HSMAI Names Executive Committee and Board

McLean, Va. (USA) – February 12, 2013 – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), proudly announced today its 2013 Americas Region Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

For 2013, HSMAI’s Nominating Committee crafted a slate of board members comprised of senior leadership from several new hotel partners, including representatives from eight of the 10 largest global hotel companies. Each individual aligns with the organization’s mission to fuel sales, inspire marketing and optimize revenue.

“We are very proud of the professionals serving on our Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the coming year,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “In leveraging the various areas of expertise represented by our unique blend of talented leadership, we will be able to stay at the forefront of industry trends and keep a steadfast eye on our goal of continuing to be the frontrunner resource in the hospitality sales and marketing space.”

The 2013 HSMAI Executive Committee and Board of Directors:

Executive Committee:
Chair: Barb Bowden, general manager, Peabody Hotel Orlando
Chair Elect: Rob Torres, managing director of travel, Google
Secretary-Treasurer: Jeff Senior, executive vice president, marketing & sales, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International
Vice Chair: Mark Thompson, vice president of marketing, Irving Texas CVB
Immediate Past Chair: David Atkins, principal, Digital DNA Infusion
Board of Directors:
Anil Aggarwal: chairman and CEO, Milestone Internet Marketing
Heather Allison-Smith: director of sales & marketing, The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe
George Brennan: executive vice president, sales & marketing, Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Maureen Callahan: vice president, marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts
Geraldine Calpin: senior vice president, global online, Hilton Worldwide
Elizabeth Cambra: CRME, corporate director, pricing & revenue management, Outrigger Enterprises Group
Joel Carver: vice president, sales & marketing, CSM Lodging
Chris Crenshaw: vice president, strategic development, STR
Jack Easdale: vice president of yield management, The Venetian / Palazzo
Mike Fegley: vice president global sales, Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group
Wendy Ferrill: vice president, worldwide sales, Best Western International
Loren Gray: director of eCommerce, Ocean Properties
Alex Gregory: director of sales & marketing, Sea Island
Don Hay: president and CEO, Digital Alchemy
Noreen Henry: senior vice president, global partner services, Travelocity
Jack Horne: senior vice president, sales, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Joe Hyman: president and CEO, Vizergy
Brian Keenan: CMP, vice president of sales, MGM Grand
Klaus Kohlmayr: senior director, consulting, IDeaS – a SAS Company
Flo Lugli: executive vice president marketing, Wyndham Hotel Group
Marina MacDonald: senior vice president sales & marketing, Red Roof Inn
Melissa Maher: vice president, global strategic accounts, Expedia, Inc.
Robert McDowell: senior vice president, global distribution, Choice Hotels International
Brian Payea: head of industry relations, TripAdvisor
Lalia Rach: Ed.D., dean and director, University of Wisconsin – Stout, School of Hospitality Leadership
Tom Santora: chief marketing officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts
Susan Thronson: senior vice president global marketing, Marriott International
Brian Tkac: vice president, marketing & revenue, Hostmark Hotels
Betty Wilson: vice president, North America divisional sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Josh Winkler: vice president, partner marketing, Orbitz
“I look forward to working with this team in strengthening each aspect of HSMAI,” said Barb Bowden, HSMAI Americas chair. “Their dedication and sharp industry knowledge make them ideal thought leaders for our Executive Committee and Board of Directors for 2013.”

For more information on HSMAI or the 2013 Executive Committee and Board of Directors, visit: www.hsmai.org.

About HSMAI
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals & their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI’s MEET, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Optimization Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Stout
Edelman
214-443-7586
lindsay.stout@edelman.com