Rethinking Employee Engagement in 2024
The HSMAI Contact Center SIG recently gathered and discussed best practices, challenges, and ideas for measuring and improving staff engagement.
The HSMAI Contact Center SIG recently gathered and discussed best practices, challenges, and ideas for measuring and improving staff engagement.
As Women’s History Month ends, I am reflecting on the progress we’ve made toward gender inclusivity and the empowerment of female leaders in hospitality.
As Women’s History Month ends, I am reflecting on the progress we’ve made toward gender inclusivity and the empowerment of female leaders in hospitality.
AI is ubiquitous these days, but a lot of the attention has been focused on content. I am interested in how different companies are using AI to enhance customer experience and use AI to boost their performance and quality.
Amidst the prevailing focus on AI’s impact on marketing, I sought to steer one of our HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board discussions toward a core hospitality topic. How can we integrate enhanced guest experiences into our marketing strategies to stimulate demand and enrich the stay? We exchanged insights on how hotels and resorts can elevate guest experiences by creating unforgettable events and transforming spaces into memorable touchpoints.
Between managing growth challenges, rapid industry changes, and keeping up with evolving consumer behaviors – there’s no shortage of issues vying for a CMO’s attention. Last month in New York City, HSMAI brought Chief Marketing Officers together for an Executive Roundtable.
The last 3 years have brought unforeseen challenges to the travel industry and accelerated the need to simplify. More than ever, today’s businesses face pressures to evolve rapidly, catering not only to the demands of their customers but also the emergent technological landscape.
Every year, the Adrian Awards demonstrate creativity, strategic excellence, and technological innovation. This year’s awards have not only highlighted the excellence that illuminates our industry but also presented a wealth of insights from the judges —insights that can benefit every travel marketing and PR professional. Here, we dive into the trends that distinguished winners from entrants in the eyes of the judges. Our judges have a rich history of involvement with HSMAI and a deep understanding of the industry’s evolution.
Industry can take a more active role in bringing commercial careers to the classroom through paid internships, specific case studies, industry RFPs sent to schools for research projects, and access to industry for mentoring students.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 92% of them plan to travel in the next six months, which is near a record high percentage in the past 12 months. However, there has been an uptick in concern about both personal finances and travel costs. Exclusive insights for HSMAI from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon.
The Adrians are the longest-running and most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry, annually celebrating the finest in hospitality advertising, digital marketing, and public relations. In the run up to the celebration, I want to share insights into this year’s awards.
The Adrians are the longest-running and most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry, annually celebrating the finest in hospitality advertising, digital marketing, and public relations. In the run up to the celebration, I want to share insights into this year’s awards.
TransformInn’s AI-created CMO persona, Jennifer, is a virtual professional designed to blend creativity with analytical skills. Programmed with the expertise drawn from two decades of marketing know-how and insights from top-tier universities, Jennifer serves as a striking example of how AI can personify a company’s ethos.
43 HSMAI Rising Leader Council members took the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment. A group of the Rising Revenue Optimization Leader Council members then reviewed the results to explore core strengths of rising leaders in hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue. Read the report, where they identify the common breakdown of strengths making up each discipline’s persona.
This year, in collaboration with Women in Travel THRIVE, we took a significant step towards our mission with the release of the “The Power of Mentorship” research paper. This study, a critical examination of mentorship’s impact on female leadership in hospitality, offers insightful strategies for nurturing the next generation of women leaders.
In a recent gathering of the HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board, financial technology was discussed. This article delves into our discussion, offering insights into how fintech could shape the future of hospitality.
For the past year, generative AI has been everywhere, but is it all hype? I set out to explore this question with HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board at a recent meeting. There were mixed opinions in the room, highlighting both the potential and the challenges of integrating AI into the hospitality sector.
The success of a hotel often depends on its location. Whether it’s nestled in a national park or centered in a bustling city, location plays a pivotal role in attracting guests. Insights on making the most of location from the HSMAI Rising Marketing Leader Council.
