MCLEAN, VA (August 11, 2008) � The HSMAI Foundation announces the creation
of the Mike Dimond HSMAI Foundation Scholarship Fund, in memory of the
hospitality industry leader who passed away last month at the age of 67.
"Mike believed in giving back to the industry he loved," said Fran Brasseux,
executive vice president of HSMAI Foundation. "This scholarship fund will
do just that, awarding scholarships annually to deserving students in hospitality
programs who plan to pursue careers in sales and marketing."
Widely recognized as one of the top hotel marketing executives in the
nation, Dimond�s career spanned more than four decades. Dimond was the
recipient of the ASAE�s �Academy of Leaders� award, MPI�s �Supplier of
the Year� award, was named �Sales Executive of the Year� for Insurance
Conference Planners, and is a member of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing
Association International�s (HSMAI) Hall of Fame. He was inducted into
the prestigious Convention Industry Council�s (CIC) Hall of Leaders in
2002 and honored as one of �The 25 Most Extraordinary Sales & Marketing
Minds in Hospitality & Travel� for 2003 by HSMAI. He also received
the Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) designation from HSMAI.
"Mike was honored with several awards during his illustrious career
but one he was extremely proud of was being inducted into the HSMAI Hall
of Fame," said fellow industry leader John Metcalfe. "He always gave so
much credit for his success to the things he learned and the people he
met through HSMAI. In an effort to continue the legacy of this giant in
our industry we are establishing this scholarship so Mike's fabulous name
and contribution to our industries will live on in perpetuity."
| MCLEAN, VA (June 24, 2008) � The hospitality industry suffered a loss
with the death of Michael J. �Shiny� Dimond, 67, who passed away after
suffering a heart attack.
Widely recognized as one of the top hotel marketing executives in the
nation, Dimond�s career spanned more than four decades. He served in top
management and marketing positions with Hyatt Regency Hotels; the Opryland
Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee; Doral in Miami, Florida; the Boca Raton
Hotel & Club in Boca Raton, Florida; and Caesar�s Palace in Las Vegas,
Nevada. In addition, Dimond served as Senior Vice President of Marketing
for Gaylord Entertainment Company. One of the many milestones of his illustrious
career included the branding and positioning of Opryland Hotel & Convention
Center in Nashville, placing Nashville on the map as a convention destination.
He retired from The BROADMOOR as the Senior Vice President of Sales
and Marketing in 2006, and was one of the most celebrated leaders in the
leisure and hospitality industry. He believed in giving back to the industry
he loved and was active in numerous professional organizations, serving
on the boards of both the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
and Meeting Planners International (MPI).
Dimond was born Feb. 2, 1941 in Lima, Ohio and was a graduate of Lima
Central Catholic High School and University of Dayton. He was preceded
in death by his brother, Steve, mother, Lee, and father, Ward.
Dimond is survived by his wife, Lou; daughter, Debbie Stahl, and husband,
Tom, of Columbus, OH; son, Michael, of Nashville, TN; step daughter, Lucy
Swayze, and husband, Charlie, of Greenwood, MS; step daughter, Jenny Mutter,
of San Francisco, CA; sister, Carol Mingarelle, and husband, Patrick, of
Erie, PA; brother, Drew, and wife, Nancy, of Nashville, TN; granddaughter,
Gabriel, Debbie and Tom�s daughter; and six nieces and nephews. |
For more information or to make a donation to the Mike Dimond HSMAI
Foundation Scholarship Fund, please visit www.hsmaifoundation.org.
Details on the new Mike Dimond HSMAI Foundation Scholarship Fund award
process will be announced shortly.
About HSMAI Foundation
Established in 1983 to serve as the research and educational arm of
the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, the HSMAI
Foundation's mission is to expand and enhance the educational opportunities
available to hospitality sales and marketing executives and to increase
the amount of in-depth research conducted on behalf of the profession.
Today, and in the years ahead, the HSMAI Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization,
plans to accelerate its research and publishing activities to contribute
even more to the continuing education of those engaged in this fast-paced,
increasingly demanding profession. For more information on the HSMAI Foundation,
contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
Foundation, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 506-3280;
fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at www.hsmaifoundation.org. |
