HSMAI Europe Announces the First Annual Fabian Specht Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year Award

The new award is named after the late area vice president of IDeaS Revenue Solutions, who passed away unexpectedly in December 2019 and was a dedicated supporter and friend of HSMAI Europe. It will be given to one hospitality professional every year in recognition of their individual contributions to revenue optimisation in the industry.

The award's first recipient was Nina Niemenin, director of revenue management and distribution, at SOK Travel and Hospitality Industry Chain Management.

Klaus Kohlmayr, IDeaS' chief evangelist, said when presenting the award:"Nina has, for many years, successfully led the growth and development of the revenue and distribution areas of a key European hotel group. Her focus beyond rooms into food and beverage, meetings and events, and other areas, put her at the forefront of innovation in the region. She is an active member of HSMAI, promoting collaboration and innovation throughout the industry, and is regularly engaged as a public speaker. She is always ready to share insightful perspectives with colleagues, peers and academics. I am proud to present her with this award."

Ingunn Hofseth, president and CEO of HSMAI Region Europe, said:
"We were all deeply shocked and saddened when we heard the news of Fabian's passing. Fabian was engaged with HSMAI Region Europe since the beginning of the European ROC. He was a reliable and trustworthy person to work with and I admired him. He was accessible, emotionally supportive, and he prioritized HSMAI. He meant a lot to us, and to me personally, and he will be thoroughly missed. We are proud to introduce this new award as a living testimonial to his memory."

Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, president, founder and chief scientist, IDeaS, said: "Fabian's impact on the global hospitality industry was immense. For over 20 years, Fabian helped IDeaS define the market for revenue management. A hotelier at heart, Fabian was an educator, a market change agent, and a visionary in the hotel revenue management space. Most importantly, Fabian treated his clients and colleagues with trust and courtesy that will serve as a guiding example for our industry. Through this trust and courtesy Fabian earned not only the respect, but often the friendship of industry leaders. This award is a testament to Fabian's commitment to the industry and IDeaS is honored to support HSMAI Europe in acknowledging the most dedicated and forward-thinking revenue professionals each year."The winner of the Fabian Specht's Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year Award, next to recognition, wins free attendance included hotel and travel to the 5 day-HSMAI Region Europe Summer Camp taking place in Berlin this year.

About HSMAI Europe

HSMAI Region Europe is committed to growing business for the hotel, event and travel industry and their partners, and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable revenue growth on a local, national and European level. The association provides practical tools, insights, and cutting edge expertise to enable knowledge sharing and enhance professional development as well as fuel sales, inspire marketing, transform businesses digitally and optimise revenue. For more information about HSMAI Region Europe, please visit us at https://hsmai.eu/

HSMAI is a global organization founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation.

From left: Remy Merckx, Vice President Global Digital, Radisson Hotel Group, Frederic Toitot,Vice President, Global Learning & Development at Accor, & Chair HSMAI Region Europe Revenue Optimization Board, Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO, HSMAI Region Europe, Nina Nieminen, Director of revenue management and distribution at SOK Travel Industry Chain Management at SOK and Klaus Kohlmayr, Chief Evangelist, IDeaS

— Photo by HSMAI Europe

After having been active in Europe for many years on National levels, HSMAI Region Europe became a true PAN-European organisation at the end of 2015. Their European Office was relocated to London by the end of 2018.

HSMAI ROC 2021 will take place in London Tuesday January 26th.

About IDeaS
IDeaS, a SAS company, is the world's leading provider of revenue management software and services. With over 30 years of expertise, IDeaS delivers revenue science to more than 11,000 clients in 129 countries. Combining industry knowledge with innovative, data-analytics technology, IDeaS creates sophisticated yet simple ways to empower revenue leaders with precise, automated decisions they can trust. Results delivered. Revenue transformed. Discover greater profitability at ideas.com.

About HSMAI Region 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. www.hsmai.eu.

Revenue Management Events & Conferences