MCLEAN, VA | The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces its 2009 Americas Board of Directors.

Three new directors join the board this year:

  • Jack Easdale, corporate director of revenue management, Gaylord Hotels;
  • Brenda Fields Malone, founder, Fields & Company;
  • Marina MacDonald, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Red Roof Inn

The new board members will attend their first meeting Jan. 27 in New York City after the previous night’s HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala.

“As chair of HSMAI’s Americas Board, I look forward to working with these talented and experienced industry leaders,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Best Western International. “The strength of the professionals involved on the board will be a great asset to HSMAI and the travel industry. The board will be focused in 2009 on the continued development of programs and services relevant to members in these challenging times.”

The 2009 HSMAI Americas Board of Directors also includes:

Executive Committee:

  • David Atkins, Chair Elect, Digital Media Consultant
  • Kim Schaller, Vice Chair, chief marketing officer, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
  • Barb Bowden, Treasurer, assistant general manager and corporate director of revenue management, Peabody Hotels
  • Jack Schmidt, Immediate Past Chair, vice president regional director sales and marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts

Board Members:

  • Maureen Callahan, vice president, marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts
  • Frank Fredericks, managing director, Wild Dunes Resort
  • Christian Gayet, senior vice president of sales, Accor North America
  • Melissa Maher, vice president, strategic accounts, Expedia, Inc.
  • Alice McQuade, director of travel agency sales & marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group
  • Jeff Senior, executive vice president, sales & marketing, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International
  • Pamela Streeter, vice president for electronic distribution and marketing, Interstate Hotels & Resorts
  • Mark Thompson, vice president, marketing, Irving Texas CVB
  • Jens Thraenhart, managing director, Chameleon Strategies
  • Rob Torres, managing director, travel, Google
  • John Washko, vice president, sales & marketing, The Broadmoor

Partner Association Representatives:

  • Tim Grace, director of marketing, Caribbean Hotel Association
  • Gary Oster, senior vice president, business development, U.S. Travel Association
  • Kathryn Potter, senior vice president of marketing & communications, American Hotel & Lodging Association
  • Doug Price, senior vice president, professional development, Destination Marketing Association International

About HSMAI | HSMAI is the hospitality industry source for knowledge, community, and recognition for leaders committed to professional development, sales growth, revenue optimization, marketing, and branding. 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 annual events, including HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 506-3280; fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at .

Rachel Rosenberg
+1 404-832-7711
HSMAI

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