Sharon, the new director of sales at the Westgate Hotel, assigned each of her three account managers ten personal sales calls a week. The objective was to introduce prospective clients to the products and services of the hotel. Before making the calls, account managers were to gather as much information as possible about their prospects' needs. Which of the following best describes the type of personal sales calls that Sharon wants her staff to make?

a$.$ cold calls

b$.$ presentation calls

c$.$ public relations calls

d$.$ service calls