Interested in Attracting New Talent?
Get involved and make a difference with HSMAI Europe’s new Commercial Career Start Program!
With the official launch of the 2025 Commercial Career Start Program — a strategic initiative to develop the next generation of commercial talent in the hospitality industry; We are proud to announce the program’s first two hotel partners; Marriott International and IHG Hotels & Resorts, reinforcing our shared dedication to fostering young talent in the hospitality industry. More partners will be announced in the months to come leading up to the Commercial Strategy Week in London in January.
This initiative aligns with our strategic focus on inspiring and developing the next generation of leaders in hospitality.
The program marks an expansion of our commitment to supporting professionals at all career stages, now extending opportunities to final-year students and recent graduates as they embark on careers in sales, revenue and marketing within the hospitality industry.
Aiming to be a bridge between education and the workplace, the program provides practical, entry-level insights tailored to each discipline—sales, revenue, and marketing. Participants will learn directly from industry professionals through weekly sessions held from March to June 2025.
The Commercial Career Start Program is a response to the passion and drive we see in students who want to continue or start in the hospitality industry. This initiative, inspired by the voices of students themselves, is designed to make the transition from studies to the workplace as smooth and impactful as possible, reflecting our commitment to empowering the next generation of commercial leaders. We're thrilled to partner with leading hospitality organisations like Marriott and IHG (and more to follow soon), to support this journey. Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO, HSMAI Europe
Commercial leadership is key to a successful hospitality business and we are proud to support the HSMAI Commercial Career Start Programme to nurture talent in this space.
The travel and tourism industry offers a variety of career paths at all levels and at IHG Hotels & Resorts, our purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good includes a promise to colleagues of room to grow, belong and make a difference. Michael Wierling, Director HR, Northern Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts and Chair of the HSMAI Europe People & Culture Advisory Board
HSMAI Europe has launched several initiatives targeting students, such as Future You and the Student Council. Now, it is expanding its reach to include final-year students and recent graduates in the hospitality industry to meet current talent challenges the hospitality companies face.
As a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in hotel management from Breda University of Applied Sciences, I see a great need for a program like this, which provides support during the critical transition from studying to working.
This program reaffirms HSMAI Europe’s commitment to supporting professionals at all career stages—even before they step into the hospitality industry. Yana Kyrylyuk, Former Chair of the HSMAI Europe Student Council and Program Manager of the HSMAI Europe Commercial Career Start Program
Interested in joining us in supporting future industry leaders?
Contact Program Manager, Yana Kyrylyuk at [email protected] to find out more about partnership opportunities.
About HSMAI Europe
HSMAI – Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International – is a global organisation founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation. HSMAI Europe aims to be a key influencer, pioneer and the go-to industry resource for professional development, commercial strategies and sustainability in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales, marketing, and revenue management disciplines. Read More
