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2023
 
Annual Report
 

HSMAI’s Leaders Reflect on 2023 

In 2023, we witnessed our industry make an extraordinary shift from resilience to flourishing, we all wrapped our heads around the explosion of generative AI and accompanying technology innovations, and we continued to relish the opportunity to meet in person. As we turn the page on a transformative year, it is our pleasure to present the 2023 HSMAI Annual Report.

Over the past year, HSMAI provided solution-oriented insights, highly relevant education and resources, and supported and developed our chapters. Our goals were ambitious but designed to provide value and meet the needs of our member companies and individuals. The success of our efforts is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the HSMAI staff, volunteers, and partners. Thank you to each one of you for your contributions.

We started the year embracing the zeitgeist of the industry with our Adrian theme, the Next Great Chapter. We held the Mike Leven Leadership Conference for the first time since 2019, a fantastic opportunity for chapter leadership to collaborate and deepen their knowledge. During Commercial Strategy Week and Sales Leader Forum, expert speakers, content, and discussions helped attendees anticipate and respond to headwinds, identify new opportunities, and better align their commercial functions, guiding the future course of our industry. Curate focused on the hot topic of artificial intelligence, helping our organizational members to stay at the forefront of industry trends.

Our educational initiatives and networking opportunities have grown in both depth and reach. The active participation of our Advisory Boards, Rising Leader Councils, and chapters is a clear indicator of the vibrant community we have fostered. The Puerto Rico Chapter had a successful second year.

Under the helm of Brasil's chapter, we expanded our reach with the addition of a Latin American Advisory Board that produced events in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. The engagement and enthusiasm of our members and partners have been nothing short of inspiring.

Looking ahead, we are filled with optimism and excitement for the future. The journey continues, and HSMAI remains committed to equipping you with the necessary tools, insights, and connections to navigate what comes next.  

The 2023 HSMAI Annual Report reflects our collective achievements. As we celebrate the close of an eventful year and look forward to the new opportunities that await, we thank you for your support of HSMAI. I invite you to explore the report and discover the strides we have made together.

Bob Gilbert,
President & CEO 

HSMAI Americas Chair 2022-23

John Washko,
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Mohegan Sun

Connect with HSMAI

 
 

Honoring Excellence

HSMAI recognized industry professionals and excellence in hospitality travel marketing through several awards and recognition programs, including the Adrian Awards; Top 25 Minds; Career Achievement; Professionals, and Educators of the Year.

The year began with recognition of the 2022 class of the HSMAI Top 25 Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, and Distribution. These professionals were recognized in conjunction with the annual Adrian Awards. The Adrian Awards Celebration was held on the West Coast for the first time, honoring the Top 25 and Adrian Awards recipients at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California.

The Adrian Awards celebrated the most creative and successful campaigns in travel marketing and the people behind the work with more than 400 industry and agency executives on hand.

“Tonight we recognize the best of the best of our industry’s creative and innovative digital, advertising, and public relations/communications,” said HSMAI President and CEO, Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA. “As we turn the page towards our future, we are excited, hopeful, and feeling inspired. It is the next great chapter in travel marketing.”

At the Adrians, HSMAI honored two industry leaders with the HSMAI Lifetime Achievement Awards. Peter Strebel, chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts, received the Albert E. Koehl Award in Hospitality Marketing. Mary Wagstaff, partner and managing director at MMGY Wagstaff, received the Winthrop W. Grice Award for Hospitality Public Relations.

Recognition of excellence continued at HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy Week in Toronto. Both the Revenue Optimization and Marketing Professionals of the year, and the Vanguard Award for Achievement in Revenue Optimization Award Honorees were celebrated respectively with special VIP breakfasts.

In conjunction with the ROC Americas event, the 2023 Revenue Professionals of the Year, Revenue Optimization Lifetime Vanguard Honor, and Revenue Educator of the Year were honored on stage. The honorees were:

  • Vanguard Award for Career Achievement in Revenue Optimization: Andrew Rubinacci EVP, Commercial & Revenue Strategy of Aimbridge Hospitality

  • Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year: Monika Morrobel, CRME, CHDM, Senior Corporate Director of Commercial Strategy for the Kessler Collection (Corporate)

  • Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year: Don Hood, Director of Commercial Services at the Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa (Single/Multi-Unit)

  • Revenue Optimization Educator of the Year: Dave Roberts, award-winning professor, author, and former hospitality executive.

