OAS Will Host Meeting At Caribbean Conference in December

Second Annual Sales and Marketing Conference Will Be Held Dec. 7-8, 2006 in Miami

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. October 14, 2008

SEPEMBER 21, 2006. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) have announced that the Organization of American States (OAS) will lead a special meeting of Caribbean tourism directors during the 2nd annual Caribbean Sales and Marketing Strategy Conference in Miami.

As part of the day-and-a-half strategy meeting at the Hyatt Regency Miami, to be held Dec. 7-8, 2006, the delegation of tourism directors will take part in an additional half-day OAS-hosted session, at which time the OAS will also present the research findings of a study on the status and potential for the use of information technology in tourism marketing, destination management and product development in the Caribbean and Latin America.

In keeping with its commitment to the region, the OAS will sponsor the participation of a designated official representative of each of the 30 destinations in the organization's footprint (Caribbean, Central and South America). This initiative responds to the stated commitment of the organization to improve tourism performance in the OAS member states.

'This commitment is far-reaching because it gives 30 destination marketing leaders the opportunity to learn and experience a wide array of the latest trends and best practices in sales and marketing today, and ultimately, the opportunity to impact tourism in a positive way in their entire destination,' states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president & CEO of HSMAI.

The Caribbean Sales and Marketing Strategy Conference provides sales and marketing professionals in the Caribbean with information on the latest trends and resources in sales and marketing competencies that are necessary for success in growing their business.

'The hospitality industry worldwide is in a constant state of flux, with shifting influences that impact the Caribbean significantly. Through this gathering of experts in hospitality sales and marketing, we intend to enable our industry to respond nimbly and effectively,' says Alec Sanguinetti, CHA director general and CEO, who will open the conference along with HSMAI's Gilbert.

The dynamic agenda will delve into a wide range of sales and marketing topics and tools, while addressing the differences and nuances for both hoteliers and tourism officials doing business in the Caribbean region. The spectrum of topics will range from Internet marketing (eCommerce, web site design and search engine optimization) to revenue management, affiliate marketing, evolving wholesale models, developing sales strategies and strategic business planning.

'The value of the rich information and ideas that will be packed into this two-day forum is priceless for any sales and marketing professional in hospitality and travel,' adds Gilbert.

On the agenda will be keynote addresses from industry experts including: Chip Conley, founder & CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, speaking on 'The Rebel Rules,' and Vincent Vanderpool Wallace, secretary general, Caribbean Tourism Organization, discussing 'The Most Well-Known Destination Brand in the World.'

Also, industry guru Peter Yesawich, president & CEO of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown, & Russell, will interview leaders of public/private destination marketing organizations and address issues that are vital in partnerships between industry and government to promote travel and tourism.

The educational breakout sessions will feature four hot topics: Destination Marketing & Branding; Internet Marketing & eCommerce; Communications Management; and Managing Your Mix of Business. The content of each of the sessions has been carefully developed to appeal to a broad range of sales and marketing professionals in the region, with four specific intents: Primer (focusing on fundamentals of the topic); Technical (for those who have experience in the core competencies and wish to further explore and debate the topic); Destination (addressing the challenges of destinations and governments); and Hotel (for individuals engaged in the hotel industry).

Among the many industry professionals involved in these sessions will be: Rob Hatcher, area director of revenue management, Ritz Carlton; Cindy Estis Green, managing partner, The Estis Group; Maureen O'Hanlon, partner, the Prism Partnership; Barry Benjamin, vice president, Peace & Plenty Management; Nina Zapala, Partner, Fareed & Zapala Marketing Partners, as well as many others.

A special pre-conference workshop on 'Strategic Planning for Hotels & Resorts' by John Fareed, Partner, Fareed & Zapala Marketing Partners, will be repeated again this year on Dec. 7. Also on the agenda will be a breakfast roundtable discussion, lunches and a networking reception.

Conference partners include Incite Response, The Meridian Group, Resort Images and Resort Technology Partners, LLC (RTP). Partnership opportunities are available. For information, contact Melanie Penoyar, HSMAI's director of development at 703-245-8037 or [email protected].