Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMA) has opened its ninth edition of Virtus Awards 2023 with the theme “Beyond the Bottom Line.” The media launch in July 20 coinciding with HSMA general membership meeting was a well-attended occasion held at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Pasig City.
HSMA Chair Margarita Munsayac shares, “The world has seen dynamic changes in travel, recreation, and celebration trends in the past three years, which pose a long-term impact on a hotel’s/resort’s existence. ‘Beyond the Bottom Line” calls for adaptability to change, responsiveness to shifting preferences and needs, and flexibility to future scenarios.”
Member properties are invited to send in their entries through the HSMA website https://hsma.org.ph/, under the following categories: Outstanding Sales and Marketing Associate; Outstanding Sales and Marketing Manager; Outstanding Sales and Marketing Leader; and the Institutional Award for Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign of the Year.
Criteria for judging will be based on actual accomplishments, customer service orientation and business-specific knowledge, teamwork and interpersonal relationships, and commitment to continuing education. The deadline for submission of entries is on September 15, while judging is scheduled on October 7.
The prestigious Virtus Awards Night is set for November 9 at The Grand Ballroom, City of Dreams Manila.
The Virtus Awards have proven to be a transformative platform, providing a springboard for remarkable individuals to soar to new heights in their careers. Previous winner, Fatima Mationg-Nottingham, sales director at Admiral Hotel Manila MGallery, reflects on her experience, stating, “Winning the prestigious Virtus Award was a truly humbling moment. It has not only elevated my brand but has opened up abundant opportunities for personal growth and professional development. I am now able to inspire the younger generation of the hospitality industry to embrace passion and deliver excellence at all times.”
For Marivic Recio, General Manager of The Bellevue Manila, the Virtus Awards has been an unexpected catalyst in her career trajectory, urging her to venture into new horizons she had never considered before. “Prior to winning, I never imagined leaving the sales and marketing arena and shifting to operations – it didn’t seem possible. But it happened, and I was entrusted with the roles of Resident Manager and General Manager. Since then, each day has been a testament to resilience, agility, and resourcefulness,” she shares, clearly illustrating the profound impact the Virtus Awards can have on an individual’s journey.
“The Virtus Awards serve as a catalyst for inspiration and growth within our Sales and Marketing teams. We aim to ignite a fire within each associate, encouraging them to claim new strategies and approaches that work in these unforeseen circumstances,” adds Rose Libongco, Virtus Awards chair. “The difficulties posed by the pandemic and the subsequent business fall-outs have tested our resilience, but it is in these moments of adversity that true leaders rise.”
The 9th Virtus Awards is co-presented by the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board, with Isentia as Gold Sponsor. For more information, visit hsma.org.ph.
