Sales Leader Forum

Bart Berkey, the renowned TEDx motivational storyteller who has taken the speaking industry by storm. Bart’s unique trademarked “Most People Don’t” approach is transforming the way people view their potential and empowering them to take action. With his keen observational skills and unwavering focus on others, Bart draws from his extensive experience in the service industry, including his tenure as a global executive at the Ritz-Carlton.

Bart’s inspirational message has captivated audiences worldwide, earning him a spot as a bestselling author on Amazon, with his book ranking in the top 1% of sales. Additionally, his podcast has been recognized as one of the top 15% most shared podcasts in the world.

As a KEYNOTE speaker, Bart brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the table, inspiring companies to push the boundaries and challenge the status quo. With his proven track record of motivating people to achieve their goals, Bart is the perfect addition to any conference. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the most dynamic and captivating speakers in the industry.

Mercedes Blanco is a Corporate Leader Executive with over 15 years of experience in Travel & Hospitality, she is passionate about creating value through digital-tech solutions, as well as fighting for women empowerment. Prior to The Hotels Network, as Chief Partnerships Officer, she worked at BCV a Rategain Company, Microsoft and AC Hotels by Marriott among others.

She has two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees under her belt, including Tourism Management from IE Business School and a PDP in Digital Marketing from Harvard University.

Mercedes has been a dedicated member of the travel industry at-large. She is active member of the Sales Americas Advisory Board at HSMAI, and founding member of Women in Travel THRIVE. She was recognized as Top 50 Women in Travel by WINiT by GBTA and one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds by HSMAI.

Neil Corr, an established sales and RM professional with extensive experience gained in the hospitality and mobility industries, Track record in creating new teams, project and change management at enterprise level with Ramada, De Vere, Premier Inn (Whitbread). 5+ years as a strategic management consultant heading IDeaS Advisory Services in EMEA, followed by sales lead specialist positions for IDeaS new verticals and emerging innovations globally

Greg DeShields is the Executive Director of Tourism Diversity Matters and he is a Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically designed to raise destinations image for diverse, multicultural travel. DeShields is also an Experienced Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), with demonstrated cultural competence. Prepared to strategically position an organization to remove systemic barriers to inclusion, lead culture change, and transform the brand.

With 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, Kimberly Furlong serves as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Atrium Hospitality, which is one of the nation’s largest hotel operators. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Atrium Hospitality manages a portfolio of more than 80 hotels in 28 states, representing well-known brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham, among others. The award-winning company operates 20,000+ guest rooms/suites and approximately 3 million square feet of event space. Atrium’s commercial division is an innovative leader in sales, marketing, digital, analytics, distribution and revenue management.

Kimberly appreciates the relevance of quality data in making strategic business decisions. She drives the value proposition of Atrium’s commercial division as she leads the company’s multimillion-dollar investments in data science and forward-looking technology. Operating in a highly competitive culture that supports the freedom to take risks, the high-performance team of Atrium’s commercial division successfully blends a data-driven mindset with creativity to consistently deliver superior results tied to clear goals.

Kimberly joined Atrium Hospitality in 2015 as one of the founding members of the executive leadership team, which grew the company from zero assets to managing 80+ hotels nationwide. Prior to being CCO at Atrium, Kimberly was Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategies at the company. As a nimble leader, Kimberly strategically directed Atrium during the unprecedented pandemic to not only survive but thrive. Rather than rebuilding local teams in markets where the recovery was in different stages, Kimberly advocated to build an above-property enterprise sales organization (ESO), where remote-based highly skilled sellers could support multiple hotels and brands. On a moment’s notice, Atrium’s Enterprise Sales Managers could be easily redeployed to markets with demand. Kimberly was also instrumental in launching and growing Atrium’s digital team to support the company’s large hotel portfolio.

Before Atrium, Kimberly was Vice President of Revenue Management for TPG Hotels & Resorts. Her three-decade hotel career journey also includes executive revenue management and sales and marketing positions with Hersha Hospitality and Lodgian, Inc.

Kimberly is the Executive Sponsor for Atrium’s SPIRIT Council, which is responsible for creating and nurturing a culture of recognition and appreciation to support the hospitality career journeys of the company’s 7,500 Associates. She is a member of the Marriott Distribution Strategy Advisory Committee and Hilton’s Distribution Advisory Council. She previously served on IHG Owners Association Global Committees, among other hospitality industry forums and advanced user groups. In addition, Kimberly is a guest speaker and mentor for students at The Ohio State University.

As President and CEO of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, has been guiding HSMAI through a dynamic and exciting period of change as the 7,000+ member organization has been re-established globally to grow the revenue for hotels through sales, marketing, and revenue optimization. During Gilbert’s tenure, HSMAI has achieved tremendous success with a number of initiatives ranging from the development of expert communities in the areas of Digital Marketing, Resort Marketing, and Revenue Management, the development of HSMAI University’s webinars and certification programs and the global expansion of HSMAI thru the formation of HSMAI Global and regional development in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Most recent, the business model of the association was shifted with the introduction of an organizational membership which are now available in addition to individual memberships.

