HSMAI University Webinar Series Focuses on Economic Crisis

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. November 24, 2008

NOVEMBER 24, 2008. The travel industry is beginning to feel the impact of the economic crisis, and 2009 travel forecasts predict both leisure travel and business travel will decline.

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) University will lead a four-part strategy webinar series, 'Leading Through the Economic Crisis and Preparing for Recovery,' on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and Wednesday, Dec. 3 to help professionals prepare for and combat the economic challenges being faced by the industry.

The strategy series includes top industry thinker Bjorn Hanson, former PWC executive and current New York University clinical professor, who will provide an economic trends update on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. EST.

'Hospitality professionals are facing a tough year,' said Fran Brasseux, HSMAI executive vice president. 'To succeed it's important for professionals to understand the economic landscape and to begin employing effective business practices. This strategy series will be a resource that offers professionals counsel to navigate the next year successfully.'

The webinars will be presented in 90-minute sessions and outline solutions for sales, marketing and revenue management. The two-day schedule includes the following sessions:

Dec. 2, 2008

---|Economic Trends Affecting Hospitality Sellers in Today's Turbulent Marketplace, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. EST

---|Lead Presenter: Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D., Clinical Professor, Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management, NYU

---|Key takeaways: Macro trends and how they relate to the current marketplace, How to outline a forecast for 2009

---|Maximizing Revenue in a Downturn, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST

---|Lead presenter: Bill Carroll, Ph.D., senior lecturer, Cornell University

---|Panelists include: Bonnie Buckhiester, ISHC, President & CEO, Buckhiester Management USA Inc., Tom Walker, Managing Director of RoomRevenew, Dan Kowalewski, Vice President, Revenue Management Services, Wyndham Hotel Group

---|Key takeaways: Implications for revenue management strategies, How to manage owners' expectations when the demand falls

Dec. 3, 2008

---|Getting Your Message Across With an Integrated Marketing Strategy, 10 a.m. - 11: 30 a.m. EST

---|Moderator: John Parke, President & CEO, Leadership Synergies, Inc.

---|Panelists include: Susan Thronson, Sr. VP, Global Marketing, Marriott International, Inc., Kim Schaller, VP, Chief Marketing Officer, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts

---|Key takeaways: How to use an integrated marketing approach to connect to new customers and how to develop and leverage eCommerce strategies

---|Ten Actions Your Sales Team Must Take in the Next 90 Days, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST

Lead presenter: John Parke, president & CEO, Leadership Synergies, Inc.

---|Panelists include: Sergio Asensio, Managing Director, Topline Group LLC, Mark Tunney, CMP, Managing Director, Convention Sales, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau

---|Key takeaways: Proven tactics to drive better sales results, How to manage customer relationships in this environment

Register for any of the webinars online at www.hsmaiuniversity.org or call 703-506-2010. Weibnars can be purchased separately or as a series.