HSMAI Big Apple Chapter Announces Incoming President

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. October 14, 2008

NEW YORK, NY, January 2, 2007. The largest America's chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the Big Apple, announces its leadership and strategic themes for 2007. Incoming President Donna Quadri-Felitti, assistant clinical professor at New York University Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management is the first full time faculty member to serve in the presidency role since its inception. She is joined by a roster of accomplished industry professionals on the board of directors including the executive committee of Brenda Fields, Fields & Company, Frank Dee, The London NY, Michelle Mucci-Liotta, Planet Hollywood, Thomas Travers, Beacon Hotel, and Kathie Stapleton, Executive Director of HSMAI Big Apple.

"I am honored to be leading this chapter united with our themes for 2007 of Igniting Ideas, Advancing Our Industry," states Quadri. The chapter's professional development activities for the year will focus on several key initiatives. "Central to our mission is exchanging innovative ideas, heightening our expertise and competencies, and recognizing the depth and breadth of HSMAI member talent," remarks the educator.

Last year HSMAI Big Apple launched the first chapter level Special Interest Group (SIG) in Revenue Management and will launch a series of educational events focusing on training in these fundamentals, networking among practitioners, and exchanging best practices with directors of revenue and sales and marketing. "A great deal of substantive and engaging programs are planned for the coming year by an array of remarkable industry leaders and marketing professionals," continues Quadri.

Mid-day educational events scheduled for the New Year highlight some of the industry's foremost voices in advancing issues critical to the industry. Dr. Lalia Rach, associate dean and HVS International professor of NYU's Tisch Center will speak about "Emerging Markets: Understanding the Traveler from China, India, and Russia" on January 10. The keynote address on February 7 will be delivered by renowned restaurateur, Danny Meyer, whose recent book, Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality, published by HarperCollins, is receiving much acclaim.

Evening and morning seminars sponsored by and hosted at USA TODAY, tackle the intricacies of the sales and marketing discipline and are forward-looking as well. Monthly seminars concentrate on a particular aspect of the industry such as sales, public relations, technology, and also feature national editors for USA TODAY as well as prominent HSMAI members. A perfect example is the first seminar on January 23, 2007 featuring award-winning advertisers, Peter Warren, CHME, and Tim McCartin of Warren Kremer Paino Advertising, LLC, entitled "What the New Mix Masters Must Know: Podcasts are in but Print isn't Out."

A third initiative continues to focus on growing student membership throughout the region. Chapter leadership has long recognized that the mastery of the profession's complexities may start in the halls of academia but certainly is a career long educational pursuit. Working with student clubs at Cornell University, New York University, The City University of New York Technological College, the chapter is helping sponsor new clubs within the local drive area. Faculty interested in chapter support should contact the chapter.

At 80 years young, HSMAI is one of the most vibrant organizations in the global tourism and hospitality industry. The New York City metro chapter will reach 500 members in 2007. For more information and a complete list of the 2007 committee leadership and calendar, visit, www.hsmainyc.com and www.hsmai.com.