Certified in Hospitality Business Acumen (CHBA)

Now more than ever it is essential that you know what contributes to the bottom line of your business, not only from your perspective, but from all departments. You have to demonstrate business acumen. 

How? In partnership with Russell Partnership Technology, HSMAI offers the CHBA — an online training and professional certification course in business acumen that is relevant, respected, and recognized by professionals in more than 40 countries.   

This five-week course with an instructor encompasses eLearning, simulation, and web conferencing and is completed entirely online, much of it at your own pace. The program places participants in the seat of a general manager to make decisions on pricing, marketing and advertising, staffing, and capital investment in a live simulated competitive set over a 12-month business cycle.  The five-week course requires a minimum of 7 people enrolled together, and participants compete against each other for the most profitable hotel.

Individual Option: The Individual CHBA allows an applicant to proceed through the course at their own pace without an instructor, while still benefitting from the experience of using the hotel simulation.  At the end of the course, the applicant will take the online CHBA exam to earn the certification. 

Elevate your teams performance with our globally recognized certification for hospitality professionals who are seeking to sharpen their hospitality business acumen.  

The course enables participants to demonstrate their hospitality business acumen proficiency, upgrade their skills, and drives an elevated understanding of the hospitality industry and how it operates. It demonstrates to your employer and your professional community that you’re committed to advancing your knowledge, skillset, and expertise.

The CHBA certification is based on the online study provided with the course. Topic areas include:  

  • Targeting Business Priorities — Using financial statements to determine action 
  • Managing Business Priorities — Using lodging metrics that matter 
  • Leading Business Priorities — Communicating for results 
  • Partnering in Owner Priorities — Partnering in ownership goals

To be eligible for the CHBA program, candidates must:  

  • Have professional experience within the hospitality industry or currently be enrolled in a hospitality college or university program.  
  • Register and pay the certification program fee.  
  • Have a minimum of 7 participants from your organization to participate in the program for the instructor-led option.

Note: This course is ideal for — but not limited to — sales, marketingrevenue optimization, and operations professionals.  

The registration fee includes application processing, online study materials, five-week course, and the exam.  

Instructor-Led 5-week Class: Member/Non-member

Registration Fee: $625
Recertification Fee: Not Applicable

Note: We must have a minimum of groups of 7 or more participating. Programs are available for year-round scheduling. 

Individual CHBA

Member Registration Fee:  $450
Non-Member Registration Fee:  $450
Recertification Fee: Not Applicable 

NEW! Scholarship Fee Grant Funding From The Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundation

Instructor-led, five-week course: Contact Kathleen Tindell at ktindell@hsmai.org or 703-506-2010 to receive registration details.

Individual course: Register Here

The five-week online course requires participants to commit to a minimum of four hours per week during which they will complete online study, work within the hotel simulation, and participate in a weekly web conference. The online study and simulation work can be completed at times of the participant’s choosing but must be completed by each weekly deadline. The course instructor provides guidance throughout the course and has more than 25 years of hospitality experience. Participants take the online exam at the conclusion of the five weeks.  

The Individual CHBA option allows participants to proceed at their own pace and take the online exam when they are ready.

CHBAs are not required to renew their certification, and no maintenance of certification is required. 

Questions? 
Contact Kathleen Tindell | ktindell@hsmai.org | 703-506-2010