Stephen Twining, global ambassador for the Twinings of London brand, and tenth-generation member of England's famous tea family, will serve as host as HSMAI Europe, in association with Hospitality Technology Europe, announce the first ever TOP 20 EXTRAORDINARY MINDS IN SALES, MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY across Europe.

The Awards Ceremony will take place at the prestigious Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London on Tuesday 4 February, between 19:00 and 23:00 hrs.

The 2014 Top 20 laureates have been judged for their recent work, based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation, cutting edge sales, marketing, revenue and technology campaigns, achievement in challenging situations, and sales efforts resulting in significant gains, by a panel of senior executives.

Panel of experienced judges

Chairman: Dr. Bård Tronvoll, Norway

Dr. Bård Tronvoll is professor of marketing at Hedmark University College, Norway, at the CTF-Service Research Center at Karlstad University, Sweden, and visiting professor at HANKEN School of Economics, Helsinki Finland.

His research interests include theory generation in service research, service innovation, dynamic relationships in business and service marketing. Tronvoll is a member of the editorial advisory board at Journal of Service Management and his work has been published in several international academic journals. He is former rector of Norwegian University College of Tourism and has been interacting with the tourism industry for decades.

Carsten Hennig, travel writer and author, Germany

Carsten Hennig focuses on luxury hotels. With his video newscast channel for hotel management he is well known. Carsten assists the world-famous hotel author Mr Heinz Horrmann and publishes his own list of Top 100 Hotel Influencers.

Professor Dr. Phil Klaus MBA, MRes, UK

Philipp "Phil" Klaus is founder of Dr. Phil Klaus & Associates Consulting, London, researcher at Brunel University, and holds multiple visiting professorships around the globe. Phil's award-winning research is published in many top academic and managerial journals.

His areas of expertise include customer experience strategy and management, customer experience quality, marketing strategy, the influence of marketing activities and customer experience on consumer behaviour, and the financial performance of organisations.

Phil is a frequent keynote speaker at public and in-company seminars and conferences around the world. He is an experienced senior marketing manager and management consultant with an active, international portfolio of Blue Chip clients from the financial services, retail, luxury goods and the energy sectors, for whom he advises on customer experience strategy, profit enhancement, next practice and business development.

Ally Dombey, Founder and Owner, Revenue by Design Ltd., UK

Ally Dombey works with individual hotels, hotel groups leisure and tourism companies to create best-in-class revenue management and marketing strategies, designed to optimise revenues from all departments and across all distribution channels and third party partners.

Clients she has worked with include The Dorchester Collection, The Radisson Blu, Biarritz, The Shilla, Seoul, Hilton Worldwide, Travelport, Luxury Hotel Partners, The Goring, and The Chester Grosvenor.

Professor Stephan C. Henneberg, UK

Professor Stephan C. Henneberg, Queen Mary University of London. Previously held academic appointments at Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, and at the School of Management, University of Bath.

He holds degrees in management studies, philosophy, political sciences, and economics, and obtained his PhD in marketing for the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

Before returning to academia, he worked in senior positions as a management consultant with A.T. Kearney and McKinsey & Co.

Stephan is currently visiting professor of marketing and strategy at the University of Bamberg, the University of Bayreuth, and Kedge Business School, Marseilles-Bordeaux. He previously held positions at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, University of Lugano, University of Mainz, and Bocconi Milan.

An annual hot list

"The Top 20 will become our annual hot list, that celebrates the sales, marketing and technology leaders and innovators in our industry," says Ingunn Hofseth, president of HSMAI Europe, continuing:

"The creative strategies, passionate dedication and sharp intelligence of these professionals have not only grown the business within their organisations but have also truly raised the bar for the hospitality industry as a whole."

"We are very excited to partner with HSMAI Europe and add technology categories to HSMAI's sales and marketing excellence within the European hospitality industry. We feel that by including these categories we can combine to honour the best in innovation, guest technology and revenue management and recognise how technology can drive hotel sales and revenue," says Claudia Harris, event manager, Hospitality Technology Europe.

HSMAI Europe Best in Class Marketing Awards

HSMAI Europe will also honour companies that have excelled in the following categories:

  • The Digital Winner
  • Social Media
  • PR Campaign of the Year
  • TV Advert of the year
  • Content Marketing Project of the Year
  • Best in Class Technology – Revenue Management
  • Best in Class Technology – Innovation Award
  • HSMAI European Travel Marketer of the Year

In addition to the Best in Class awards, one company will be awarded the title "European Travel Marketer of the Year". The grand winner must have won at least one gold in either Best in Class marketing awards.

Join us for an inspirational evening focusing on: Professional development, Networking and Business!

Come celebrate with our industry's leaders and partake in a three-course dinner. Secure a table for your organisation now! Journalists attend free of charge. Please note: All attendance, including that of the press, must be registered in advance, within Monday morning 3 February at the latest. Pleare note: There are very few places left. First come, first served.

About HSMAI Region Europe

HSMAI – Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International – is a global organisation founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation. HSMAI Europe aims to be a key influencer, pioneer and the go-to industry resource for professional development, commercial strategies and sustainability in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. www.hsmai.eu.

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