From Left (Front Row) – Nancy Van Bramer, Renaissance Austin Hotel; Melissa Soliz-Mihalopoulos, FFE Texas; Shawn Farmer, III Forks Restaurant; Tracy Terrell, Driskill Hotel | From Left (Back Row) – Terrell Abbott, Registration Assistant; Katherine Huske, Huske & Associates; Doug Kaminski, Four Seasons Hotel Austin; Kristi Carter, Super Shuttle; Mary Kay Hackley, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau — Photo by HSMAI

MCLEAN, VA | A new chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) formed on April 7, 2009 in Austin, Tex. with an inaugural meeting held at the Four Seasons Hotel. The new HSMAI chapter will serve as an umbrella organization for the local hospitality community, providing the necessary tools to educate and retain strong employees, reinforce the Austin brand, unify the community's messaging and refine the city's sales and marketing strategy.

"The new HSMAI Austin Chapter board set a new standard for opening an HSMAI chapter in their city," said Fran Brasseux, executive vice president of HSMAI. "Not only did the dynamic chapter board come together quickly, but their leadership unanimously agreed to a full strategic business plan, offering a 2009 calendar of hospitality sales and marketing educational programs to help local sales and marketing professionals join together for a stronger voice for the hospitality business in the city of Austin."

The theme of the inaugural meeting, "Keeping the Business of Business in Austin," reflected the challenges the industry is facing in the wake of the national economic downturn. Keynote speaker Cindy Novotny, managing partner of Master Connection Associates, presented on cost avoidance in a tough economy, value propositions, strategic team selling, working effectively in a competitive marketplace and how to build a business case to bring business to Austin.

"Austin is the 40th chapter to be chartered by HSMAI and we experienced an overwhelming response with approximately 150 registrants for our inaugural meeting," said Tracy Terrell, HSMAI Austin Chapter President. "This further validates our desire to strengthen our connections within the hospitality community."

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 www.hsmai.org.

Rachel Rosenberg
+1 404-832-7711
HSMAI

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