HSMAI Top 25

EXTRAORDINARY MINDS IN HOSPITALITY SALES, MARKETING, REVENUE OPTIMIZATION, AND DISTRIBUTION

The HSMAI Top 25 Americas awards recognize leaders in sales, marketing, revenue optimization and distribution of hospitality, travel, and tourism organizations for their accomplishments in the preceding 18 months. Selected by a panel of senior industry executives, “Top 25” awardees are high achievers who stand out through their creativity and innovation, cutting-edge campaigns and programs, triumph in challenging situations and efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.

Nominations for the Top 25 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 have outstanding knowledge of the hospitality industry. Judges are held to the highest standards of integrity and commitment to honoring those individuals that have shown extraordinary leadership in our industry over the last 18 months. The entire judging process adheres firmly to these guiding principles and judges must recuse themselves from scoring any nomination that may present a conflict of interest. Nominations are scored on a scale of 1-10 for the results of their leadership for specific sales, marketing, and revenue management initiatives.

The 2024 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds honorees were 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 2024 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds:

• 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