• HSMAI Foundation Announces Intercollegiate Global Conference and Collegiate Case Competition   

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation announced the 2024 Intercollegiate Global Conference: A World of Opportunity which will take place February 5-9, 2024. The virtual event is a unique opportunity for hospitality students and faculty to gain valuable insights and connect with top industry professionals. Undergraduate and graduate students who share passion for hospitality marketing are also encouraged to submit entries for the HSMAI Foundation Global Collegiate Case Competition.

Conference attendees will hear from guest speakers from leading industry brands and organizations including Accor, Hilton Hotels, Kalibri Labs, Kessler Collection, Marriott International, MGM Resorts, and Omni Hotels & Resorts. Speakers will share personal stories from top industry professionals of how they navigated their careers and discuss industry trends, best practices, and the future of hospitality. This year’s opening keynote speaker is Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, who will present on the economic pulse of the travel industry.

2024 session topics include:

  • Sustainability and the Environmental Impact of Hospitality
  • Professional Development and Personal Branding
  • Sales, Marketing and Event Management
  • Artificial Intelligence and Tech Integration
  • Hotel Development: Real Estate, Design and Architecture
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
  • Commercial Strategy: Revenue Management and eCommerce
  • International & World Relations Impact on Travel
  • Wellness, Health and Food Tourism

The Intercollegiate Global Conference is produced by the HSMAI Greater New York Chapter and is supported by New York University, Pennsylvania State University, Boston University, and iVvy Venues. More than 300 students from the Americas, AsiaPacific, and Europe participate in the event annually. Registration for the conference is open now, with options for individuals, students, and faculty, or school registration which includes an unlimited number of student signups. Early bird registration discounts end on Dec. 31, 2023. To register and see additional information, including the full list of speakers, and session schedules, visit here.

Schools interested in participating in the 2024 HSMAI Foundation Global Collegiate Case Competition are asked to submit a recorded group presentation by March 15, 2024. The focus of the 2024 competition is on Commercial Strategy. The inaugural competition drew entries from universities around the world with awards going to Republic Polytechnic (undergraduate) and Purdue University (graduate).

The goal of the competition is to establish a cross-institution platform for future hospitality leaders to showcase professional excellence in the domain, to empower hospitality education through experiential learning, and to enable industry-academia collaborations to champion future hospitality leaders. For more information on the competition and registration details, visit here.