New HSMAI Europe, Centaur Travel Group Partnership

Centaur Travel Group and HSMAI Europe have entered into a partnership. The collaboration includes the London and Dusseldorf Business Travel Shows, the Business Travel Club and the European Travel Buyer Awards (ETBA), across Europe.

The Business Travel Shows in London and Dusseldorf will house a major HSMAI Pavilion, allowing its members to meet hundreds of top quality business travel professionals from across Europe. These events are the largest of their kind in Europe and the only chance each year for corporate buyers to find the information, innovation, introductions and inspiration they need to make more confident and informed buying decisions; to increase efficiency, reduce costs, enhance performance and boost their business network.

“We are delighted to work with HSMAI Europe,” says event director David Chapple. “It is an influential international association that will help us to extend our reach, thereby increasing attendance to our shows, entries to the ETBAs and guests on our Hosted Buyer Programme. HSMAI Europe is also our official partner for Business Travel Club Norway, which will launch this autumn.”

“We are truly excited to work with Centaur Travel Group,” Ingunn Hofseth, president of HSMAI Europe, says. “It is a large organisation with great events both in London and Dusseldorf, and I am certain these exhibitions and events will be of great interest to our members.”

Martin Jørgensen (right), president/CEO of Net Trans – chairman of the HSMAI Norwegian Board, and member of the board at HSMAI Europe complies: “This cooperation also includes the Business Travel Club concept in Norway and other European countries, which will be introduced to the HSMAI members as well as buyers of hotel and travel services. It will be a brand new meeting ground, where members and buyers can extend their network, get new impulses and meet new people.”

About The Centaur Group:

The Centaur Group is one of the UK’s leading business and special interest media groups. Their vision is to be market leader across all media in each of our chosen specialist communities. Centaur has an outstanding portfolio of market-leading brands in a number of highly attractive vertical sectors. They have an extremely talented and experienced team of senior managers and an exceptional culture of entrepreneurialism. Approximately 600 people work in the Centaur Media Group, where Centaur Travel is an essential part of the operations.

About The Business Travel Show

The Business Travel Show is the UK’s largest and longest-established dedicated event for business travel professionals. With in excess of 180 exhibitors and 5,000 buyers responsible for a travel purse of more than £10.3 billion, the Business Travel Show is the flagship event in the European industry calendar. London is the sister show to business travel events in Dusseldorf and Dubai, and runs alongside complementary event Travel Technology Europe. The 18th Business Travel Show takes place 7-8 February 2012 at Earls Court 2 in London. For more information and free registration, please visit www.businesstravelshow.com

About European Travel Buyer Awards

The European Travel Buyer Awards is the only pan-European awards to recognise and reward corporate travel managers who are leading the way in their field, and have devised and managed progressives and innovative travel and meeting programmes that save their company money and their travellers time. The 2011 event will take place on 6 February 2012 on the eve of Business Travel Show (Europe’s largest event for the corporate travel market in London 7-8 February).

About Business Travel Club

The Business Travel Club is a regular social and networking event, open to anyone involved in the business travel industry. The club meets six times a year in the UK and the Netherlands and is launching in Norway this year.

Top photo: The agreement was signed in London on 5 September by Ingunn Hofseth President HSMAI Europe and David Chapple Event Director at Centaur Travel Group. Photographer: Hans Stenseng, HSMAI Europe.

European hotel chains gather at HSMAI meeting to decide the standards of Revenue Management in Europe

On Thursday 1 September 2011 leading European chains gathered in Oslo for the first meeting of the HSMAI European Revenue Management Advisory Board. With diversity in culture, language and level of experience, the European hotel industry is still struggling to find common ground that defines revenue management across nations and chains.

As a non-profit organisation, neutral towards competing providers and schools, HSMAI Europe founded the HSMAI European Academy, which will provide training in the disciplines of leadership, sales and revenue management. The HSMAI European Academy cooperates with training providers and industry leaders to create a European standard and certification in the discipline of revenue management.

The HSMAI European Revenue Management Advisory Board is an important body of leaders from various European hotel chains. Their role is to provide input on industry needs, define European standards, and to assess the quality and relevance of the training curriculum. The following leaders were present at the first HSMAI European Advisory Board meeting:

• Carl Oldsberg, Vice President Revenue and Distribution, Nordic Choice Hotels
• Christopher Cooper, Head of Commercial, Mint Hotel Group
• Heiko Siebert, VP Distribution, Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts Management AG
• Henning Möhn, Manager Revenue and E-Commerce, Queens Moat Houses Hotels
• Jorunn Svidal, Director of Revenue Management, Thon Hotels
• Thibaut Seillier, Corporate Revenue Manager, Kempinski Hotels

HSMAI Europe representatives in the meeting were:

• Wilhelm K. Weber, Partner, Swiss Hospitality Solutions and leader of the HSMAI European Academy
• Tarjei Gylseth, Project Manager, HSMAI Europe and coordinator of the HSMAI European Academy

With the curriculum approved, the first conference for Revenue Management Trainers will take place in Oslo already 7–9 October 2011. During this Train-the-Trainer conference, trainers will be introduced to the curriculum for the revenue management certification and be licensed to provide training leading up to the HSMAI Certified Revenue Management certification.

