HSMAI selects 25 Extraordinary Thinking Laureates for 2024

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) officially selected the 25 Extraordinary Minds honorees for 2024 in mid-December. Winners will be officially recognized during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala on February 18, 2025 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The awards recognize outstanding leaders in sales, marketing, revenue optimization and distribution in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. A panel of leading industry executives selected the winners based on criteria such as creativity, innovation, quality of events, success in overcoming challenges and results.

“We are proud to celebrate HSMAI’s selection of the Top 25 Business Leaders of 2024 and recognize their extraordinary contributions to our industry,” HSMAI President and CEO Brian Hicks said in a prepared statement “These leaders embody creativity, innovation and dedication and continue to inspire us all with their achievements.”

The 2024 Top 25 include:

• Jenny Bradford CurleyDeputy Director, Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau (Tupelo, MS)

• Kerry BrownRegional Director, Business Strategy, Outrigger Hotel & Resorts (Honolulu, Hawaii)
• Janet Carter BakerVice President of Marketing, Visit Tampa Bay (Tampa, FL)
• Karin DavisVice President of Sales, Venetian Las Vegas Resort (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Lynette EastmanGeneral Manager of The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club (Honolulu, Hawaii)
• Susan EstlerCEO, Marquette Travel Company (Marquette, MI)
• Sarah FultzVice President, Distribution, MGM Resorts International (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Chris HaywoodSenior Vice President of Public Relations and Chief Communications Officer, Brand USA (Washington, DC)
• Ashley OwenDirector of Marketing, CoralTree Hospitality (Englewood, CO)
• Nancy JohnsSenior Vice President, Integrated Marketing and Digital Solutions, Crescent Hotels & Resorts (Fairfax, VA)
• David LiuRegional Director, Revenue Management, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Toronto, Ontario)
• Nicolas Le RouxExecutive Vice President, Marketing, Global Hotel Alliance (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
• Theresa LutzVice President of Marketing at Camelback Resort (Tannersville, Pa.)
• Karin MasterSenior Vice President, Miles Partnership (Sarasota, FL)
• Jennifer MunroVice President, Global Loyalty, Preferred Travel Group (Newport Beach, CA)
• Sue MurphyVice President of Revenue Management, ComOps (Pembroke Pines, FL)
• Kareem Planas FernandezChief Operating Officer and Vice President of Customer Growth, Ideas Collide (Scottsdale, AZ and Portland, OR)
• Kelly PollinExecutive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Extended Stay America (Charlotte, NC)
• Jacqueline RobertsonDirector of Digital Operations and Program Development, Marriott International (Bethesda, MD)
• Richie Tuckwell-ScudaFounder and CEO, The Anything Group (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• Natalie VachonSenior Director of Marketing, AKA Hotels and Hotel Residences (Plymouth Meeting, PA)
• Gaurav VarmaSenior Director of Marketing, Milestone Inc. (San Jose, Calif.)
• Jeffrey VassellExecutive Director, New Jersey Tourism (Trenton, NJ)
• Amber WalkerSenior Vice President, Sales Strategy, Associated Luxury Hotels International (Dallas, TX)
• Jim WalterVice President, Visit Cheyenne (Cheyenne, Wyoming)

america.hsmai.org