As an extension of their educational collaboration with Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the Board of Directors of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) of The Americas has announced that the new Certified Hospitality Sales Executive Certification (CHSE) is available to all IACC members at a discounted rate.

The certification was developed jointly by HSMAI and Master Connection Associates (MCA) and is designed for sales professionals in the hospitality industry who demonstrate achievement at the highest level of performance, abilities, and expertise in the field. The CHSE certification encompasses a sharpened skill-set for individuals, including enhanced competencies in the ability to uncover new prospects; written skills for customized pitches; strategic thinking; and effective questioning skills.

"While the key to continued professional growth is to never stop learning, professional growth which leads to improved business return is truly the real winning combination," said Fran Brasseux, HSMAI Executive Vice President. "We have expanded our partnership with Master Connection Associates (MCA) to ensure we deliver that real winning combination in our new CHSE certification and we are delighted to extend the opportunity to IACC to include conference center professionals."

According to IACC President, Tom Cappucci (General Manager, University Place Conference Center and Hotel), "We are very happy to expand the partnership between IACC and HSMAI in order to provide certification to sales professionals in the specialized conference center niche. We're confident that sales professionals and their employers will benefit on many levels from this new certification program."

Information on the CHSE credentials and the application are available on IACC's website: http://events.iacconline.org/HSMAI_CHSE/. Instructions, fees, and point schedule are included in the application. Once candidates have qualified, they will receive the CHSE Study Guide. Candidates will take three MCA e-Learning modules before taking the online exam, and HSMAI has added a special benefit to the process: to complete the CHSE, candidates will take the prestigious 20/20 Assessment® to help them continue to grow in their profession.

HSMAI is currently offering the special rate to IACC members that apply for the CHSE certification through January 31, 2011. Qualified candidates can submit a completed application to Kathleen Tindell, HSMAI, 1760 Old Meadow Road, #500, McLean, VA 22102.

About IACC

Founded in 1981, IACC is dedicated to representing the best meeting venues globally and is, by definition, the future of the meetings industry realised. The association brings together the brightest, most innovative minds from around the globe. IACC elevates the meeting experience by creating a unique point of entry that is inclusive of the best-in-class meeting venues internationally. IACC membership is a symbol of meeting excellence and exceptional connections amongst the best in the meeting industry. This exclusiveness makes IACC's members part of an elite group representing the most innovative, forward-thinking, and results-driven meeting venues globally.

All members meet a set of stringent Quality Standards and agree to a Code of Ethics. IACC includes over 400-member conference venues from Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Wales, Canada, and the United States.

The IACC Mission Statement: "To bring together the brightest industry minds to promote the best meeting venues, which deliver exceptional meeting experiences. There are meetings... And then there are IACC Meetings".

The IACC Vision: "IACC is a global community of passionate people and organisations delivering innovative and exceptional meeting experiences."