Our Principles are Frequent Guest Speakers at Hospitality & Marketing Conferences Nationwide

HeBS Digital's principals and management team have pioneered many of the "best practices" in hotel Internet marketing and direct online distribution. Our hospitality marketing consulting principals are frequent guest speakers and presenters at industry events, industry association events (e.g. HSMAI meetings), annual GM meetings, hospitality marketing conferences, university sponsored associations, as well as government and state-sponsored tourism events, providing revenue-generating hotel marketing strategies and advice.

Here is a list of some of the past guest speaker and workshop presentations by HeBS Principals and Experts:

2013

HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference

January 29, 2013, New York City

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, was a member of the HSMAI Strategy Conference Planning Workgroup which conceptualized, planned, organized and executed this highly anticipated annual conference, providing hoteliers with strategic and practical digital marketing advice and action steps for 2013 and beyond.  HeBS Digital was also an exhibitor and sponsor at the event.

ATME (The Association of Travel Marketing Executives) 2013 Media Outlook Conference

January 28, 2013, New York City

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented during the 2013 ATME Executive Think Tank event, focusing on the latest trends in digital marketing in the hospitality space, as well as budget allocations in the multi-channel, multi-screen world travel marketers operate in.

2012

HSMAI Greater New York Chapter Monthly Luncheon

November 14, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, was the keynote speaker during the monthly gathering of the top hospitality sales and marketing executives in the Greater New York Area. He presented "The State of the Industry: 2013 Distribution Landscape & Digital Marketing Trends", which provided an action plan to maximize direct online channel revenues in 2013.

Hospitality Leadership Forum
The 2012 Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show

November 10-12, 2012, New York City

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented during the “How to Divvy Up Your Digital Marketing Resources in 2013” session, focusing on practical advice to hoteliers on how to allocate their marketing budget and prioritize strategies in today’s fast moving digital landscape.

HSMAI University Digital Marketing Webinar

November 7, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented during the HSMAI Fall webinar titled “The Hotelier's Action Plan to Meet 2013 Digital Marketing Challenges”, providing concrete guidelines to hotel sales and marketing teams on how to deal with the multitude of online marketing and distribution challenges; how to make sense of this highly dynamic and convoluted digital world, and prepare to meet the challenges that lie ahead in 2013. This webinar was part five of the five-part HSMAI University Digital Marketing series.

The Lodging Conference 2012

October 2-5, 2012, Phoenix, AZ

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented during the “Create and Manage Social Media and Mobile Marketing” round table session, focusing on the explosion of the tablet channel and the emergence of the “Community Manager” as a new profession in hospitality.

International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Annual Conference

September 21, 2012, Atlanta, GA

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented in “The Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2013 Digital Marketing Budget Planning” session, focusing on concrete action steps and budget allocations to achieve maximum direct online channel revenue and ROI.

EyeforTravel’s Travel Distribution Summit

September 13-14, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, participated in the “Mobile Master Class Debate: Plan, Execute and Integrate a Winning Mobile Strategy for Your Brand” panel, discussing mobile strategies, the emerging tablet channel and the importance of SoLoMo (Social, Local, Mobile).

HSMAI University Digital Marketing Webinar

August 8th, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented during the HSMAI webinar titled "The Third Leg: Tablet Marketing Strategy", emphaisizing the need for tablet-specifc website design and marketing strategy, in addtion to the hotel mobile strategy, in this third edition of the five-part HSMAI Universtiy Digital Marketing series.

HSMAI University Digital Marketing Webinar

June 13th, 2012

Topic:  Margaret Mastrogiacomo, Senior Manager, Interactive Media & Creative Strategy, presented during the HSMAI webinar titled “The Path to Location-Based Marketing Success," the second in a five-part HSMAI University Digital Marketing series.

