MCLEAN, VA (August 10, 2010) � The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced a call for nominations for its eighth annual �hot list� of the HSMAI Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing.  The list, which recognizes the remarkable achievement of sales and marketing professionals in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries, is presented in conjunction with HSMAI�s Adrian Awards.
 
�The Top 25 list is a 'who�s who� of sales and marketing professionals within the industry,� said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.  �Each year the list recognizes new faces and proven sales and hospitality veterans from both established companies and emerging brands. We encourage nominations from all individuals who recognize the groundbreaking work and top-notch creativity of their colleagues that is brining the hospitality arena to new heights.� 
 
All hospitality, travel and tourism industry practitioners and suppliers are eligible for nomination, and submissions must pertain to initiatives developed and implemented since January of 2009. Nominations for the �HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing� should be submitted online at www.hsmaitop25.com by September 10, 2010.
 
The 2009 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing:

• Peter R. B. Armstrong, Executive Chairman & Founder, Armstrong Group; Owner and Operator of Rocky Mountaineer 
• Laura D. Bajkowski, Principal, Bajkowski & Partners 
• Thomas E. Baker, Jr., President & Partner, Cruise Center 
• Bart Berkey, Director, Ritz-Carlton/Marriott International 
• Lillibeth Bishop, Publicity & Promotions Manager- USA, Hong Kong Tourism Board 
• Roger Bloss, Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, Vantage Hospitality Group 
• Dr. Eric T. Brey, Director, Center for Resort and Hospitality Business, University of Memphis 
• Barry Brown, Director of Sales and Marketing, Hotel del Coronado/Beach Village at the Del 
• Julie Canning, President & CEO, Banff Lake Louise Tourism 
• Gisìle Danis, Executive Director, Strategic Marketing, Canadian Tourism Commission 
• Chekitan Dev, Associate Professor, Cornell University 
• Michelle Fee, Co-Founder, Cruise Planners/American Express 
• Robert W. Gialloreto, President & CEO, Tourism Victoria 
• Sehrab Grewal, Director of Consumer Marketing, Best Western International 
• Erika Harms, Executive Director, Tourism Sustainability Council 
• Joe Hyman, President & CEO, VIZERGY 
• Tjibbe Lambers, Director, Marketing Analytics, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts 
• Michael A. Perhaes, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, MGM Grand Hotel 
• David William Ralls, Partner, AIR Marketing 
• Franck Sarrabezolles, Regional Advertising Manager, The Americas, Emirates 
• Adam Stewart, CEO, Sandals Resorts International 
• Christopher L. Thompson, President & CEO, VISIT FLORIDA 
• Scott J. Voeller, Vice President of Brand Strategy & Advertising, MGM Mirage 
• Andrew D. Wirth, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Alliances, Intrawest 
• Rosanne Zusman, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing, Wyndham Hotel Group 

 The �Top 25� recognition program is held in conjunction with HSMAI�s annual Adrian Awards, which honors the �best of the best� in travel and hospitality marketing in the categories of advertising, public relations and digital marketing. Winners will be recognized at the annual Adrian Awards Gala, January 31, 2011, at the New York Marriott Marquis, and at a VIP reception co-hosted by Expedia Media prior to the Gala. For more information on the Adrian Awards Competition and Gala, visit www.adrianawards.com. 
 
For more information on the Top 25 and the Adrian Awards competition, please contact Desiree LaFont at (703) 506-3297, email [email protected], visit www.adrianawards.com, or follow Adrian Awards news on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AdrianAwards and Facebook at www.facebook.com/AdrianAwards. 
 
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.