(Moscow, Russia – 21 August 2012) The Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) is pleased to announce that Scott Antel, Partner, DLA Piper, has been selected as the 2012 Leadership Award recipient. The Award will be given to Antel during a special presentation at the conference on Wednesday 17 October.
Scott Antel heads DLA Piper’s Hospitality Practice for Russia, the CIS and Central Asian markets including Turkey. In his 18 years based in the region, he has worked on the majority of international hotel projects in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Russian regions and CIS/Central Asia countries as well as over a dozen luxury resort hotel and residential projects in Turkey. Mr. Antel regularly advises hotel clients on legal and taxation matters, including providing initial structuring advice, negotiating and drafting various hotel management, franchise and lease agreements, and representation on purchase/sales transactions.
“As one of the earliest ‘expats’, Scott has had a front row seat on the changing face of Moscow and the country at large. As a result his depth of knowledge is unique and his capability to advise and assist the hospitality industry in Russia second to none.” stated Michael Cooper, Vice President Development of IHG Russia/CIS from 2005-2011. “I will always be grateful for his sound legal advice and honoured to have enjoyed his friendship during my six years living and working in Moscow.”
“The Leadership Award was designed to celebrate an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of the hospitality industry, leisure and tourism sectors within Russia and the CIS,” said Jonathan Worsley, Bench Events Chairman, and Co-organiser of the RHIC. “Scott is extremely well qualified as this year’s award winner and his contributions over the years have truly made a difference to the professionalism of the hospitality industry in the region.”
The winner is selected by the RHIC Advisory board. Made up of key hotel industry leaders with vast hospitality experience from the region, the advisory board is instrumental in developing a well-rounded and balanced programme with topics and regional issues to be presented and discussed on panels at the conference.
The Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference will be held on October 15 – 17, 2012 at the Radisson Royal Hotel in Moscow.