On February 9 2012 the second Pan-European HSMAI Revenue Management Conference will take place in London. The conference will discuss and provide input on trends in revenue management, social media, internal processes, how to become a RevPAR leader, and other relevant topics Revenue Managers face on a daily basis.

Photo: (back from left): Jorunn Svidal, Carl Oldsberg, Heiko Siebert, Tarjei Gylseth, Henning Möhn, Thibaut Seillier, (front): Wihelm K. Weber, Christopher Cooper

STR Global awards young student

HSMAI Europe has the great pleasure of announcing that our very own Hans Stenseng, leader of the HSMAI Student division, has won a prize awarded by STR Global for his essay on The Future of the Hotel Industry – What Are the Top Three Markets, and Which New Innovations Will Affect Future Product Offerings?.

“This competition has given our European student members an excellent opportunity to work with an actual case; it is a topic that affects our industry in the highest degree. These members are the future of travel, hotel & tourism, and it is important that they think innovatively, as they will be working in tomorrow’s tourism-industry,” says Ingunn Hofseth, President of HSMAI Europe.

The competition was held in a cooperation between HSMAI Student and STR Global, in which the mentioned challenge was given to its student members.

The STR Global management that judged the competition made the following statement on Stenseng’s essay:

We thoroughly enjoyed the essay which had excellent structure, strong arguments and comprehensively researched information.

“Hans’ essay was selected from several entries and we were impressed by the quality of all the submissions. I extend my congratulations to Hans for his accomplishment and I believe that if he is any indication of the caliber of the next generation of hotel professionals, the future of our industry is in very capable hands,” according to Elizabeth Randall from STR Global.

“I was very surprised to win this competition. I heard there were some good contributions and I am very proud to be awarded this prize. The topic is interesting and certainly something that is important for the future, it is really educational and fun to work with such a task, and I hope it’s something I can do more of in the future – both through school and at work,” says Hans Stenseng himself, currently studying at the Oslo School of Management, and the leader of HSMAI Student, to boot.

The award was presented at the STR Global Client Event at Park Plaza, London on Tuesday 6 September.

The essay is downloadable for your perusal (click PDF-symbol):

STR Global Facts

STR Global provides clients—including hotel operators, developers, financiers, analysts and suppliers to the hotel industry—access to hotel research with regular and custom reports covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and South America. STR Global provides a single source of global hotel data covering daily and monthly performance data, forecasts, annual profitability, pipeline and census information. STR Global is part of the STR family of companies and is proudly associated with STR, RRC Associates, STR Analytics, and HotelNewsNow.com. For more information, please visit www.strglobal.com.

Photo: Elizabeth Randall, Managing Director STR Global, Randy Smith, Chairman and Co-Founder STR, Hans Stenseng, Student at Oslo School of Management and leader of HSMAI Europe Student, and Ingunn Hofseth, President HSMAI Europe.

HSMAI Student – Tour de Suisse

HSMAI Student is always looking for expansion, and for the first tour, Hans Stenseng, leader of HSMAI Student (and Student at the Oslo School of Management) is headed for Switzerland. There he will visit three schools: Belvoirpark in Zurich, DCT in Vitznau and Les Roches-Gruyère.

“Swiss schools are very well known as some of the best in hotel, restaurant, tourism and travel, which is why we feel it’s important to establish contacts at as many institutions in Switzerland as possible. I am glad that I get to visit three different universities, each with its unique history and approach. Through this we have the opportunity to create even closer relations there,” says Stenseng.

In addition, he will represent HSMAI Europe during the Swiss Distribution Day, organised by, among others, Swiss Hospitality Solutions, where Wilko Weber, leader of HSMAI European Academy, is partner.

“I look forward to this event. It will be interesting to see how they have organised it and what topics will be discussed. Wilko is a very inspirational man and I look forward to working closely with him,” Hans Stenseng declares.

Photo: Wilko Weber (Swiss Hospitality Solutions), head of the HSMAI European Academy, and Hans Stenseng, HSMAI Student leader, in HSMAI’s Oslo offices.

HSMAI to attend the Swiss Distribution Day

On 8 September Swiss Distribution Day will be held in Zurich. The sales and marketing exhibition will be focusing on “Hotels Managing the E-World” and is seen as an important contribution to the Swiss tourism industry.