Marketing honors were given out as part of the Marketing Strategy Conference in Toronto. Honored were:

  • Marketing Professional of the Year, Corporate: Jay Hubbs, CHDM, Vice President-Advertising, Marketing, Innovation and Analytics of BWH Hotels

  • Marketing Professional of the Year, Single/multiunit: John White, CRME, CHBA, CHDM, Director of Sales & Marketing at Kaanapali Beach Hotel

  • Marketing Educator of the Year: Dr. Makarand Mody, Associate Professor of Hospitality Marketing at Boston University

The honors continued is sales in November, presented at the HSMAI Sales Leader Forum in Long Beach, California. Honored were:

  • Career Achievement Award in Sales: Kimberly Furlong, Chief Commercial Officer, Atrium Hospitality

  • Sales Professional of the Year, Off-Property: Lindsey Johnson, Vice President, HHM Hotels

  • Sales Professional of the Year, On-Property: Mike Edwards, Director of Sales and Marketing, Houston Marriott Sugar Land/Remington Hospitality

  • Sales Educator of the Year: Allyson Antin, Faculty, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration

HSMAI Social

Membership Matters

HSMAI’s Organizational Members continued their strong support for the association and its’ mission, with 74 companies participating in 2023 with 1640 potential members.  The much-anticipated Curate event was held in Long Beach, CA, and with a focus on Artificial Intelligence it drew an attendance of 54 executives from 61% of the Organizational Memberships.

In October HSMAI announced the integration of the International Association of Reservation Executives (IARE) membership and program of work into HSMAI. HSMAI will partner with IARE to elevate the role of contact centers as they continue to play an integral role in all commercial functions of the hospitality industry, and IARE will leverage HSMAI’s extensive network to expand its reach and grow networking opportunities for its constituents.

Six companies engaged as Global Organizational Members in 2023: Amadeus, Cendyn, Duetto, Rategain, OTA Insights, and Preferred Hotels.

HSMAI Americas passed the 3,000 individual member threshold in May 2023, the first time since March 2020. Many people have come back after layoffs and lapses; budgets that had been severely cut due to the pandemic have been opening back up to professional development.

In 2023, the HSMAI Americas Chapters assumed a prominent role as leaders in hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue education within their local markets. They designed distinctive programs specifically tailored to address the prevailing conditions and demands within each area. These initiatives included breakfast series, workshops, and half-day programs featuring interactive educational formats. Furthermore, the HSMAI Chapter Boards collaborated closely throughout the year, distributing responsibilities and focusing intently on fulfilling the educational requirements of their respective local markets.

Greater New York
Hosted the 2023 Intercollegiate Global Conference, working with several schools and supported by the HSMAI Foundation! Sessions held over the course of a week virtually for maximum global engagement. The chapter produced 12 programs with 1,363 attendees…with average attendance increase of 14% in 2023.

Washington D.C.
In October, the D.C. chapter held its 2nd Annual Directors Roundtable with over 55 local hotel directors in attendance. This has now become a signature program for the chapter.

Las Vegas
The Annual Commercial Strategy Conference was the highest attended event in 2023 for the chapter. The ¾ day event focused on the “Commercial” role in hospitality – sales, marketing & revenue.

Seattle
The Seattle chapter relaunched in 2023 with a full board of directors and a great slate of educational programming. They increased membership 320% year over year!

Puerto Rico
Celebrated their 1st anniversary on September 15th; the chapter continues to bring high level quality education to the island for sales, marketing and revenue professionals.

South Florida
Hosted their 38th Annual Gala in October, celebrating the best in the market. Awards were given for Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year, Revenue Manager Professional of the Year, General Manager Professional of the Year, Innovation Award and President's Award.

Hawaii
Hosted their annual Golf Tournament, engaging with hospitality professionals from several islands with 110 participants and raised over $15,000 for local charities.

LATAM Region Development
LATAM regional development started strong in 2023. Strategy Conferences were held in the fall of 2023 in five countries including Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile & Brasil with an average attendance of 100+ in each market.

Greater Denver Development
HSMAI is re-establishing a chapter in the Denver area, with the appointment of a managing director, and support of grant partners Lighthouse, Screen Pilot, Visit Aurora, Coraltree, and Sage Hospitality Management.

By The Numbers

12,000+

Attendees (Mix of In-person & Virtual)

200

Educational programs & events produced by HSMAI Chapters

Membership Mix


Certifications

HSMAI Social

Commercial Strategy Events

 

HSMAI led the way for the industry in 2023 with three commercial strategy conferences: ROC Americas, the Marketing Strategy Conference, and Sales Leader Forum. Additionally, CURATE focused on the impacts of AI on commercial organizations for HSMAI’s Organizational Company representatives.

And, HSMAI also brought together senior commercial leaders at a series of 9 face-to-face Executive Roundtables. The cohorts assembled included Revenue, Sales, Marketing, Distribution, and Hotel Management Company executives, and provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity for these senior executives to have meaningful dialogue with their peers in a confidential environment.

More than 1200 industry professionals attended these HSMAI events.

HSMAI made a big decision in 2023 to continue evolving HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference and HSMAI ROC to reflect the realities of the industry. As the marketing and revenue optimization don’t work in siloes, the association’s our conferences shouldn’t be in them either. To that end, in 2024, the Commercial Strategy Conference will be born to deliver a combined focus on each of these disciplines that will enhance the experience and content for all commercial leaders. Watch for big things in Charlotte, NC, USA on June 25-26, 2024.

