Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced on Sunday at WEC 2012 a revolutionary strategic partnership with Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) that leverages both organizations’ knowledge, training, professional development and marketplace opportunities to enhance their respective members’ experience, value and industry relevance.

In this partnership, MPI will provide its industry-leading education for meeting planners at certain HSMAI events, and HSMAI will provide training and professional development for suppliers at select MPI events. 

“Our members are the heart and soul of MPI, and we’re thrilled to combine our extensive knowledge with HSMAI to offer more comprehensive events. This partnership allows us to better serve our supplier members and heightens the business value of our events for all members. This is a great step into MPI’s future,” said Cindy D’Aoust, MPI COO and interim CEO.

The first activation of the MPI HSMAI partnership is occurring now at MPI’s World Education Congress in St. Louis. Suppliers attending WEC can attend HSMAI tracks titled, “Hotel Sales Giants Talk About What’s Keeping Them Up at Night” and “ Sales and Revenue Management: Managing the Relationship.”

“We are very excited to partner with MPI and expand our reach to meeting planners while in tandem supporting MPI as they strive to better serve their supplier members at events. The relationship is a great compliment that will increase knowledge offerings and drive business opportunities at our respective events,” said Fran Brasseux, executive vice president at HSMAI.

This is the first partnership for MPI and HSMAI. MPI and HSMAI will identify further opportunities as the relationship progresses such as the possibility of joint membership.

For more information on HSMAI tracks offered at WEC, visit http://www.mpiweb.org/events/wec2012/welcome.

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced its "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing." An awards gala honoring the recipients on the eighth annual list--recognizing the best of the best in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries--will be held Jan. 31 in New York.

Judging was conducted by a panel of senior industry executives and was based on creativity and innovation, cutting-edge sales or marketing campaigns, triumph in challenging situations and sales efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.

One of the recipients is Mark D. Thompson, vice president of marketing for the Irving (Texas) CVB and a member of HSMAI's Americas Board of Directors.

"I can't think of a better, brighter, more resourceful mind than that of Mark Thompson," said Maura Allen Gast, Irving CVB executive director. "Faced with a year that included beyond-dramatic reductions in resources, the opening of a convention center and the implosion of an iconic landmark, Texas Stadium, he led a team that delivered mightily on every front. This is further evidenced by the awarding of 10 Adrian Awards to the Irving CVB for its efforts in 2010."

The list:

• David Bratton: Managing Partner, Destination Analysts, Inc.
• Todd Castor: Area Director of eCommerce, Marriott InternationalAndressa F. Chapman: Director of Marketing, Wild Dunes Resort
• Ty Christian: Managing Partner, TRC Consulting Group, Inc.
• Danielle Saba Courtenay: Chief Marketing Officer, Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
• Victoria Feldman de Falco: Principal, Redpoint Marketing PR, Inc.
• Anne Fischer: Director of Digital Marketing, Busch Entertainment Corporation
• Andrew Ross Freeman: Owner, Andrew Freeman & Co.
• Heny Gabay: Vice President Marketing, Wyndham Hotel Group
• Brian Hall: Chief Marketing Officer, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
• Susan Helstab: Executive Vice President of Marketing, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Audrey Hendley: Vice President Marketing, American Express
• Steven Heydt: President and Chief Operating Officer, Elite Island Resorts
• David A. Keys: Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Eastern USA and Canada- Hilton Worldwide
• Steven M. Lambert: Director, Administration and Industry Relations, New York University
• Ric Leutwyler: Chief Operating Officer, Pegasus Solutions Inc.
• Jody B. Merl: President, Innovative Travel Marketing, Inc.
• Pat Moscaritolo: President and CEO, Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau
• Michele Nichols: Founder, Unique Venues
• William C. Pate: President and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Tracy Quan: Director, Brand Communications, Royal Caribbean International
• Scott Schult: Executive Vice President, Marketing, Myrtle Beach Area CVB
• Kelly Schulz: Vice President, Communications and Public Relations, New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Heather Allison Smith: Director of Sales & Marketing, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
• Mark D. Thompson: Vice President of Marketing, Irving Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau