McLean, Va. – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) today announced it is proud to partner with Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) in the offering of HSMAI"s newest certification, Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM), to help Marriott associates enhance their knowledge of the ever-changing digital space. 

The HSMAI CHDM program launched in fall 2012 and has gained the interest of the industry and hundreds of hospitality sales, marketing and revenue management professionals, digital marketers and hospitality industry executives who are seeking to better understand digital marketing. By earning a CHDM, professionals enhance their existing skills and learn to better to maximize online revenue through lead generation, customer engagement and loyalty, online brand awareness and product exposure. Marriott associates will be able to access the HSMAI CHDM study guide with added Marriott information that includes company guidelines.

"We strongly encourage all Marriott associates and franchisees working in digital marketing and eCommerce areas to take advantage of the CHDM certification," said George Corbin, senior vice president of digital for Marriott International. "In the ever-evolving field of digital marketing, it"s essential to further our experience and knowledge in what"s quickly becoming our largest single channel of business. This is a field that changes at lightning-fast speed and eCommerce professionals can"t afford to be left behind."

Marriott joins a growing list of hospitality companies that are encouraging their employees to obtain certification through the CHDM program since its inception late last year.

"We are very excited our CHDM program continues to gain momentum and acceptance throughout the hospitality industry," said Fran Brasseux, executive vice president of HSMAI. "To have a true industry leader like Marriott voice their confidence in our program by partnering with us to offer the certification to their employees underscores the weight that earning this certification carries and the value to both employers and employees. Hospitality professionals realize the landscape is changing, and being proficient in the digital space is now one of the keys to success in this business."

For additional information on CHDM and HSMAI"s other certification programs, visit: www.hsmaicertifications.org.

For information on the application process for CHDM, contact Kathy Tindell at: [email protected].

About HSMAIThe Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals & their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI's MEET, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Management Strategy Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at www.hsmai.org, www.facebook.com/hsmai, www.twitter.com/hsmai and www.youtube.com/hsmai1.

Natalie Wilson
214-443-7588
HSMAI