�This is a very exciting time for HSMAI as we focus on the Foundation and its research efforts, as well as new and expanded educational initiatives for our members and chapters.   These new positions are an integral part of that growth, and we are very fortunate to have these extremely talented individuals join our team,� states Gilbert.

In this new position, Jason Smith will take on web site management responsibilities and play an integral role in its transformation to a significantly upgraded site that will debut in 2001.  He will also become editor of the HSMAI UPDATE newsletter and Insider Report, as well as handle the writing, editing, production and overall coordination of all HSMAI collateral. 

Furthermore, Smith will dedicate half of his time to the HSMAI Foundation, managing new research efforts on behalf of its new corporate membership program, which will be officially launched at the start of 2001.  The corporate membership program was created to significantly enhance the body of knowledge of HSMAI and its positioning in the industry at-large by directing research initiatives and objectives to be implemented by the Foundation. 
Smith comes to HSMAI from Marriott Sodexho Services where he was the director of creative services.  Prior to that, the Cornell graduate spent six years at the National Restaurant Association where he held the post of editorial director. 

In this new role of meetings manager, which reports to Jane Nordstrom, director of education, Nicko Adaway will be responsible for meeting logistics, site selection, negotiating with vendors, pre- and on-site registration, and other meetings initiatives for HSMAI�s roster of seminars and conferences. 
HSMAI�s annual educational calendar line-up includes the 2001 Sales & Marketing Summit, which will be held in Scottsdale, AZ, HSMAI Regional Customer Forums, Affordable Meetings, Meetings Quest, as well as a new series of regional seminars planned for 2001 specifically created for general managers, entitled GM Sales & Marketing Forums. 

Prior to joining HSMAI, Adaway was the senior administrative officer and meeting coordinator of the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, D.C. for over two years, where she was responsible for planning and overseeing all aspects of the company�s conferences, seminars, meetings and special events. 

HSMAI is the leading organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry.