MCLEAN, VA (April 4, 2003) � The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announced today the launch of a Speakers Bureau, a new online educational resource for chapters, members and the industry at-large. 

As the newest addition to the Chapter Resource section of the HSMAI website, the Speakers Bureau will feature an impressive roster of executive level, seasoned professionals representing all areas of the hospitality and travel industry. 

Participating speakers will be linked to educational tracks detailing that individual�s areas of expertise and course descriptions.  Among the seven tracks presented in the first phase are: Marketing, Meeting Planning, Electronic Distribution, Sales, State of the Industry, HSMAI Foundation Research Projects, and the HSMAI Value Proposition. 

�The learning component is HSMAI�s greatest member benefit, and with this new Speakers Bureau, we are creating a tremendous resource of educational programming and top-notch talent for chapter and industry events,� states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. 

Fran Brasseux, HSMAI�s newly appointed vice president of chapter relations and membership, sees this as a major initiative in adding even greater value to the HSMAI member proposition, stating: �At this challenging time in our business, education is our most valuable resource for our members.  By offering quality industry speakers and targeted programs for our members, we not only add additional value to the HSMAI affiliation, but we also provide immediate information and solutions to assist them in their day-to-day business.� 

Participating in the Speakers Bureau are HSMAI board members as well as distinguished industry executives whose knowledge and expertise will provide educational insight and value to members and the industry. 

By visiting the Speakers Bureau home page on the HSMAI web site, chapters will have access to each participating speaker�s educational topic, a bio, photo and contact information.  Those interested in securing a speaker can make an online inquiry with requested dates and details which are automatically forwarded to the potential speaker. 

The Speakers Bureau will be previewed today at the HSMAI Leadership Forum in Chicago, a gathering of the chapter�s top executives. 

Among the speakers and topics featured in the launch of Phase One are: 

� Bruce Himelstein, CHME, senior vice president, sales & marketing, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Leadership; Sales Intensity 

� David Atkins, vice president of business development, Expedia, Inc. Leveraging the Internet Sales Channel to Maximize ADR/ROI; Understanding the Internet 101; How to Use the Internet to Promote Your Property, Destination, or Service in Times of Need; Closing the Loop on All Sales Channels with the Internet; Measuring Success Using the Internet 

� Kim Schaller, vice president of marketing, Hershey Entertainment Brand Marketing; Entertainment Marketing 

� Jack Schmidt, vice president, sales & marketing, Benchmark Hospitality 
Conference Centers and the "Conference Center Concept;" How to Sell a Complete Meeting Package and Why Meeting Planners Buy It 

� Maureen O�Hanlon, managing partner, Marketing Arts Organization Customer Relationship Management; CRM: Myth or Reality; Loyalty Strategy 

� Erica S. Kasel, CHME, director of marketing, Departures magazine Luxury Brand Marketing; Analysis of Distribution and Marketing Channels; Strategic Marketing Planning; Leveraging Advertising Merchandising Dollars 

� Peter Warren, CHME, president, Warren Kremer Paino Advertising, Inc. Destination Marketing; Branding; Basic Marketing Primer; Marketing in the Post 9/11 World; How to Hire an Ad Agency; Positioning 

� Dorothy Dowling, vice president of sales & marketing, Aramark Leveraging Brand Relationships; Direct Marketing 

� Bruce Mainzer, senior vice president, TravelCLICK Managing Electronic Distribution for Your Hotel 

� Richard Chambers, president, hospitality-marketing.com Marketing on the Internet 

� Jonathon Day, president, Placemark Solutions Destinations That Work!; Building International Business 

� Sal Dickinson, CHME, chief executive, Dickinson & Associates Selling in an Uncertain Economy; How Does Your Website Measure Up?; HSMAI Update 

� Richard Kahn, president, Kahn Travel Communications Are You Afraid to Speak in Public?; Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Agency and Public Relations Firm; How to Search and Choose an Advertising Agency or Public Relations Agency 

� John Fareed, president & CEO, Hospitality Marketing Consultants, Inc. Past But Not Least � How To Conduct Your Own Past Guest, Corporate and Group Research; Learn. Market. Measure. Repeat: Strategic Market Planning for the New World; Keeping Your Head: Sales & Marketing in the New World 

� Bob Gilbert, CHME, president and CEO, HSMAI State of the Industry; HSMAI Member Values 

� Fran Brasseux, vice president of memberships, HSMAI HSMAI Value Proposition; State of the Industry

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality and travel 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 comprised of nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide.