Valhalla Associates Limited and Luxury Leisure Properties International LLC today announced that they have formed a partnership to jointly service owners and developers of mixed-use hotel and resort complexes where leisure real estate is integrated with luxury hotel operations.

The two companies offer advisory and turn-key project management services ranging from product concept, market research and financial feasibility analysis to implementation and management of the developer’s marketing & sales operation for leisure real estate products such as Fractional Ownership and Private Residence Clubs.

While Valhalla Associates focuses on the Europe, Middle East and Africa region based out of London, LLPI is servicing developers in the Americas region from their offices in Chicago.

“Our partnership with LLPI will ensure developers a consistent service and access to luxury leisure real estate resources and distribution know-how across the regions” said Preben Vestdam, President of Valhalla Associates. He continued: “In the current economic environment, developers of mixed used hotels and resorts are looking for creative solution where their leisure real estate products better adapt to today’s economic reality. Fractional Ownership and Private Residence Clubs with global distribution reach can in some cases be the answer”.

Luca Franco, President of Luxury Leisure Properties International added; “Our current joint client portfolio counts developers of hotel and resort properties operated by hospitality brands such as Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton. Our partnership with Valhalla Associates will really extend our global reach in the luxury end of leisure real estate.”

The acclaimed architect and OBMI’s Chairman, Tim M.E. Peck, will speak at the Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) in Orlando, Florida. Peck forms part of the panel scheduled to speak at the Value Engineering Strategies in the New World session.

During the session Peck will discuss how OBMI designs innovative and cutting-edge resorts while maximizing cost effectiveness as well as talk about how the firm integrates the principle of sustainability in their developments around the world.

Tim M.E. Peck currently serves as OBMI’s chairman. Peck counts with 30 year of experience in the field and is an expert in resort design. Prior to this position, Peck was OBMI’s CEO for the Caribbean region, where he was responsible for the oversight of operations and business development as well as providing his expertise on site analysis for developments in the Caribbean region.  In parallel with his Caribbean role, he was responsible for managing OBMI’s expansion into Sub Saharan Africa. Throughout his career, Peck has had a passion for the profession of architecture and he has been fundamental in integrating OBMI’s core value of sustainability into the company’s design approach.

Doug Kulig, OBMI’s CEO will also be present at the conference.

Both architects will be available for interviews throughout the event. To schedule an interview, please contact Kristy M. Stewart at 917-499-6311 or email at kristy@andriamitsakospr.com.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Time: 2:40 – 3:40 p.m.

Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC)
Value Engineering Strategies in the New World Session
The Peabody Orlando
Orlando, Florida

ABOUT OBMI
For seven decades, OBMI has been the premier full-service design-consulting firm in Bermuda and the Caribbean.  Today, with its broad base of international offices, a diverse team of experts and projects throughout the world, OBMI is a global leader in architecture, master/town planning, interior design and project management with landmark projects in the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe and the Arabian Peninsula. For more information, visit www.obmi.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is reaching out to corporate executives, meeting planners, and conference attendees in an effort to encourage the scheduling of meetings from educational seminars, incentive trips, customer appreciation events to annual retreats. With a message that “It’s Not Extravagant, If It Produces Results”, the award-winning hotel company is highlighting the added value proposition of selecting a Ritz-Carlton hotel or resort, even during the current challenging economic environment.

“Meetings Within Reach” includes the following value-added components for groups booking ten or more nights at Ritz-Carlton hotels all over the world:

• Daily continental breakfast
• General session meeting room
• High speed internet access in one meeting room
• 20 per cent savings on audio visual needs
• Select suite upgrades
• Meetings must be booked by September 30 and held by December 31, 2009

Offering an attractive range of rates (starting from $159 to $229 subject to availability and certain restrictions), as well as outstanding service and surroundings, which make choosing The Ritz-Carlton a sound business decision, the company is targeting the third and fourth quarters of 2009 to encourage new meetings, as well as the rebooking of events cancelled in the wake of the recession.

“As companies look ahead, we are encouraging organizations to realize the value of a truly results-oriented meeting,” said Bruce Himelstein, corporate senior vice president, sales and marketing. “The Ritz-Carlton uniquely creates environments that maximize productivity and efficiency of meetings, and pride in your employees; our efficiency and excellence in planning and execution are second to none,” Himelstein explained.
To book your meeting, please visit The Ritz-Carlton website at: www.ritzcarlton.com/meetings.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 72 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates; Dove Mountain, Tucson, Arizona; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Lake Tahoe, California. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.