Max Starkov of Hospitality eBusiness Strategies to Receive "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales

Annual Gala Dinner to be Held Jan. 26 in New York City

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. December 09, 2008

NEW YORK, NY, December 9, 2008. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has selected Max Starkov as one of the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing" for 2008. The sixth annual list recognizes the "best of the best" in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries, and the recipients will be honored at HSMAI's annual Adrian Awards on Jan. 26, 2009, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The 2008 "Top 25" recipients were judged by a panel of senior industry executives for their recent work based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation, cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns, triumph in challenging situations, and sales efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.

Starkov is the President & CEO and Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), the hospitality industry's leading full-service Internet marketing services and strategies consulting firm. He is a recognized "thought leader" in Internet marketing strategies in hospitality and is a frequent guest speaker and presenter at industry events and conferences.

Starkov has spent his entire professional career in hospitality and travel. He has extensive Internet marketing experience, having co-founded and served as CEO of three eBusiness companies: Travelbreak.com (a pioneering direct supplier-to-consumer travel marketplace), WhaleMedia.com (Winner of the coveted Microsoft RAD Award for hotel online booking systems), and HeBS (since early 2001). Under Starkov's leadership, HeBS has pioneered many of the "best practices" in hotel Internet marketing and direct online distribution, and has won many prestigious awards for its groundbreaking website design and Internet marketing campaigns.

Starkov has written numerous reports, industry research, and published articles in all major travel and hospitality publications. He has an MS in International Tourism and an MBA degree, Beta Gamma Sigma Honors, from Fordham University in New York City.

"This year, HSMAI received more nominations than ever," said Dorothy Dowling, HSMAI board of directors' chair and senior vice president of marketing and sales at Best Western International. "The quality of the field of candidates was outstanding and is truly representative of the creative work being implemented throughout the industry by top professionals today."

In addition to being honored at the annual Adrian Awards gala, recipients will be featured in an HSMAI Marketing Review article, receive a personalized plaque, and will be honored at a VIP luncheon on January 26, 2009. The HSMAI Adrian Awards honor creative brilliance and best practices in hospitality, travel, and tourism-related marketing. In its 52nd year, the competition has evolved into the world's most renowned and prestigious advertising, public relations, and web marketing competition specifically tailored for the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries.

"Inclusion in the Top 25 list is a true honor," said Starkov. "This award recognizes what HeBS stands for in the hospitality industry - pioneering best practices in Internet marketing and distribution, helping hoteliers utilize the Direct Online Channel and increase direct online bookings and ROIs, and educating hoteliers on how to boost their Internet marketing presence and establish interactive relationships with their customers. Here at HeBS we strive to give the very best service while aiding in the professional development of our hotel clients."

Tables and tickets for the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tables, visit www.adrianawards.com or contact HSMAI at (703) 506-2025 or [email protected].

HSMAI

HSMAI is the hospitality industry source for knowledge, community, and recognition for leaders committed to professional development, sales growth, revenue optimization, marketing, and branding. 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. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 506-3280; fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at www.hsmai.org.

HeBS

Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), the industry's leading Internet marketing strategy consulting firm for the hospitality vertical, is based in New York City (www.hospitalityebusiness.com ). HeBS has pioneered many of the "best practices" in hotel Internet marketing and direct online distribution. The firm specializes in helping hoteliers build their direct Internet marketing and distribution strategy, boost the hotel Internet marketing presence, establish interactive relationships with their customers, and significantly increase direct online bookings and ROIs. A diverse client portfolio of over 500 top tier major hotel brands, luxury and boutique hotel companies, hotel management and representation companies, franchisees and independents, resorts and casinos and CVBs has sought and successfully taken advantage of the firm hospitality Internet marketing expertise. Contact HeBS consultants at (212)752-8186 or [email protected] .

Editorial Contact:

Mariana Mechoso

Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Inc.

14 E. 60th Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10022

Phone 212-752-8186

Email [email protected]

Web: www.hospitalityebusiness.com

The press-release can also be accessed via the HeBS website at:

http://www.hospitalityebusiness.com/dyn/pressReleases_coll227.php