Conference Count

40 Events (Live & Virtual)
3,100 Attendees

HSMAI Social

Professional Development

In 2023, HSMAI expanded its range of professional certifications, including the established Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME), the Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM), the Certified in Hospitality Business Acumen (CHBA), and the relaunched Certified Revenue Management Analyst (CRMA). Notably, the year saw a significant increase in the number of individuals achieving the CRME, with close to 400 people attaining this prestigious certification, bringing the global total of CRMEs to over 3,000 across 79 countries. Moreover, approximately 150 professionals earned their CHDM, while nearly 100 obtained the CHBA, and 68 individuals successfully acquired the newly reinvigorated CRMA.

About 500 people applied for the Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) certification, reflecting a strong interest in revenue management expertise. Additionally, 200 individuals pursued the Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM) certification, demonstrating the industry's growing emphasis on digital marketing skills. Moreover, the Certified in Hospitality Business Acumen (CHBA) program attracted 50 applicants, indicating a keen interest in developing business acumen within the hospitality sector. Furthermore, the Certified Revenue Management Analyst (CRMA) saw an impressive response, with over 90 individuals seeking to attain this valuable certification, highlighting the significance of revenue management analytics in the industry.

We continued to offer HSMAI’s Essentials classes, with more than 150 people taking the Hotel Revenue Optimization Essentials (HROE) and the Hotel Digital Marketing Essentials (HDME) online, live-instruction courses. We launched three new online, self-paced Essentials courses:  the HDME+ (digital marketing), the HDSE+ (digital sales), and the HBAE+ (business acumen). In 2024, we will launch the online Hotel Data Analytics Essentials (HDAE+). 

Work continued on the creation of the CHSL, the new Certified Hotel Sales Leader certification, which we will launch in the spring of 2024. The new CRME study guide, Evolving Dynamics: From Revenue Management to Revenue Strategy, 4th Edition, was published in 2023. 

Numerous major hotel management companies and hospitality partners continued to affirm the value of HSMAI’s certifications in revenue management and digital marketing by making one or more of our certifications a requirement for their employees in that discipline. 

HSMAI Social

HSMAI Foundation Focus: Building a Bridge

In 2023, the HSMAI Foundation kicked off a major initiative: the HSMAI Foundation Century Campaign. As the association nears its 100th anniversary in 2027, the Foundation launched the five-year campaign, asking industry professionals to help in ensuring that the future generation of hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue professionals are finding their place in our industry. The first phase of the campaign was a huge success, with nearly $700,000 in donations.

The Foundation also made huge strides on initiatives that will attract, develop, and engage talent. Among the highlights was the release of the second annual “State of Talent” report, capturing the trends in the industry and offering recommended actions and resources. In addition, thanks to the funding from our 11 Corporate Talent Partners, the Foundation had the resources to:

Attract:

  • Hosted a virtual Intercollegiate Student Conference with over 300 students attending.

  • Produced a Hospitality School Marketing Case Competition and Awarded prizes to undergraduate and graduate student teams.

  • Awarded three Career Success Grants to deserving students who will receive a mentor for a year among other career building benefits.

  • Hosted eight Faculty Forums around the globe for faculty who a sales, marketing, or revenue class. Nearly 100 faculty engaged in this virtual series to share sentiments from their perspective, and they were given the opportunity to dialogue with discipline specific industry leaders.

Develop:

  • Developed new educational programs to include a new online Digital Marketing Essential class, a new student certification in revenue analytics, a new version of the HSMAI Business Acumen online class, a new Data Analytics class for industry professionals, and began work on a new Sales Leader certification program and study guide.

  • Commissioned a research project on “Creating a Commercial Mindset: Reimaging the Commercial Arm of the Hospitality Curriculum which was presented at the ICHRIE conference of hospitality faculty.

  • Build the plan for the transition of all HSMAI Region global educational products into one centralized Global Academy learning management system.

Engage:

The HSMAI Foundation also has published nearly 30 unique piece of content YTD highlighting best practices and trends in talent for sales, marketing, and revenue professionals.

