The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is proud to introduce the 2024 Career Achievement and Sales Professional of the Year award recipients who will be celebrated during HSMAI’s Sales Leader Forum on Nov. 13, 2024 in Washington D.C. The following hospitality executives have showcased exceptional talent, a deep passion for their profession, and outstanding expertise in hotel sales.

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HSMAI’s Award for Career Achievement in Sales Dan Surette, Chief Sales Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Dan Surette is chief sales officer at Omni Hotels & Resorts where he leads the charge on the brand’s sales strategy. Appointed to the role in 2019, Surette is responsible for creating and driving innovative sales, communications, and business development strategies to increase awareness, capture market share, and build revenue for the brand.

Surette joined Omni in August 2017 as vice president of sales where he overhauled Omni’s sales compensation model, developed a new group marketing campaign, and inspired sales teams through promotional and recognition programs. In 2018, he was promoted to senior vice president of sales & marketing at Omni.

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry and 20 years of senior-level sales leadership experience, Surette worked at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. for more than 15 years, most recently as vice president of North American sales and field marketing. Surette previously worked with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for more than a decade, serving in various sales and marketing roles of increasing responsibility.

Surette attended Johnson & Wales University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. He has been a member of several leading professional organizations over the years including Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Surette presently holds a position on the HSMAI Americas Board and was recently appointed as a new member of U.S. Travel’s Governance Committee.

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Professional of the Year - Dayna Zeitlin, Director of Sales and Marketing, Sofitel New York

An award-winning hospitality veteran for over two decades, Zeitlin is a results-focused leader with effective sales and negotiation skills. She is known for cultivating her teams into high performers, ensuring continuous development and guiding them to reach new heights.

In her current role of more than five years as director of sales and marketing at Sofitel New York, she has consistently demonstrated her strategic short and long-term vision, developing strong partnerships, and capitalizing on high value opportunities. These efforts, along with her creativity and critical thinking, have generated consistent positive results in both revenue and market performance.

A devoted sales and marketing leader, Dayna dedicates her time to HSMAI New York Chapter as director of collegiate relations, where she has mentored many college students, produces an annual Intercollegiate Global Virtual Conference, and volunteers for collegiate leadership programs and talks. She is also actively involved with the French American Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Mentorship Program.

AWARD INFORMATION
The  Career Achievement and Sales Professional of the Year awards will be presented at HSMAI’s Sales Leader Forum, an event for leaders in hospitality sales to expand leadership abilities and discuss strategic issues and the latest developments for hotel sales. This year’s event focuses on advancing the hotel sales discipline by providing off-property sales leaders with essential knowledge on top trends, strategic insights, and best practices in today’s evolving landscape. HSMAI chapters and the industry at large can nominate individuals for the Career Achievement and Sales Professional of the Year Awards. Nominees represent top talent in the discipline and are judged by a panel of sales leaders on a variety of criteria.

For additional information on the 2024 Sales Leader Forum, including the event’s agenda, registration details, speakers, housing, and partnership opportunities, visit www.salesleaderforum.org. To interview an HSMAI spokesperson about the event and the award honorees, please contact hsmai@njfpr.com.