EyeForTravel’s Online Marketing Strategies for Travel 2012 Conference

Miami, June 6, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented at the Online Marketing Strategies for Travel 2012 Conference during the session “Best Practices for Mobile Strategies in 2012 and Beyond”. The presentation focused on the exploding mobile distribution channel, tablets as a distinct digital marketing and distribution channel, 2012 as the Year of SoLoMo, as well as on the 2012 mobile marketing Dos and Don’ts.

HSMAI Greater New York Chapter: USA Today Seminar Series

May 2, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented at the HSMAI/USA Today Seminar titled ”Directing traffic: How hotels drive revenue to their website”. The presentation focused on best practices for revenue-generating hotel websites, online distribution do's and don’ts, and how hoteliers can take advantage of the exploding mobile channel and SoLoMo. 

HSMAI University Digital Marketing Webinar

April 17, 2012

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented during the HSMAI webinar titled “The Mobile Marketing Action Plan for Hoteliers," the first in a five-part HSMAI University Digital Marketing series.

EyeforTravel’s Social Media Strategies for Travel North America 2012

March 5, 2012

Topic: Margaret Mastrogiacomo, HeBS Digital Manager, New Media & Creative Strategy, presented on the topic: "Getting the Most of the Convergence Between Mobile & Social." 

Adobe Summit 2012

Utah, March, 2012

Topic: Jason Price, EVP, HeBS Digital presented pilot results on using Adobe Digital Marketing Suite including Genesis and BrightEdge to increase SEO performance and reduce SEM spend. 

NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management

New York, January, 2012

Topic: Jason Price, EVP, presented changes in travel distribution and the role of enterprising search distribution models.

2011

HSMAI University Webinar

December 13, 2011

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, presented on "The Hotelier's Action Plan to Meet 2012 Digital Marketing Challenges."

New York University Hospitality and Tourism Society: “Digital Media and Hospitality” Annual Hospitality Roundtable Conference

November 8, 2011

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, delivered the keynote presentation on "Digital Marketing In Hospitality", outlining the state of the online travel marketplace and the main online channel challenges facing the industry in 2012.

Luxe Worldwide Hotels (LWH) Annual Membership Conference

October 24-26, 2011

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, led a session on the "Hotelier's 2012 Online Distribution Action Plan" 

Adobe Webinar

October 2011

Topic: Jason Price, EVP, and Mariana Mechoso, VP, discussed best practices in using Adobe SiteCatalyst and SearchCenter+ in optimizing marketing budgets and building the direct channel for distribution.

HSMAI University Webinar

August 16, 2011

Topic: Max Starkov, HeBS Digital President & CEO, discussed “Best Practices in Creating a Digital Marketing Plan for 2012”

EyeforTravel's Travel Distribution Summit North America

Las Vegas, NV, September 20, 2011

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist of HeBS Digital, Max Starkov, to participate in the panel "Social Buying and Flash Sales: The Pros and Cons." 

Adobe Café

Chicago, July, 2011

Topic: Jason Price, EVP, presented two case studies on the use of analytical tools on bid management of SEM in the travel industry.

HSMAI University Webinar

April 16, 2011

Topic: Executive Vice President for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Jason Price, discussed insights on optimizing revenue in 2011.

LAS 2011 Conference of the American Hotel & Lodging Association

Washington DC, March 15-16

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Max Starkov, discussed the future of hotel online distribution.

EyeforTravel's Customer Centric Strategies for Travel 2011

Atlanta, GA, Jan 26-27

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Max Starkov will discuss leveraging mobile technologies to engage with today's travel consumer.

2010

Annual Hospitality Conference 2010

Montreal, Canada, November 18, 2010

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Max Starkov, delivered a keynote presentation at the Annual Hospitality Conference. A range of topics were discussed including the online travel marketplace, direct vs. indirect online channel, hotelier's 2011 direct online channel action plan, the top five trends to watch in 2011 and more.

The Lodging Conference 2010

Phoenix, AZ, Sept 21-24

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Max Starkov, delivered a workshop titled "Driving Top-Line Revenues to Your Hotel."