HSMAI Foundation recently hosted meetings among European faculty members in marketing and revenue management. The discussions highlighted how academic programs are adapting to changes in the industry, focusing on partnerships, program enhancement, and student engagement.
HSMAI Foundation hosted a series of three Americas Faculty forums, with faculty specializing in hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue education. We gathered each group to discuss emerging trends, prevailing challenges, and how HSMAI and the HSMAI Foundation can partner to shape the future of hospitality education. These discussions highlighted a shift towards integrating technological advancements and strategic thinking into the curriculum.
The global pandemic triggered an unprecedented acceleration in the importance of wellness within the hospitality sector. Notably, the wellness tourism market value reached nearly $731.36 billion in 2022, marking a CAGR of nearly 4% since 2017. With projections suggesting that this market will grow to $1.2 trillion by 2027, the question is, how are hotels adapting to meet this growth? I brought this question to the HSMAI Rising Marketing Leader Council for discussion.
Commercial excellence has become an increasingly important priority at many hotel organizations this year. The concept is about alignment across all drivers of top line sales generation. While Europe has been in the forefront of commercial strategy development, 34% of North American HSMAI Organization Members report they are either leading commercial effectiveness or well on their way, while 39% report some progress.
As commercial strategy accelerates, collaboration becomes crucial and must evolve both internally and externally. There is a need for a shared vision and the issues, players, responsibilities, and resources must be defined. Teams must learn to coordinate actions and use integrated data to make projections and solve problems. Read more about this talent trend in the HSMAI Foundation’s State of Talent Report.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 92% of them have travel plans in the next six months, and 33% of them plan to spend more on holiday travel this year compared to a year ago. Only 16% of travelers plan to spend less on holiday travel this year, while 52% expect their holiday travel spending to be comparable to last year.
HSMAI honored the 2022 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization and Distribution — recognizing leaders from hospitality, travel, and tourism organizations for their accomplishments. Kristi Gole, Executive Vice President, Global Hotel Alliance is one of these honorees.
The 2022 Adrian Awards: Platinum and President’s Award Honorees Special Report.
Whether environmental impact, social responsibility, or community engagement be their driving factor, travelers are now not only expecting stellar onsite service, but ensuring that their meal was sustainably sourced, property employees receive fair treatment, and the property is supporting the local economy.
HSMAI hosted a Chief Digital Officers from hotel management companies during a recent Executive Roundtable. Drawing insights from these industry leaders, this article highlights ten best practices that can help organizations effectively navigate these challenges.
In our Special Report, we profile all of the Platinum and President’s Award winners — including Wyndham, which was honored with the President’s Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Marketing.
Hoteliers are always looking to improve the guest experience through their F&B services and offerings. HSMAI Rising Marketing Leaders recently focused on this topic and offered three tips that came out of our discussion.
The Adrian Awards have been a symbol of excellence in hospitality advertising, digital marketing, and public relations for over six decades. The stage is set for the 2023 HSMAI Adrian Awards back in New York City. This year’s theme, WanderLOVE, is the clarion call to those who hold travel in their hearts year-round, an anthem celebrating captivating campaigns, ads, and experiences that have kindled an unwavering devotion to exploration across the globe.
The ever-increasing amount of content that we ingest each day demands the skill of knowledge management – for both personal and professional improvement. The challenge lies in capturing, distilling, and organizing data effectively. “Building a Second Brain” by Tiago Forte offers a blueprint for transforming data into actionable insights. This topic was brought to the HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board.
The HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board recently discussed the new book “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect,” and how this concept impacts our work and the intersection of technology and the people centric nature of hospitality. Here are the top three takeaways from our conversations.
Insights from Holly Zoba, CHDM, Principal, Scout Simply, during a Lightning Round session at HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference, part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2023.
This summer in Toronto, HSMAI gathered Brand Chief Digital Officers (CDOs) for an Executive Roundtable. Participants engaged in candid discussions, shedding light on the hurdles they face in technology, staffing, and financial realms, while exploring effective remedies.
