Ninth Annual Resort Conference (4 part series)

It's no secret that the resort community has been hit particularly hard during the current economic downturn and in the aftermath of the incentive travel backlash. Many of HSMAI's members and operations professionals in this segment are finding it increasingly difficult to leave their properties to attend educational seminars or meetings.

Because of this, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management at the University of Denver have decided to adopt a virtual format for the Ninth Annual Resort Conference this year. The 2009 Annual Resort Conference was scheduled to take place May 3-5 at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

The virtual conference webinar series will be offered free to the first 100 qualified hotel sales & marketing professionals registered for each session thanks to the generous support of a coalition of industry partners, including American Express, Fareed Zapala Koepke, Cendyn, ClickSquared, Dana Communications, E-proDirect, ICE Portal, Incite Response and PAR Springer-Miller Systems. Additional registrants can attend the webinars for a nominal charge.

“At the request of resort executives who wanted to attend the meeting but could not allocate the time this year, HSMAI and the University of Denver have committed to making the content available to a much wider audience through the virtual format,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Excellent content has already been developed for this year's Resort Conference and is designed especially for executives dealing with the current economic environment.”

Special thanks to conference sponsors and, in particular, to the PGA National Resort, which will be the host property for the 10th annual conference in the spring of 2010.

The Voice of the Customers. Do you know what your customers are really thinking? (May 4, 2009)
Listen to their voices and take part in this spirited discussion with your current and potential clients representing the group, incentive, and leisure markets.

The Case for Innovating Now (May 6, 2009)
This session will provide the information, insight, and inspiration you need to Innovate Now and emerge faster, stronger and better than your competitor.

Emerging Lifestyles and Travel Trends: Implications for Resort Marketing (May 11, 2009)
Hear highlights from our 2009 National Leisure Travel Monitor, a national survey of the travel habits, preferences and intentions of Americans that is now in its 17th year.

Managing Group Sales Contracts in a World Gone Mad (May 13, 2009)
Kinsley and Rudner share strategies attendees can use to protect their hotels as they revisit existing agreements and discuss options to field cancellations and requests to renegotiate existing contracts.