Maestro 2010 Users' Conference - Beyond PMS

Westbrook, CT, Sept 20-23

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Max Starkov, opened the conference with a keynote presentation titled "Hotelier's Direct Online Channel Action Plan: Preparing for 2011."

EyeforTravel's Travel Distribution Summit

Chicago, IL, Oct 13-14

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Max Starkov, will present during the Mobile Technology & Travel keynote session.

HSMAI's Revenue Management & Internet Marketing Strategy Conference

Orlando, FL, June 21, 2010

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist, Max Starkov, will discuss "Mobile Marketing for Today and Tomorrow". A range of topics will be discussed including the mobile distribution channel in hospitality, mobile-ready sites, an action plan for the hotel "m-marketer", and more.

European Hospitality Technology Educational Conference (EHTEC)

Amsterdam, February 14-16, 2010

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov will present during the session: "Mobile Marketing and Distribution in Hospitality - the Future is Already Here" Max will also be moderating a panel discussion.

2009

The Future of Mexico's Destination Marketing: Direct Online Channel Strategy (HeBS' Conference with top State Government Officials and Directors of Tourism Boards from Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and the Area )

Cancun, Mexico, October 21, 2009

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a session "How the Dramatic Shift in Travel Distribution in the U.S., Canada and Europe is Affecting Travel Research, Planning and Bookings for Travel to Mexico". Starkov discussed a range of topics including analysis of whether Tour Operators and OTAs are good Samaritans or exporters of national wealth as well as the need for destination marketers to embrace the Direct Online Channel Strategy and lessen dependence on wholesalers.

Eyefortravel's Mobile Strategies for Travel USA Conference

Chicago, IL, September 16-17, 2009

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a session "Mobile Marketing in Travel & Hospitality: the Future is Already Here - an Action Plan for the M-Marketer". Starkov discussed a range of topics including the Mobile Distribution Channel, why hotel and travel marketers should care about mobile, mobile booking sites, a 2010 action plan for the travel "m-marketer" and more

The Small Luxury Hotel Summit

New York, NY, May 28-29

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a presentation titled "Online Distribution Challenges in the Luxury and Boutique Hotel Sector."

CRM and Loyalty Strategies for Travel 2009 Conference

Atlanta, GA , March 4

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a presentation titled "Transform your website into a retention tool". Max discussed a 6-step action plan to retain your best customers, and market to new customers, best practices in the direct online channel, latest trends, and more.

Choice Hotels Extended Brands Advisory Council Meeting

Atlanta, GA , January 22

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Senior Account Executive Tara Rattigan conducted a presentation titled "Hotelier's Internet marketing action plan in a difficult economy". Max and Tara discussed Choice Hotels licensees' local online strategies to grow incremental business, best practices in the direct online channel, latest trends, and more.

2008

Ramada Regional Meetings

Various locations in the United States: September - November

Topic: Members of the HeBS Team traveled to the Ramada regional meetings and presented the "Hoteliers Internet Marketing Action Plan in a Difficult Economy: Franchisee Local Online Strategies to Grow Incremental Revenues."

Seaway Two Corporation Annual Meeting

Corporate event held in Las Vegas: September 22

Topic: Jason Price, Executive Vice President, was the invited guest speaker at the annual corporate conference of the Seaway Two Corporation. Mr. Price presented on the topic of Online Marketing and Distribution Strategies, Plus Top Trends in the Online Channel from now to 2011.

4th Annual MICE Asia Executive Congress

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 14-15

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a presentation titled "Internet marketing challenges and opportunities." Max discussed the big picture of the global online travel marketplace, best practices in the industry, the latest trends, and more.

Outrigger Lodging Services Leadership Conference 2008

Las Vegas, Nevada, July 10

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a presentation titled "The e-Commerce Channel 2008-2010: Internet Marketing and Distribution Trends and Action Plan." Max discussed the latest trends in the online hospitality marketplace, best practices in the industry, case studies, and a 7-step Action Plan for 2008-2009.

