McLean, VA – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the 2024 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds honorees. They will be recognized in a ceremony prior to the event and during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration on February 18, 2025, at the New York Marriott Marquis.
The HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds awards recognize outstanding leaders in sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution within hospitality, travel, and tourism organizations for their achievements over the past 18 months. Chosen by a panel of leading industry executives, these honorees excel through their creativity, innovative approaches, groundbreaking campaigns, success in overcoming challenges, and efforts that have driven significant results.
We are proud to celebrate HSMAI’s 2024 class of Top 25 commercial leaders and recognize their extraordinary contributions to our industry. These leaders exemplify creativity, innovation, and dedication, and continue to inspire us all with their accomplishments. Brian Hicks, President and CEO of HSMAI
The 2024 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds are:
- Keri Brown, Area Director of Commercial Strategy, OUTRIGGER Resorts and Hotels
- Janette Carter Baker, Vice President of Marketing, Visit Tampa Bay
- Jennie Bradford Curlee, Deputy Director, Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Karin Davis, Vice President of Sales, The Venetian Resort
- Lynette Eastman, General Manager, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
- Susan Estler, CEO, Travel Marquette
- Sarah Fults, Vice President, Distribution, MGM Resorts International
- Chris Heywood, SVP, Public Relations and Chief Communications Officer, Brand USA
- Ashleigh Irving, CHDM, Director of Marketing, CoralTree Hospitality
- Nancy Johns, CHDM, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing, Digital Solutions, Crescent Hotels & Resorts
- David Lau, CRME, Regional Director, Revenue Management, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
- Nicolas le Roux, EVP, Marketing, Global Hotel Alliance
- Theresa Lutz, Vice President Marketing, Camelback Resort
- Karin Mast, CHDM, Senior Vice President, Miles Partnership
- Jennifer Munro, Vice President, Global Loyalty, Preferred Travel Group
- Sue Murphy, CRME, Vice President, Revenue Management, ComOps
- Karem Planas Fernandez, COO & VP of Account Growth, Ideas Collide
- Kelly Poling, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Extended Stay America
- Jacqueline Robertson, Director, Digital Operations & Program Development, Marriott International
- Rich Tuckwell-Skuda, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, The Anything Group
- Natalie Vachon, Senior Director of Marketing, AKA Hotels + Hotel Residences
- Gaurav Varma, Senior Director of Marketing, Milestone Inc.
- Jeffrey Vasser, Executive Director, New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism
- Amber Voelker, Senior Vice President Sales Strategy, ALHI
- Jim Walter, Vice President, Visit Cheyenne
Nominations for the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds are reviewed by a panel of industry experts selected by HSMAI from among its membership and/or Board of Directors. HSMAI selects judges who have demonstrated exceptional leadership ability and possess outstanding knowledge of the hospitality industry. Judges are held to the highest standards of integrity and commitment to honoring individuals who have shown extraordinary leadership over the past 18 months. Nominations are scored on a scale of 1-10 based on the results of leadership for specific sales, marketing, and revenue management initiatives.
For additional information on the HSMAI Adrian Awards and the HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds, visit adrianawards.hsmai.org. For interview opportunities, please contact [email protected].
About HSMAI
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Marketing Strategy Conference, Adrian Awards, Sales Leader Forum, and HSMAI ROC. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.
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