The exhibition is organised by Swiss Sales Conferences and Swiss Hospitality Solutions. From SHS many will recognise one of the partners, Wilko Weber, head of HSMAI European Academy and a much sought after lecturer and professor.

HSMAI Europe will be represented by Hans Stenseng, leader of HSMAI Student.

“It will be interesting to see how they have organised this event and what topics will be discussed. HSMAI already has many members in Switzerland and this fair is an important platform in the expansion of our network there,” Stenseng concludes.

Photo: A picturesque scene from Zurich. Photographer: Roland zh/Wikimedia Commons

Extended deadline for HSMAI Student competition

A couple of months back HSMAI Student launched a competiton in cooperation with STR Global, challenging students to write an essay of 1000 words, or less, on the topic The future of the hotel industry: What are the next top three markets, and which new innovations will affect future product offerings?

The good news is that we have decided to extend the deadline until 20 August.

What will the winner get?

A slight change in the prize has been made, but the winner will still get a trip to London, accommodation and airfare included, and instead of a full day hotel data conference, we now have the great pleasure of inviting the lucky winner to a very exclusive STR Global client event. The event will feature:

• Industry Overview
• Review of Past Olympic Performance
• The 2012 Olympics: UK Going for Gold
• Economic Forecast by Tourism Economics

The event takes place at the Park Plaza Riverbank on 6 September, and will accommodate general managers, directors of revenue, directors of sales, consultants, investors, et cetera. In other words: A great opportunity to make important industry contacts!

Be sure not to miss this opportunity and enter your essay now!

Best of luck from HSMAI Student and STR Global.

Norway Attack: Our deepest sympathy

At 3:26 pm on Friday 22 July news broke of an explosion in the centre of Norway’s capital, Oslo. Within minutes the scene was identified as the government headquarters, severely damaged by the bomb, killing some eight civil servants, injuring a lot more. As “luck” would have it, the explosion took place after business hours, at a time when most of our working force is away on vacation.

Needless to say, we were all deeply shocked. In a heartbeat our capital turned into a battle zone,  but we were soon to learn that all hell had only just begun to break loose. At approximately 5 pm the media brought the heartbreaking reports of a shooting spree taking place at the Labour Party youth camp at Utøya, some 50 kilometres away, killing another 68 teenagers and young adults, with scores of injured (final figures yet to be determined) – all an act of one single, highly disturbed extremist. Text continues below photograph.

Many of us working for HSMAI Europe are Norwegians and absolutely devastated – as most people around the world. As a country of less than 5 million citizens, the proportions are inconceivable. We all know some of the deceased, the injured, their next of kin – or their friends.

This incident has struck us all so hard it may seem meaningless to go on, but giving up would entail a surrender to terrorism and senseless acts of violence. Our response is to continue as planned, with an ambitious schedule throughout the autumn and the winter, while paying our deepest respect to the affected – and in memory of those poor young people, our very finest. A loss so vast that we find it impossible to get our heads around it.

Our hearts go out in sorrow, to the mourning friends and families, in loving memory of the untimely departed.

Ingunn Hofseth
HSMAI Europe
President

Photos: 200,000 mourners congregated outside the Oslo city hall on Monday 25 July 2011. Photo from Wikipedia/Mathias-S
Flowers laid down in front of the Oslo cathedral during the days following the senseless attack. Photo from Wikipedia/Asav

HSMAI Europe proudly announces Europe’s Top Ten Extraordinary Minds in the Hospitality & Travel Industry

HSMAI Europe is delighted to announce the winners of Europe’s Top Ten Extraordinary Minds in the Hospitality & Travel Industry. With the awards in its first year, the HSMAI European Awards 2011 recognised both leading experts and industry professionals for their exemplary work within the travel industry.

“Tonight we will award Europes Top Ten Extraordinary Minds in the Hospitality & Travel Industry. This will see us honour some of the great men and women who have achieved unbelievable results, and who will stand out as role models in the hotel and travel industry for many years to come,” said Ingunn Hofseth, President of HSMAI Europe, as she introduced the event.

The winners are:

• Bjørn Kjos, CEO, Norwegian Air Shuttle
• Gerard Greene, CEO, Yotel
• Grace Leo, President, G.L.A. Hotels
• José A. Tazón, Chairman, Amadeus
• Kurt Ritter, President, The Rezidor Group
• Tamara Heber-Percy, CTO, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
• Michael Levie, Founding Partner and CEO, citizenM hotels
• Petter Stordalen, Chairman and Owner, Nordic Choice Hotels
• Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group
• Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Founder, EasyJet

Hearing some of the winners express their gratitude and sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm about the future of our industry, was truly a highlight of the event, which also introduced several other awards.

