Procurement, sustainability and training will head the categories for the Hotel Booking Agents Association’s (HBAA’s) inaugural awards presentations at the organisation’s forthcoming Annual Forum on 11-12 September 2008.

The HBAA Awards are set to recognise agencies, hotels and venues for their contribution to the booking agents sector, with the aim of driving professionalism. The awards will reinforce the association's key objectives and will be given to the individual agent, hotel or venue best demonstrating each of the following:
– Commitment to best practice in the sector through training and development
– Best green policy and contribution to environmental awareness
– Commitment to the community through actions and initiatives
– Best corporate procurement team
– Innovation through technology in the sector
– Tim Gasson Award, awarded to an individual for their outstanding commitment to and promotion of the association.

With more than 70 agency members and partner hotels and venues now exceeding over 3,000 across Europe, competition for the awards is set to be tight. Applications are to be completed by 31 July and a shortlist of nominees will be published in mid-August. Winners will be announced on 12 September when ITM members join the HBAA forum for the first time in its 10-year history.

"These awards have been driven by demand from our members, who are keen to recognise this very specific area of business,” said Sue Burgess, Chairman of the HBAA said: Of particular note is the award for the best procurement team, as this clearly looks at the corporate market and who has the best working practices when dealing with booking agents. We are very much looking
forward to announcing the winners and to driving professionalism in the
sector through such awards."

HBAA Awards application forms are available at www.hbaa.org.uk