Martin Schiffman, Managing Director of the Carl Marks Real Estate Group, will serve as moderator of a panel discussion at The International Hotel Conference, October 21-23 in Venice, Italy. The 7th annual conference is aptly titled, Navigating the Waters of Today's Economy, and will address how participants in the hospitality industry can survive current economic challenges.

Schiffman will moderate the panel discussion, The Effect of the Global Slowdown on the Hospitality Industry, Friday, October 23, 9:00 a.m., which will examine the impact of the challenged global economy on the industry.

Joining Schiffman for the panel discussion will be:

Richard D. Candey, Director, Hospitality Group EMEA | DTZ International

Georges Dahan, ISHC, Président – Directeur Général | THED International

Patrick Ford, President | Lodging Econometrics

Sean Worker, President & Chief Development Officer | Sorrento Asset Management

The International Hotel Conference is one of the most productive gatherings of international hotel experts in Europe. Industry leaders from more than 50 countries will join together to share ideas and discuss best practices for the global hotel industry. While the United States remains the single largest hotel market in the world, the fast growing markets of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are fostering rapid internationalization of the hospitality industry.

Schiffman is a recognized leader in all facets of real estate investment. He has participated as a Managing Principal in all asset classes in the industry. Over the years, he has gained notable experience as a value-added investor. He specializes in such areas as underperforming asset turnarounds, credit reorganization, and creative financing. Schiffman has a unique combination of skills in the area of real estate development, operations, and capital market strategies employed to finance all types of real estate. He has been both a public and private manager of real estate investment.

The conference will take place at the Hilton Molino Stucky. For more information on the conference, visit www.internationalhotelconference.com.