HSMAI University Announces One-Of-A-Kind Computer Simulation

Presented by Peter Starks the Courses to Take Place in May and September 2007

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. October 14, 2008

MARCH 20, 2007. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) University is offering a rare opportunity to participate in two 'one-of-a-kind' computer simulation experiences as part of its programming this year.

The topics are Business Acumen for Business Results and Revenue Management for Business Results. The Business Acumen simulation course has been offered as a core management course to major hotel chains and as an upper level course at over 80 hotels schools such as Cornell, UNLV, UMass and Penn State. The unique seminar is designed around the renowned hotel management simulation HOTS (Hotel Operation Tactics and Strategy). HSMAI University is the only professional association to present the courses to the public.

Presented by HSMAI, Lynne University in Boca Raton, FL, and Peter Starks, managing director of Training Technology International, which conducts more than 25 computer-based management development programs per year around the globe, the sessions are targeted to hospitality executives in sales and marketing, revenue management, and any executive with revenue responsibility. Sessions will take place onsite at Lynne University.

Widely recognized as the worldwide standard for management development in the hospitality and leisure time industries, the courses are designed around dynamic, state-of-the-art, hands-on techniques. Course lessons are immediately applied to a computer-based virtual hotel, in real time, and in a head-to-head competitive environment. Participants in the Business Acumen for Business Results program will take over the management of a failing property and devise and implement a business plan that returns the hotel to full market contention. Participants in the Revenue Management for Business Results program will be in a hands-on workshop in which teams manage the revenue management decisions of a real-to-life computer simulated hotel, researching, deciding and implementing targeted revenue management strategies and tactics.

The two topics and seminar dates are as follows:

Business Acumen for Business Results

o May 16, 17 & 18, 2007

o September 19, 20 & 21, 2007

The Business Acumen sessions will aid in strengthening management skills in:

o Targeting and implementing priorities that drive business results;

o Using financial statements for critical decision making;

o Driving revenue by aligning the hotel to the market positioning statement;

o Implementing strong revenue management fundamentals;

o Creating timely and cost-effective sales programs;

o Analyzing the market and financial feasibility of revenue-producing investments;

o Using a 'total hotel-cross functional' lens to more effectively implement business decisions.

The cost to participate, if booked two weeks in advance is $995 for HSMAI members and $1,155 for non-members, which includes a one-year HSMAI membership. If registered less than two weeks in advance the cost is $1,095 for members and $1,255 for non-members, including a one-year HSMAI membership. For additional registrant(s) from the same company or property, the cost is $795 member and $955 non-member, with a one-year HSMAI membership.

Revenue Management For Business Results

o May 19 & 20, 2007

o September 22 & 23, 2007

The Revenue Management program focuses on:

o 20/20 vision of market conditions and opportunities;

o Targeting useful data and information;

o Reaching sound conclusions;

o Delivering concise recommendations to leaders and colleagues.

This is a roll-up-your-sleeves, hands-on workshop where teams compare results, and leverage and share the professional experience of all of the workshop participants. The centerpiece of the workshop is REV(R), the new standard in simulation training for hotel operations and hotel investment professionals.

The cost to participate, if booked two weeks in advance is $625 for HSMAI members and $785 for non-members, which includes a one-year HSMAI membership. If registered less than two weeks in advance the cost is $725 for members and $885 for non-members, including a one-year HSMAI membership. For additional registrant(s) from the same company or property, the cost is $795 member and $525 non-member $685, with a one-year HSMAI membership.

When HSMAI University presented the Business Acumen for Business Results seminar last year, participants praised it as 'an outstanding course and I wouldn't change a thing,' 'this program helped me to present ideas through a more focused approach,' and 'it's like a year of hotel school packed into a three-day course!'

Mark Thompson, assistant executive director, Irving, TX CVB, stated: 'This program was extremely helpful for me in more fully understanding and appreciating the many factors that affect the hotel business, from daily business decisions to long-term property re-investment strategies. I definitely believe others in my niche of the industry will gain the same appreciation from this course.'

Participants affirmed that the training would substantially help them refocus, grow, make money, re-evaluate sales and marketing budgets and advertising, improve the general financial understanding and discipline of department managers and directors, and expand actions outside of the current scope of activities.

Launched in 1996, HSMAI University is the organization's most comprehensive and ambitious initiative in the realm of education for sales and marketers of hospitality and travel to date, entailing a wide-ranging schedule of course offerings and learning experiences in public venue, private label and online formats.

Programs for 2007 are aligned with HSMAI's Special Interest Groups to offer specialized content to support business needs in revenue management, Internet marketing, hotel directors of sales and marketing, and resort marketing. Every aspect of the content and support material included in the HSMAI University program has been specifically designed and developed for those involved in sales and marketing, including an inventory of subject matter appropriate to individuals with responsibilities ranging from entry-level to advanced.

HSMAI University offers workshops and seminars in various cities, and 'webinars' incorporating 60-minute presentations conducted 'live' via the Web with audio conference linkage.