HSMAI Global Launches Official Chapter in United Arab Emirates

HSMAI Global Launches Official Chapter in United Arab Emirates Standing left to right: Richard Haddad, Tarek Elsharif, Michael Marshall, Sayed Tayoun | Seated left to right: Mona Faraj, Jeff Senior, Asma Abdulla Al Fahim

“We are excited that the sales and marketing professionals in this rapidly growing region of the world are now represented by HSMAI,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “The value of membership in the association, coupled with the programs that will be produced by this new national chapter, will ensure that hospitality companies in the UAE have access to the latest trends and resources to grow their businesses.”

Senior presented the UAE Chapter with an official certificate and shared best practices and strategic tips for the success of the chapter in the Middle East. After the launch ceremony, the Board of HSMAI UAE discussed the next steps to increase chapter activities and membership.

“We are very excited and enthusiastic about this launch as the HSMAI offers the ideal platform for networking among hospitality and travel professionals,” said Mona Faraj, chair of the HSMAI UAE Chapter. “Professionals in our region have a great need for a range of affordable training and education across all areas of Sales & Marketing.”

The new UAE Chapter currently has nearly 100 active members and is looking to double this number in 2010. UAE Chapter board members include:

• Asma Abdulla Al Fahim, vice president, European International College of Hotel Management and Tourism
• Adrian Deegan, area director of sales & marketing, Rotana Hotels & Resorts
• Tarek Elsherif, regional director of sales & marketing, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East and North Africa
• Michael Marshall, corporate vice president, sales & marketing, Rotana
• Jeff Strachan, area director of sales & marketing, Middle East & Africa, Marriott international
• Kristie Goshow, Chief Opportunity Officer, smart Thynking FZE
• Richard Haddad, general manager, Vision Hotels
• Sayed Tayoun, director of sales & marketing, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
• Terry Kane, Director of Digital Strategy - Jumeirah Group

Visit www.hsmaimiddleeast.org for more information on the UAE chapter.

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 MEET, 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.