IDeaS’ Global Director of New Ventures recognized for advancing next-generation AI solutions in hospitality
MINNEAPOLIS—Feb. 19, 2026 — IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of AI-powered hospitality revenue management software, today announced that Crystal Pernici, Global Director, New Ventures, has been named a 2025 “Top 25 Extraordinary Mind“ by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). This is the 23rd year HSMAI has compiled the list, which annually recognizes exemplary achievement and leadership in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution.
Pernici is a 20-year hospitality industry veteran known for bridging innovation and execution. In her role at IDeaS, she helps translate emerging technologies into market-ready solutions, enabling hospitality teams to adopt more intelligent, data-driven approaches to revenue and commercial decision-making.
“This recognition is a testament to how quickly innovation can transform our industry when bold ideas meet real-world collaboration,” said Crystal Pernici, Global Director, New Ventures at IDeaS. “It is an honor to receive this recognition from HSMAI, and it reflects broader evolution happening at IDeaS as we expand from revenue management into true decision intelligence for hospitality. We’re helping commercial teams move faster, think more strategically, and unlock new sources of growth.”
Bringing this vision to life is IDeaS.Lab, the company’s internal innovation group that explores, tests, and incubates new opportunities. Drawing on deep industry expertise and a strong foundation in data-driven decisioning, IDeaS.Lab has produced several award-winning innovations, including:
- Cruise RMS, an end-to-end revenue management system built specifically for the complexity of cruise operations, applying advanced analytics and AI to optimize pricing and inventory across sailings, itineraries, and cabin categories. The solution was recognized as RMS Innovation of the Year by TravelTech Breakthrough for extending modern revenue management into the cruise sector.
- Spotlight connects demand signals and performance analytics to help teams identify the right opportunities and activate the right offers at the right time. The solution is a Skift IDEA Award winner, recognized for driving stronger alignment between marketing decisions and measurable revenue impact.
Brian Hicks, President and CEO of HSMAI, said: “It is with great pride that we honor HSMAI’s 2025 class of Top 25 honorees in hotel sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution. These outstanding professionals, through their creativity, dedication, and commercial acumen, have not only excelled in their domains but have also set new standards of excellence for the industry, inspiring us all.”
Pernici joined an exclusive list when she was honored at a reception held in conjunction with the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration.
The Adrian Awards
The 2025 “Top 25” honorees were judged by a panel of senior industry executives for their recent work based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation, cutting-edge sales or marketing campaigns, triumph in challenging situations, and/or efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.
The “Top 25” were honored in person at a reception at the New York Marriott Marquis on Feb. 18, 2026. The reception, held in conjunction with the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration, recognizes the winners of the largest and most prestigious competition in global travel marketing.
In addition to the “Top 25” reception, Pernici will be featured in a series of HSMAI spotlights, receive a personalized award, and henceforward be recognized as a “Top 25 Mind in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization, and Distribution.”
About IDeaS
IDeaS, a SAS company, powers profitable hospitality. As the global leader in revenue management, IDeaS supports a diverse range of hospitality, including independent hotels, resorts, global hotel chains, cruise lines, and parking brands. IDeaS’ AI-driven solutions go beyond forecasting and pricing to optimize revenue, boost profitability, and improve efficiency, helping hospitality organizations build fully connected commercial strategies. With more than 31,000 installations globally, IDeaS continues to innovate and set the standard for growth, performance, and value in the next era of hospitality.
About HSMAI
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Commercial Strategy Conference, Sales Leader Forum, and Adrian Awards. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with over 30 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.