hsmai
HSMAI Welcomes Brian Hicks as President & CEO, Continuing the Legacy of Innovation and Leadership
HSMAI | October 28, 2024
McLean, VA (Oct. 28, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Hicks as its new President and CEO. Hicks, a distinguished hospitality leader with more than 30 years of international experience, steps into this role as only the fifth CEO in HSMAI’s nearly 100-year history, marking a new chapter in the organization's legacy of leadership. His proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and leadership across major hotel brands and regions positions him well to continue building upon the foundation laid by the late Bob Gilbert, who served as President ...
HSMAI Announces 2024 Sales Career Achievement and Professional of the Year Honorees
HSMAI | October 24, 2024
McLean, VA (Oct. 24, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is proud to introduce the 2024 Career Achievement and Sales Professional of the Year award recipients who will be celebrated during HSMAI’s Sales Leader Forum on Nov. 13, 2024 in Washington D.C. The following hospitality executives have showcased exceptional talent, a deep passion for their profession, and outstanding expertise in hotel sales. HSMAI’s Award for Career Achievement in Sales Dan Surette, Chief Sales Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts Dan Surette is chief sales officer at Omni Hotels & Resorts where he leads the...
HSMAI Century Campaign Update: One Year into Building a Bridge to Our Brightest Future
HSMAI Foundation | September 26, 2024
McLean, VA (Sept. 26, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation proudly marks the one-year anniversary of its Century Campaign, a five-year fundraising initiative set to culminate in the organization’s 100th anniversary on September 22, 2027. As we mark the 97th anniversary of the founding of the association in 1927, the Century Campaign seeks to generate awareness around HSMAI’s legacy and future, showcasing the organization's enduring contributions to the hospitality industry. Funds from the campaign will go to key initiatives that align with HSMAI’s mission to drive industry innova...
HSMAI Announces the Passing of President and CEO Bob Gilbert
HSMAI | September 20, 2024
Gilbert Proudly Led the Organization for More than 30 Years, Through Industry-Changing Events Including the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, 2008 Recession, and Covid-19 Pandemic FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (September 20, 2024) – It is with profound sadness that the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas, HSMAI Foundation and HSMAI Global, announce that President and CEO, Bob Gilbert passed away on September 19, 2024. In July 2024, the organization announced that Gilbert had accelerated his retirement plan as a result of a serious health issue following 30 years of executive leadership for HSMAI. ...
HSMAI Announces First Ever Commercial Futures Forum
HSMAI | September 16, 2024
McLean, VA (Sept. 16, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International is excited to announce the first ever Commercial Futures Forum, which will take place on Oct. 28, 2024 in San Antonio, TX, held in conjunction with The Hospitality Show produced by AHLA and Questex. This inaugural event, planned by an HSMAI steering committee of Chief Commercial Officers, will bring together top commercial leaders to explore the evolving dynamics of business travel and loyalty within the hotel industry. The half-day forum, themed “Understanding the Changing Dynamics of Business Travel,” will address the commercial impacts o...
HSMAI Announces 2024 Sales Leader Forum
HSMAI | September 9, 2024
McLean, VA (Sept. 9, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) 2024 Sales Leader Forum, will take place on Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. Organized by HSMAI’s Sales Advisory Board, this year’s event focuses on advancing the hotel sales discipline by providing off-property sales leaders with essential knowledge on top trends, strategic insights, and best practices in today’s evolving landscape. Held annually, the Sales Leader Forum is an HSMAI Commercial Strategy Event that aims to equip attendees with practical information, insights, and strategies designed to enhance their action plans ...
HSMAI and Curacity Release White Paper on Commercial Strategy for Upper Funnel Marketing
HSMAI | September 4, 2024
McLean, VA (Sept. 4, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Curacity have jointly released a comprehensive white paper on the importance of upper-funnel marketing in the hospitality industry. The white paper, titled, “From Last-Click to First Look: A Commercial Strategy Makeover Story for Upper Funnel Marketing,” marks a pivotal shift in the industry’s approach to brand awareness, offering a roadmap for long-term growth and profitability. After years of prioritizing last-click attribution, the hospitality sector is beginning to recognize the critical role of upper-funnel marketing st...
HSMAI Charters Two New Chapters: Greater Denver and Tennessee Valley
HSMAI | August 26, 2024
McLean, VA (Aug. 26, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International is thrilled to announce the chartering of two new chapters – Tennessee Valley and Greater Denver. These new chapters highlight HSMAI’s strategic priority to broaden the association's reach, focus on developing new markets, and enhance member value proposition through localized engagement. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, HSMAI’s Tennessee Valley Chapter was chartered on July 9, 2024, with a focus on building a strong community of hospitality professionals. The chapter’s inaugural event featured hospitality expert and speaker Bob Anderson wh...