Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year Awards

About the Awards

Nominations for HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Professionals of the Year come from HSMAI members, chapters, and the industry at large. Nominees represent the very best of revenue optimization in the hospitality industry.

The awards are presented annually at HSMAI ROC Americas.

Nominations are Open: NEW PROCESS FOR 2023!

In 2023, there is a 2-step process that will make the nomination process simpler and more collaborative, and ensure the resulting nominations more clearly detail why a nominee deserves the award.

STEP 1: Nominate someone who you think has made their mark in revenue optimization. You’ll share their contact information and why you think they should be a Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year.

STEP 2: We’ll contact the person you nominate and ask them to complete an application form so that the Awards Committee can gather insights into their achievements — and we encourage you to work with them on this step. Questions on the application include:

  1. What does your role entail?
  2. How are you advancing the discipline and/or industry?
  3. How are you demonstrating leadership skills?
  4. Describe how you collaborate across teams within your organization.
  5. Can you provide evidence of your success including any KPIs or metrics which demonstrate excellence.

Nominations for 2023 are now open and due by April 7, 2023.

Submit a nomination

To qualify for the Single-/Multi-Unit award, a nominee must:

  • Currently serve in an on-property or multi-property revenue optimization role for a brand, management company, ownership group, or independent property.
  • Have more than 75% of their responsibilities specific to the day-to-day management of revenue optimization for the property or properties.
  • Advance the discipline and/or industry, demonstrate leadership skills, and collaborate across teams within their organization.

To qualify for the Corporate award, a nominee must:

  • Currently serve in an above-property regional or corporate revenue optimization role for a brand, management company, or ownership group.
  • Have more than 50% of their responsibilities specific to the oversight of revenue professionals, and not in the performance of daily revenue optimization tasks.
  • Advance the discipline and/or industry, demonstrate leadership skills, and collaborate across teams within their organization.

Congratulations to Past Honorees*

  • Christian Boerger, CRME, CHBA, CHDM, Vice President of Revenue Strategy, Oxford Collection Hotels (2022: Corporate)
  • Andres Reyes, Director of Revenue Management, Foxwoods Resort Casino (2022: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Jenna Villalobos, CRME, Vice President Commercial Strategy, Outrigger Hospitality Group (2021: Corporate)
  • Apurv Batra, CRME, Area Director of Revenue Strategy, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (2021: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Sarah Kalin Churchill, CRME, CHDM, CHBA, Director of Revenue Strategy, Pasea Hotel & Spa and Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort (2019: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Nicole Young, CRME, Senior Corporate Director of Global Revenue Management, Rosewood Hotel Group (2019: Corporate)
  • Derek Brewster, Director of Revenue Management, LOTTE New York Palace (2018: Single/Mulit-Unit)
  • Cassandra (Cassie) Bond, CRME, Regional Vice President of Revenue Management, Chesapeake Hospitality (2018: Corporate)
  • Tim Kayser, CRME, Director of Revenue Strategy, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa (2017: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Jennifer Mooney, CRME, CSM Lodging, CSM Lodging (2017: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Yira Segarra, CRME, Director of Function Space Revenue Management, Loews Hotels & Resorts (2017: Corporate)
  • Emily Bowen, CRME, Revenue and Customer Relationship Manager, Penn State University (2016: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Christian Boerger, CRME, CHDM, Corporate Director of Revenue Strategy, Pacific Hospitality Group (2016: Corporate)
  • Colleen Birch, CRME, VP, Revenue Optimization, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (2015: Single/Multi-Unit)
  • Christopher A. Wilroy, Senior Vice President, Commercial Services, Hilton Worldwide (2015: Corporate)
  • Jennifer Hill, Director, Revenue Management for the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington DC / Interstate Hotels & Resorts (2014)
  • Gopakumar “Gopu” Menon, Director Revenue Management, Highgate Hotels / Park Plaza Boston (2013)
  • Melissa Graves, Director of Revenue, Platinum Hotel (2012)
  • Janelle Cornett, Coastal Hotel Group (2011)
  • Imtiaz Ali, Morgans Hotel Group (2010)
  • Mark Robertson, Wyndham Hotel Group (2009)
  • Angie Belknap Hughes, CRME, Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino (2008)

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