By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
Coming from a rebound after the pandemic, industry experts in tourism and hospitality in the country converge and focus on capacity building as the travel boom is set to pose both opportunities and challenges that go with the demand.
The 2nd Hotel Sales & Marketing Association Sales & Marketing Summit to be held on June 27, 2024, at the Manila Ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel, is set on helping tourism and hospitality professionals to become better equipped to meet market challenges and build better relationships across the industry.
With a theme of “Hospitality Unleashed: Breaking Boundaries and Creating Connections“, HSMA invited reputable resource personalities from business, finance, media, and tourism who will be sharing valuable information on the latest marketing trends and industry best practices.
Planned as a day-long event jam-packed with talks, presentations, and panel discussions relevant not only to hospitality marketing practitioners, but also to industry insiders, owners, and the academe,
Major segments of the summit’s second edition include:
A speech on “Cultural Exchange Through Tourism: Building Bridges Across Borders” by Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Department of Tourism Regional Director for the National Capital Region.
A panel discussion on leadership entitled “Leading with Heart and Vision: Discover Leadership Styles That Inspire Teams and Shape Unforgettable Experiences” featuring hospitality bigwigs namely Megaworld Managing Director Cleofe Abiso; Anya Hospitality Managing Director Juan Roca; City of Dreams Property President Geoff Andres; and General Managers Ann Olalo of Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa; and Anna Liza Vergara of the Sheraton Hotel Manila.
“Skyward Trends: Forecasting the Future of Airlines in 2025 and Beyond” – a presentation on developments in the airline industry and how they will impact local tourism and hospitality will be shared by Salvador “Bud” Britanico Jr., Vice President for Sales of Philippine Airlines.
A discussion on “Connecting the Dots: Online Distribution Strategies for Seamless Hospitality Experiences” with founders and heads of companies of global online distribution booking platforms as panelists, Marco Bacchilega, CEO of Bakuun Holdings; Jaideep Advani of RatePing Hotel Pricing Intelligence; Tarun Joukani, Director of STAAH Ltd; and Sara Elorza, Tiket.com’s Vice President of International Business; and Julien Kuchenbuch, Regional Manager for Strategic Partnerships, Asia Pacific of Hotelbeds. Chris Legaspi, Chief Commercial Officer of Archipelago International, will be the distinguished panel’s moderator.
Multi-awarded broadcast journalist and former international television news anchor, now Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations of SM Investment Corporation, Rico Hizon will lead the very timely topic “Leveraging Trust and Transparency: Countering Misinformation.”
Bruce Winton, the esteemed Multi-Property Vice President for the Philippines of Marriott International, will present the topic “Green Horizons: Sustainable Practices and Innovations in Hospitality” and share groundbreaking examples happening in the Philippines and around the world.
The crucial Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Events (MICE) tourism segment will be given prominence during the summit with the presentation and updates on the “Philippine MICE Roadmap” through speaker Joel Pascual, President of PEPTarsus Corp.
Hospitality sales and marketing executives, general managers, owners, and even HRM educators and students, may look forward to engaging in discussions on other topics such as “Hire and Inspire: Talent Development and Retention” by speaker Divine Delos Reyes, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ Head of People Management; Economic Outlook & Tourism Trends will be presented by Ronilo Balbieran, a faculty member of the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), and the Vice President of REID Foundation, Inc; and “Sales and Marketing Innovations for Driving Growth” with prominent hospitality industry personalities—Patria Puyat (Holiday Inn Manila Galleria and Crowne Plaza); Carmela Bocanegra (Chroma Hospitality, Inc); Joanne Golong-Gomez (Conrad Hotel Manila); Melissa Carlos (AyalaLand Hotels); and Loven Ramos (The Ascott Limited); and moderator Neil Rumbaoa (SM Hotels and Conventions Corp)–leading and participating in the lively discussions.
“Attending the 2024 Sales and Marketing Hospitality Summit is not just about learning the latest trends; it’s about shaping the future of our industry together,” says Loleth So, HSMA President and Group Commercial Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts. “Join us as we collaborate, innovate, and elevate the standards of hospitality sales and marketing, driving success for all.”
The 2nd HSMA Sales and Marketing Summit on June 27 is open to sales and marketing professionals of any industry, educators, and students.
Registration fees are set at PhP 3,800 for HSMA members, and PhP 4,800 for non-members, inclusive of buffet lunch and snacks. For more information, send a Viber message to Riza Pangan at 0917 804 1274 or visit the HSMA website hsma.org.ph/2024-summit/ and follow @HSMAPH on Facebook and Instagram.