 21
October, present the Lifetime Achievement Award and attend the reception on 22
October.
"We are delighted Prince Michael is participating as conference patron. He
is very keen to encourage the growth of tourism and hotel investment
throughout Russia and the wider CIS countries as he has a strong emotional
attachment to the country and, in his capacity as Patron of the Russo-British
Chamber of Commerce, has an active interest in promoting bi-laterial trade
between Russia and the United Kingdom," said Jonathan Worsley, RHIC conference
co-organiser. "RHIC participants will have a rare opportunity to personally
meet a member of the British royal family and hear his remarks relating to
investment in Russia."
Related through both his grandparents to Tsar Nicholas II, Prince Michael
has always had a love for Russia, which he first visited in 1992, following
the collapse of communism. A qualified Russian interpreter, he has led
numerous delegations of British businessmen to Russia in recent years. His
Royal Highness is also closely involved in a number of charity, arts and
humanitarian organizations in Russia, including The Children's Fire and Burn
Trust (which incorporates The Friends of Russian Children) and the St.
Gregory's Foundation. In particular, he is a committed Patron of his own
Prince Michael of Kent Foundation, a Russian grant-making Foundation which
concentrates on charities in the sectors of paediatric medicine, post-graduate
business education, Russian heritage and culture.
"The Prince joins a list of speakers who represent influential leaders
actively involved in the dynamic growth of the hotel investment industry in
the region. His unique perspective is sure to be a highlight of the conference
programme," added Tony D'Avino, executive vice president of Questex Media
Group, and RHIC conference co-organiser.
Prince and Princess Michael live at Kensington Palace in London. He is a
cousin to both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. He has formally
represented the Queen on several state occasions abroad, and undertakes
numerous public engagements every year for well over one hundred charities and
other non-commercial institutions of which he is either Patron or President.
In addition, Prince Michael is chairman of his own private company, where he
offers specialist consultancy advice to a number of commercial concerns
operating in countries and in sectors which he himself has a close interest
and wide experience.
The Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference will run from October 21-22,
2008 at the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, and is jointly organised by The Bench and
Questex Media Group, Inc.
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