STR Global provides an excellent opportunity for members of HSMAI Student Europe

Practical experience and an opportunity to network is something both STR Global and HSMAI Student Europe recognise as critical factors in today’s competitive job market. They have decided, therefore, to create an exciting competition for members of HSMAI Student Europe.

Students are to write an essay of 1000 words, or less, on the following topic:

The future of the hotel industry: What are the next top three markets, and which new innovations will affect future product offerings?

The winner of the contest will be sponsored with a conference pass to the Hotel Data Conference in London, 6 September 2011. Accommodation and air-faire included.

“Being present at this conference provides a great opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the industry and what we can expect in the future. This is the type of hands-on training we don’t receive in the classroom, which can provide us with a competitive edge,” says Hans Stenseng, student and leader of HSMAI Student.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to meet with industry leaders, as the Hotel Data Conference Europe is a gathering of industry executives. The conference will be held in conjunction with the first Hotel Investment Conference Europe (Hot.E) at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London. This means that not only executives from the hotel industry will be present, but also hotel owners, providing the student even further possibilities for valuable contacts.

“The students need to get out there and show themselves so that the industry is aware of who they are when they seek for future employment,” says Ingunn Hofseth, President of HSMAI Europe, continuing “and we are very pleased to work with STR Global to empower our future leaders.”

For more information on the Hotel Data Conference Europe, please go to http://www.hoteldataconference.com/HDCEurope.aspx

Click here for details on HSMAI Student Europe

To submit to the competition, please send an essay of no more than 1000 words to postbox@hsmai.no

Make sure to include your name, contact information, field of study and your school.

The competition deadline is 31 July 2011. The winner will be announced mid-August.

Please note: New deadline and competition updates! (added 15 August 2011)

Nordic Choice Hotels wins three awards at first-ever HSMAI European Travel Marketer Awards

HSMAI Europe is delighted to announce the twelve category winners from last night’s HSMAI European Travel Marketer Awards 2011 at the prestigious Hilton Park Lane . With the awards in its first year, the HSMAI European Travel Marketer Awards 2011 recognises both leading experts and industry professionals for their exemplary work within the hospitality sector and the up-and-coming talents of the young professionals bringing an innovative and fresh approach to an fast-growing industry.

HSMAI European Travel Marketer Awards – 2011 Winners

Top Ten Extraordinary Minds in the Hospitality and Travel Industry
Bjørn Kjos, CEO, Norwegian Air Shuttle Gerard Greene, CEO, Yotel Grace Leo, President, GLA Hotels José A. Tazón, Chairman, Amadeus Kurt Ritter, President, The Rezidor Group Tamara Heber-Percy, CTO, Mr. & Mrs. Smith Michael Levie, Founding Partner and CEO, citizenM hotels Petter Stordalen, Chairman and Owner, Nordic Choice Hotels Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Founder, EasyJet
Young European Travel Industry Leader Wilhelm Konrad Weber, Swiss Hospitality Solutions	Young European Hotelier of the Year Aimone dal Pozzo, Castello dal Pozzo
TV Advert of the Year Visit Iceland	Environment Award Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt
PR Campaign of the Year Discover Ireland	Printed Advert of the Year Hurtigruten
Event of the Year Nordic Choice Hotels	Educator of the Year Prof. Peter O’Connor,  ESSEC Business School
High Achieving Performance Enhancer of the Year Young N. Nguyen,  d2o	High Achieving Hotelier of the Year Christophe Mendjel, Hotel Secret de Paris
HSMAI European Travel Marketer of the Year Nordic Choice Hotels

The Young European Travel Industry Leader award went to Wilhelm Konrad Weber, Partner in Swiss Hospitality Solutions for his continued dedication and innovation to ensure he remains at the top of the hospitality industry. With his reputation as a dynamic developer of the revenue management discipline, Wilhelm will be able to attend a special business course that the London Business School.  Likewise, the award for Young European Hotelier of the Year was given to Aimone dal Pozzo, Owner & CEO of Castello dal Pozzo who will be sent to study on a course at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration in New York for his achievement in developing his family business from a location for weddings and gala dinners to a five star luxury hotel.

Nordic Choice Hotels celebrated wins in the Travel Marketer of the Year and Event of the Year categories, whilst Petter Stordalen, Chairman and Owner of Nordic Choice Hotels was honoured for his vision and dedication despite his humble beginnings as a strawberry picker, to become one of the prestigious Top Ten Extraordinary Minds in the Hospitality and Travel Industry.

Ingunn Hofseth, President and CEO of HSMAI Europe, commented:

“Our first ever HSMAI European Travel Marketer Awards was a fantastic success. All the talented nominees and winners from last night are proof of what an exciting industry the hotel and travel sector is to work in, and we congratulate them all on the innovative work they are doing.”

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