Choice Hotels Annual Conference

Las Vegas, NV: May 6-8

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov led a panel titled "Maximizing Your Internet Marketing Dollars: Driving Incremental Online Bookings". Hospitality eBusiness Strategies has been working with Choice Hotels since 2002.

TurnHere Travel Seminar 08

New York, NY: May 1

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov to participate on the expert panel during the seminar: "Innovations in Digital Marketing and Travel" at the Hearst Building in New York City. The audience will consist of representatives from major hotels, travel sites, regional tourism boards, and press.

Pegasus Solutions, Inc. Customer Conference

Big Island, HI: April 2

Topic: Executive Vice President Jason Price to present "Maximizing Revenues from the Direct Online Channel. Trends and Best Practices in Direct Hotel Website Bookings from 2008-2010".

Eye for Travel's Social Media Strategies for Travel Conference

San Francisco, CA: March 5-6

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented during the session: "Drive Traffic to Your Site with a Comprehensive Social Search Marketing Strategy." The session, also featuring top executives from Google and Farecast, included a social media strategy presentation followed by a panel discussion.

StarCite & HeBS Webinar

New York, NY: February 29

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price, together with StarCite presented a webinar titled: "Maximize Your Hotel's Online Presence: Drive New Business Development with Targeted eMarketing."

2008 Sage Hospitality Resources Leadership Conference

Providence, RI: February 24-27

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price discussed current and future trends in Internet marketing. Presentations focused on how to become a leader in Internet Marketing and distribution, from a franchisee standpoint as well as the independent hotelier standpoint.

2007

State of Nevada Governor's Conference on Tourism

Las Vegas, NV: December 12-14, 2007

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov conducted a workshop titled: "Importance of Web 2.0/Consumer Generated Media (CGM) and its Role in Establishing Interactive Customer Relationships."

Shell Hospitality Sales & Management Conference

Chicago, IL: July 11, 2007

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Director, eMarketing Services Mariana Mechoso conducted a Full Day workshop on best practices and latest trends in Internet Marketing and Distribution in the vacation rental and resort sector.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group 2007 Annual Marketing Meeting

Hong Kong, China: June 4-7, 2007

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented important trends in Internet Marketing and Distribution in the luxury hotel sector.

Economy & Budget Hotels World Conference

London, UK: May 24-25

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price conducted a full-day workshop titled: "Economy Hotel Branding Strategies Online" focused on building brand equity online in the economy hotel sector and the importance of brand awareness on the Web for increased direct bookings and increased competitiveness.

Choice Hotels Annual Conference

Orlando, FL: May 9-11

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price discussed Choice Hotel's Internet marketing strategies, industry developments, and more. Hospitality eBusiness Strategies has been working with Choice Hotels since 2002.

Eye for Travel Sales and Marketing in Travel, USA 2007

Miami, FL: May 10

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented in the panel, "Optimize Your CRM Strategy and Retain Customers."

Kor Hotel Group Annual Sales & Marketing Conference

San Francisco, CA: February 27-28

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented important trends in Internet Marketing and Distribution in the boutique hotel sector.

2006

Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference

Mackinac Island, MI: October 24-26

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price conducted an Internet Marketing Strategy presentation. HeBS has been working with HHA since 2003.

Travel Distribution Summit

Chicago, IL: Oct. 4 and 5

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented an innovative half-day seminar "Building a Blog Strategy in Hospitality" and participated in the Consumer Generated Media panel in the Distribution Technology Track.

Economy & Budget Hotels World Conference

London, UK: June 13

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price conducted a full-day workshop to real estate asset managers and property owners on growing the online revenue channel and methods to measure this channel to assess valuation during the purchase and sale process .

BITAC - Buyer Interactive Trade Alliance & Conference

New York City: May 8-10

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price were luncheon speakers and discussed online marketing trends and challenges. They also served as panelists addressing online travel technology purchasing and online marketing decisions.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts

New York City: March 24

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price led an open forum discussion to Starwood's Global Field Marketing team on brand level competitive analysis, brand management, and discussed trends, challenges, and strategies from the Field Marketing perspective.

