May 21, 2003 - Virginia Polytechnic University's Howard Feiertag, CHA, CHME, CMP, a well-known faculty member in the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management, a prominent industry veteran and a noted author on the subject of hotel sales often featured in the industry's premiere publications, has announced a partnership arrangement with HSA International to offer a seminar series entitled "Selling in Uncertain Times."
 

In order to provide an immediate resource for hotels to help position more effectively in driving business during this challenging economic environment, the program will be launched in New York on July 7, immediately preceding one of hospitality's most important events, Meeting World.  The session is then scheduled successively in eleven more cities across North America during the weeks that follow through the months of July and August. According to Mr. Feiertag, "The current situation that hotel sales people face requires that they utilize every possible tool available in order to improve their ability to find and close more of the right kinds of

Howard Feiertag

"The information covered in Howard's presentation is powerful," says Mike Hampton, Ed.D., the Chief Executive Officer of HSA International.  "It contains hard-hitting, timely suggestions for some of the most challenging issues sales team members are having to contend with today, including prospecting, negotiating and contract development."

In addition to offering his insights and perspectives on today's critical issues, Mr.  Feiertag will also draw from some of the most essential elements of the sales process introduced in his recent book "Lessons From The Field," co-authored with John Hogan, CHA, MHS, Director of Education and Training at Best Western International.  As a culminating feature of the program, he plans to host an open forum segment that will provide an opportunity for discussion of other related sales topics and individual concerns.

Mr. Feiertag selected HSA International to plan and coordinate the sessions because of their extensive experience in managing public venue education and training events for such organizations as the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).  Additional information and details on his upcoming program are available through the website www.hsa.com or by calling toll-free (877) 432-7301.