At the HSMAI European Conference, delegates will experience a full program packed with dynamic speakers, inspiring and interactive sessions, and social activities.  The educational sessions will present valuable and timely information relative to both senior executive and manager level industry professionals. 
 

�For this year�s conference, we have put together a program identifying the skills and knowledge necessary to shape the future of the hospitality and travel business,� stated Ingunn Hofseth, president, HSMAI Division Europe.  �Change is and will continue to be the most consistent aspect of the hospitality and travel industry.  This undeniable fact is impacting every segment of the industry, and that is why all of the speakers selected have the vision of the continuous change that signals the approach of an exciting new era,� she added.

Ingunn Hofseth president HSMAI Division Europe

The conference will feature speakers addressing relevant topics, keeping professionals up-to-date in the hospitality marketing world.  Kjell A. Nordstrom, Professor at Stockholm School of Economics and a leading figure in management training, has been brought back by popular demand and will be speaking on how to increase capital by being creative and �funky.�  A dynamic and appreciated speaker, Dr. Nordstrom has served as an advisor to several large multi-national corporations, including Volvo, Ericsson, Procordia, Pharmacia and others. 

Horst H. Schulze, vice chairman, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., will examine the current situations in the travel industry and make some predictions about future scenarios. Over the past two decades, under his charismatic leadership, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has been awarded the 1992 and 1999 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and has been continuously voted �best hotel company in the world� by leading convention and trade publications.  In 1991, Schulze was recognized by his peers and named �corporate hotelier of the world�
by Hotels Magazine. 
        
Other presenters include: 

• Timothy K. Durant, executive vice president and general manager, North America, Passkey.com; 
• Stephane Beauduin, general manager, Expedia Lodging & Destinations, Europe; 
• Petra Hedorfer, marketing manager, Deutschen Zentrale fur Tourismus e.V.; 
• Cindy R. Novotny, speaker, trainer, consultant, �Radical Mentor� Master Connection Associates; 
• John Fareed, principal, Hospitality Marketing Consultants, Inc.; 
• Sal Dickinson, hospitality and tourism industry advisor, Dickinson & Associates; Robert A. Gilbert, president and CEO of HSMAI Worldwide; and many others.