In keeping with its overall objective to create relevance for its members and to be a vital information source for the industry…
In keeping with its overall objective to create relevance for its members and to be a vital information source for the industry at large, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has launched Special Interest Groups (SIG) in five industry segments.
The categories to-date are:
- Hotel Internet Marketing
- Cruise Internet Marketing
- Revenue Management
- Resort Marketing
- Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing
Each SIG is led by an Advisory Board comprised of industry leaders who are responsible for initiating projects and programming to serve the specific needs of these unique constituencies. Among the SIGs initiatives are to stage Strategy Conferences with expert speakers and panel discussions that are attended by industry professionals to discuss their specific industry`s most critical issues.
Among the benefits of being a member in an individual Special Interest Group are:
- Quarterly e-mail newsletters
- Participation in a member-only discussion forum Web Board
- Access to exclusive industry segment news and related resources
- Invitations and preferred pricing at Strategy Conferences for the SIG and other HSMAI events
- Other benefits of HSMAI membership, including a subscription to the quarterly HSMAI Marketing Review magazine and the ability to attend regional HSMAI chapter events
The formation of these Special Interest Groups has been one of the most productive and powerful initiatives to-date for HSMAI, as it hones in on a very specific segment of individuals and delivers timely and pertinent information as well as an `insiders` forum for debate and discussion, states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.
Following are further details on the five SIGs presently established:
Hotel Internet Marketing
Internet marketing specialists from leading hotel companies have united to form a Special Interest Group dedicated to discussing and debating the most pressing and topical issues facing their industry today. Among the subject matter dealt with at the three Strategy Conferences previously staged are Trademark Protection, Defending the Brand Online, Keyword Bidding, Pop Ups and Pop Unders, Online Search Engines and Third Party Intermediaries.
- Upcoming event: HSMAI`s first Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference, April 29, 2005 in conjunction with TravelCom in New York.
- Leadership: Chair – Jens Thraenhart, executive director, marketing & strategy, Fairmont Heritage Place; Co-Chair – James Zito, director, interactive marketing & development, Affinia
The missions of this SIG are to help cruise brands leverage the Internet to maximize profitability, while protecting brand integrity in the online space; increase awareness of issues, opportunities and trends as it relates to Internet marketing and distribution in the cruise industry; and develop and recommend standards and ethical guidelines for the Internet as a marketing medium in the cruise industry.
- Upcoming event: HSMAI`s first Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference, April 29, 2005 in conjunction with TravelCom in New York
- Leadership: Chair – Gino Giovannelli, vice president e-Business Solutions, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
Revenue Management
The HSMAI Revenue Management Advisory Board is charting a course to create a venue for networking and education to support the growing revenue management discipline, which has long been a core component of successful hospitality sales and marketing efforts.
- Upcoming event: Second HSMAI Revenue Management Strategy Conference, June 20, 2005 in Los Angeles.
- Leadership: Chair – Nancy Hopkins, senior director, global revenue management Marriott International; Co-Chair – Barb Bowden, corporate director of revenue management, Peabody Hotels Group; Revenue Management Project Manager – Doug Kennedy, (954) 981-7689, douglas@douglaskennedy.com
Resort Marketing
The Resort Marketing Special Interest Group is made up of individuals dedicated to advancing the resort sales and marketing discipline and the professional development of its members through information sharing and education. Resortmarketing.org will be the primary resource for resort sales and marketing information and knowledge.
- Upcoming event: Fifth Annual Resort Management Conference, sponsored by The University of Denver`s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management and HSMAI, at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, AZ.
- Leadership Chair: Frank Fredericks, director of sales and marketing, Wild Dunes Resort; Co-Chair – John Washko, director of sales, The Broadmoor Hotel & Resort; Resort Marketing Project Manager – Jan Imperia at JanImp1@aol.com
Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing
This Special Interest Group, dedicated to sales and marketing directors at hotels, is the newest entry to the SIG lineup. Presently leadership is being formed and participation is welcome. For more information and to get involved, please contact HSMAI Executive Vice President Fran Brasseux at fbrasseux@hsmai.org.
There is no cost for HSMAI members to join a SIG in the 2005 inaugural year.
