Hotel Sales Professionals of the Year

The HSMAI Americas Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Awards recognize and promote excellence in the field of sales in hotels. Honorees exemplify strong sales performance producing measurable results, and are honored annually at HSMAI’s Sales Leader Forum.

Plan to celebrate the 2022 honorees at HSMAI’s Sales Leader Forum in Frisco, Texas on October 20, 2022. Congratulations to:

  • Paul Papadopulos, Corporate Director, National Sales, Atrium Hospitality (Off-Property, 2022)
  • Alex Biondi, Area Director of Sales, Aimbridge Hospitality (On-Property, 2022)

To qualify for the On-Property award, a nominee must:

  • Currently serve in an on-property or regional sales role for a brand, management company, ownership group, or independent property.
  • Demonstrate excellence in all of the following areas: Grit & Resilience, Customer Relationships, Creativity & Initiative, Advancement of the Discipline, and Personal & Community Development.

To qualify for the Off-Property award, a nominee must:

  • Currently serve in an off-property regional, national, or global sales role for a hotel brand, management company, or ownership group.
  • Demonstrate excellence in all of the following areas: Grit & Resilience, Customer Relationships, Creativity & Initiative, Advancement of the Discipline, and Personal & Community Development.

Past Honorees*

  • Cory Hagopian, Vice President, Entertainment & Executive Travel, Accor (Off-Property, 2021)
  • Kim Lowe, Complex Director of Sales, The Woodland Resort and Hotels (On-Property, 2021)
  • Kristi Griffith, Corporate Director of Sales Support, Prism Hotels & Resorts (Off-Property, 2019)
  • Valerie Gold Rios, Director of Sales, IHG – Staybridge Suites Lake Buena Vista (On-Property, 2019)
  • Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG (Off-property, 2018)
  • Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO (On-property, 2018)
  • Jane Pearsall, Senior Manager of Worldwide Sales, Global Business Travel, Best Western Hotels & Resorts (Off-property, 2017)
  • Adreana Bailey, National Sales Manager, Hilton DFW Lakes (On-property, 2017)

*Titles and employers are as of the time of the award presentation.

Partnership opportunities are available for this awards program. For information, contact Elise Rhinehart.