Massachusetts Lodging Association: "eMarketing Techniques to Grow Your Online Revenue Strategy."

Boston, MA: February 1

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price conducted a workshop to hotel owners and marketers on the principles of Direct Online Distribution, growing direct market share online by taking advantage of sleepy competitors, and regaining price and brand control from third-party intermediaries.

2005

Historic Hotels of America (HHA)

Portland, OR: October 25-27

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price delivered to hotel owners and marketers trends in the industry with online travel, recent mergers and acquisitions, and how this all affects HHA members.

Phoenix Inn Suites-Annual Sales and Marketing Conference

Oregon, October 25, 2005

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented to brand executives, GMs and DOSMs latest trends in Internet distribution and marketing in the online hospitality marketplace, and an action plan for the brand for 2006

Economy & Budget Hotels World Conference

London, UK: Sept 19 - 21

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price conducted an Internet masterclass - gain maximum benefit from the online channel. Delivered to hotel owners and hotel marketers.

Historic Hotels of Europe (HHE), Annual Convention

Dublin, Ireland, April 8, 2005

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented to HHE executives and hoteliers latest trends and best practices in online distribution and marketing in hospitality and Europe, plus outlined action steps for HHE's online efforts.

American Hotel & Lodging Association: Extended Stay Conference

Atlanta, GA, March 15, 2005

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented to AH&LA and extended stay industry executives latest trends and best practices in online distribution and marketing in the extended stay hospitality market.

2004

Historic Hotels of America (HHA): Annual Conference Results of Study on eBusiness Readiness of HHA Members

St. Louis: Nov 17-19

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented to HHA owners and GMs the latest trends in online distribution and marketing in hospitality, and the results of a survey and analysis on "eBusiness readiness" of HHA members, conducted by HeBS.

Choice Hotels International: FSD Annual Conference

Phoenix, AZ: August 11-12

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented to FSDs and corporate executives latest trends and best practices in online distribution and marketing in hospitality, plus conducted a workshop on Internet marketing techniques.

Ministry of Tourism Trinidad & Tobago: The Tourism Marketing Leadership Forum

Tobago, July 18-22, 2004

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented to government officials and ministers, and tourism officials from Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean the latest trends and best practices in destination marketing over the Web, online distribution and marketing of resort and destination entities.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts International: Annual GM Conference

Beijing, China, May 25-28, 2004

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented to Raffles and Swissotel top executives and GMs the latest trends and best practices in online distribution and marketing in hospitality, plus overview of Raffles strategic online marketing efforts.

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)

Los Angeles: February 18, 2004

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented a Half-day information packed workshop to hotel owners and DOSMs on making 2004 the "Year of Direct Internet Distribution," which includes creating a direct web strategy an imperative for the upcoming year, turning a hotel into the "hero" of a destination, and taking advantage of sleepy competitors.

2003

Le Palais de Congres de Montreal: International Travel Simposium

Montreal, November 18, 2003

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented to top travel, hospitality and meeting executives the latest trends and best practices in online distribution and marketing in the travel and meetings industries, including meeting and event planning via the Web.

Pocono Mountain Visitor's Bureau (PMVB) Annual Marketing Conference

Stroudsburg, PA, May 6, 2003

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov and Executive Vice President Jason Price presented to over 150 top lodging executives the results of a PMVB commissioned study on the PMVB Members' eBusiness readiness, website optimization, and online distribution services, plus the latest trends in Internet marketing and distribution.

2002

Eco-North 2002 Conference and Trade Show

Northern Ontario, February 7-10, 2002

Topic: Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov presented to top travel, hospitality and destination marketing executives the latest trends and best practices in online distribution and marketing in the travel and destination marketing industries, including marketing of eco-tours and programs via the Web.