Each year, HSMAI Europe recognizes one outstanding individual in the industry and presents them with The Fabian Specht Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year Award for their dedication, support, and contributions to the hospitality industry. IDeaS sponsors the award, as HSMAI named it in memoriam of the late Fabian Specht, area vice president at IDeaS, who passed away in 2019.
To best describe Fabian and his immense influence on the global hospitality industry, I borrow on the words from our company President, Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, when commenting on the announcement of this new award back in 2020:
“For over 20 years, Fabian helped IDeaS define the market for revenue management. A hotelier at heart, Fabian was an educator, a market change agent, and a visionary in the hotel revenue management space. Most importantly, Fabian treated his clients and colleagues with trust and courtesy that will serve as a guiding example for our industry. Through this trust and courtesy Fabian earned not only the respect, but often the friendship of industry leaders.”
On a personal level, I’ve often reflected on my eight years of memories, and Fabian was an incredible mentor to me, providing guidance, care, and amazing insights. Whenever I had a challenge, he always had a solution. I am truly blessed to have had such a strong and positive influence which helped me grow significantly as a person and in my career. I will forever miss his leadership but remain always grateful for the time we did share.
This is why this award is so important and dedicated to the memory of Fabian. He was a loyal supporter and friend of HSMAI Europe, and a shining example of the best IDeaS had to offer. It also allows us to recognize and acknowledge like-minded professionals, those true advocates of our industry, those not afraid to push boundaries, and constantly at the forefront of innovation and committed to continuous improvement.
So, in honour of one of our best, it gave me great pleasure to be able to attend the HSMAI Europe Commercial Strategy Week in London in June and personally announce the deserving recipient of the award for 2022, Monika Sand for Lindner Hotels & Resorts.
From left to right: Craig Macdonald – Account Director, IDeaS; Monika Sand – Corporate Revenue Manager, Lindner Hotels AG; Justyna Obieglo – Executive Assistant Manager, InterContinental Warsaw; Hayley Jenkins – Cluster Revenue Manager, Best Western Hotels & Resorts GB; Remy Merckx-Vice – Senior Advisor Head of Travel & Hospitality, eClerx.
For more than 9 years, Monika has worked at the corporate headquarters of Lindner Hotels & Resorts as their Corporate Revenue Manager. Almost from day one with the company, Monika was deeply involved in a long line of projects, always committed to establishing the best possible technical environment with as much automation as possible. She is a true revenue professional.
Congratulations to Monika on winning this year’s Annual Fabian Specht Revenue Optimization Professional of the Year Award. I was honored to have been a part of such a thoughtful commemoration to one of IDeaS best and brightest.
