HICAP Acquires Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific

Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) has acquired the Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP) from the Absolute World Group.

Launched in 2009 in Phuket by the Absolute World Group, AOCAP serves the alternative/vacation ownership sector of the lodging industry. The most recent AOCAP was held in October 2013 in Hong Kong.

“AOCAP was conceptualized in Phuket back in October 2009 in order to plug the gap in the region in terms of a conference focused solely upon mixed use resort development and recreational real estate, and to bring together regional players to stimulate dialogue on industry issues and facilitate networking opportunities,” said Bryan Lunt, Chairman & CEO, Absolute World Group. “The region currently offers international developers business opportunities more significant than any other markets on the planet. AOCAP has rapidly developed through participation and collaboration with some of the most respected international experts within the industry, as well as carefully considered programming, which has been educational, topical and highly stimulating for our attendees. We are delighted to be passing the Event to HICAP who will surely enhance AOCAP’s importance within south-east Asia.”

As part of the transition, the next AOCAP will be held in March 2015 in Singapore in conjunction with HICAP UPDATE.

The dates and exact location of these two back-to-back events are expected to be announced shortly.

One of the key architects of recent AOCAP programming, Paul Dean of Dean & Associates, has been retained to work with HICAP to develop the 2015 AOCAP program.

“Bryan had the right idea when they launched AOCAP, and we are very pleased to be bringing this conference into the HICAP family of events,” said Jim Burba, president, BHN, and a HICAP partner. “The alternative ownership sector of the lodging industry is becoming an increasingly important part of the growth of our industry in Asia Pacific, and placing this timely program adjacent to HICAP UPDATE will be extremely beneficial to traditional hotel developers, as well as the broader real estate development community. Alternative ownership business models are typically more complex than traditional hotels, and providing this education will be another important role for AOCAP to play in the growth of the industry.”

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.