HSMAI Honors Chapter Excellence at Annual Leadership Conference
Greater New York Chapter Named 2009 Chapter of the Year
Leaders of HSMAI’s Greater New York Chapter accept the chapter of the year award from HSMAI Americas Chair David Atkins.
HSMAI conference attendees hold up a new bicycle built through Impact4Good’s Build-A-Bike program – one of many later donated to the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
HSMAI Honors Chapter Excellence at Annual Leadership Conference
Greater New York Chapter Named 2009 Chapter of the Year
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) honored 17 of its chapters with "Chapter Best of the Best Awards" during the 2010 Frank W. Berkman Chapter Awards Program at the Annual HSMAI Leadership Conference held at the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis, Mo., February 9-11, 2010.
HSMAI presented 29 "Chapter Best of the Best Awards" in 10 categories for large, medium and small chapters. HSMAI received 106 entries from 20 of HSMAI’s 40 Americas Region chapters for the awards, which honor chapter excellence and performance. HSMAI Chapters are managed by leading hospitality sales & marketing professionals who volunteer their time to help the industry and members fuel sales, inspire marketing and optimize revenue.
"The Frank W. Berkman awards allow HSMAI to recognize excellence in Americas Region chapters and each chapter’s dedication to the hospitality industry,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. "The awards recognize chapters that embody HSMAI’s strategic planning techniques and creative programs designed to enhance members’ skills and professionalism."
The Greater New York chapter received the “chapter of the year award,” which honors the year’s most accomplished HSMAI chapter. The “chapter of the year” award is the highest honor bestowed at HSMAI’s Leadership Conference and honors a chapter that displays commitment and dedication to the improvement of the hospitality field.
Recipients of the "Chapter Best of the Best Awards" include:
Large Chapter Winners
Arizona Chapter: Customer Interaction and Leadership
Central Florida Chapter: Awards & Recognition
Greater New York Chapter: Collegiate Chapters, Communications, Fundraising/Community Involvement and Membership
South Florida Chapter: Educational Programming, Partnership and Web Site
Medium Chapter Winners
Dallas Chapter: Leadership and Fundraising/Community Involvement
Georgia Chapter: Membership
Houston Chapter: Collegiate Chapter
Los Angeles Chapter: Web Site and Communications
Mid South Chapter: Awards & Recognition and Partnership
A special State Educational Conference award went to HSMAI’s four California chapters, which include the San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and Northern California chapters.
Through its partnership with Impact4Good’s Build-A-Bike program, HSMAI donated bicycles to the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. The bicycle donations occurred during the opening night of the conference when HSMAI surprised local children with their new bicycles.
“We had 12 very special guests on the opening night with Impact4Good, who surprised the children with their brand new bicycles,” said Fran Brasseux, executive vice president of HSMAI. “Those children will forever remember that night and their first bicycle. Without Impact4Good, the donations would not have been possible.”
This year's Leadership Conference program included an array of speakers within the hospitality industry who spoke on the theme of rebuilding after the economic downturn.
Nancy Schwartz, managing director of Bear Marketing at Build-a-Bear Workshops discussed how the company managed to grow, even during the recession.
“We are always working to make an emotional connection to our customers. We listen to what our guests are telling us and we take it to heart,” said Schwartz. “To stay ahead in the recession we tried to stay relevant with our consumers, refresh the customer experience and create value.”
Christine Duffy, president and chief executive officer of Maritz Travel spoke about transforming meetings, events, and incentives in a post-AIG world.
“We must actively shape our operating environment or others will shape it for us,” said Duffy. “You need to know what the stake holder is trying to accomplish so you can help assist them in reaching their goals and measure specific business results.”
Bruce Himelstein, former Senior Vice President of Marketing at The Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company and former HSMAI Global and Americas Chair discussed ways to keep brand designs relevant.
“Brands have to adapt to ever changing consumer lifestyles,” said Himelstein. He advised attendees to focus on a few things that have the most impact, and to keep the customer at the center at all times.
About HSMAI | The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals & their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI's Affordable Meetings, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Management Strategy Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at www.hsmai.org, www.facebook.com/hsmai, www.twitter.com/hsmai and www.youtube.com/hsmai1.
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) www.hsmai.org 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500
USA
- McLean, VA 22102 Phone: 703-506-3280 Fax: 703-506-3266 Email: info@hsmai.org
