#37 Calm, Content, and Curious: Bob Gilbert's Rise From Dairy Farmer to Association Leader Extraordinaire

Today's podcast guest is Bob Gilbert, President & CEO of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.  One of the strongest, smartest, and most genuine hospitality leaders I have ever met.  He grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York where he learned the value of hard work, core responsibilities, dependency, and leadership.  His curiousity led him to a path in hospitality where he quickly applied his skills to influence others. We discuss: -Why Cornell suggested the world of hotels instead of agriculture for him. -How he learned his listening skills. -His perspective on the VALUE OF CUSTOMERS. What an absolute pleasure to know a gentleman of this caliber.  He continues to do so much to help Sales and Marketing within the Hospitality Industry!  Full bio below: ROBERT A. GILBERT, CHME, CHBA PRESIDENT & CEO, HSMAI (HSMAI.ORG) As President and CEO of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, has been guiding HSMAI through a dynamic and exciting period of change as the 5,000+ member organization has been re-established globally to grow the revenue for hotels through sales, marketing, and revenue optimization. During Gilbert’s tenure, HSMAI has achieved tremendous success with a number of initiatives including: the development of expert communities in the areas of Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization, signature events in each discipline,  a portfolio of c-level executive roundtables, the development of the HSMAI Global Academy’s suite of certification and online training programs, and the global expansion of HSMAI thru the formation of HSMAI Global and regional development in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.  Most recently, the growth of members from the corporate offices of hotel brands, management companies and ownership groups has driven the addition of organizational membership which are now available in addition to individual memberships. Gilbert holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and has been a member of HSMAI since joining the student chapter at Cornell. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Cornell. Gilbert is a past chair of the Events Industry Council (formerly CIC), and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Travel and Tourism Coalition of the U.S. Travel Association.  He also serves on several advisory boards of hospitality and hotel management schools. Most People Don't | Resources Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom. Find all Podcast episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to Bart's TedX talk ⁠here⁠ Schedule Bart to Speak ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.mostpeopledont.com Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]