The resort industry event, which is sponsored by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI); the University of Denver�s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management; and the International Resort Managers Association (IRMA), will explore the �New Normal� in a two-day conference featuring participation from top marketing, sales and research minds.

The event kicks off with General Sessions as follows:

The New Normal, Travel Trends

Presented by Peter Yesawich, president and CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, and moderated by Peter Rainsford, director, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver, the session will deliver research and projections of consumer trends on the resort industry.

Following that, a panel of experts will discuss and debate the data and their implications.  Panelists include: Dr. Richard Kelley, chairman and CEO, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts; Ted Kleisner, president and managing director, The Greenbrier; Ed Mace, president, Vail Lodging and RockResorts; and Charles S. Peck, president and CEO, Destination Hotels & Resorts.

The New Normal for Distribution and Channel Management

Discussing the Internet�s present and future impact on resorts, and how properties can better leverage the various independent distribution systems (IDS�s) to capture incremental business, will be panelists: Rodger McDonald, vice president, sales and marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts; Carrie Campbell, director of lodging, D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Ltd.; Richard Chambers, president, TravelCLICKinteractive; and Bill Peter, vice president of reservations, Outrigger Hotel & Resorts; moderator: Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO, HSMAI

Among the session topics are:

• Differentiating Your Resort with Creative Package Rates
• Electronic Distribution 101: Back to the Basics
• What are the Criteria that Make a Great Resort General Manager Today?
• Financial Benchmarking of Your Resort
• Database Management and Repeat Guest Programs
• Staff Recruitment and Retention
• Employee Benefits
• Repositioning and Renovations for Resorts
• Unlocking Hidden Value

�The participants at the first three conferences raved about the fact that they were able to take away the ideas presented and immediately implement them at their resorts,� states Peter Rainsford, director, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, in the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.  �With HSMAI as our new partner, we are certain that the participants will find this year�s conference even more valuable.�

Exhibitor space and partnership opportunities are available.  For more information, contact Marjorie Lane, director of development, HSMAI, at (703) 610-9024 or [email protected].

Conference registration is $645; HSMAI members receive a $50 discount. 

Established in 1946, the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM), part of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, prepares both graduate and undergraduate students for senior management positions in the fast-changing and competitive hospitality industry.  As one of the most prominent hotel programs in the nation, the HRTM program enjoys a superb reputation for innovative educational programs. The student-oriented faculty members are internationally recognized for their contributions to teaching, research and publications in various hospitality fields.  For more information on the HRTM program, contact Nicci Crowley at 303-871-4266 or [email protected], or visit www.resortconference.com.

HSMAI is an international 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 comprising nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide.

For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, phone (703) 610-9024; fax (703) 610-9005, or visit the web site at www.hsmai.org.