The 2023 Adrian Awards are now open! Take some inspiration from last year’s Best of Show –Marriott – Moxy APAC. Submit your entry for the 2023 Adrian Awards by September 8, 2023.
The 2023 Adrian Awards are now open! Take some inspiration from one of last year’s honorees –Visit Seattle.
HSMAI honored the 2022 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization — recognizing leaders from hospitality, travel, and tourism organizations for their accomplishments. Michael Curran, CHDM Vice President of eCommerce Strategy at Aimbridge Hospitality is one of these honorees.
This month, I am honored to highlight the winners of the HSMAI Revenue Optimization and Marketing Awards that were given out in Toronto on June 27 & 28, as part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2023.
The HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board discussed key statistics and how hoteliers are marketing on the social media landscape today.
John White, CRME, CHDM, CHBA, Director of Sales & Marketing at Kaanapali Beach Hotel will receive the single/multi-unit Marketing Professional of the Year during HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference in Toronto on June 27.
Makarand Mody, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Boston University School, will receive the Marketing Educator of the Year during HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference in Toronto.
Jay Hubbs, CHDM, Vice President-Advertising, Marketing, Innovation and Analytics for BWH Hotels, will receive the corporate Marketing Professional of the Year during HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference in Toronto on June 27.
Steven Van Belleghem will be joining us in Toronto to present the keynote at the HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference. He will address the global trends and evolving customers that hotel marketers are grappling with today and leave you with recommendations for your marketing efforts. He recently shared his insights with HSMAI staff.
Hoteliers need to begin to find opportunities to begin to weave the fabric of their brand DNA into the Gen Z audience in order to create brand loyalists in the future. The HSMAI Rising Marketing Leader Council recently discussed how we are marketing to Gen Z.
Agility and strategic marketing approaches are crucial to navigate changing trends in booking patterns, flexcations, and loyalty platforms. Staying updated with the latest trends and consumer preferences is essential for hotel marketers to stay ahead in the competitive landscape.
The pandemic created more discerning consumers with higher expectations for their travel experience, from booking a place to stay to the taxi ride home. Ultimately, consumers weigh a variety of factors when making booking decisions. Today, flexibility and price are top of mind, but other considerations are also at play.
Marketing professionals continue to prove their importance in contributing to the bottom line as well as the top line. Marketing expertise was called up in 2022 to attract and retain talent.
How hotel marketers can overcome consumer permission challenges to drive volume and revenue across channels at a low cost while giving potential travelers and current guests the relevant experience they want.
While some are anxious about what AI means for the future of marketers, we all agreed that the human touch is needed to utilize AI effectively, whether that is in content creation or brainstorming. Insights from the HSMAI Rising Marketing Leader Council.
Dan Wacksman, CHDM, CRME, CHBA, Principal, Sassato, provides insight into what constitutes Paid Media and how hotels can best take advantage of these marketing channels: excerpted from HSMAI’s Hotel Digital Marketing Essentials + self-paced course.
Holly Zoba, Principal, Scout Simply, provides insight into how computer algorithms turn data into images, one of the basics behind computer science and digital marketing. Excerpted from HSMAI’s Hotel Digital Marketing Essentials + self-paced course.
Dan Wacksman, CHDM, CRME, CHBA, Principal, Sassato, provides insight into what constitutes Owned Media and how hotels can best take advantage of their assets: excerpted from HSMAI’s Hotel Digital Marketing Essentials + self-paced course.
With the cloud of recession and inflation looming on the horizon, consumers are becoming much more discerning about the choices they make. The HSMAI Rising Marketing Leader Council got together to discuss how to survive and thrive in this evolving landscape.
It seems like every day there’s a new headline about something that will disrupt hotel marketing. From the potential ban on TikTok and the latest ChatGPT platform to the debate over “junk fees,” hotel marketers need to stay on top of the issues.
