The existing membership base is an impressive and diverse group of 28 companies reflecting a cross-section of the industry�s most prominent players, who through their participation on the Research Advisory Council, take a leadership role in creating the agenda for cutting-edge research related to the sales and marketing discipline within the hospitality, travel and tourism industry.

�The response to this initiative way surpassed our expectations,� states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.  �With their support, we were able to spearhead three research initiatives this year on "Performance Metrics,� �Turnover� and �Defining Value Drivers,� the results of which will be released next month.� 

The corporate membership program was created to enhance the body of knowledge of HSMAI and its positioning in the industry by directing research initiatives and objectives to be implemented by the Foundation.

Participation in the Corporate Membership program � available at the $10,000 Benefactor level and $5,000 Supporter level � allows hospitality and travel companies and their executives to be pro-active in determining and directing research initiatives by providing input on objectives and content of research studies. 

With membership exceeding expectations, the HSMAI Foundation surpassed its first year goal and raised more than $120,000 to launch the Corporate Membership Program. 

Cindy Estis Green, managing partner of The Estis Group and chair of the HSMAI Foundation, says: �The Corporate Membership Program allows us to create benchmark studies that will provide pertinent information to the hospitality industry as a whole.  While most sales and marketing studies have been proprietary, some information is crucial to all companies � large and small � and is only possible to acquire by pooling resources and gaining widespread support.� 

Representing a broad range from hotel chains to management companies and information specialty vendors within the hospitality, travel and tourism sector, present members include: 
 

Both Benefactor and Supporter levels of membership provide the following: 

• A seat on the HSMAI Foundation�s Research Advisory Council that sets the Foundation�s annual research agenda.  Supporter membership offers one voting representative on the Council that establishes research priorities, while Benefactors are entitled to two voting Council members. 
• Advance receipt of research studies. 
• Corporate logo recognition (for Benefactors) and name recognition (for Supporters) in all marketing and promotional materials and forums as well as published research. 
• Complimentary attendance to each one-day symposium, to review research results. 

The HSMAI Foundation was established in 1983 to serve as the research and educational arm of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.  Its mission is to expand and enhance the educational opportunities available to hospitality sales and marketing executives through publishing relevant industry content, in-depth research conducted on behalf of the profession, as well as scholarships.  The Foundation�s research projects result in cutting-edge publications, studies and reports, including books focusing on the art and science of sales and marketing, compensation, the Internet, e-commerce and key issues and trends affecting the industry now and into the millennium.