The quintet of marketing gurus and research strategists participating with their take on the trends, research and predictions are: 

• Bjorn Hansen, Ph.D., global industry leader, PricewaterHouseCoopers, Hospitality & Leisure Practice; 
• Mark Lomanno, president, Smith Travel Research; 
• Betsy O�Rourke, senior vice president of marketing, Travel Industry Association of America; 
• Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D, managing partner, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown, & Russell, and 
• Dr. Lalia Rach, E.D., associate dean, New York University, Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management.

�In these tumultuous times, creating effective marketing plans for 2004 and beyond call for very strategic planning and information-rich decision-making, and this session is designed to provide the comprehensive data and expert opinion required to achieve just that,� states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. 

�This HSMAI/NYU Strategy Conference provides a rare opportunity to listen and learn from the experts, making it an invaluable investment of time and resources for hospitality, travel and tourism industry executives, general managers and directors of sales and marketing,� he added.

The cost to participate is $150 for HSMAI members and $350 for non-members (which includes a one-year membership to HSMAI).  Registration fee includes lunch and handouts of all presentations.  To register online, visit www.hsmai.org.
A block of rooms for the HSMAI/NYU Strategy Conference has been reserved at the Marriott Marquis at a special industry rate of $259.  For reservations, call the hotel directly at (800) 843-4898.

Also, on Sept. 25, 2003, a black-tie gala will be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City to celebrate the culmination of 75 years of HSMAI.  The evening will pay tribute to the industry�s growth and achievements as well as honor its trendsetters and celebrities of the past and present.  Tables for the dinner may be purchased for $2,500, including a table of 10 as well as a congratulatory ad and recognition in the dinner program book; individual seats are available for $175.  To reserve a table or seat, visit www.hsmai.org.

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality and travel industry. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide.