MCLEAN, VA (Jan. 28, 2010) � The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces its 2010 Americas Board of Directors. David Atkins, principal at Digital DNA Infusion will serve as the board�s new chairman. 

Atkins is a recognized industry leader in the digital, media and ecommerce arenas with expertise in hospitality, travel and tourism. Atkins was a Founding Shareholder at Expedia and played key roles in the development of Expedia�s hotel businesses, online marketing and distribution partnerships. Atkins� career spans decades of executive-level management experience. He has served in executive leadership capacities for Freedom Communications, Interval International, Expedia Inc., Microsoft and McDonald�s.

�It�s an honor for me to serve as chairman and follow so many great leaders who have served before me,� said Atkins. �This year, we�ll continue to focus on expanding our member value proposition and resources to reflect the growing needs in the industry. As a board, we strive to keep abreast of industry trends and best practices in order to share that knowledge with our members. We look forward to hearing from our members how we can best serve them.� 

Four new directors are also joining the board this year:

• Elizabeth Cambra, CRME, corporate director, pricing and revenue management, Outrigger Enterprises Group
• Flo Lugli, executive vice president, marketing, Wyndham Worldwide
• Lalia Rach, Ed. D., dean & HVS international chair, New York University
• Heather Allison Smith, director of sales and marketing, The Ritz Carlton St. Louis

The new board members will attend their first meeting Feb. 2 in New York City after the previous night�s HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala. 

The 2010 HSMAI Americas Board of Directors also includes:

Executive Committee:

• Barb Bowden, secretary-treasurer, assistant general manager and corporate director of revenue management, Peabody Hotel Orlando
• Dorothy Dowling, immediate past chair, senior vice president of marketing and sales, Best Western International 
• Kim Schaller, chair-elect, vice president and chief marketing officer, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
• Rob Torres, vice chair, managing director, travel, Google

Board Members:

• Maureen Callahan, vice president, marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts
• Jack Easdale, corporate director of revenue management, Gaylord Hotels
• Marina MacDonald, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Red Roof Inn
• Melissa Maher, vice president, strategic accounts, Expedia, Inc.
• Brenda Fields Malone, founder, Fields & Company
• Alice McQuade, senior director of travel agency sales and marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Pamela Streeter, president, PS Consulting 
• Jeff Senior, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International
• Mark Thompson, vice president, marketing, Irving, Texas CVB
• John Washko, vice president, sales and marketing, The Broadmoor

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, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 506-3280; fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at www.hsmai.org. Join our social networking communities on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.