MCLEAN, VA -- The need to communicate the value of meetings to those planning meetings, to those influencing decisions on where and if to meet, and to business and government leaders, has never been greater.

In response, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has released the ‘Meetings Mean Business’ Communications Toolkit exclusively to HSMAI members as a response to the "AIG Effect," which has taken a toll on the hospitality industry particularly in the resort sector.

“HSMAI is working to spread the message about the importance of meetings, events and travel to the economy and to encourage business, non‐profit and government leaders to get back to meetings because meetings mean business to us all,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.

Developed under the leadership of HSMAI's Resort Marketing Special Interest Group Advisory Board, the toolkit evolved to address the challenges all HSMAI's members have to face in this difficult economic climate. The toolkit includes talking points about the value of face-to-face meetings, sample letters to be customized for communicating to local business leaders, and links to additional resources.

“We developed this tool kit to provide information and tools especially for those working in the meetings market segment to use in their sales and marketing efforts in today’s ever‐changing and challenging economy,” said Tom Bewley, Director of Sales & Marketing, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and Chair, Resort Marketing Advisory Board.

HSMAI has also developed additional resources to address the "AIG Effect" and the current economic climate. HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Mid-America program, at Chicago's Navy Pier, April 1-2, 2009, will feature a session titled: "Meetings Mean Business: How Meetings Can Help Your Organization Thrive in a Recession," which will include the current PCMA President, Chair, and HSMAI Americas board members John Washko of The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and Mark Thompson of the Irving Texas CVB.

HSMAI University will also be offering a series of webinars on this subject with the first led by John Parke, President & CEO, Leadership Synergies, LLC on April 7th, followed by a 3-part series on online prospecting for group revenue with Gordon Liametz, President, Revenue Performance Inc. Archive versions of recent webinars on current market trends and the future outlook with industry leaders such as Bjorn Hanson and Peter Yesawich are also now available.

In addition, HSMAI banded together with other members of the meetings, events and incentive travel industry in a grassroots campaign effort, Keep America Meeting, to draw attention to the important role meetings play in building successful businesses, as well as the vital role meetings, events and incentive travel play in the American economy.

The campaign asks supporters to go to its Web site and sign an online petition. The petition signatures will be delivered by Keep America Meeting to the U.S. Travel Association and industry leaders from key organizations to fuel industry-wide efforts with the White House and Congress. HSMAI also joined other Convention Industry Council (CIC) members in endorsing the “Guidelines for Meetings, Events and Incentive Travel” for entities re-ceiving government assistance.

For more information on the Meetings Mean Business Communications Toolkit visit .

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