HSMAI Names Jack Schmidt New Chair for 2006-2008 Term

Hospitality sales and marketing executive Jack Schmidt, chief marketing officer of Benchmark Hospitality, has been elected Chairman of the Americas Board for the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

In this leadership role, Schmidt will guide the organization's Executive Committee and Board of Directors for a two-year term, January 2006 - 2008.

'Through Jack's long-standing career in the hospitality sales and marketing industry, he has seen first-hand the quickness in which the industry evolves. His constant ability to stay focused on the future and ahead of the trends will have a tremendous impact on HSMAI's direction and mission to grow into one of the industry's most powerful brands,' said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.

In his role as HSMAI chair, Schmidt will work to further HSMAI's awareness and credibility, as well as challenge the board and chapter leadership to create innovative and successful products and programs for its broad membership base of sales and marketing professionals.

'It is our responsibility as an organization to provide an information rich environment where professionals can access industry trends and issues that impact sales and marketing of the hospitality industry on a daily basis,' said Jack Schmidt, chief marketing officer, Benchmark Hospitality, and incoming chair, HSMAI's Americas Region.

'As the incoming chair for the Americas region of HSMAI, I look forward to building upon the successes achieved by some very talented predecessors and the very creative and committed team that continues to run our organization,' he added.

Schmidt's career with Benchmark Hospitality began at the Lansdowne Resort and Conference Center in Northern Virginia. After taking a position and spending six years as a partner in a hospitality industry service company, Schmidt rejoined Benchmark Hospitality in 1999 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing working his way to his current role of Chief Marketing Officer.

Through his 26-year career in the hospitality sales and marketing industry, Schmidt has held sales and leadership roles for several companies throughout the country and Puerto Rico including: Del Webb Hotels in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Trump's Boardwalk Hotel and Casino, The El San Juan Hotel and Casino, Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center, and Peachtree Executive Conference Center.

Schmidt studied Hospitality Management at Widener University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also taught Hospitality Marketing and Sales at Mercer County College and co-authored the original sales training materials for the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), for whom he also served on the Board of Directors for three terms.

Schmidt takes over the top spot from Maureen O'Hanlon, senior partner, The Prism Partnership, who will remain on the Executive Committee as immediate past chair.

Serving on the HSMAI Executive Committee are:

• Chair: Jack Schmidt, chief marketing officer, Benchmark Hospitality

• Chair-elect: Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing, Best Western International

• Vice Chair: David Atkins, vice president and general manager, Interval International

• Treasurer: Kim Schaller, vice president, chief marketing officer, Hershey Entertainment

• Immediate Past Chair: Maureen O'Hanlon, senior partner, The Prism Partnership

Additionally, the 2006 board of directors includes:

• Rob Torres, vice president, strategic accounts, Expedia, Inc.

• Frank Fredericks, vice president of sales & marketing, Wild Dunes Resort

• Richard Harper, vice president of sales & marketing, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

• Jens Thraenhart, executive director of marketing strategy & customer relationship management, Canadian Tourism Commission

• Mark Thompson, assistant executive director, Irving CVB

• Dawn Walzak, CHME, first vice president, Tishman Hotel Corporation

• Hoyt Bacon, CHME, senior vice president revenue & distribution, Meristar Hospitality

• Barbara Bowden, corporate director of revenue management, Peabody Hotel Group

• Mike Fegley, vice president global sales the Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group

• Andrew Jordan, Boost Brand Consulting, L.L.P

• Douglas Price, senior vice president, professional development, Destination Marketing Association International

• Michael Pusateri, Chief Operating Officer, Travel Industry Association of America

• Steve Armitage, Senior Vice President, Sales, Hilton Hotels Corporation

• Carrie Turner, Managing Director, Memphis Chapter of HSMAI

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at 15 annual events. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising of nearly 7,000 members worldwide, with 38 chapters in the Americas region.

For more information on HSMAI contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, phone: (703) 610-9024; fax: (703) 610-9005; or visit www.hsmai.org.





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