Starwood Hotels' CEO to Speak at NYU's 2008 Hospitality Investment Conference

NEW YORK December 4, 2007 —Frits van Paasschen, chief executive officer of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, will share his secrets for building, marketing, and sustaining brands at the 30th Anniversary NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, to be held June 1 to June 3, 2008 at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Modeled after the successful CNBC television series Beyond the Boardroom with Jonathan Tisch-conference chair and chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels-Mr. Tisch will interview Mr. van Paaschen on the significance of branding.

As CEO of one of the world's largest hotel companies, Mr. van Paasschen oversees operations of approximately 890 full-service hotels in the luxury and upscale segment of the lodging industry. Among Starwood's diverse brand portfolio is Sheraton, Four Points, W Hotels, aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, Element, Westin, and St. Regis. Mr. van Paasschen's previous experience includes leadership roles within the Coors, Disney and Nike brands.

The NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, hosted by New York University’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management, is the premier hospitality finance and development forum of its kind where hotel CEOs, analysts and other hospitality leaders gather to discuss the current state, significant growth, future challenges, and major developments in the industry. Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels and son of the Tisch Center’s namesake Preston Robert “Bob” Tisch, is conference chair.

Helpful Links

• 30th Anniversary NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference
• The Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management