MCLEAN, VA | The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the world’s leading association providing information, networking opportunities and educational resources to the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, held its inaugural Asia Connect 2005 conference for the Asia Pacific region last month and the event proved to be a resounding success. The full-day conference attracted more than 100 senior hospitality professionals in Sales & Marketing from Australia, China, Hong Kong-SAR, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the U.S., and Vietnam.

Held on October 19, 2005 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore, the launch of Asia Connect 2005 and the establishment of the first regional chapter for Asia Pacific, was a remarkable achievement and milestone in the 78-year history of HSMAI.

Asia Connect, themed “Defining a New Vision for Global Hospitality Sales and Marketing Professionals,” focused on fresh ideas, innovative thinking and competitive strategies required to equip today’s global hospitality professional with critical skills to ensure future business success. In addition to the insightful presentations and interactive panel discussions, delegates were able to select and take part in special interest workshops and discussion groups on Revenue Management, Resort Management and Internet Distribution Marketing.

Held in conjunction with Wired 2005 – Asia Travel Matrix, Asia Connect 2005 featured dynamic speakers and panelists sharing their views on vital issues and trends shaping tourism and hospitality, including opportunities available through new technologies, distribution channels and tools to drive sales revenue and profitability.

Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI, delivered the opening keynote address entitled: ‘Envisioning the Future of the Sales & Marketing Profession.’ He said, “These are exciting times for the hospitality industry in the Asia Pacific region. And recognizing the huge potential and the importance of this rapidly growing region, HSMAI is dedicating its leadership, knowledge and resources to fully support the future growth and professionalism of the hospitality industry in Asia Pacific.”

Some of the sessions and panels featured at the conference included:

• “Envisioning the Future of Competing in a Global Marketplace” led by Dr. Judy A. Siguaw, Dean of Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management.
• “The Future of the Sales Process – The New Fundamentals” led by Dr. Michael Hampton, president of HSA International and Dean of Hospitality Management at Lynn University at Boca Raton, Florida, USA
• “Envisioning the Future of Distribution & Channel Management” featuring Cindy Estis Green, executive director, The Estis Group, and author of “Demystifying Distribution”
• “Spinning the Perfect Web” – a workshop on Internet marketing by Lucas Peng, executive director of MacroVision Network Pte Ltd & managing director – IFH Asia Pacific
• “Making the Right Connection Through Strategic Communication” – a presentation by Rick Clements, managing director, RC&A and Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of SHY Ventures
• “Creating a Legendary Brand & Service” by Simon Manning, regional director of sales and marketing, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

There were also several networking events including a cocktail party with the Wired2005 delegates.

HSMAI partnered with MacroVision Network (MVN), a Singapore-based training and consulting firm specializing in the travel and hospitality industry, to produce Asia Connect 2005. MVN acknowledged the tremendous support they received from sponsors and partners of Asia Connect 2005, including: TIG Global, Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC), TravelCLICK, HSA International, TRAVELtech, SHY Ventures, Singapore Tourism Board, HEDNA, ehotelier.com, WILEY, and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore.

According to Christine Toguchi, managing director for HSMAI Asia Pacific, “This event was an excellent opportunity for hotel professionals in the Asia Pacific Region to network with other industry professionals, discuss key issues facing the hospitality industry, and discover new tools, techniques and technology to transform and enhance business performance.”

Toguchi added: “Throughout the conference, it was encouraging to note the positive energy and interest from the delegates and HSMAI members. This move to enhance the level of professionalism within the industry is a key motivating factor for the development of an Asia Pacific Chapter of HSMAI.”

A key to the success of the HSMAI Asia Pacific chapter is in its leadership and ability to provide its members with services and resources that have relevance in their career development and industry. To facilitate the creation of this Chapter and future initiatives, HSMAI has appointed an outstanding team as its organizing Board of Directors. They include:

• Bernadette Dennis, Vice President, Asia Pacific Global Sales, Marriott Int’l Inc
• Craig Fong, Vice President, Non-Air Content Associates, ABACUS
• Roy Tan Hardy, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland
• Henrietta Ho, Executive Assistant Manager, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong
• Arthur Kiong, Director, Hotel Operations, Far East Hotels
• Carmen Lam, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Inter Continental Hotel Group (IHG) Asia Pacific
• Simon Manning, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific, The Ritz - Carlton Hotel Company
• Michael Meade, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Company Ltd.
• Gerry Oh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing - Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
• Dr. Judy Siguaw, Founding Dean Cornell, Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management

Asia Connect 2005 was intended to be a spring board to rally support, interest and cooperation among hotel sales and marketing professionals in the region and one key result initiative will be to create Special Interest Groups (SIG) comprising of Revenue Management and Internet Marketing specialists from leading hospitality companies in the region. The SIGs are dedicated to addressing the most pressing and topical issues facing the industry as it relates to Internet Marketing and Revenue Management.

Future networking opportunities for HSMAI Asia Pacific members and the industry at-large include:

• Asia Connect 2006 - focused on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Issues & Interests – Building and Sustaining Profitable Customer Relationships.
• Twice-yearly Special Interest Groups (SIG) Strategy Conferences on Internet Marketing and Revenue Management held in Hong Kong and Singapore.

For more information on HSMAI’s Asia Pacific Chapter and future events, contact Christine Toguchi at HSMAI Asia Pacific, [email protected] or call (65) 6278 2401. For highlights of Asia Connect 2005, please visit .

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at 15 annual events. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising nearly 7,000 members worldwide, with 38 chapters in the Americas region.

For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, phone (703) 610-9024; fax (703) 610-9005. You can also visit the web site at .

Richard S. Kahn
(516) 594-4100
HSMAI