HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference on Sept. 28, 2021, in Dallas will feature experts from the hospitality industry’s leading brands, destinations, management companies, and partners. Co-located with HSMAI’s ROC as part of HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy Week, the Marketing Strategy Conference will address the latest data, research, and new developments in marketers’ efforts — online and off — to connect with, track, and influence changing consumer sentiments throughout all phases of travel.

“We’re excited to host the Marketing Strategy Conference in conjunction with ROC as commercial leaders navigate recovery,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO, HSMAI. “We look forward to safely gathering professionals from across the hospitality industry during this important week.”

MMGY Global executives Katie Briscoe, global president, and Clayton Reid, global CEO, will deliver a keynote address on Travel Recovery Promises More Surprises Ahead. Other general sessions include:

Drive Leisure Demand and Engage the Leisure Traveler. Experts will share tips, tactics, and strategies to continue to attract leisure travelers. Dan Wacksman, CHDM, CRME, CHBA, principal, Sasatto LLC, will moderate. Panelists include:

• Ashish Arya, global head of strategy and marketing, travel, Pinterest
• Marina MacDonald, CHDM, CMO, Red Roof, and chair of HSMAI
• America’s Board of Directors
• Andrew Kandel, head of sales, Waze
• Romina Rozensztajin, global vice president, ResortPass

Executive Insights: View From The Top. Leading marketing executives will bring their perspectives to discuss current events in hotel marketing and what the future holds in this discussion. Panelists include Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and Caroline MacDonald, group vice president of sales and marketing, Rosewood Hotel Group.

The Lightning Round: Insights Worth Sharing. Marketing executives will share their interesting ideas and case studies for driving revenue and profit in under seven minutes. Speakers include:

• Jessica Davidson, CHDM, senior vice president of digital, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
• Monty White, CHDM, director of marketing, Irving Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Holly Zoba, CHDM, principal, Scout Simply
• Jeff Brainard, vice president, sales and marketing, Southern Management
• Stuart Butler, CHDM, chief marketing officer, Myrtle Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend additional breakout sessions throughout the day on the most important issues facing hotel marketers, including:

• They Said What?! Using Social Media to Tap Into Current Trends and Ensure Your Customers are Heard
• Beyond Rooms: Positioning Ancillary Assets to Drive Revenue
• Avoiding Post-Pandemic Legal Landmines
• Capitalize on Commercial Strategy to Drive Market Share
• Defining Success in the New Market
• COLLABORATE: Deep-Dive Discussions on Strategic Issues
• CRM 2022: The Miracle Vaccine for What Ails Your
• Marketing — Make the Most of Automation Efficiencies in Paid Media
• First-Party Data: Optimizing the Opportunities and Mitigating the Challenge

Industry professionals also have the opportunity to participate in the CHDM Review Course on September 27 and the CRME Review Course on September 28. Both courses review the key concepts covered in the certification study guide for the respective designated certification and allow participants to take the exam onsite immediately following the review course if they have submitted their application in advance.

A Partner Insights workshop will be held on the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 27, and is included in all conference registrations. A post-conference reception will be held on Sept. 28 to conclude the Marketing Strategy Conference and kick off ROC. Executive Roundtables (by invitation only) will be held throughout the week for select groups to convene and share their insights with one another.

Thank you to the partners sponsoring HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference events and programs:

• Preferred: BCV
• Platinum: Tambourine
• Silver: TINT
• Bronze: Expedia Group Media Solutions, IDeaS Revenue Solutions, Milestone, Women in Travel Thrive
• Supporters: AZDS Interactive Group
• Media: Hospitality Upgrade

To learn about partnership opportunities, contact Elise Rhinehart at [email protected].

Visit the Marketing Strategy Conference website for additional details on the educational programs, speaker profiles, a list of attending companies, and an ROI calculator for getting company approval to attend.

Access Marketing Strategy Conference registration to reserve your seat. Group discounts and combination conference discounts are available.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Commercial Strategy Conference, Sales Leader Forum, and Adrian Awards. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.

Kaitlin Dunn
MCI | USA
HSMAI