HSMAI Honors Greater New York as Chapter of the Year

Monday, March 25, 2019

The HSMAI Greater New York Chapter was named Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International 2017-2018 Chapter of the Year at HSMAI’s annual Mike Leven Leadership Conference at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The Chapter of the Year winner and the “Chapter Best of the Best” award recipients were honored at the conference.

“Our chapters continue to develop innovative programs and events that help members improve revenue performance for their hotels and their partners,” said Fran Brasseux, HSMAI executive vice president. “We are proud to honor these talented chapters for their outstanding work.”

At the Leadership Conference, HSMAI recognized chapters in the Americas Region for Leadership, Communications, Education, Membership, Partnership, and Special Events.

This year’s Frank W. Berkman Best of the Best winners are:

Leadership Award Winners

• Brian Hall, Missouri Chapter
• Vicki Gideon, Oregon Chapter
• Darline Dondl, Central Florida Chapter
• Jennifer Schlabach, Austin Chapter

Large Chapter Winners

• Arizona: Communications, Partnership
• New York: Education, Partnership, Special Events
• South Florida: Membership

Medium Chapter Winners

• Boston: Membership
• Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex: Education
• Central Florida: Communications, Partnership
• Hawaii: Special Events

Small Chapter Winners

• Austin: Communications
• British Columbia: Membership, Partnership
• Missouri: Special Events
• North Carolina: Education
• Southern Colorado: Education

Collegiate Chapter of the Year

• JMU: James Madison University (Washington DC Parent Chapter)

Conference highlights included “deep dives” into critical topics for chapters, including memberships, volunteering, partnerships, recruiting, and profitability. The conference kicked off with the great debate “To Have or Not to Have a Chapter,” with speakers Fran Brasseux and President of Mariner Management, Peggy Hoffman. Attendees were treated to an insightful discussion on how to help the lives of military spouses by brining new talent into hospitality by Lindsay Teplesky, Deputy Director, Corporate Fellowship Program, Hiring our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Fran Brasseux. Attendees also gathered around the campfire to share ideas and collaborate to solve their most glaring challenges.

The HSMAI Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipients were also honored. Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering, Antlers Hotel, was recognized as the Hotel Sales Professional of the Year in the On-property category. Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG, was selected as the Above-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipient.

The conference was renamed the HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference following a generous donation from the Mike and Andrea Leven Foundation in 2013. The conference was made possible by Conference Partners: The Michael and Andrea Leven Family Foundation, The Broadmoor, and Colorado Gray Line.

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