The Hospitality Sales and Marketing
Association International (HSMAI) Middle East and Africa (MEA) has successfully
wrapped up its 8th annual Commercial Strategy Conference in Dubai. The event brought together the region’s
hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management and distribution community
for two action-packed days of industry insights, networking, and awards. 83 speakers took the stage across 55
different sessions featuring nine different formats from keynotes and panel
discussions to masterclasses and fireside chats. This year saw a 15 per cent increase in
attendance from the region’s experts in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue
management and distribution, with 21 percent of attendees coming from outside
the UAE. The event kicked off with an inspiring
keynote by globally recognised keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and bestselling
author, Nick Santonastasso, who transforms adversity into a framework for
leadership, innovation, and growth. Celebrating the
bold disruptors and pioneers, the annual ROCKSTAR Awards featured on-stage pitches
from the nine shortlisted nominees who have pushed boundaries and set new
standards of excellence in the hospitality industry. The audience voted for the top three winners
which were Kuda Mukonoweshuro, Director of Sales, Radisson Hotel Dubai Damac
Hills, Nawfal Mbamba, Director of Marketing and Communications, Al Baleed
Resort Salalah by Anantara, and Hassan Khan, Revenue Analyst, Radisson Hotel
& Apartments Dammam Industrial City. T he
three winners received prizes sponsored by Wego, HSMAI, Les Roches and Glion
Hospitality & Business Education. All
shortlisted nominees received a copy of the book by bestselling author and
Founder & CEO of Digital and Savvy, Maha Abouelenein, titled ‘Rules of
Self-reliance,’ which were signed by her onsite after her keynote speech on
the powers of connected storytelling, a signed copy of Mimi Nicklen’s book ‘Empathy
at Work’, and a copy of ‘The AI Literacy
Playbook for Hoteliers’ by Michael J. Goldrich. A wide range of topics were discussed on
stage from artificial intelligence, consumer trends and loyalty strategies to
the hidden metrics that drive profitability beyond RevPar, driving growth
through data-led strategies and SEO to GEO as a new era for marketing. Mona Faraj, President, HSMAI MEA said: “We
have had an incredible two days of knowledge sharing, networking, discussions
and debates, tackling some of the most pressing topics in hospitality sales,
marketing, revenue management and distribution. This conference, developed by
the industry for the industry, is not possible without the support from our
amazing partners, sponsors, volunteers, advisory board members and our highly
engaged audience members. This community is like a family, and we can’t wait
for another action-packed year of events, courses and social gatherings in
2026.” -TradeArabia News Service |
