The program is designed to facilitate communication and understanding between the hotel and airline industries as it relates to managing airline crew and distressed passenger agreements.  Airlines have unique needs for hotel accommodations, and in a sellers market, carriers are looking to work with hotels.  Hotels interested in selling to and servicing this highly specialized market segment need to stay abreast of the constantly changing dynamics of the airline industry. As both industries are currently under severe pressure for profits and cost savings, better communication between these managers should lead to greater efficiencies on both sides.

This exclusive forum will be a results-oriented, educational and information packed day-and-a-half event, with keynote addresses, panel discussions and break-out brainstorming sessions.  National sales managers of hotel corporations and management companies, as well as management at individual hotels in key airport markets, are encouraged to attend.

Last year, 21 airlines participated in the event.  This year, 20 airlines have already confirmed their attendance and another eight carriers are planning to attend.  They include international, legacy, freight, low-cost, and regional carriers: Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines, ATA Airlines Inc., British Airways, Capital Cargo Int�l Airlines, Cargojet/Starjet Canada, Chautauqua Airlines, Inc., Delta Airlines, FedEx, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, Jazz Air Inc., JetBlue Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest Airlines, TACA International, United Airlines, and Qantas.

Hotels can choose to participate at three levels:

• Gold Level: One full conference registration; ownership to a workshop table over the duration of the conference; exclusive branded sponsorship of one of the scheduled events; company or logo recognition on all printed materials including invitations, handouts, and on-site signage as well as all electronic marketing materials regarding the event, including the HSMAI web site; company or logo recognition in all pre and post press announcements and public relations activities; and an opportunity to address a general session.  The cost is $2,295 for HSMAI members and $2,495 for non-members. 

• Silver Level: One full conference registration and ownership to a workshop table for the duration of the conference.  Cost is $1,295 for HSMAI members and $1,495 for non-members. 

• Bronze Level: $795 for HSMAI members and $995 non-members, which includes conference attendance only.

• Qualified airline management�s registration fee will be complimentary.

�The airline market segment is the only one that does not have a face-to-face event that brings together buyer and sellers,� states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. �The HSMAI Airline & Hotel Contracting Strategy Conference brings together these powerful industries to intimately and candidly discuss and debate issues and ideas, and identify solutions.�

HSMAI extends its thanks to Silver Sponsors: Driftwood Hospitality Management, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and Hampton Inn Boston Logan Airport as well as its Conference Partner: InterContinental Hotels Group.

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, and bringing together customers and members at 15 annual events.  Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising nearly 7,000 members worldwide, with 38 chapters in the Americas region.

Judy Freeman
HSMAI
703-610-9024
[email protected]
www.hsmai.org