As sales and marketing professionals in hospitality and travel struggle with a tightening economy, decrease in travel and low occupancies, they need to look outside of their organizations to find new ways of doing business.  These times call for creative thinking, out-of-the-box strategies and a return to the basics of successful selling � all on the agenda at this important industry meeting.

Among the hot topics to be addressed will be Internet Marketing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and in a powerful and motivational keynote presentation on Sales Trends and Sales Intensity, Marriott International�s Senior Vice President Bruce J. Himelstein, CHME, takes attendees on an interactive journey to determine their levels of sales intensity.  Himelstein, who is also the HSMAI international chairman, will offer �take home� strategies and initiatives that can be used to intensify and drive the sales process, particularly in these urgent times.

�Responding to the needs of sales and marketing professionals looking for new ideas and practices to help them compete and persevere in these tough times, first and foremost on the agenda is education and information,� states Janice L. Dailey, president of the NE Florida Chapter of HSMAI and assistant director of sales of the Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront.  �We want attendees to go back to their businesses with ideas and methods for immediate action and implementation.�

Recognized as the year�s greatest educational and networking program for sales and marketing professionals in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, the HSMAI Florida State Convention 2001, themed �Success Under Construction, Your Blueprint to the Future,� will deliver top speakers and cutting-edge sessions.

• In Internet Marketing: How Does Your Website Measure Up?, Sal Dickinson of Dickinson Associates, examines the power and influence of this all important medium. Discover the top 10 criteria for websites, and how intermediary websites can be used to expand the process.

• Customer Relationship Management is the fastest growing management tool today.  In CRM: How to Use the Power of Information About Your Customer to Effectively and Efficiently Market to Them, Maureen O�Hanlon, CTC, Marketing Arts Organization, explains how to target marketing promotions based on customer information and refine offerings based on customer feedback.

• Kitty Ratcliffe, Jacksonville & the Beaches CVB, presents Making the Most of Limited Advertising Dollars.

• Professional speaker and author, Larry Mersereau, identifies Three Dimensions of Success and instructs delegates on how to use them to define and pursue a prosperous future.

• Dr. Chuck Coker Ph.D., LifeThrive Performance Systems, talks about Nurture Marketing: How to Build a Long Lasting Pipeline of Business.

• With golf playing an important role as a vital sales tool in business and groups visiting Florida, Patrick Gearhart of Tee-it Up Golf Promotions & Sales presents Golf 101: Everything You Wanted to Know About Golf and Business.

• Getting back to basics and Professional Business Etiquette is the subject of an important session on powerful presentations, running effective meetings, employee relations, social skills, client networking, and other dynamics of today�s business climate, offered by Susan D. Stafford, Image & Protocol Solutions.

• Erica Kasel, CHME, Leading Hotels of the World addresses Women in Marketing.

• Sonny Smith, CFP and Chuck Kalb, CFP, both of AMEX Advisors, explore what you need to know about investing to help determine objectives and reduce risks in Financial Planning: How to Help Financial Success Last a Lifetime.

• Hallie Bailey of Taylor Manor Villa Retirement Community introduces and informs the �Sandwich Generation� � Those Raising Children While Caring for a Family Elder.

For more information and to register for the HSMAI Florida State Convention 2001, call (904) 632-9509, e-mail [email protected], or go online to www.hsmai.org/1_edu-events/1_florida.htm.

The HSMAI Florida State Convention 2001 is hosted by the Northeast Florida Chapter of HSMAI, and sponsored by American Express, Adam�s Mark Jacksonville, Beaches Limousine, Carey Limousine, Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville & the Beaches CVB, Jacksonville Marriott, Jacksonville Princess, Professional Marketing Services, Inc., Radisson Riverwalk Hotel Jacksonville, Sight & Sound, Tee-It-Up Golf Promotions & Sales, Ultimate Events and Visit Florida.  Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels.

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines.  Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of over 5,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide.