HSMAI South Florida Receives “2009 Best of the Best Honors”
at HSMAI 2010 Annual Leadership Conference

Attending the HSMAI 2010 Annual Leadership Conference on behalf of the HSMAI South Florida chapter, and receiving the 2009 Best of the Best awards were members of the Executive Committee, from left to right: Fernando Harb (Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, HSMAI South Florida Past President, Chapter Advisor and Vice President Hospitality and Fundraising); Gabrielle Gannaway (Neiman Marcus Last Call and HSMAI South Florida Vice President Communications and President Elect); David Atkins (HSMAI Americas Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Chair); Stacie Faulds (Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and HSMAI South Florida President); and Judy James
 (HSMAI South Florida Managing Director)
ST. LOUIS, MO (March 9, 2010) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) presented HSMAI South Florida with three “Chapter Best of the Best Awards” for Partnership Development, Educational Programming, and Website in the large chapter category. The awards were announced at the 2009 Frank W. Berman Chapter Awards Program held in conjunction with the 2010 Annual HSMAI Leadership Conference held at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, in St. Louis, MO on Feb. 9-11, 2010.
In addition to the three "Chapter Best of the Best Awards", HSMAI South Florida joined New York as one of only two finalists receiving a platinum ranking for excellence in all performance areas based on its Chapter Assessment Report (CAR). The HSMAI South Florida chapter’s 2009 honors follow a solid track record of success with similar recognitions received in 2008 and previous years.

“We are pleased and proud to be recognized by our hospitality peers for the third year in a row,” said Stacie Faulds, president of the South Florida chapter. “These awards are a real tribute to our group of hard-working and committed professional volunteers, who believe in the mission of HSMAI and our chapter in the South Florida market, where tourism success is so critically important.”
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is the largest international association of travel sales and marketing professionals. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization with members worldwide, dedicated to enhancing sales and marketing management skills in the travel and hospitality industry through education.
HSMAI is the hospitality industry source for knowledge, community, and recognition for leaders committed to professional development, sales growth, revenue optimization, marketing, and branding. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region.

For more information on the HSMAI South Florida chapter, contact Stacie Faulds, 954-767-2443 or visit www.hsmaisouthflorida.org