About HSMAI - History

History of HSMAI

HSMAI was founded in 1927 by John C. Burg of the Statler Hotels Company serving as its first President. Originally called the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association, its purpose was to educate hoteliers so that they not only could bring more guests into their properties, but also do a better job of satisfying the needs of those guests.

The name of the organization was changed to Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association in 1992 to reflect the growing inter-relationship between all hospitality salespeople. The mission remains the same, emphasizing the importance of education to a hospitality salesperson`s career success as well as satisfaction of the guest.

Growth of the association was slow at first, due to the skepticism in the industry, lack of organized support and the depression of the 1930`s. However by 1937, HSMAI Chapters began to form with Atlantic City receiving the first Chapter Charter. HSMAI was instrumental in establishing the first Hotel sales course ever offered at a College, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in 1940.

In 1942, Adrian W. Phillips, CHSE, was elected President of HSMAI and served as Executive President for 13 years. Mr. Phillips, the initial member of HSMAI Hall of Fame has been credited for shaping HSMAI into the dynamic organization it is today. In addition to writing a new constitution and bylaws, under Phillips`s leadership, the association put together the first hotel sales research library, held its first HSMAI-sponsored seminars, published a membership directory and facilities digest, initiated the Advertising Awards contest, HSMAI held conventions each year, which were always well attended.

In 1965, Frank Berkman, CHSE, became Executive Vice President. Under Berkman, HSMAI grew into an even more integrated International organization. Chapters were founded throughout the world. To meet the needs of a growing industry, HSMAI also initiated its Certified Hotel Sales Executive program (now the Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive).

The first woman president of HSMAI, Nita Lloyd-Fore, CHSE, was elected in 1981. Also in 1981, the National headquarters were moved from New York City to Washington DC, under the direction of Leonard `Buck` Hoyle, CAE, who served as HSMAI`s Executive Vice President from 1981 until 1994.

Today there are 83 chapters around the world.

Presidents of Northern California Chapter

• Judy Heckerman, CHME - 1997/1998
• KC Costa, CHME - 1999
• Patricia Morreale - 2000
• Cindy Reichle - 2001
• KC Costa, CHME - 2002
• Odette Morrow, CHME - 1983/1989/2003
• Catherine Allen, CHME, CHSP - 1991/2004/2005
• Louise Jardell – 2006
• John V. Mathew, CTC - 2007