McLean, Va.
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced its 2014 honorees for 'The HSMAI Top 25: Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization.'
The recognition honors leaders in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization of hospitality, travel and tourism organizations for their accomplishments in the preceding 18 months.
HSMAI will honor The HSMAI Top 25 in conjunction with the Adrian Awards Reception and Gala on Feb. 23, 2015, at the New York Marriott Marquis.
“The people named to this list have made incredible contributions to the industry,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president & CEO of HSMAI. “Their innovative sales, marketing and revenue management ideas have helped fuel the success of the hospitality industry the past two years.”
The HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds for 2014 are:
- Greg Adams: Vice President, eCommerce, Best Western International.
- Jason Antony: Assistant Vice President of Digital Engagement, Viceroy Hotel Group.
- Shaun Aukland: Senior Account Executive, Google.
- Michael Bertetto: Director of Advertising & Public Relations, SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
- Gayle Conran: President, ConranPR.
- Susannah Costello: Vice President, Global Brand, VISIT FLORIDA.
- Craig Eister: Senior Vice President, Global Revenue Management & Systems, IHG.
- H. Stuart Foster: Vice President, Global Marketing, Hilton Worldwide.
- Peter Frantz: Marketing Director, Vantage Hospitality & JCF Marketing.
- Monte Gardiner: Director, Marketing Programs, Best Western International.
- Maura Gast: Executive Director, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- Kathy Halpern: Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Palace Resorts.
- Sara Harper: Director of Marketing, Hotel Del Coronado.
- Michael Innocentin: Executive Director, Digital Marketing, FRHI Hotels & Resorts.
- Andrew Kauffman: Vice President, Digital Marketing & Marriott.com, Marriott International.
- Chris Kenney: Vice President, Field Sales & Marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts.
- Vince LaRuffa: Vice President, Resort Sales & Marketing, Universal Orlando Resort.
- Diana Plazas: Director, Global Brand Marketing, DoubleTree, Hilton Worldwide.
- John Ricks: Associate Director, Colorado Tourism Office.
- Evan Saunders: CEO & Co-Founder, Attract China LLC.
- Laurence David Tolpin: President, Chief Creative & Innovation Officer, Paradise Advertising, Digital and Entertainment.
- Vic Walia: Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Expedia, Inc.
- John Washko, Vice President, Group Marketing and Sales, Atlantis Paradise Island.
- Jack Wert: Executive Director, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB.
- Holly Zoba: Senior Vice President of Sales, Signature Worldwide.
The Top 25 recipients were selected by a panel of senior industry executives based on recent work meeting the following criteria: creativity and innovation; cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns; triumph in challenging situations; and sales efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.
Tables and tickets for the HSMAI Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and Gala are still available for purchase; for additional information on the HSMAI Adrian Awards and the “Top 25” list visit www.adrianawards.com.
HSMAI is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is a leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth.