Gilbert holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and has been a member of HSMAI since joining the student chapter at Cornell. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Cornell. Gilbert is a past chair of the Events Industry Council (formerly CIC), and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Travel and Tourism Coalition of the U.S. Travel Association. He also serves on a number of advisory boards of hospitality and hotel management schools.

Jennifer Hill’s specialty is revenue management, using a successful profit-based model of collaboration with all commercial disciplines to achieve optimal performance. In her role as Vice President of Commercial Strategy at Kalibri Labs, she relies on this experience to help clients identify and solve strategic business priorities. Jennifer partners with clients to tailor plans for adoption and the effective utilization of Kalibri Labs products to optimize revenue and profit generation capabilities.

Prior to joining Kalibri Labs, Jennifer worked with several third party management companies, and has nearly two decades of experience in operations and revenue strategy at branded and independent hotels in major markets. She is a member of HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Advisory Board, and served as the co-chair for HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) from 2020-2022. Jennifer has served on the HSMAI Washington DC Chapter Advisory Board since 2015. In 2017, HSMAI recognized Jennifer as one of the Top 25 Minds in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization, and awarded her the Revenue Management Professional of the Year award in 2014.

Jennifer holds a BA in American History from Mercer University, and enjoys exploring new places. When traveling, her favorite thing to do is find local street art.

Eric Kreins is Assistant Managing Director, Sales for Hilton Worldwide Sales, and chair of HSMAI’s Sales Advisory Board.

Gissell Moronta is the Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Atrium Hospitality where she leads the sales organization’s strategic and tactical initiatives and help the sales team focus on optimizing financial results.

Gissell kicked off her hospitality career in sales as a Business transient manager in the Dominican Republic after graduating college. After moving to the US, her career progressed in hotels through catering and group sales, as Director Sales & Marketing, and customer contact centers.

She has served in area and regional roles leading teams to Gold and Platinum award winning performance over two decades and created the first centralized inbound RFP team for Starwood Hotels, which she took from a pilot into a multimillion-dollar inbound operation. She held positions of Area, Regional and VP of Sales, Sales & Marketing for TPG and Colwen Hotels where she led the sales function for the company.

Gissell is an active member in the industry, serving on the Sales Advisory Board at HSMAI. In 2020, she was named HSMAI’s Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing and Revenue Optimization. Gissell also serves in the Diversity and Inclusion Collective resource group at Atrium Hospitality and is the recipient of the Inclusion Champion award in 2022.

Gissell holds a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Business Administration from Dominican Republic (PUCMM), meeting management certification (CMP), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) certification from Northwestern University, and a master’s degree in liberal arts from Harvard University.

Ben Premack started his hospitality journey at crater of the Kileaua Volcano in Hawaii as a Recreation Intern while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management from Indiana University. Ben has grown his career through both operational roles in hotels in his early years to landing firmly in Commercial Strategy space for the last 17 years. Holding sales leadership roles with Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Philadelphia, Dallas, Maui and Denver, Ben most recently moved into his Commercial Director position with Hilton Hotels at the Grand Wailea on Maui in June 2021 overseeing Sales, Events, Membership and the resorts Residences Ownership program.

Mike Schmitt is the founder of Clairvoyix, a profitable hospitality focused sales and marketing automation company based in Las Vegas. As the CEO of Clairvoyix Mike is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction, assisting with sales and marketing, developing strategic partnerships, and collaborating with the technical team on the product and services roadmap. Ultimately Mike’s most important task at Clairvoyix is the hiring of the best people in the hospitality business.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science, Computer Science degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

John Washko is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Mohegan Sun, located in Mystic Country, CT.   In this role, he is responsible for leading the Expo & Convention sales and marketing team, setting the overall strategic direction and goals while achieving revenue targets for Mohegan Sun.

Washko is a veteran in luxury hospitality sales and marketing with over 25 years of experience. Most recently, Washko was the Vice President of Group Marketing and Sales for Atlantis, Paradise Island. Prior to that role, Washko was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Elite Meetings International, a hospitality marketing and technology company.   Prior to that role, Washko was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the historic The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Washko currently sits on HSMAI’s Americas Board Executive Committee as Chair as well as the board of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau. Past roles include chairing HSMAI’s Resort Marketing Advisory Board. Additionally, for the Colorado Springs CVB, he chaired both the Board as well as the Marketing Committee. In 2010, Washko received The Resort Marketer of Year award from HSMAI; and in 2015, HSMAI recognized him as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing. Washko received his BS from James Madison University.