An impressive list of industry professionals from top companies and independent hotels and resorts…
An impressive list of industry professionals from top companies and independent hotels and resorts in 12 countries have registered to attend the first-ever Caribbean Hotel Sales and Marketing Strategy Conference when it convenes in Miami, Dec. 1-2, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency.
Among those attending will be CEOs, COOs, senior vice presidents, directors and general managers who will find a timely and comprehensive agenda of the hottest topics, issues and trends for sales and marketing professionals. Companies and properties attending include: Starwood Resorts Caribbean, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, The Ritz-Carlton, USVI Hotel & Tourism Association, Rosewood Caribbean Resorts, Island Outpost, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Coral by Hilton, and many others.
Presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the conference will feature seasoned executives and experts who will speak on a range of pertinent topics, such as e-commerce marketing, search engine optimization and distribution, affiliate marketing, revenue management, and sales strategy development.
Given the pertinent content of the sessions and workshops, the conference is valuable to any sales and marketing professional, be it in or out of the Caribbean region.
“As stakeholders in the hotel and tourism industry, we know what it takes to compete in today’s environment. This inaugural event is the vehicle to stay on top of the latest global trends and industry intelligence, and to tap the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of our sales and marketing strategies,” said Alec Sanguinetti, director general and CEO of CHA.
“The content we’ve developed is important and invaluable information for all sales and marketing professionals from any region worldwide who want to be competitive and proactive in their efforts,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.
The conference line-up is as follows:
Conference Opening/Welcome from Alec Sanguinetti, director general and CEO of CHA, and Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president & CEO, HSMAI
Opening keynote on Demystifying Distribution from Cindy Estis Green, managing partner, The Estis Group, and author of “Demystifying Distribution”
Opening session panel on Marketing Through the Web: Demystifying Distribution, moderated by Cindy Estis Green. Panelists: Sue Heilbronner, executive vice president of marketing, TIG Global; Drew Patterson, director of business development, Kayak Software Corporation; Pablo Alcala, account manager, Amadeus Hospitality; and Laura Veglia, regional director, Expedia, Inc. and Hotels.com
Breakout Sessions:
Session 1: Integrated Marketing Communications: Improving Customer Acquisition and Retention. Moderated by John Fareed, CHME, partner, Fareed and Zapala Marketing Partners, with Gary Leopold, CHME, president, ISM Strategic Marketing; Sal Dickinson, CHME, chief executive, Dickinson & Associates; and Shirley Decker, senior vice president, i.d.e.a.s.
Session 2: Internet Marketing: Developing and Managing Your Web Site. Moderated by Loren Gray, director of e-Commerce, Ocean Properties, Ltd. Panelists: Jon Schepke, senior vice president, customer development, iCrossing, and John Dunn, vice president of international marketing, Atlific Hotels & Resorts
Session 3: Reservations Sales: How to Make Sure Your On-Site (or 3rd Party) Reservations Agents Provide the Customized Sales Experience That Today’s Callers Demand. Presented by Doug Kennedy, president, The Douglas Kennedy Company
Session 4: Revenue Management Strategies for the Caribbean. Moderated by Douglas Kennedy, president, The Douglas Kennedy Company. Panelists: Brian Young, vice president, operations, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts; Angel M. Vazquez, director of revenue management and e-Commerce, Tecton Hospitality; Abelardo (Piro) Hernandez, regional director, Americas South Region; Preferred Hotel Group; Jesse Ostrum, vice president of sales & marketing, SuperClubs
Session 5: Effective Public Relations Strategies: With or Without an Agency, with Karen Weiner-Escalera, president, KWE Public Relations, and Richard S. Kahn, president, Kahn Travel Communications
Session 6: Internet Marketing: Web Optimization and Understanding Search. Moderated by Loren Gray, director of e-Commerce, Ocean Properties, Ltd.
Lunch and keynote address on Today’s Caribbean Wholesaler – Evolving Models to Drive Business moderated by Emanuel Schreibmaier, senior vice-president sales, The Americas, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts; and panelists Michael LaPointe, vice president, product development, Apple Vacations; Bob Lawrence, regional vice president, Caribbean marketing, Liberty GoGo; and Laura Veglia, regional director, Expedia, Inc. and Hotels.com
Closing General Session keynote address: Envisioning the Customer of the Future presented by Dr. Lalia Rach, associate dean, Preston Robert Tisch Center Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management, New York University and HVS International Chair
Wrap up: Adding Profits to Your Bottom Line Through Existing Caribbean Marketing Channels from Tim Grace, director of marketing, CHA, and Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO, HSMAI
There will be a Special Pre-conference Workshop on Strategic Business Planning for Hotels & Resorts, presented by John Fareed, partner, Fareed and Zapala Marketing Partners. This special workshop, offered to all conference delegates, will take place on Thursday, Dec. 1 and will encompass all aspects that need to go into a Business Plan for hotels and resorts of all sizes.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