Generative AI is rapidly becoming an asset in the hospitality industry. It can quickly help improve efficiency, identify customer trends and preferences, and create an even more personalized experience for guests.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 93% of them have trips planned in the next six months, the highest level in three years. Insights for HSMAI from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon.
It’s no secret that the cookie-less world is coming. And while it may still be a few years off, the impact it will have on hospitality marketing is already being felt. The HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board recently met to discuss the looming cookie-less world.
Holly Zoba, Principal, Scout Simply, provides insight into how schema is the key to describing a hotel for search engines: excerpted from HSMAI’s Hotel Digital Marketing Essentials + self-paced course.
The HSMAI Rising Marketing Leader Council recently met to discuss how loyalty programs evolve to meet the needs of today’s consumers.
The HSMAI Foundation is excited to announce the release of the 2nd Annual State of Talent report! This report dives into eight talent-related trends we have identified as key considerations for attracting new talent, developing emerging talent, and engaging existing talent.
As hoteliers work to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of technology, they are turning to new and innovative ways to engage with their consumers and guests. One such way is to use phygital interaction. The HSMAI Marketing Rising Leaders Council recently met to discuss all things phygital.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, only 12% of them said that coronavirus would greatly impact their decision to travel in the next six months, the lowest level since the pandemic first appeared three years ago. Insights for HSMAI from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon.
As we leave the COVID era and plan our future marketing efforts, are you still nurturing the relationship with your local community? Is your property a hidden gem or a local treasure?
In a year that started heavily impacted by the pandemic, destination travel marketing became more prevalent, especially highlighting the ecotourism trend of sustainable and responsible travel.
From blockchain to data analytics to virtual reality and NFTs, there are a plethora of new technologies that can impact the way hospitality businesses operate. But which technologies are going to play the most important role in the future?
HSMAI’s Marketing Advisory Board discussed what the layoffs could mean for the hospitality industry. While it may be too soon to say definitively, below are the top trends we’re noticing and planning for.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, the current strong demand for travel may be in peril because of concerns about jobs, inflation and the economy. About half of travelers report that concerns about their personal financial situation will impact their travel decisions in the next six months. Insights for HSMAI from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon
This session from the 2022 HSMAI Sales Leader Forum gave attendees a better understanding of the hospitality digital marketing concepts, tools, and techniques needed to hit sales goals.
I recently spoke with the HSMAI Board of Directors about what they expect 2023 will bring. These executives represent a diverse range of hotel and partner company types and sizes, so they are a good sample of the hospitality and travel landscape. Three big issues surfaced as a key focus of all companies.
The HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board met to discuss the trends and impacts in online reputation management, spurred by several recent studies, and how to best manage online reputations and ratings.
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, the amount they expect to spend on their holiday travel is declining. “Rising prices and interest rates have created financial uncertainty for many consumers,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International, who provides exclusive insights on the findings for HSMAI.
HSMAI Rising Leaders Council recently discussed how effective TikTok can be as a marketing platform. Here are some ideas to think about when launching or developing your TikTok channel.
Here are ten ideas HSMAI Rising Leader Council Members shared to operationalize green practices.
Holiday travel is returning more to patterns seen pre-pandemic. Get more insights on the findings for HSMAI from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon.
Curate kicked-off with a reception and tour of The Star, the unique 91-acre campus that is the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility. Marta Gola, VP, Tour & Event Sales of Legends, welcomed the group and gave an overview of how the Star operates.
The next day the group heard from Chad Estis, EVP of Business Operations Dallas Cowboys; Legends and Peter Strebel, Chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts.
Mike Moorman, ZS, presented and facilitate a working session: The Framework and Roadmap.
HSMAI’s Curate 2022 was a thought-provoking day. We’ve captured some key insights in this month’s Executive Insights newsletter, exclusive content for you, associates of HSMAI organizational members. We look forward to continuing the conversation of the industry’s evolution towards commercial excellence.
