Chapter News
By Eileen White, CHME
Chapter Administrator

> Top

Industry News

By Margie Sheffer, CHME, CHA
HSMAI Director of Chapter Relations

Remarkable Research Resource

The three “R's” have new meaning with HSMAI's newest version of eConnect! Originally designed to be a “one stop shopping” portal for time-stressed hospitality sales and marketing professionals the latest version now personalizes the site to your specified interests!

The Launch!

Monday, April 4, is the day this new version is launched. A few of the new features are:

• Knowledgebase search engine – search contents based on specific variables
• Streaming Media – Interviews with industry leaders
• Document downloads – Research, conference presentations and more
• Columns – Featuring views and commentaries of 20+ columnists
• Categorized industry news – stay on top of developments and read what shapes today's industry
• Personalization – have eConnect deliver contents that fit your specific area of expertise or interest – creating your own “home” page for easy access to data – or creating your very own “My eConnect”
• Calendar of events – featuring events categorized per specific area of interest
• EConnect In-depth – delivering background information on persistent trends and opportunities in hospitality sales and marketing

The Promotion!

With the launching of this enhanced version of eConnect, HSMAI is making the site available to “everyone” for a 30-day period. Non-members may register to use eConnect including the “members only” areas at any time and once they have registered for this opportunity they will then have access for 30 days. HSMAI is confident that once a non-member utilizes this dynamic resource they will want access 365 days a year! So, HSMAI will offer a 10% discount to any non-member who wishes to join within 30 days of their completed use of the member access capability.

The Results!

The 2004 HSMAI Membership Survey identified (no surprises here) the number one issue our members have to deal with is “time” or lack of it! We are in good company with this issue as even the most efficient professional faces new challenges daily in juggling and prioritizing time utilization! The new eConnect resource, a project of the HSMAI Foundation, is a result of addressing the “time” issue for our members. Your ability to customize your home page for information regarding its six categories is paramount to saving time. Set yours up today! The six categories are: 1) Industry News & Events, 2) Special Interest Groups, 3) Research, Papers and Documents, 4) HSMAI Update, 5) Industry Links & Resources, and 6) Search the Database.

eConnect is “live” research – updated daily to keep you current. We urge you to send comments and recommendations that will make it even more pertinent to your needs.

Connect to the new eConnect on www.hsmaieconnect.org.

The first-ever, all-encompassing, online source for information, research, contacts and best practices, eConnect is an HSMAI Foundation program hosted by the University of Houston's Conrad N. Hilton College. Go to eConnect and access the exclusive HSMAI Member Only areas. Watch for the new eConnect, coming in Mid-March, 2005, with enhanced and customized content.

--- ASSOCIATION NEWS---

HSMAI ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY: EXECUTIVE ELITE
The new HSMAI Executive Elite membership category is limited to qualified senior executives in the hospitality industry. Benefits include:

• Complimentary by invitation only attendance at our 2005 Executive T.H.I.N.K. programs
• Choice of complimentary attendance at one of our 2005 HSMAI Strategy Conferences on subjects like Hotel Internet Marketing, Revenue Management, Industry Trends, etc.
• Inclusion in our select mailing list for our special industry white papers - like the newest DeMystifying Distribution
• Monthly Executive Elite Update from HSMAI CEO and the HSMAI Executive Board on relevant industry subjects
• Quarterly distribution of HSMAI's Marketing Review magazine
• Special web access to HSMAI Foundation's eConnect research and information online repository
• Other special events and benefits tailored to senior industry executives

Introductory price: $650.00 per year*

» Email mjorgensen@hsmai.org for your personalized invitation and invoice or call our Executive Vice President, Fran Brasseux, at 703-610-9024 for more information.

*Current members receive credit for current membership dues when upgrading to the new Executive Elite membership category.

> Top

Upcoming Events

Click Here to view a searchable calendar of upcoming HSMAI chapter, national and international events, including:

HSMAI University Programs:
The Fundamentals of Revenue Management
The New Sales Essentials
Webinars on Revenue Management
Essentials of Negotiation
Essentials for Key Account Maximization

> Top

Marketing Tips Paragraph at the Top of Your Web Page by Kevin Nunley www.drnunley.com (888) 429-6203

What's the number one way web sites shoot themselves in the foot?

Everyday I get notes from nice people wanting me to take a look at their web sites. The sites aren't selling, and they want to know why.

More often than not, the graphics look great and the copy on the inner pages is just fine. The killer mistake is there isn't much copy at the top of the opening page.

Give your opening index.html page a headline and a paragraph or two. They should tell people what you can do for them. This short copy also does well to mention what kinds of customers you help.

For example, Jose's site sells a wide variety of sunglasses.

Summer is coming and Jose wants to increase his conversion of visitors to buyers. He has lots of appealing product photos of his best-selling sunglasses, but there isn't any copy to introduce his site. It leaves new visitors guessing (and confused first-timers usually click away within a couple of seconds).

Jose can solve the problem by putting a headline and paragraph at the top of his page that reads like this:

DEEP SAVINGS ON THIS SUMMER'S COOLEST SHADES!

The sun is bright. It feels great! Protect your eyes and look your best with our wide selection of designer sunglasses. All at 20% to 50% OFF! Get a pair to wear when you're dressed up for work, another for a weekend at the beach, and one more pair for Saturday night.

> Top

Email Tip of the Month Change the Way Unread Messages are Highlighted in Outlook by Heinz Tschabitscher www.email.about.com

By default, Outlook highlights unread messages in your Inbox with a bold font. You can change this to use a color, a bigger font, or even a completely different font.

To change the way unread mail is highlighted in Outlook:

• Select View | Arrange By | Current View | Customize Current View from the menu while you are in your Outlook Inbox.
• Click on Automatic Formatting.
• Select Unread Messages.
• Click on Font....
• Specify your desired settings.
• Click OK.

> Top