HSMAI Foundation Executive Council

Chair
Michelle Woodley
, President, Preferred Travel Group

Chair Elect
Lori Kiel, CHDM, Chief Commercial Officer, Kessler Collection

Treasurer
Amanda Voss, CMP
, Vice President of Sales, MGM Resorts International

Immediate Past Chairman
Agnelo Fernandes
, Chief Executive Officer, Cote Family Companies

Executive Director
Robert Gilbert, CHME, CHA

Foundation Board

Rachel Bird, Vice President of North America Market Management, Expedia Group

Phill Burgess, CHA, VP Sales and Revenue Strategies, Athena Hospitality

Lovell Casiero, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, PM Hotel Group

Matthew Clyde, President, Ideas Collide

Lexy Coley, Corporate Director of Talent Development, Omni Hotels

Jeff Doane, CHBA, Chief Commercial Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Dorothy Dowling, Managing Director, Horwath HTL

Dawn Gallagher, Chief Commercial Officer, Crescent Hotels and Resorts

Mike Gamble, President & Chief Executive Officer, Searchwide Global

Michael Goldrich, CHDM, CRME, Chief Experience Officer, The Hotels Network

Kristi Goshow, Chief Commercial Officer, KSL Resorts

Noreen Henry, CMP, Chief Revenue Officer, Sojern

Warren Jahn, CRME, Head of Global Operations Training & Americas Learning Delivery, IHG

Robert Kwortnik, Associate Professor, Cornell University

Anna Paccone, CHDM, VP Digital/eCommerce, Aimbridge Hospitality

Bernadette Ruby, Division VP North America, Amadeus Hospitality

Chinmai Sharma, CRME, President – Americas, RateGain

Katarina Stanisic, Managing Director – Marketing, BWH Hotel Group

Julie Wooten, Senior Vice President of People Services, CoralTree Hospitality

HSMAI Global

2023 was a year of growth for all the HSMAI global Regions. Leadership in AsiaPacific, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas Regions connected on a monthly basis throughout the year to monitor trends and identify areas where collaboration could occur. Some of the highlights achieved include the following:

Middle East

  • Record-setting ROC Commercial Strategy Conference held in Dubai in November

  • New Monthly chapter events in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and Jeddah

  • Executive Roundtables Brought together leaders from the region’s major hotel brands

  • Deployed a partnership with the Egyptian Hotel Association to deliver educational programs

  • Popular Thirsty Thursday networking events held in Dubai

  • Increased Certifications in the region through education and prep classes

AsiaPac

  • Held successful ROC event in Singapore in May

  • Multiple executive roundtables throughout the Region

  • Thailand Digital Marketing Strategy Conference in Thailand

  • New chapters and events in India, Japan, and Korea

  • Continued expansion of Academy online educational programs

Europe

  • Successful programs held for
    o    Global ROC conference held in January
    o    Curate for Organizational members
    o    Sales Leader Forum

  • Student Council developed and Student Conference held

  • Released Sustainability and Talent Reports with wide readership


HSMAI Social

Community of Support

HSMAI Americas Executive Committee

Chair 
John Washko
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Mohegan Sun

Chair Elect 
Andrew Rubinacci, CHSP
Executive Vice President Revenue Strategy
Aimbridge Hospitality

Vice Chair 
Michael Innocentin
Senior Vice President, Commercial Projects
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

 

Secretary-Treasurer 
Agnelo Fernandes
Chief Executive Officer
Cote Family Companies

Immediate Past Chairman 
Marina MacDonald, CHDM
Chief Marketing Officer
Red Roof Inn

President 
Robert Gilbert, CHME, CHBA
President & CEO
HSMAI


HSMAI Americas Board Members 

Michael Klein
Vice President of Global Revenue Management, Hyatt Hotels

Leora Lanz, ISHC
Assistant Dean Academic Affairs, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration

Flo Lugli
Principal, Navesink Advisory Group, LLC

Kevin McAteer
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Concord Hospitality

Thomas McDermott
Vice President, Marketing, Tambourine

Kelly McGuire
Principal, ZS

Katie Moro
Regional Vice President of Demand360 Data Partnerships, TravelClick, an Amadeus company

Kim Napolitano
Executive Director of Industry Relations and Intermediary Group Sales, Hilton Worldwide Sales

Garth Peterson, CRME
Managing Director of Americas, IDeas Revenue Solutions

Scott Pusillo, CRME
General Manager of Eastern United States, Sabre Hospitality Solutions

Vail Ross
Senior Vice President of Global Business Development & Marketing, STR

Jennifer Schneider, CRME
Vice President of Revenue Optimization, Radisson

Ed Skapinok
Chief Marketing Officer, Appellation

Dan Surette
Chief Sales Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Haley White
Senior Director Hotel Strategic Accounts, Expedia Media Group Solutions

Michelle Woodley
Chair of HSMAI Foundation, President, Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Lou Zameryka
Director of Global Accounts, Booking.com

DC Becker
Principal, Titan Group

Brian Berry
Executive Vice President of Commercial Strategy, Pyramid Hotel Group

Nelson Boyce
Managing Director of Travel, Google

Lisa Checchio
Chief Marketing Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Chris Davidson
Executive Vice President, Travel Intelligence, MMGY Global

Stephen Fitzgerald, CHDM, CHA
Vice President Hotels, Sojern

Andre Fournier
Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Revenue, CoralTree Hospitality

Angie Gadwood
Vice President, Sales, G6 Hospitality

Mike Gamble
President & Chief Executive Officer, Searchwide Global

Mandy Gill
Vice President of Marketing – United States and Canada, Marriott International

