Michael Tchong to Keynote at 7th Resort Management Conference
In Colorado Springs
MCLEAN, VA, February 21, 2007. Resort industry professionals will find a full agenda of issues, ideas and solutions when the 7th Annual Resort Management Conference convenes at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO from March 25-27, 2007.
The annual event, which draws the resort industry at-large for two days of insightful education, debates and lively discussions, is presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the University of Denver's School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management.
"From practical and cutting-edge content, to quality, top caliber speakers and panelists, this is sure to be one of the most interesting, educational and illuminating conferences - critical to anyone doing business in the resort industry," states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.
The two-day forum features three general sessions and an extensive line-up of breakout sessions in three tracks: Operations, Marketing and Current Trends. The following reflects the conference agenda, with additional panelists still to be confirmed.
MONDAY, March 26, 2007:
---| 8:30-8:45 am: Conference Welcome
---| 8:45-10 am: General Session A: Travel Trends in Business and Leisure Travel
The conference kicks-off with a look at the most recent research about travel trends. Peter Yesawich, president and CEO of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, will present his research about both business travel trends and leisure travel trends.
---| 10:00-10:30 am: Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
---| 10:30-11:30 am: General Session B: Resort Operating Research and Statistics
Mark Lomanno, president, Smith Travel Research, will present the company's latest findings on operating statistics for resorts as well as research about the size and the scope of the industry, facilities, amenities, demographics and compensation.
---| 11:30 am -12:30 pm: An expert panel of resort executives will react to the data presented by Peter Yesawich and Mark Lomanno. They will provide their thoughts about strategies to move forward, and connect how the information presented has impacted their resorts. MODERATOR: Bob Mill, professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver; PANELISTS: Steve Bartolin, president & CEO, The Broadmoor and Charles S. Peck, president & CEO, Destination Hotels & Resorts.
---| 12:30-12:45 pm: Resort Executive of the Year Announcement sponsored by the University of Denver and Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell
---| 12:45-1:50 pm: Speaker Roundtable Luncheon
---| 2:00-3:30 pm: Concurrent Breakouts
Session 1: Operations Track: Human Resource Challenges in the Resort Industry
This session will focus on finding and keeping employees, immigration roadblocks, avoiding discrimination, responding to harassment complaints, effective performance management, and meaningful training. MODERATOR: Andria L. Ryan, partner, Fisher & Phillips, LLP; PANELISTS: Cindy Clark, director of human resources, The Broadmoor, and Tonda Tan, director of human resources, Amelia Island Plantation.
Session 2: Marketing Track: Explore Trends in Electronic Marketing, Including Search Engine Marketing and More. A panel of experts will give insight into new developments in electronic marketing and distribution. Does it replace traditional marketing? Or, complement it? Learn the "how's" and "why's" of search engine optimization and how to bring your Web site to the next level, and insure it is working optimally for you. MODERATOR: Frank Fredericks, vice president, sales & marketing, Wild Dunes Resort; PANELISTS: Karen Nasuti, president, Nasuti and Hinkle Creative Thinking; Felix Laboy, president & CEO, E-site Marketing; Tom Bewley, director of marketing, Kiawah Island Golf Resort; and Steven V. Seghers, MHS, president, HyperDisk Marketing.
Session 3: Current Trends Track: Generating Ancillary Revenue: Creative Techniques for Expanding Resort Revenue Streams
This session will present some of the highlights of the comprehensive HSMAI Resort Best Practices study on Generating Ancillary Revenue released in December 2006. It will cover both innovative as well as traditional methods to improve revenue streams in spa, golf, retail, food and beverage and other room related categories. Panelists will represent a variety of resorts and will share their best practices. The Moderator, Heidi Storm Samore (co-author of the HSMAI report with Cindy Estis Green), has extensive experience in corporate revenue management as well as hospitality operations. MODERATOR: Heidi Storm Samore, senior consultant, The Estis Group; PANELISTS: (to be announced).
---| 3:30-4:00 pm: Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
---| 4:00-5:30 pm: Concurrent Breakouts:
Session 4: Operations Track: New Technology Condo/Hotels and Fractional Ownership
Thinking about the trend of condo/hotels and fractional ownership? This session will look at different case studies of the successful transformation from traditional property to a condo/hotel or fractional ownership property. MODERATOR: Paul Laesecke, senior lecturer, School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver; PANELISTS: Peter Dann, executive vice president/director of operations, East West Resorts, and Tom Donovan, general manager, Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch.
