HSMAI Member Update - Summer 2008 - (Page 12) memberupdate Special Interest Group News Complementing the work of HSMAI’s local chapters, special interest groups (SIGs) connect members with common interests across geographic boundaries. Each SIG offers face-toface education and networking opportunities, online communities for best practices exchange, electronic newsletters, special publications, and resources designed to help you get your job done. No matter where you live or office, you can access the knowledge and expertise of fellow special interest group members…benefitting from their ideas, learning from their successes, and getting their feedback on the challenges you are facing. HSMAI members can currently opt into as many SIGs as they like. Opt in today by updating the Special Interest Groups section of your Member Record at www.hsmai.org. RESORT MARKETING The themes of economic downturn and corporate social responsibility ran prevalent during the 8th Annual Resort Conference held at Hotel Del Coronado April 16-18, 2008 and presented by HSMAI and the University of Denver’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management. Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, opened the conference with a general session on ways to build loyalty among travelers and employees. “In the era of the internet, customers have a lot more choices available to them so they are less loyal,” said Conley, “Hotels and resorts must find a way to connect with consumers on a deeper level to build loyalty.” The 9th Annual Resort Conference will be held May 2-5, 2009 at PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The SIG’s Resort Best Practices Initiative was conceived in response to the need for information specific to the resort industry. Through a series of studies, with one issue covered every six months, this initiative provides a means for organizations to be up to date on current best practices and future trends while applying successful and proven tactics to their own strategies. An outline of the latest study, Attracting and Retaining Luxury Travelers, as well as outlines for past studies on Generating Ancillary Revenue, ROI in Sales and Marketing Campaigns, CRM & Customer Loyalty, and Internet Marketing & Distribution Strategies is at www.hsmairesortbestpractices.com. revenue management, Radisson Ft. McDowell Resort & Casino and Radisson Poco Diablo Resort, was awarded the first annual Revenue Idol Award. Sponsored by TravelCLICK, this new program was developed to honor individuals who have advanced the revenue management profession. Christine Kramer, director of revenue management, Omni Hotel San Diego, was a finalist. The Revenue Management SIG continues to work closely with HSMAI U to expand the Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) Program. The CRME designation recognizes revenue management professionals who have demonstrated their proficiency at the art and science of revenue management. Currently, there are 56 CRMEs with an additional 48 candidates approved to take the exam. Application information is available in the Resources/Professional Development section of the Americas Region home page at www.hsmai.org. HOTEL DIRECTORS OF SALES & MARKETING Designed specifically for hotel sales professionals, the Hotel Sales Strategy Conference (September 9, 2008 in Washington, DC) is a can’t-miss conference that will help this SIG’s primary members Maximize Revenue and Resources in a Changing Economy. Industry thought leaders will address essential issues including: Successfully Selling in a Changing Global Economy; Maximizing Your Sales & Marketing Channels; and Managing the Changing Face of Today’s and Tomorrow’s Sales Teams. Scheduled in conjunction with Affordable Meetings® National, the conference allows attendees to make the most of their travel time and funds and take advantage of two excellent programs during one trip. Every day, new members, are joining the DOSM Community online. They are finding helpful tools and resources including a comprehensive DOSM Toolbox which is a virtual warehouse of best practices for marketing planning, training resources, advertising, public relations, brand management, resource allocation, employee management, and annual budgeting. SALES & MARKETING FACULTY The Sales & Marketing Faculty SIG continues to develop and broaden its scope in providing relevant resources and opportunities for educators so that they may advance sales and marketing as a profession in hospitality, travel and tourism. Coming in Summer 2008, the online Faculty Community will open to members. The resources area of the community will include an impressive list of recommended marketing texts, syllabi, and other resources useful to the industry faculty. Of added value will be the networking and discussion focused on the needs and interests of faculty members. The community will be unveiled as a part of a presentation, “The Latest and Greatest GroundBreaking Tools for Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management Classes,” made at the ICHRIE Annual Conference on August 1st. A Call for Papers went out in May for the first Faculty SIG research session to be held at the HSMAI Hotel Sales Strategy Conference on September 9, 2008. This SIG’s advisory board is working closely with the other HSMAI SIGs to include up-to-date relevant research for practiSIG continued on page 13 REVENUE MANAGEMENT The 5th Annual Revenue Management Strategy Conference was held June 16, 2008 in Austin, Texas. Revenue management professionals came together for this day of indepth discussions about the evolving field where top discussions focused on: variations in technology across markets, especially internationally; the relationship of online travel agencies with wholesale distributors; hotel packaging in the business mix; and, the blending of revenue management models. At the conference, Angie Belknap, director of 12 www.hsmai.org http://www.hsmai.org http://www.hsmai.org http://www.hsmairesortbestpractices.com http://www.hsmairesortbestpractices.com http://www.hsmai.org
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