Acclaimed Humorist Shelley Berman Added As Second Keynote Speaker At Sales & Marketing Summit In Scottsdale, AZ

"When structuring our Summit agenda, which is jam packed with cutting-edge content and comprehensive programming, we considered that delegates would truly appreciate the comedic talent of Shelley Berman," said Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. "What makes it so fitting is that Shelly's comedic themes reiterate the fact that customer service continues to be a major issue in the eyes of consumers in today's hospitality, travel and tourism experiences."

Berman's career as a comedic author includes the following plays: First Is Supper, Silver Sonata, and Insideoutsideandallaround Shelley Berman. Book credits include: Cleans and Dirtys, A Hotel is a Funny Place, and Up in the Air. Additionally, his written and recorded solo performances include the popular Inside Shelley Berman, Outside Shelley Berman.

Over the years, Berman has appeared in, or contributed to, several films including: Teen Witch, The Troublemakers, The Young at Heart Comedians, Think Dirty, Son of Blob, Divorce American Style, The Best Man and The Wheeler Dealers.

One of the original Compass Players, founders of the Second City, Berman holds the distinction of being the first stand-up comic ever to play Carnegie Hall. More recently, he has appeared in The Value of Names, which played at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago and The Waldorf Conference in Los Angeles. Currently, Berman is a lecturer in the Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

As a keynote speaker, Berman is in good company. Summit delegates will also hear from Horst H. Schulze, vice-chairman of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., which is a two-time winner of the Malcolm Baldridge Award.

An industry leader and visionary, Schulze will headline the conference, themed "United Through Knowledge - Global Perspectives," with a keynote address at the opening General Session that will focus on "delivering customer service excellence on a global basis" - a philosophy that embodies the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's basic fundamentals and core values.

SUMMIT AGENDA PACKED WITH DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AN IMPRESSIVE ROSTER OF SPEAKERS AND MOTIVATING WORKSHOPS

Keeping the emphasis on education and globalization, the 2001 HSMAI Summit will deliver two days of thought-provoking sessions and an extensive series of creative educational tracks, designed to provide cutting-edge educational content for both directors and senior level sales and marketing executives in the hospitality industry.

An impressive line-up of world-class speakers will address a range of timely and vital issues pertinent to all hospitality, travel and tourism executives. The sessions are segmented into four tracks: Human Capital; Power Selling; Marketing Trends: New, Through, Tried and True; and, Customer Relationships.

Among the topics and speakers are:

• Meeting MegaTrends - David Dubois, president, PCMA
• The Future of Marketing Intelligence - Cindy Estis Green, senior vice president, Pegasus
• Web-based Marketing - Sal Dickinson, vice president, MeriStar Hotels & Resorts
• How do the Electronic Booking Systems Work? - Scott Anderson, president, SWAN
• Maximizing Your Value to Your Employer - Ted Briggs, principle, Sibson Consulting Group
• Organizing Teams from Solo to Harmony - Arlene Vernon, president, HRx
• Living in an E-World - Corbin Ball
• Opportunities in Technology - Terence Donnally, vice president marketing, Passkey
• High-Touch Solutions in a High-Tech World - Jodi Walker, Success Alliances
• Touch Points: How Customers Interact with Sales Professionals - Renatta Haas, vice president, CRM Practice, Nextera Enterprises
• Getting to Yes - Victoria Dunn, Hotel Revenue Resources

The 2001 HSMAI Summit commences Wednesday, June 6 at 7 pm with an opening "Wild West" reception. The business begins at 8:30 am on Thursday, June 7 with the General Session and keynote address.

Educational breakout sessions are held all day Thursday and Friday until noon. Thursday evening is the Gala Dinner; optional events will be held Friday afternoon, with the golf outing taking place on Saturday morning.

A special rate of $139 per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy, at Marriott's Camelback Resort has been secured for Summit attendees, available if booked by May 16. To make reservations, call the hotel directly at (800) 242-2635 and mention the HSMAI Summit to secure the special rate.

For more information about HSMAI's 2001 Sales and Marketing Summit - including further details on the sessions, speakers and events, and to register - call (202) 789-0089 or visit HSMAI's website at www.hsmai.org.

HSMAI is the leading organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry leader in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines. Members can access a wide variety of educational tools and enhance their skills and expertise to increase business and enrich their careers. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of over 5,000 members representing 65 chapters in 35 countries worldwide.