When Ian Bencio David, assistant director of Sales at the Conrad Manila, won the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association’s (HSMA) Virtus Awards’ Associate category back in 2019, he received much more than the prestige of having the recognition–his career accelerated, his network grew, and his confidence as a sales executive skyrocketed.
But, perhaps, one of the best benefits David received was his improved ability to push his limits, because, shortly after his promotion then from sales executive to sales manager, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and, as the world saw, crippled the hospitality industry.
“Instead of leaving the industry, I took it as an opportunity to learn how to navigate through tough times and prove my grit,” says David. “Recognizing this dedication despite the challenging times, the management promoted me to Senior Sales Manager in April 2022 and then to Assistant Director of Sales after only eight months.”
Today, July 20, the Virtus Awards is opening its ninth edition with the theme “Beyond the Bottom Line.”
“The world has seen dynamic changes in travel, recreation, and celebration trends in the past three years, which pose a long-term impact on a hotel’s/resort’s existence,” says Margarita Munsayac, HSMA chair. “‘Beyond the Bottom Line” calls for adaptability to change, responsiveness to shifting preferences and needs, and flexibility to future scenarios.”
Member properties are invited to send in their entries through the HSMA website https://hsma.org.ph/, under the following categories: Outstanding Sales and Marketing Associate; Outstanding Sales and Marketing Manager; Outstanding Sales and Marketing Leader; and the Institutional Award for Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign of the Year.
Criteria for judging will be based on actual accomplishments, customer service orientation and business-specific knowledge, teamwork and interpersonal relationships, and commitment to continuing education. The deadline for submission of entries is on September 15, while judging is scheduled on October 7.
The prestigious Virtus Awards Night is set for November 9 at The Grand Ballroom, City of Dreams Manila.
Previous winner Admiral Hotel Manila MGallery sales director Fatima Mationg-Nottingham, former sales and marketing manager of Makati Diamond Residences when she was awarded in 2018, calls on hotel sales and marketing practitioners to take advantage of this platform, as it could be an avenue for them to further progress in their careers and take themselves to where they want to be professionally.
“Winning the prestigious Virtus Award was such a humbling moment. It was also a fulfilling experience to be recognized for all the hard work you’ve put in, in the field that you love the most. It has helped me elevate my brand and opened up lots of opportunities for both my personal growth and professional development. This has also become an avenue to inspire the younger generation of the hospitality industry to put their hearts into what they do and deliver excellence at all times,” Nottingham says.
For Marivic Recio, The Bellevue Manila’s general manager, the Virtus Awards even opened a career path for her that she previously hadn’t even considered: Operations. When she won in 2016, Recio was director of sales and Marketing of the Bellevue Hotels.
“Prior to winning, I never imagined getting my toes wet by leaving the sales and marketing arena, and eventually shifting to operations–I didn’t think I had it in me. I had been working in the hospitality industry for more than 2 decades, and all I cared about were numbers. Operations was not something I hoped or dreamed to be part of, at least not in the near future, and leading a team in charge of a wide range of functions did not cross my mind back then. But it happened,” Recio says. “I was entrusted with the roles of a Resident Manager and General Manager. The otherwise peaceful rhythms of my life were never the same since. It has been a roller coaster ride and each day was, and still is enough of a reason to showcase resilience, agility, and resourcefulness. I met great leaders along the way and I marveled at how they influenced the way I looked at life in general.”
“The Virtus Awards serve as a catalyst for inspiration and growth within our Sales and Marketing teams. We aim to ignite a fire within each associate, encouraging them to claim new strategies and approaches that work in these unforeseen circumstances,” adds Rose Libongco, Virtus Awards chair. “The difficulties posed by the pandemic and the subsequent business fall-outs have tested our resilience, but it is in these moments of adversity that true leaders rise.”
The 9th Virtus Awards is co-presented by the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board, with Isentia as Gold Sponsor.