June 2, 2010: HVS, the world�s leading hospitality consulting and services firm, is pleased to announce that its director of marketing and head of its sales and marketing services division, Leora Halpern Lanz has been named Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year � Tourism, by the Greater New York Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). The Award will be presented at a black tie gala dinner on June 8, 2010, at the New York Marriott Marquis. The Award is presented each year to recognize individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the tourism industry in New York City. 

Leora joined HVS in 1999 and is responsible for the global promotion of HVS� worldwide office network and comprehensive hospitality services. In addition to overseeing the coordination and distribution of HVS�s weekly Global Hospitality Report, which reaches nearly 100,000 hotel owners, operators, and developers, Leora manages the marketing materials on the firm�s internal collaboration website and the marketing standards for the firm globally, and directs a team of HVS colleagues from around the world in orchestrating and synchronizing global marketing support. Her efforts have earned her other awards from the prestigious Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International as well as awards from within HVS itself. 

Wearing her second hat at HVS, Leora also directs the firm�s sales & marketing services division. With a team of seasoned hospitality specialists, this service provides sales, marketing, revenue management, and public relations expertise to the hospitality industry. Specialties include operational reviews; marketing plan development; sales and marketing assessments; reviews of hotel marketing strategies, sales organizations and operations; public relations; sales and marketing coordination with the property�s flag; sales action planning; pre-opening marketing; sales direction and training; publicity; development of standard operating procedures for independent hotels in conjunction with marketing efforts; and promotions, including web marketing. 

Prior to joining HVS, Leora served as the director of public relations and advertising for ITT Sheraton Hotels of New York, and later the Starwood Hotels of New York (1990-1999). She managed the public relations efforts associated with over $300 million in renovations, as well as six hotel openings and re-openings (including the Sheraton Atlantic City�s gala held in conjunction with the Miss America Pageant). She directed the hotel�s publicity efforts during the 1992 Democratic National Convention when the Sheraton served as headquarters hotel. 

Prior to her tenure with Sheraton, Leora served from 1986 to 1990 as the public relations director for the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB), where among numerous accomplishments, she organized the public relations committee of Boston, spearheaded the city-wide promotion of the 1989 Monet exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, organized numerous press familiarization tours, and coordinated integrated marketing communications programs. 

Holding a B.S. in communications from Cornell University and an M.S. in public relations from Boston University, Leora is a member of the New York Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications, the Society of American Travel Writers, the Public Relations Society of America, and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. She also serves as a Cornell University Alumni Ambassador for the Long Island region and is a member of the Cornell Club of New York and the Cornell Club of Long Island. 

Her articles have been reprinted in numerous industry publications, and she has lectured at several colleges and universities, including New York University�s Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management and Boston University�s School of Hospitality Administration. 

About HSMAI 
HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 39 chapters in the Americas Region with the Greater New York chapter being the largest. Frank W. Berkman, CHME, was a former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of HSMAI for 16 years. This award was created in 1994 by the Past President�s Council of the HSMAI Greater New York Chapter and was named after Berkman because of his dedication to building HSMAI into the highly influential international hospitality industry organization that it is today. 

About HVS
HVS is the world�s leading consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 2,000 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. We are client driven, entrepreneurial, and dedicated to providing the best advice and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Through a worldwide network of 30 offices staffed by 400 seasoned industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com