The high-profile MAR International Conference on Hedge Fund Investments, now in its tenth year, is due to kick off at the Fairmont Southampton Princess this weekend although there was no word yesterday on whether delegate numbers would be marred at the last minute by weather woes.

In recent weeks conference organisers had put the number signed up for this year's conference at 700, and it is understood that the number could have gone up in the last fortnight with late registrants.

Last year the event scored a reported 950 delegates.

But travel difficulties could pose a threat to those numbers with airlines announcing they would suspend flights coming to the Island today because of Hurricane Fabian.

Yesterday a representative from the Fairmont's conference centre told The Royal Gazette that MAR was still going forward but did indicate there had been an unspecified number of delegate cancellations.

Telephone messages were also left for an on-Island organiser of the conference yesterday but calls had not been returned by press time last night.

It was also not known if the celebrity line up of speakers - including former tennis ace John McEnroe and renowned economist Dr. Richard Clarida - would be able to get to Bermuda for the conference.

MAR - Managed Account Reports Inc - organises a wide range of conferences serving the global alternative investment marketplace and also publishes a wide range of newsletters and directories covering the global alternative investment marketplace.

A golf game at Port Royal is scheduled to start this year's Bermuda conference early Sunday morning.

In keeping with that sporting theme - the conference also has sailing and tennis scheduled for delegates - Mr. McEnroe was scheduled to speak at the conference on Tuesday.

Mr. Clarida is to give the keynote address on Monday.