HSMAI Foundation accepting applications for Mike Dimond Scholarship

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation is now accepting applications for its Mike Dimond Scholarship Program.

The scholarship program, established to support degree-seeking students who are pursuing careers in hospitality sales, marketing, or revenue optimization, was named after Mike Dimond, who is widely recognized as one of the top hotel marketing executives in the U.S.

“Mike was a legendary innovator in hotel sales,” Robert A. Gilbert, executive director of the HSMAI Foundation and president/CEO of HSMAI, told Hotel Business. “He spent the majority of his career at two legacy hotels—The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and the Opryland Resort and Conference Center in Nashville, TN. In both destinations his creativity and sales prowess captured, retained and created demand that optimized the occupancy and revenue at both facilities. His relationships with customers we also infamous. He was truly the epitome of a hotel sales professional.”

The scholarship program was created by his family to expand and enhance the educational opportunities available to hospitality students that are interested in following in his footsteps. “The idea for the Mike Dimond Scholarship started immediate on his passing in 2008 when Mike’s family wanted to designate a charity for memorial gifts,’ Gilbert said. “Many of Mike’s colleagues knew of his lifelong engagement with HSMAI and they suggested the HSMAI Foundation. The foundation agreed at that time to set up a scholarship fund and a number of donations were set aside for a named scholarship. Over the years fundraising events done by The Broadmoor and Mike’s family have continued to add to that fund.”

This year, two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to deserving degree-seeking students with the intention of pursuing careers in hospitality sales, marketing or revenue optimization, to help cover their tuition. The scholarship recipients will work with the HSMAI Foundation to encourage other students to pursue careers in hospitality sales, marketing and revenue optimization.

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be fully admitted in an accredited post-secondary hospitality degree program
  • Demonstrate hospitality work experience
  • Have the intention to pursue a career in hospitality sales, marketing or revenue optimization
  • Maintain good academic standing

“Hospitality students today are faced with a multitude of career options,” said Gilbert. “We’re looking for the intent or the passion for those who wish to embark on a hotel sales career journey. All revenue generation functions are vital to the hotel industry—today more than ever. Students looking for careers in sales, marketing and revenue optimization will always have a valuable place in the landscape and a seat at the table where business decisions are made.”

For the 2021-2022 school year, the HSMAI Foundation will accept applications through May 1. Scholarship recipient decisions will be announced by July 1 for funding for the fall term.

As part of the review process, the HSMAI Foundation board will take applicants’ involvement in HSMAI, extracurricular activities, industry work experience, their personal essay, recommendations and grade point average into consideration, among other qualifications.

To learn more and apply, visit the HSMAI Mike Dimond 2021 Scholarship Program online.