Session 5: ---|Marketing Track: How to Survive and Capitalize on Short Term Weather-Driven Challenges and Opportunities
Surviving and recovering from a weather-driven catastrophe such as a hurricane, earthquake, or fire can be devastating and overwhelming. However, enduring a weather-driven challenge, such as a rainy or snowy season, in a resort dependent on seasonal travelers can be equally catastrophic for business. How do you begin the recovery process? How do you recapture your customers? Hear from professionals on emergency recovery plans and how resorts have survived and prospered, despite tremendous odds. MODERATOR: Tjibbe Lambers, marketing & promotions manager, Hershey Resorts; PANELISTS: Mark Glickman, resort director of marketing, Mauna Lani Resort, and John McCarthy, president, Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa.
Session 6: Current Trends Track: Importance of and Changing Dynamics of the
Group Market in the Resort Industry
Industry trends are showing that group market share is becoming more and more competitive. Learn from the authorities where the future of the group market is headed. Industry experts will share the trends and advise you how to get your share of the market. MODERATOR: John Washko, director of sales & marketing, The Broadmoor; PANELISTS: Peter Shelly, executive vice president, HelmsBriscoe, and Lorraine Sileo, vice president, information services, PhoCusWright, Inc.
---| 5:30-7:30 pm: Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
TUESDAY, March 27, 2007:
---| 8:30-10:00 am: General Session C: Reaching Your Market: Trends of the Future
What will tomorrow's lifestyle look like? Accompany Michael Tchong, founder, Ubercool, on a fast ride through today's consumer landscape to get some answers. In this eye-opening overview, Tchong, who has been penned "The most influential trendspotter in America" by The Daily Telegraph of London, discusses some of the biggest "Ubertrends" shaping the future. By showing how Ubertrends, society's "supertrends," fuel sub trends and how these affect the travel market, Tchong will provide a clearer context for trend analysis, giving attendees a much better sense for what the future may hold in store.
---| 10:00-10:30 am: Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
---| 10:30-noon: Concurrent Breakouts
Session 7: Operations Track: Serving the Next Generation Guest
This session will look at technology amenities and services throughout the resort and in the guestrooms required and expected by Gen X and Gen Y guests. MODERATOR: Daniel Connolly, Ph.D., assistant professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver; PANELISTS: Frank Wolfe, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.
Session 8: Marketing Track: CRM at Its Best
Explore the new techniques in CRM, including the basics of psychographic profiling. Learn how your property management systems can be a source of valuable marketing information. Hear how marketing can help create relationships, not just sell. See how those relationships can help attract the right client and build your business. MODERATOR: Tom Littleton, president, LMG Data Mining; PANELISTS: Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president, Account Services, Cohorts; David Ralls, vice president, AIR Marketing, and Madigan Pratt, managing director, Madigan Pratt & Associates, Inc.
---| 12:00-1:30 pm: Networking Lunch in Exhibit Hall
Prior to the start of the sessions, on Sunday, March 25, the HSMAI Foundation will hold its annual Golf Tournament; the HSMAI Resort Marketing Special Interest Group will have its Best Practices Subscribers Meeting; and The Broadmoor will host a welcome reception. At the conference conclusion, property tours will be held from :00-4:40 pm. Sponsors of the 7th Annual Resort Marketing Conference are American Express, Getty Images, Incite Response, Panzano & Partners, Passkey, Real Magnet, Resort Marketing & Operations, SoftBrands and TIG Global. For sponsorship information, contact Melanie J. Penoyar, CAE, director of development for HSMAI, (703)245-8037 or [email protected].
The cost to attend if registered prior to Feb. 15, 2007 is $595 for HSMAI members, $645 for partner association members, $300 for HSMAI student members or $750 for other attendees which includes a one-year membership to HSMAI. After Feb. 15, the rates are $695, $745, $350 and $850 respectively. For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.resortconference.com.
HRTM - Established in 1946, the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM), part of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, prepares both graduate and undergraduate students for senior management positions in the fast-changing and competitive hospitality industry. As one of the most prominent hotel programs in the nation, the HRTM program enjoys a superb reputation for innovative educational programs. The student-oriented faculty members are internationally recognized for their contributions to teaching, research and publications in various hospitality fields. For more information on the HRTM program, contact Nicci Crowley at (303) 241-1044 or [email protected] or visit www.resortconference.com.
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 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(R). Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