Daniel Levine, Executive Director, Avant Guide Institute, delivered a keynote address on Global Trends & Evolving Customers…and what they mean for hotel marketing, at the HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference, part of Commercial Strategy Week 2022.
Insights from John Jimenez, VP of eCommerce, Noble Investment Group, co-Chair HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board, during the HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference, part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2022.
Recent research likely signals a shift in travelers really needing to disconnect more when they get away for leisure purposes, despite the growing trend of “bleisure” travel! These folks felt always “on” or connected to the office during the pandemic and now are seeking more of a break when it’s “leisure time!” Hear more about the findings from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon, for HSMAI.
Ashley Sellhorst, Director of Sales, Sojern, and member of the HSMAI Rising Sales Leader Council, provided insights during her Lightning Round session at HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference 2022, part of Commercial Strategy Week.
Insights from a recent HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board thought-provoking discussion around measurement and how the travel marketing world defines performance and how we attribute performance to ad spend.
As we look in anticipation to the future of the industry, I want to take a moment to reflect on the 65-year history of the annual Adrian Awards that have honored excellence in hospitality advertising, digital marketing, and public relations.
Insights into what went into HSMAI Adrian Award 2021 winning entries, excerpted from the HSMAI SPECIAL REPORT 2021 Adrian Awards: Platinum and President’s Award Honorees.
Insights into HSMAI Adrian Award 2021 winning entries, excerpted from the HSMAI SPECIAL REPORT 2021 Adrian Awards: Platinum and President’s Award Honorees.
HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference Lightning Round presentation by Andrea Deleon, Senior Director, Digital, Omni Hotels & Resorts, part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2022.
Insights into what went into HSMAI Adrian Award 2021 winning entries, excerpted from the HSMAI SPECIAL REPORT 2021 Adrian Awards: Platinum and President’s Award Honorees.
Insights into what went into HSMAI Adrian Award 2021 winning entries, excerpted from the HSMAI SPECIAL REPORT 2021 Adrian Awards: Platinum and President’s Award Honorees.
Best Practices in Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising & Diversity Marketing
HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference Lightning Round presentation by Lori Kiel, Chief Commercial Officer for the Kessler Collection, part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2022.
The HSMAI Foundation recently convened four academic forums and polled deans, directors, and faculty in sales, marketing, and revenue, across 30 unique university hospitality programs. They had much to say about the state of hospitality programs and students following the devastating effects of the pandemic.
HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference Lightning Round presentation by Mercedes Blanco, VP Strategic Partnerships, The Hotels Network, part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2022.
To optimize our digital marketing spend, it is crucial to stay on top of the trends in digital marketing and regularly challenge our assumptions. The HSMAI Marketing Advisory Board did just that while discussing the thought-provoking video 5 Tenets to Enhancing your 2022 Go-To-Market Strategies.
HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference Lightning Round presentation by Stephanie Smith, CEO & Digital Matriarch, Cogwheel Marketing – part of HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week 2022.
Dr. Katerina Berezina, CHTP, CRME, CHIA, associate professor and a hospitality management program director in the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi, was awarded the 2022 Marketing Educator of the Year Award during the HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference.
Compensation, competition and the convergence of sales, marketing, and revenue optimization — these are some of the hot topics discussed during HSMAI’s recent Hotel Management Company Sales and Marketing Executive Virtual Roundtable.
Compensation, competition and the convergence of sales, marketing, and revenue optimization — these are some of the hot topics discussed during HSMAI’s recent Hotel Management Company Sales and Marketing Executive Virtual Roundtable.
Sean Dee, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Outrigger Hospitality Group, will receive the 2022 HSMAI Corporate Marketing Professional of the Year Award during the HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference, taking place June 28.
Jessie Burns, senior director of brand and public relations strategy for Terranea Resort, will receive the 2022 Single/Multi-Unit Marketing Professional of the Year Award during the HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference, taking place June 28.