The HSMAI Foundation Announces 2012 Scholarship Program

The Foundation of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces its 2012 scholarship program open to part- and full-time college students pursuing careers in hospitality sales, marketing or revenue management.

Since 1983, HSMAI has offered scholarships annually to students working toward associate, bachelor"s or graduate degrees in the hospitality industry. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a hospitality curriculum, have related work experience, intend to attain a career in hospitality sales, marketing or revenue management, and portray good academic standing.

For the fourth year, graduate students exclusively will be considered for the HSMAI Foundation Mike Dimond Scholarship. Dimond was highly regarded in the hospitality sales and marketing industry and passed in 2008.

"The HSMAI Foundation is proud that our scholarship funding over the years has helped many hospitality sales and marketing professionals complete their undergraduate and graduate work and enter the industry better equipped to not only face the business challenges, but develop the skills needed to become tomorrow"s hospitality leaders," said Fran Brasseux, executive director of HSMAI Foundation. "Leadership development is an important part of our mission both for new professionals and for seasoned ones. Our new HSMAI Foundation mission statement "to develop knowledge and insights for the future to fuel sales, inspire marketing and optimize revenue" is aligned with the new mission and work at HSMAI."

The 2011 recipients of the merit scholarships, sponsored by American Express, were Carly Beckner, University of Delaware; Jamie Choi, New York University; Sara Garvey, Temple University; Katie Tolman, Florida Atlantic University; and Jacob Youngblood, University of Wisconsin - Stout.

Scholarship funds awarded from the HSMAI Foundation and partner American Express are forwarded to the winning recipients" colleges to be applied to tuition for the subsequent semester. Applicants are reviewed through their grade point average, extracurricular involvement in HSMAI and other organizations / associations at their respective colleges, two recommendation forms and three personal essays depicting why they are deserving of the scholarship funds.

Students interested in applying for the HSMAI Foundation scholarships can find additional information and requirements at www.hsmaifoundation.org. All applications must be received by June 15, 2012 and beneficiaries will be notified July 15, 2012.

About HSMAI Foundation
Established in 1983 to serve as the research and educational arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, the HSMAI Foundation's mission is to develop knowledge and insights for the future to fuel sales, inspire marketing and optimize revenue. For more information on the HSMAI Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization, visit www.hsmaifoundation.org