Stephanie Glanzer
Chief Sales Officer and Senior Vice President, MGM Resorts

Kristi Goshow
Chief Commercial Officer, KSL Resorts

Brian Hicks
Senior Vice President of Commercial & Revenue Management – Americas, IHG

Rhett Hirko, CRME
Vice President of Global Revenue Optimization, Preferred Hotels

Jay Hubbs, CHDM
Vice President of Advertising, Marketing, Innovation, and Analytics, BWH Hotel Group

Pavan Kapur
Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Caesars Entertainment

Lori Kiel, CHDM
Chief Commercial Officer, Kessler Collection


HSMAI Foundation Executive Committee

Chair
Michelle Woodley
President
Preferred Travel Group

Chair Elect
Lori Kiel, CHDM
Chief Commercial Officer
Kessler Collection

Treasurer
Amanda Voss, CMP
Vice President of Sales
MGM Resorts International

 

Immediate Past Chairman
Agnelo Fernandes
Chief Executive Officer
COTE FAMILY COMPANIES

Executive Director
Robert Gilbert, CHME, CHA


HSMAI Foundation Board Members

Rachel Bird
Vice President of North America Market Management, Expedia Group

Phill Burgess, CHA
VP Sales and Revenue Strategies, Athena Hospitality

Lovell Casiero
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, PM Hotel Group

Matthew Clyde
President, Ideas Collide

Lexy Coley
Corporate Director of Talent Development, Omni Hotels

Jeff Doane, CHBA
Chief Commercial Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Dorothy Dowling
Managing Director, Horwath HTL

Dawn Gallagher
Chief Commercial Officer, Crescent Hotels and Resorts

Mike Gamble
President & Chief Executive Officer, Searchwide Global

Michael Goldrich, CHDM, CRME
Chief Experience Officer, The Hotels Network

Kristi Goshow
Chief Commercial Officer, KSL Resorts

Noreen Henry, CMP
Chief Revenue Officer, Sojern

Warren Jahn, CRME
Head of Global Operations Training & Americas Learning Delivery, IHG

Robert Kwortnik
Associate Professor, Cornell University

Anna Paccone, CHDM
VP Digital/eCommerce, Aimbridge Hospitality

Bernadette Ruby
Division VP North America, Amadeus Hospitality

Chinmai Sharma, CRME
President – Americas, RateGain

Katarina Stanisic
Managing Director – Marketing, BWH Hotel Group

Julie Wooten
Senior Vice President of People Services, CoralTree Hospitality


Advisory Boards 

Complementing the work of HSMAI’s chapters, HSMAI’s advisory boards connect members with common interests across geographic boundaries in the Americas region. Each advisory board guides HSMAI’s strategic direction as it relates to their dedicated subject matter, resulting in face-to-face and virtual education, special resources, insights, and more that are specific to their particular area of expertise.

FUELING SALES 

The Sales Advisory Board is demonstrating the value and relevance of the sales function by focusing on its four key priorities, and advocates that all sales leaders make these priorities their own: 

  1. Reduce industry wide cost of sales/customer acquisition to improve profitability, and fight commoditization of hospitality services in the purchaser’s mind so that hoteliers are not just selling on price. 

  2. Promote innovative recruiting and talent development practices, including career-pathing and leadership development for hospitality salespeople. 

  3. Enhance sales force business acumen in order to increase productivity and improve the buying-selling process; improve sales forecasting and pipeline management methodologies; and, encourage the use of technologies that assist these efforts. 

  4. Develop efficient sales practices for hotels, including aligning sales with operations, revenue management, and ecommerce, while reducing costs. This includes implementing effective performance measures (e.g., conversion, speed, filling need periods, profitability, etc.) and simplified reward systems that keep salespeople focused on the goals of the overall enterprise. 

Members include: 

CHAIR: Eric Kreins
Assistant Managing Director, Sales, Hilton Worldwide Sales

Bob Anderson
President, Star Performance, Inc.

Mercedes Blanco, CMP
Chief Partnership Officer, The Hotels Network

John Brich
Vice President, SearchWide Global

Katie Davin
Associate Professor, Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Christopher Finelli
Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Hyatt

Mike Francis
Business Consulting Manager - Travel & Hospitality, ZS

Emily Friel
Director of Sales, Amadeus Hospitality

Katy Gettinger
Vice President, Sales, Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Kaaren Hamilton, CMP
AVP Commercial Services, Hyatt

Allison Handy
Senior Vice President of Sales, Aimbridge

Chris Hardy, CRME
Vice President, Sales & Revenue Strategy, Parks Hospitality Group

Alice Harrington-Caravello
VP, US Account Sales, Marriott International

James Harris
VP Business Development, Revenue Analytics

Amy Huff
Executive Director of Sales, MGM Resorts International

Amy Infante
CEO & Visionary, GitGo

Jonathan Kaplan
Vice President, Americas Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Lori Kiel, CHDM
Chief Commercial Officer, Kessler Collection

