The Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy
The Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategyis HSMAI’s most prestigious individual honor, recognizing exceptional leaders who have made enduring contributions to the commercial disciplines within the hospitality industry. This global award celebrates individuals whose careers have shaped and elevated sales, marketing, revenue optimization, distribution, and related fields through innovation, leadership, and advocacy.
Nominations for 2027 recognition are due by 30th September, 2026.
Preparing to Nominate Someone?
Here are the Questions you’ll need to complete:
- Career-Defining Contributions: Reflecting on the nominee’s entire career, what * are the most defining contributions they have made to shaping commercial strategy within the hotel and travel industry? How have their unique qualifications and achievements-both within their organization and across the broader industry-created meaningful, lasting impact?
- Business and Professional Success: Highlight the nominee’s most notable accomplishments in one or more commercial disciplines (e.g., sales, marketing, revenue optimization, distribution). What are the enduring effects of these contributions, and how do they continue to influence the industry today?
- Industry Leadership and Advocacy: Describe the nominee’s role in developing, * championing, or institutionalizing programs, initiatives, or concepts that have elevated the commercial professions within the hotel and travel sector. How have these efforts advanced the industry?
- Innovation and Influence: In what ways has the nominee demonstrated innovation through original ideas, methodologies, services, or products? Detail how these innovations have had a broad and lasting impact on commercial strategy and the hotel and travel industry at large.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Provide examples of how the nominee has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, fostering team engagement and driving meaningful results. How has their leadership positively influenced individuals, teams, or organizations within the industry?
- Nominator’s Personal Statement: Why do you believe this nominee is especially deserving of this award? Summarize the qualities, achievements, and influence that distinguish them as a leader in the field. Why do you believe that this nominee is worthy of this career achievement award honor?
- Additional Supporting Information: Is there any other relevant information, testimonials, or context that would strengthen this nomination?
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.
