Travel and hospitality industry leaders and sales and marketing experts in both the business and leisure travel sectors will discuss and explore…
Travel and hospitality industry leaders and sales and marketing experts in both the business and leisure travel sectors will discuss and explore various topics relating to the subject of return on investment (ROI) in today`s fast changing landscape for both sales and marketing strategies as the focus for the Fifth Annual HSMAI/NYU Industry Strategy Conference. The event will be held in New York on Sept. 15, 2005 at the Westin Times Square Hotel from 11:30 am-4:30 pm.
Over the course of the day, we will explore what is happening in hotels, hotel companies, and destinations and provide insights into measurement and accountability that our industry is grappling with. No one has the exact solution for the myriad of ROI questions in sales and marketing, but opening a candid and frank dialogue about these challenges is long overdue for our industry, said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.
The format will include a series of one-on-one interviews, rather than speeches, as well as targeted panels and audience interaction to provide an in-depth viewpoint and insight into some of the trends that will impact all of us in the coming year, added Dr. Lalia Rach, Associate Dean, New York University Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management.
This strategy conference will provide industry executives and sales and marketing directors with tools and information useful in planning 2006 budgets, said Gilbert, adding: Anyone concerned with business in 2006, and looking for the knowledge and tools to get ahead, should take a serious look at attending this forward-thinking conference that will delve into the issues weighing most on our minds.
The one-day event will focus on the questions of how to measure ROI, starting and/or improving your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) activities and thinking of CRM as a philosophy to move your business of the online channel forward, what is the most effective advertising, how traditional advertising has changed with the advent of the online channel and how rapidly the world has adopted the online channel as a source of information and purchases.
The program will begin with a State of the Industry Update by several key research organizations which will set the stage for further discussion throughout the day.
Session 2 will focus on CRM with a view of how some smart companies are succeeding to give front line employees both the tools and the empowerment to take care of and generate repeat customers.
Session 3 will be devoted to the subject of Maximizing Advertising Dollars On Line versus Off Line. Experts from various media and industry segments will examine how E-commerce is progressing and what to expect in the near future.
Session 4 will look at the Evolving Role of Sales and ask the question Is Direct Sales Dead? Panelists will look at how to differentiate products and develop relationships that result in sales.
Session 5 will be a keynote address from an industry expert who will summarize the key points from the previous sessions and articulate a strategy that will benefit most companies looking to improve ROI with sales and marketing tools.
Sponsors for the event include American Express, TIG Global and Newmarket International. Information on sponsorships is available from HSMAI Director of Development Melanie Penoyar at (703) 610-9024 or mpenoyar@hsmai.org.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
