HSMAI Announces 2026 Recipients of the Robert A. Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Robert A. Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy, honoring leaders whose careers have shaped hospitality sales, marketing, distribution, and revenue optimization through enduring leadership, innovation, and advocacy across the commercial disciplines.

Named in tribute to Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert, who served as HSMAI’s President and CEO from 1995 to 2024, the award recognizes individuals whose influence extends beyond performance —advancing the profession, strengthening teams, and elevating the industry as a whole.

“Commercial strategy today is more connected than ever, and these honorees reflect the very best of that evolution,” said Brian Hicks, President & CEO of HSMAI. “Mary, Jeff, and André have each built careers defined by leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to moving our industry forward. Their impact is felt not only in results delivered, but in the people they’ve developed and the standards they’ve helped set for the future.”

Recipients will be honored during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration and at HSMAI Americas’ Commercial Strategy Conference, signature annual events celebrating excellence in hospitality, where peers and leaders from around the world gather to spotlight innovation and achievement.

The 2026 Gilbert Award honorees are:

Mary Casey – Hospitality and Business-Events Leader

Mary Casey is a globally respected hospitality and business-events leader with more than 35 years of experience across the travel, hotel, and event-experience sectors. She recently retired after serving as Chief Client Officer at Maritz, where she led enterprise-level sales, growth marketing, and client strategies across corporate, association, trade show, and live-events organizations.

Previously, Casey spent nearly three decades with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, rising to Senior Vice President of Sales and Field Marketing for North America and leading more than 1,500 sales professionals supporting 400+ hotels. Known for her commitment to talent development and high-performing teams, she played a key leadership role in the transition of Starwood’s global sales organization into Marriott, supporting more than 5,000 associates worldwide. During her time at Starwood, Mary was a key member of HSMAI’s Sales Executive Roundtable.

Jeff Doane – Chief Commercial Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Jeff Doane is Chief Commercial Officer of Omni Hotels & Resorts, overseeing the development and execution of Omni’s integrated commercial strategy across its portfolio of hotels and resorts in the United States and Canada. His responsibilities span brand and tactical marketing, public relations, partnerships, digital platforms, sales, revenue management, loyalty, distribution, and customer service.

With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Doane previously held senior commercial leadership roles with Fairmont Raffles Hotels International and Accor North America, where he consistently delivered strong top-line results and loyalty growth. He has also served the industry through leadership roles with the HSMAI Foundation Board of Directors and U.S. Travel.

André Fournier – Chief Commercial Officer, CoralTree Hospitality

André Fournier is Chief Commercial Officer at CoralTree Hospitality, where he leads the company’s commercial strategy across sales, marketing, and revenue. A hospitality industry veteran, Fournier began his career while attending Arizona State University and quickly rose through leadership roles spanning resort, regional, and corporate commercial teams.

Fournier held senior commercial positions with Destination Hotels & Resorts and Two Roads Hospitality, ultimately leading global sales, marketing, and revenue efforts for what was then the world’s largest independent hotel management company. In 2018, he helped launch CoralTree Hospitality, bringing a people-first leadership approach rooted in integrity, purpose, and long-term growth. André has served on the HSMAI Americas Board of Directors and has been instrumental in the recent relaunch of the HSMAI Denver Chapter in Colorado.

For more information about HSMAI and its initiatives, visit www.hsmai.org.