Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1517455
July 24-27 National Urban League Conference 2024, Hyatt Regency New Orleans, New Orleans, LA. For more infor- mation visit https://nul.org/events. July 25-28 National Dental Association Annual Convention, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV. For more information visit https://www.ndaonline.org. July 26-27 International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism, Summit & Trade Show, Miami, FL. For more information visit http://www.nabhood.net. July 28-August1 National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Conference, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans, LA. For more information visit https://nabcj.org/new-conference/. July 31-August 4 National Association of Black Journalists Convention, Hilton Chicago, Chicago, IL. For more informa- tion visit https://nabjconvention- .com/index.cfm. August 7-9 National Sales Network 27th Annual Conference & Career Fair, Hilton Americas, Houston, TX. For more information visit https://www.salesnet- work.org. August 13-16 Association of African American Museums Conference, Hilton Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD. For more information visit https://blackmuse- ums.org. B M & T ••• March/April 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 11 VISIT OKLAHOMA CITY WELCOMES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF CONVENTION SALES & SERVICES Visit Oklahoma City (Visit OKC) announces the selection of Shaun Yates as the new Vice President of Convention Sales & Services. This leadership position plays a critical role in bringing large-scale meetings and conventions to Oklahoma City by pro- moting the destination's wide range of new and growing convention offer- ings. Yates joined Visit OKC on Dec. 18 and brings more than 20 years of extensive industry experience. Honing his skills in various sales roles, Yates spent the last seven years in Austin, TX, working at a downtown con- vention hotel until joining Kalahari Resorts & Conventions as Director of Sales in May 2021. "After a competitive nationwide search, Visit OKC is excited to wel- come Shaun to Oklahoma City. His valuable expertise will further enhance our already strong team and allow us to build on our current momentum," said Visit OKC President Zac Craig. Yates brings a diverse background in hotel sales, catering and conven- tion services. His career spans top-tier convention and resort properties, including the Waldorf Astoria Orlando & Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Caesars Palace, as well as the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, among others. "Working in hospitality is not simply a job or a building, but rather a true desire to connect with individuals and create experiences," said Yates. "At its core, hospitality is relationships and I look forward to building on existing relationships to benefit OKC, as well as growing new ones with our com- munity partners." As a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Yates began his career in hospitality at Caesars Palace as a Colosseum Sales Intern for the Celine Dion show, A New Day. POWERFULL CONFERENCE SPEAKER BEATTIE ALSO LEADERSHIP COACH Elaine Robinson Beattie is an inspiring keynote speaker, transfor- mational leadership coach, and trainer, igniting her audiences into action. As a leadership coach and mas- ter storyteller, she imparts practical strategies, leaving the attendees with an enhanced toolkit. She is a certified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainer, teach- ing teams to embrace the concepts of Cultural Humility and Intelligence, creating workplace spaces that are more empathetic and efficient for all. She has spent over 21 years as a senior executive of Fortune 500 com- panies in the Hospitality industry, working across the USA and Canada. Her in-person and virtual presentations and workshops help teams work efficiently and effectively to avoid burnout. Mrs. Beattie's leading-edge comprehensive Lead Well Lead Wise Management Training program is designed to help companies train and prepare the next generation for exec- utive positions, mainly focusing on women and people of color. Her clients are reporting 85% completion rates and 75 % promotion rates, which have affected their retention rates positively. Elaine Beattie graduated from Simmons College (now University), a prestigious women's college noted for producing some of the most influen- tial businesswomen in America. At Simmons, she received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Furthermore, Ms. Beattie earned a mas- ter's in Management and Leadership from Montreat College and a Master of Religious Leadership degree from the Candler School of Theology- Emory University. Ms. Beattie is married to Rev. Dr. Charles M. Beattie II, Hartford United Methodist Church pastor in Senoia, GA, a chaplain, and an international blues artist. They live in Ellenwood with their beloved dog, Miss Ella Fitzgerald Robinson Beattie. continued from page 5