Kyle McEachran
Sales Development, Travel, Google

Gissell Moronta, CMP
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Atrium Hospitality

Lefty Novotny
President, Master Connection Associates

David O'Donohoe
Vice President, Engagement, Groups360

Marina Olson
Director, Global Sales, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Ben Premack
Director of Business Strategy, Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Travis Rank
Director, Worldwide Sales, BWH Hotel Group

Craig Shoffit
Area Manager, East, IDeaS Revenue Solutions

Ken Tutt
Executive Director, Hotel Sales & Marketing, Accor

Kristi White
Vice President, Data, Reporting, and Analytics, Groups360

Paula Zeller
Divisional Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Remington Hotels

INSPIRING MARKETING 

The Marketing Advisory Board monitors the landscape of hotel marketing and identifies ways that HSMAI can better serve the discipline, redefine the value the organization provides in this area, and inspire modern marketers in today’s world. 

CHAIR: John Jimenez, CHDM
VP of E-commerce, Noble Investment Group

Douglas Abbott
VP of Commercial Strategy, GitGo Group

Laura Allen, CHDM
Regional Director of Digital Marketing, LBA Hospitality

Mauri Berry, CHDM
Vice President of Digital Marketing, Remington Hotels

Sean Brevick
Vice President, Global Field Marketing, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Tammie Carlisle
Head of Hospitality, Milestone Inc.

Denise Chapman, CHDM
Director of Marketing, Hotel Del Coronado

Cristina DiStefano, CHDM
Director of Enterprise Marketing, Turning Stone Resort Casino

Dan Fernandez
VP of Digital Marketing, Concord Hospitality

Kirstin Frazell
Industry Manager, Travel, Meta/Facebook

Isaac Gerstenzang, CHDM, CRME
Vice President Digital Marketing & CRM, Atlantis Paradise Bahamas

Michael Goldrich
Chief Experience Officer, The Hotels Network

Steven Gottlieb
Senior Vice President Sales & Revenue Management, Graduate Hotels

Sarah Heatherly, CHDM
eCommerce & Communications Manager, InterMountain Management

Theodore Holloway, CHDM
Senior Director Loyalty, Customer Engagement, Best Western Hotels & Resorts

Nancy Johns, CHDM
SVP of Integrated Marketing + Digital Solutions, Crescent Hotels & Resorts

Katie Johnson
VP and Global Brand Leader, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Lisa Jordan
Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Red Roof

Meghan Joseph
Travel Industry Manager, Amazon Ads

Kathryn Lochridge
Director, Resort Marketing, Universal Orlando Resort

Tina Markowitz
VP, Digital Media & Analytics, Cendyn

Thomas McDermott
VP, Marketing, Tambourine

Jeremy Murray, CHDM
Vice President, Digital Marketing, Apple Hospitality REIT

Rory Peska
VP Ecommerce, Aimbridge Hospitality

Taryn Proctor
Account Executive, Sales Travel, Google

Kaitlin Pulvino, CHDM
Corporate Director Brand Marketing, Kessler Collection

Dave Rhein
Director of Marketing and Branding, CoralTree Hospitality

Arturo Rodriguez
Sr. Business Development Manager for Hotel Strategic Accounts, Expedia Group Media Solutions

Sine Scott, CHDM, CHBA
Executive Director,  e-Commerce and Digital - North and Central America, Accor

Ed Skapinok
Chief Commercial Officer, Appellation

Stephanie Smith, CHDM
Founder & Digital Matriarch, Cogwheel Marketing

Joe Spirito
Vice President, Demand Generation Advisors, Amadeus

Juliette Tiriolo
Director, Digital Acquisition, Choice Hotels

Nima Vaez-Zadeh, CRME
Director of Key Accounts, Hopper

Theresa van Greunen
AVP, Corporate Communications, Aqua-Aston Hospitality

TJ Walz
Senior Director, Data Strategy & Analytics, MMGY

Monty White, CHDM
Senior Director of Marketing Communications, Visit Irving

OPTIMIZING REVENUE 

The Revenue Optimization Advisory Board is advancing the revenue optimization discipline by providing leading education, a best practices exchange, thought leadership and networking for revenue professionals, other sales and marketing professionals, and senior management in the hospitality industry. Members include: 

CHAIR: Nicole Young, CRME
Sr. Corporate Director, Commercial & Revenue, Rosewood Hotel Group

Dr. Chris Anderson
Professor, Operations and Analytics, Cornell University

Jamieson Asselta
Director - Global Enterprise Sales, IDeaS Revenue Solutions

Christopher Biondo
Head of Commercial Strategies, Arlo Hotels

Christian Boerger, CRME, CHDM, CHBA
Principal Industry Consultant, IDeaS

Jeff Borman
VP Revenue Optimization, Ashford

Dana Cariss, CHDM
VP,  Revenue Strategy + Distribution, CoralTree Hospitality

Libbi Carlson, CRME
Vice President of Revenue Strategy, Remington Hotels

Karen Codilla, CRME, CHDM
Corporate Director of Commercial Strategy, Prince Resorts

