November 4, 2021

HSMAI Foundation Tackles Hospitality Talent Crisis by Aggregating Best Practices

(McLean, VA) The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation is now accepting submissions for recognition in talent best practices. As the hospitality industry continues to face talent challenges around the globe, the HSMAI Foundation is seeking organizational best practices to see how companies are innovating and changing their approaches to traditional ways to recruit, hire and develop hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue professionals.
Categories for submissions for talent best practices for hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue teams in the following areas:

  • Attracting Talent – Examples of best practice areas include recruiting, sourcing qualified applicants, unique search avenues or demographics.
  • Hiring Talent – Best practice submission areas could include screening and interviewing practices, benefits package, negotiation, onboarding.
  • Developing Talent to Optimize Retention – Areas of emphasis to internship programs, career pathing, training initiatives, teamwork efforts, motivation, incentives, and recognition.

“The hospitality industry has witnessed a seismic shift over the past two years, yet we are a resilient industry that has a track record of bouncing back stronger from downturns because we have the most spirited leaders spearheading the recovery effort,” said Agnelo Fernandes, chief strategy officer and executive vice president at Terranea Resort and current chair of the HSMAI Foundation. “Staying true to the mission of the HSMAI Foundation, we are looking to aggregate the best ways we as an industry can attract, hire and continue to develop commercial talent.”

“It is inspiring to see the innovative and creative approach many of our hospitality colleagues are taking to identify solutions to the talent crises our industry is facing in many parts of the world,” said Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and incoming chair of the HSMAI Foundation. “Revenue-generating positions in sales, marketing, and revenue management are vital as the industry continues to recover from the global pandemic, so it is essential that we retain this valuable talent and keep hotels fully staffed to support positive momentum in the months ahead as we enter a new era of travel and life. Our goal is to help organizations find solutions to their unique talent challenges through this compilation of global best practices.”

Best Practices can be submitted online by hotels, hotel companies, recruiters, consultants, or anyone who hires or develops hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue talent.  HSMAI Regions in the Americas, AsiaPacific, Europe, and the Middle East will all assist in collecting best practices that will be included in the final special report.
Submissions will be accepted through Dec. 20, 2021.

About The HSMAI Foundation
The HSMAI Foundation is a 501 C3 organization established in 1983 to serve as the research and educational arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. The Foundation’s mission is to elevate the overall caliber and performance of sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals in the global hospitality industry by driving initiatives that will attract new talent, develop emerging talent, and engage existing talent.

For media inquiries:
Kaitlin Dunn
kaitlin.dunn@hsmai.org