According to the HSMAI Foundation�s Executive Director Fran Brasseux:  �The support that�s being extended by the HSMAI Foundation is a strategic initiative to help increase the opportunity for a broader spectrum of individuals in hotel and tourism organizations to participate in professional development programs.�

The HSMAI Foundation has long established itself as a catalyst for promoting and fostering learning within the hotel and tourism sectors of the industry.  It sponsors educational scholarships for college and university students pursuing studies in sales and marketing as a career discipline; solicits and funds research projects on emergent topics influencing hospitality sales and marketing; and maintains a resource center and repository for educational material.

�The Foundation�s support in the initial roll-out of HSMAI University demonstrates the  importance it places on helping to expand the availability of and access to the kinds of courses and workshops that significantly expand the skills, knowledge and capabilities of people who are involved in business development in the industry,� states Dr. Mike Hampton, president & CEO of HSA International. 

HSA is a global hospitality services company that specializes in education management and training.  The company has partnered with HSMAI to provide a wide range of learning experiences through public venue, private label and online formats in HSMAI University.

Through the Foundation�s support, reduced registration fees are being made available.   For those who attend the two-day workshop entitled �The New Sales Essentials: Fundamentals For Today�s Successful Hospitality Professionals In Business Development,� the cost of participation has been adjusted from US$595 to US$495 per person for HSMAI members and from US$695 to $US595 for non-members.  This is an intense orientation course that focuses on building and refining an individual�s abilities in the basic sales process.

The Foundation has also arranged to offer lower admission pricing on the one-day workshop entitled: �How To Create Catering And Event Sales.�  This is a specialized presentation featuring industry expert Scott L. Vogel, covering strategies and tactics for attracting and capturing more catering and special events bookings.  The price of admission for this session has been lowered from US$495 to US$295 per person for HSMAI members and from US$595 to US$395 per person for non-members.

�This contribution by the HSMAI Foundation makes it significantly more affordable for many hotel and tourism organizations to send both their new salespeople who need basic skills orientations, as well as their seasoned salespeople who need updating on the latest trends and techniques that are essential to success in today�s environment,� notes Brasseux. 

The two programs that are being sponsored by the HSMAI Foundation are being scheduled initially in major cities throughout North America, and will be introduced in the Latin American and Asia/Pacific regions during the second half of 2004.  Additional information is available on the HSMAI web site: www.hsmai.org or by calling (877) 432-7301.

HSMAI is an 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 50 chapters worldwide. 

HSA International specializes in educational management, including the design, development and delivery of training programs, products and services created especially for the hospitality industry.  HSA produces and makes available workshops, seminars, video and audiotapes, reference manuals, workplace displays and job aids, as well as other tools for human resources development.  Established in 1986 and headquartered in the US, with affiliate offices in Singapore and Germany, HSA has an international client base that includes a broad range of leading industry brands.