Ritz-Carlton's Horst Schulze To Deliver Keynote Address At HSMAI Sales & Marketing Summit In Scottsdale, AZ

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.

Founded on principles of groundbreaking levels of customer service, and with guest satisfaction being the highest mission, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, under Schulze's leadership, is the first and only hotel company to win the coveted Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and the only service company to win the award two times, with the most recent honor received in 1999.

"The Ritz-Carlton values and philosophy of customer service practices and employee empowerment is vital in today's environment, which is all too often predicated solely on higher technology and mass marketing," states Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. "We look forward to benefiting from the insight and vision of Horst Schulze, who has been the innovator in the 'high-touch' service area of the hospitality industry."

A recognized leader in the service world, Schulze has received numerous distinctions, including "Corporate Hotelier of the World" by HOTELS magazine as well as the prestigious Ishikawa Medal for his personal contributions to the quality movement, among many others.

A charter member of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, he joined in January 1983 as vice president, operations, and was instrumental in conceptualizing the newly-formed company's operating and service standards. In 1987 he rose to executive vice president, and in February 1988 he became president and chief operating officer.

Prior to joining Ritz-Carlton, Schulze spent nine years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, after working for Hilton Hotels. He came to the United States in 1965 from Europe where he completed hotel school and began his hospitality career.

In keeping with 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 party. 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.

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

Discounted registration, priced at $525 for members and $625 for non-members, is available through March 31. After March 31, the rates increase to $625 and $725 respectively.

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.

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 76 chapters in 35 countries worldwide.