 MCLEAN,
VA (February 17, 2009) � The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association
International (HSMAI) announces Bernadette Dennis, director of BD Concepts
Pty Ltd, as the new Managing Director of HSMAI Asia Pacific.
�When HSMAI Asia Pacific was just an idea waiting to happen in 2005,
we turned to a few industry leaders for guidance and support to establish
our first regional chapter,� said Christine Toguchi, current Managing Director
of HSMAI�s Asia Pacific Region who was recently appointed Corporate Director
� Marketing for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in Asia Pacific. �Bernadette was
among a core group of outstanding individuals that made up the founding
board of directors and we are delighted that she will be stepping up as
Managing Director to lead us in our next phase of development.�
Prior to opening BD Concepts Pty. Ltd in Melbourne, Australia in 2007,
Dennis worked for more than 20 years with Marriott, previously holding
the position of vice president of Asia Pacific for Marriott International,
Inc.�s Global Sales Organization based in Hong Kong where she managed sales
and reservations centres for Marriott�s network in the region. Pursuant
to her post in Hong Kong, Dennis was based in the US, in Florida, Kentucky
and Michigan for almost ten years, after which she returned to Australia
and joined Ritz-Carlton Sydney as Director of Marketing and Marketing Manager
at the World Congress Centre, Melbourne.
Bernadette Dennis commented, �The travel and hospitality industry is
faced with unprecedented challenges due to the global financial crises,
existing political turmoil in certain markets and the massive downturn
in business activity. It�s times like this when a professional organisation
like HSMAI can play an active role to foster collaborative industry effort
and synergy, plus align HSMAI�s resources to support our members and the
industry at large.�
LEARNING & NETWORKING EVENTS
In 2009, HSMAI Asia Pacific will host several events concerning learning
and networking in Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau where it currently has
country chapters established. Key events and initiatives will include:
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Special Interest Group (SIG) Strategy Sessions will also be held for hospitality
marketers that wish to learn more about Internet Marketing and Revenue
Management.
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For the fourth year, HSMAI Asia Pacific will conduct regional ASIA CONNECT
conferences in Singapore and Hong Kong. The ASIA CONNECT series is a one
day conference that brings speakers from around the region and other parts
of the world, to address specific issues that the Asian hospitality faces
in order to generate and facilitate discussion about challenges and solutions
to those issues. Key topics featured include revenue management opportunities,
internet marketing, latest trends and industry opportunities.
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In 2009, HSMAI will also continue to provide a series of breakfast meets
that gather industry professionals to learn more about specific topics.
In 2008 we addressed issue like green meetings, profitability and F&B
in revenue management for example. The breakfast seminars take place in
Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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In 2009, HSMAI Asia Pacific will continue to offer HSMAI University Webinars
across the region in 2009. HSMAI Members and guests may register to participate
from the convenience of their office locations or attend a session hosted
by the country chapters in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.
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In 2008, HSMAI Asia Pacific launched a Revenue Management Certification
Program (CRME) with 20 candidates from Accor Asia Pacific. In 2009, HSMAI
will actively promote the CRME program and introduce the CHSC-Certified
Hotel Sales Competency certification, supported by workshops in Revenue
Management and Sales Essentials in Singapore and Hong Kong.
RESEARCH/CONTRIBUTION OF CONTENT
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Together with the Cornell Institute for Hospitality Management (CNI), HSMAI
will host the third Annual Thought Leaders in Marketing Forum on May 27
in Singapore. This event is invitation only in the past has produced several
whitepapers which define thought leadership in Asia Pacific.
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HSMAI Asia Pacific will continue to collaborate and distribute various
white papers derived from Roundtable discussions and surveys held in association
with CNI and selected industry partners
For more information on HSMAI Asia Pacific, visit www.hsmaiasia.org.
About HSMAI
HSMAI is the hospitality industry source for knowledge, community,
and recognition for leaders committed to professional development, sales
growth, revenue optimization, marketing, and branding. With a strong focus
on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and
communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together
customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®.
Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising
more than 7,000 members worldwide. HSMAI's Americas Region, headquartered
in McLean, VA, consists of 40 chapters. HSMAI's European Region, headquartered
in Oslo, Norway, consists of five national chapters in Europe. HSMAI Asia
Pacific, headquartered in Singapore, has chapters in Singapore, Hong Kong/Macau.
Chapters are also under development in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Visit www.hsmai.org
for more information. |