Dave Collier
Chief Revenue Officer, OTA Insight

Vincent Cuneo, CRME, CHDM
Vice President of Sales and Revenue Strategy, AutoCamp Hospitality Group

Nick Doble
Regional Manager Partner Services, Booking.com

Anja Fiedler, CRME, CHBA
Executive Director, Revenue Management Integration, Accor

Matthew Guglielmetti
Associate Principal, ZS Associates

Mehernosh Jehangir
Corporate Director of Revenue Management, Loews Hotels & Co

Marie-Claire Louillet, Ph.D.
Professor, ITHQ

Tess McGoldrick
Vice President, Travel & Hospitality, Revenue Analytics

Monika Morrobel, CRME, CHDM
Corporate Director of Commercial Strategy, Kessler Collection

Jill Moulton
Sr Director Revenue Policy & Planning, Marriott International

Scott Muety, CRME
Vice President, Revenue Management, Viceroy Hotel Group

Darryl Neser
VP, Franchise Revenue Management, Wyndham

Dr. Breffni Noone
Professor, Penn State University

Sharon Paine
In Transition

Daniel Reeder
Director of Revenue Management, Hilton

Steven Rubin
VP of Revenue, Schulte Hospitality

Matt Schalk
VP Revenue Management, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Jennifer Schneider, CRME
Senior Director Revenue Management, Upscale, Choice Hotels

Chinmai Sharma
Global Head-Lodging, Ground & Sea, Sabre Travel Solutions

Dan Skodol
VP of Data Science and Analytics, Revenue Generation

Parul Suri
Head of Revenue, Placemakr

Michael Toon
Sr. Director | Revenue Management, BWH Hotel Group

Tim Wiersma
Founder and Principal, Revenue Generation LLC

Debra Wolman
Group Vice President, Americas, Duetto

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION 

HSMAI’s Global Distribution Advisory Board monitors the landscape of hotel distribution and identifies ways that HSMAI can better serve the discipline. 

Sam Al Asmar
VP Revenue, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC

Brij Bhushan Chachra, CRME
Vice President - Revenue Management & Distribution, The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd.

Daniel Conti
Sr. Director Distribution Strategy, Hilton

Andrea Daniels
Director, AMER Distribution & Intermediary Strategy, IHG

Greg Duff
Principal and Chair of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Practice, Foster Garvey PC

Paolo Federico
Senior Vice President, Revenue Management & Distribution, Jumeirah Group

Sarah Fults
Vice President, Distribution, MGM Resorts International

Sydney Goodwin
Director of Automated Distribution, Omni Hotels and Resorts

David Henry
SVP Distribution Business & Product Management-Digital, Accor

Michael Hucho
Owner & Founder, michaelhucho.de Management Consultant

Nathan Kellar
Senior Director Distribution US/CAN + Global Wholesale, Marriott International

Lauri Mussa
Corporate Director of Reservations & Distribution, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Vikram Pradhan
Senior Vice President, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Dave Roberts
Professor, Cornell University


Rising Leader Councils 

HSMAI’s Rising Leader Councils are professional development and advocacy groups, comprised of up-and-coming professionals working in a mix of hospitality roles (e.g., hotel on-property, regional, or corporate, DMO, DMC, Management Company, brand or partner, etc.). 

The Rising Leader Council is part of the HSMAI’s respective Advisory Board’s work to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders by providing this unique opportunity for emerging professionals to advance their skill sets, shape the future of HSMAI, network with peers, and contribute to the industry and the Advisory Board via their insights, feedback, and thought leadership.  

2023 Rising Marketing Leader Council 

Megan Allen
Marketing Manager, Second Wave Marketing/Evolution Hospitality/Aimbridge Hospitality

Taylor Davis
Vice President of Brand Marketing, AutoCamp

Hilary Feutz, CHDM
Director, Sales Marketing, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

Laura Grissen
Senior Manager, Customer Success (MDS), Marriott International

Emily Hill
Account Manager, Field Marketing, IHG

Katie Horner, CHDM
Email Marketing Manager, Red Roof

Davis Keeter, CHDM
Sales Rep-Group Leisure-WWS, BWH Hotels

Garrick Lee
Digital Marketing Manager, Oneida Nation Enterprises

Michele Marcinick
Director of Event Strategy & Development, Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association

Sarah Merrell
Manager, Field Marketing, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Meredith Pittman, CHDM
Digital Marketing Manager, Remington Hotels

Kelsey Prince, CHDM
Area Director of Marketing, Beach Terrace and Best Western Beach View Lodge

