Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/52019
Mostly everything he does is in "grand style" which will leave meeting planners, association executives and even competi- tors with a smile on their faces. For instance, most recently, Jay has carved out another niche through his partnership with Travel Portland and others to host one of the most successful receptions in Washington DC as a kick off to Congressional Black Caucus week. Last September, the entire ballroom of a major hotel was transformed into a VIP reception which required screening tighter than TSA at a local airport. In attendance were meet- ing planners, association executives, politi- cians, business people, professionals, con- vention colleagues and competitors from coast to coast. Not only was there your customary food and refreshments provided, but Jay along with colleagues, supporters and sponsors made absolutely sure that everyone from the photographers to musician were people of color for the standing room only event. Over 200 over- flowed into the streets of downtown Washington DC, hoping to win cash or one of the several all expense paid trips to Trinidad-Tobago (another Roy Jay part- ner) . The hotel is always extremely pleased when you have a customer like Roy Jay. One that makes sure that every detail is handled in advance including full payment in advance, before he sets foot onto the property. Jay's connectivity in the convention, tourism and business industry and his open willingness to help others along speaks volumes to the hospitality that potential customers can expect when they book business in the City of Roses, Portland, Oregon. OSCAR C.MCGASKEY, JR. is the Executive Director of the Kansas City Convention and En ter t a i nmen t F a c i l i t i e s D e p a r tm e n t . Oscar oversees the Convention Center, Kemper Arena, American Royal Center and the new 18,000- seat Sprint Center. Under his leader- ship the Convention and Entertainment Facilities has generated an operating surplus in the past six (6) consecutive years and the Convention Center has been recognized by Facilities & Destinations Magazine as one of the best managed facilities in the country. Oscar also has responsibility for a $40 million operation budget. MICHAEL D.MUNN was appointed chief of staff and director of Business Development for the Boston Convention Marketing Center (BCMC) in the Spring of 2004 by the Massachuset ts C o n v e n t i o n Center Authority. Munn is responsi- ble for business management and developing pro- grams in support of the BCMC and implementing diversity initiatives that focus on Boston's multicultural and multi- national qualities. During his 22-plus years in the Meetings industry, he has held positions with the National Managed Health Care Congress; vice president of Sponsorship Programs, International Data Group (IDG); show director for ComNET DC and ComNET San Francisco and manager of Business Development & Partner Alliances at the Hurwitz Group, a strategic e-business marketing, research and con- sulting company In 2010, he was selected as a recipient of the BM&T Tenth Annual APEX DISTIN- GUISHED SERVICE AWARD, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular field of endeavor that have positively impacted travel and tourism. Munn holds a B.A. in Economics from Boston University and a Masters of Education from Cambridge College. ROBERT L. JOHNSON is the founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, an innovative business net- work that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses oper- ating in hotel real estate investment; pri- vate equity; financial services; asset man- agement; insur- ance services; automobile dealer- ships; sports and entertainment; and video lottery termi- nal (VLT) gaming. Prior to forming The RLJ Comp- anies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET), the nation's first and leading television network provid- ing quality entertainment, music, news, sports and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. Under Mr. Johnson's leadership, BET became the first African-American-owned company pub- licly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2000, Johnson sold BET to Viacom and remained the CEO through 2005. From 1976-79, Johnson served as vice president of Government Relations for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), a trade association representing more than 1,500 cable televi- sion companies. Prior to joining the NCTA, Johnson was press secretary for the Honorable Walter E. Fauntroy, Congress- ional Delegate from the District of Columbia. Johnson holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from the University of Illinois. CURTIS L. MYLES III, a native Nevadan, began his career in transporta- tion after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Colorado State University while attending on an ath- letic scholarship. Upon his graduation, he began work with a national shipping and cargo firm from 1986 to 1991. Returning to Las Vegas in June of 1991, he embarked upon an 11-year career in avia- tion management with the Clark County Department of Aviation. He served in severalmanagerial capac- ities, including operations manager, as well as his final position there as assistant director of aviation. Curtis departed the Department of Aviation for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada in May of 2002, where he served Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 51