Meeting News - February 16, 2009 - (Page 8)

People Making News Boyd’s Smith Gets Seat at Fed Table Boyd Gaming Corp.’s president and CEO, Keith Smith, has become the ﬁrst casino company representative on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s board of directors. His term is three years. Smith joins six other directors on the Los Angeles-branch board in providing the Federal Reserve System with economic information about the gaming industry and region. This information, along with other sources, is used by the Federal Reserve for monetary policy decisions. In the Las Vegas Review Journal, Smith said, “Our business is more than just casino-centric. We see customers from all across the country, and these are people who spend money in our hotels, on food and beverage, entertainment, retail, and in other areas.” rapidly changing times and chart a vibrant course for our industry’s future.” A 33-year hospitality veteran, Aguel has served on the Orlando CVB’s board of directors since 2004, as secretary in 2006 and 2007 and as chair-elect in 2008. He has held key leadership positions with numerous professional associations, including former chairman of Meeting Professionals International and board member for the American Society of Association Executives. He has held similar leadership positions with Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, the Convention Industry Council, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, as well as the U.S. Travel Association (formerly the Travel Industry Association). Aguel also serves as a member of the Orange County Tourist Development Council in Florida. “It has been very gratifying to have been involved with the Orlando CVB and the region’s tourism industry over the many years I have been in this community,” said Aguel. “I look forward to further collaboration with my board colleagues and the talented CVB management team to provide leadership, energy, and focus to further strengthen Orlando’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations.” ICCA Pres. Harry Goes Global (Again) At the start of the year, Leigh Harry, chief executive of the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and president of the International Congress & Convention Association, became the president of the Joint Meetings Industry Council. Established in 1978, JMIC is an organization representing the collective interests of major associations engaged in the convention, meetings, exhibitions, and incentive travel sectors, which are collectively deﬁned as the meetings industry. “We are at a particularly important time for our industry as there are a number of issues, ranging from global economic concerns to transportation concerns, that are challenging our members,” said Harry. “However, we believe that meetings, conventions, and exhibitions are critical elements in building international relations and helping stimulate economic growth, so there is more reason than ever to ensure the role of our industry is well-understood and our issues are addressed. We intend to be more aggressive in advancing understanding of our industry as part of the overall strategy for economic recovery.” Disney’s Aguel Is Orlando CVB Chair In January, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that George Aguel, senior VP of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was selected as the 2009-2010 chairman of the CVB’s board of directors. Aguel now works with the 30-member board of directors and the CVB management team to ensure the prosperity of the area’s tourism industry. Gary Sain, the CVB’s president and CEO, said, “I am very excited about working with George and the other accomplished executives making up our board of directors to continue the organizational excellence and innovation that has made the Orlando CVB one of the top destination management organizations in the country. I have known George for more than 20 years and have had the distinct pleasure of working with him more closely since I took the helm of the CVB in February 2007. There could not be a ﬁner choice to direct our board as we navigate these New Light in Heaven as AV Vet Passes We note with sadness the passing of Steven Mark McMahon, VP of administration at Las Vegas’ Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services. In addition to his audiovisual services career, McMahon was in several associations, such as the Las Vegas Hospitality Association, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association. Most notably, he was a board member of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, which supports Las Vegas high school and college students interested in trade show industry careers. Adrian Awards Honor Industry Talent The Adrian Awards, held by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International at the New York Marriott Marquis, on Jan. 26, honored travel professionals as the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing,” including: Rick Antonson, president and CEO, Tourism Vancouver; Douglas Carrillo, senior VP of sales and marketing, Tecton Hospitality/Desires Hotels; Bill Duncan, VP of brand sales and marketing, Homewood Suites by Hilton; William L. Edmundson, Cambria Suites brand president, Choice Hotels International; Andre Fournier, VP of ﬁeld sales and marketing, Destination Hotels & Resorts; Randy A. Garﬁeld, executive VP of worldwide sales and travel operations, E-mail your personnel announcements in the meetings and hospitality industries to Terri Hardin, Editor-In-Chief, at terri.hardin@nielsen.com, or mail them to MeetingNews, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. 8 MeetingNews February 16, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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