Brits line-up US leaders to address conference.

Marking its first annual conference held outside of Europe, the British Council for Offices announced a stellar line-up of speakers for its 2007 Annual Conference to be held May 2-4, 2007 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

This year's conference, titled "World Class Spaces for World Class Cities," features an exciting array of keynote sessions that will address pertinent issues such as governance, occupational requirements, office design, investment and global issues including climate change, renewables and sustainability.

Confirmed speakers include Larry Silverstein, president and CEO, Silverstein Properties; Steve Ross, chairman and CEO, The Related Companies; Carl Weisbrod, president, Trinity Real Estate; Steve Roth, chairman of the Board and CEO, Vornado Realty Trust; Mary Ann Tighe, CEO New York TriState Region, CB Richard Ellis; Mike Hussey, managing director, Land Securities; Paul Edwards, head of sustainability, Hammerson plc; Wolfgang Grulke, CEO FutureWorld International Ltd and; Rafael Vinoly, Rafael Vinoly Architects.

Dan Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding of New York City, will give the keynote titled 'What Makes a City World Class', which will use New York as an example, explaining how the city is addressing such issues as infrastructure, commercial and residential developments to maintain its position as a global beacon of success.

Commenting on this year's event, Richard Kauntze, chief executive of the BCO, said, "World Class Spaces for World Class Cities, the theme for this year's conference, reflects what the BCO is all about--defining excellence in office space.

"We're so pleased with the response to date, with more than 500 delegates from the UK's leading property companies expected to attend the event in New York, one of the only two genuine world cities and a powerhouse of design, energy and excitement. New York is set to be one of our most exciting and informative conferences to date, with an emphasis on learning--we want to learn from our New York counterparts and we would also like to share knowledge with them."

The technical tour program, which is an integral part of the event, includes visits to a range of contemporary and classic buildings, many of which are not generally open to visitors.

Attendees are also invited to the Opening Cocktail party, which will be held at the Museum of Modern Art and to the main conference dinner, to be held at The Waldorf-Astoria on Thursday May 3 2007, which is the highlight of the conference's social program to which more than 1,200 US and British guests are expected.