The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announced its seventh annual hot list of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing.
The honorees, who represent the best sales and marketing professionals in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries, will be honored during a private ceremony preceding the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala on Feb. 1, 2010, at the New York Marriott Marquis, and recognized on-stage at the Gala.
“The Top 25 is a 'hot list' that celebrates the sales and marketing leaders and innovators of our industry,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “The creative strategies, passionate dedication and sharp intelligence of these professionals have not only made a difference within their organizations but have also truly raised the bar for the hospitality industry as a whole.”
The 2009 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing:
- Peter R. B. Armstrong, Executive Chairman & Founder, Armstrong Group; Owner and Operator of Rocky Mountaineering
- 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
- Giséle 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 Adrian Awards honors the“best of the best in travel and hospitality marketing in the categories of advertising, public relations and Web marketing.
HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become an 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.