Jessie Radcliff, CRME
Director of Revenue Management & Marketing, Perdido Beach Resort

Ashley Seier, CHDM
Director of Marketing, Blue Mountain Resort/KSL

Bianca Sewake
Social Media Manager, Aqua-Aston Hospitality

Jacob Smith
Marketing Project Manager, Oxford Collection

Isaiah Tillman
Marketing Specialist, BWH Hotels

Jennifer Torres, CHDM
Marketing and Communications Manager, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort

2023 Rising Revenue Optimization Leader Council 

Matt Acker, CRME
Corporate Manager of Revenue Strategy, Concord Hospitality

Taylor Baca, CRME, CHDM
Director of Revenue Management, Balboa Bay Resort

Emily Bardin, CRME
Area Director, Revenue Strategy, Aimbridge Hospitality

Natalie Fournier, CRME, CHDM
Director of Revenue, Thompson San Antonio

Sadie Garside, CRME
Director, Enterprise Solutions, Kalibri Labs

Jesslyn Gillespie, CRME
Cluster Revenue Manager, Autocamp

Yvonne Gu McDowell, CRME, CHDM, CHBA
Director, Revenue Strategy, Mac Naughton Hospitality

Charity Hanke, CRME
Corporate Revenue Strategy Manager, Oxford Hotel Collection

Haley Maltz, CRME
Area Director of Revenue Strategy, CoralTree Hospitality

Anthony Martely
Sales Leader, Business Intelligence, OTA Insight

Cheryl McMaster, CHA
Senior Manager, Distribution Channel Activations, Marriott International

Shelby Neal
Complex Director of Revenue Management, Highgate Hotels

Dev Patel
Owner/VP Revenue, Mission Hospitality

Anthony Rose, CRME
Director of Sales, IDeaS Revenue Solutions

Scott Schachter, CRME
Account Manager, Booking.com

Emma Scher
Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant, ZS

Kari Speckmeyer, CRME
Revenue & Inventory Manager, Terranea Resort

Amanda Waite, CRME
Market Director of Revenue, Washington DC, Sonesta

Danielle Wurtzell, CRME
Regional Director of Revenue Strategy, Remington Hotels

2023 Rising Sales Leader Council 

Kathryn Alioto
Director of Sales, Springhill Suites Madison / Raymond Management

Estefania Arevalo
Global Business Development Manager, Leisure, Accor

Mackenzie Bennett
Account Manager, Hotel Engine

Sophia Burge
Sales Manager, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts/Rosewood Sand Hill

Megan Chase, CMP
SMERF, Sales & Events Manager, The Otesaga Resort Hotel

Cecilia Dominguez
National Sales Manager, Bellagio

Ashley Edwards
Sr. Director, Property Sales, Sojern

Mike Estrin
Group Sales Manager, The Dupont Circle Hotel by The Doyle Collection

Danielle Fournier
National Sales Manager, The Inverness Denver, a Hilton Golf & Spa Resort

Ksenia Hanlon
Corporate Sales Manager, Otesaga Resort Hotel

Heather Harmeyer
Director of Sales & Marketing, Greenwood Hospitality/Embassy Suites

Tayla Hull
National Sales Manager, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Zoe Katz
Marketing Coordinator, Rosewood Hotel Group

Jenna Keegan
Regional Director of Sales, Aimbridge Hospitality

Nicole Lazo
National Sales Manager for the Southeast Market, Terranea Resort

Jenna Light
Group Sales Manager, Parks Hospitality Group

Sara Maly, CRME
Sales Operations Specialist, IDeaS Revenue Solutions

Rachel Martin
Director of Sales, Graduate Hotels

Jake Moreland
Multi-Property Sales Manager, Worldwide Sales, BWH Hotels

Max Smith
Worldwide Sales Manager, Sports Market, BWH Hotels

Kate Swantak
Sales Manager, Kessler Collection


Chapter Presidents

Greater New York | Derek Brewster

Southern Colorado | Raymond Martinez

South Florida | Ligia Centurion

South Florida | Michael Oakes

Central | Jeylyn Perez

Ohio | John Brich

Los Angeles | Craig Carbonniere

Hawaii | Ben Premack

Arizona | Gerry Reed

Chicago | Adrianna Rak

Mid-South | Amy Grey

Ontario | David Lau

Quebec | Malika Amer-Ouali

British Columbia | Nick Warriner

Minnesota | Steven Dickey

Wisconsin | Matt Peschke

Missouri | Todd Hotaling

Nashville | Tana Fils

Boston | Debbie Tappan

San Diego | Heather Boye

South Carolina | Jay McLaurin

North Carolina | Joshua Grapentin

Northern California | Monyrith King

Las Vegas | Amanda Voss

Puerto Rico | Jessica Banchs

Washington DC | Christopher Zindash

Austin | Sean Foley

Seattle | Jenny Moore


Top 2023 Partners