Black Meetings and Tourism

May / June 2017

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The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is pleased to announce that for- mer Region VII Director, Cheryl Smith, is the organi- zation's new secre- tary. Smith was recently appointed to the office by NABJ President Sarah Glover. An award-winning reporter, Smith has worked as an editor, colum- nist, and staff writer for The Dallas Weekly. She is currently publisher and editor of the IMessenger News Group, a multi-platform news organization that consists of two print newspa- pers, one digital news magazine, an online radio show and a television program. Smith, a Florida A&M University graduate, previously served two terms as NABJ Regional VII Director. She is the president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists. J. John Oros, Jr., president and CEO of the Greater Birm- ingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, recently announced new personnel and personnel in new positions. Rita Kel- ley has been promot- ed from administrative assistant in the convention sales department to information technology man- ager. In her new position, Kelley is responsible for computer operations, training and mainte- nance. Other staff changes/additions include Steve Pierson being chosen to head the sales department as director of convention sales, Carman Atchison coming on board as sales man- ager for the Northeast territory and the arts and culture markets, and April Deal rejoining the CVB staff as customer relations manager. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) extends con- gratulations to long- time NABJ member Rashida Jones, who was recently appointed senior vice president of Specials for NBC News and MSNBC. She was previously managing editor of MSNBC 's day side programming. Before her time with MSNBC, Jones was the news director for WIS- TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina, where she rebuilt and rebranded the news team to focus on investigative reporting. The station was solidly No. 1 in the market. She was also director of live programming at The Weather Channel, leading network coverage and programming for some of the world's most historic weather events, such as Hurricane Katrina. Jones is a 2002 graduate of Hampton University. Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia is pleased to announce the appointment of Jen- nifer Montgomery as director of sales and marketing for the 107-room boutique hotel. With nearly 30 years of hospitality experi- ence, Montgomery will supervise the hotel's ded- icated sales team across all market segments as well as its catering team. A Kimpton veteran, Montgomery joins Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa's executive team from Kimpton's Carlyle Hotel Dupont Circle and Glover Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. where she was most recently the opening associate director of sales for both hotels. A graduate of University of Maryland University College with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Montgomery considers the Washington metro area home. Jennifer Haz joined the Greater Miami CVB's media relations team in 2002 after obtaining a marketing degree from Barry University in Miami Shores. She has been an instru- mental member of the media relations team working closely with each market over the past several years and playing a key role in many of the hosted press tours and individual media visits, as well as trav- eling on media missions and planning special media projects. She is now responsible for carry- ing out all aspects of the Bureau's public relations efforts in key markets within the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Her responsibilities include developing all aspects of the Bureau's media relations US/Canada and Caribbean efforts to enhance the perception of Greater Miami and the Beaches by placing positive media coverage. Visit KC is pleased to announce the recent hire of Andre Walker as national account manager. Walker, who is based in Washington, D.C., brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to the team. His first day was Feb. 20. As national account manager, Walker works in the large meeting segment, consisting of 500- plus room nights on peak. He is responsible for the Washington, D.C./East Coast region of the United States,. Additionally, Walker will secure and organize large, in-house and multiple-hotel business as well as citywide event proposals. Previously Walker served for nearly nine years as national sales manager for the Memphis CVB, and before that for four years as director of sales for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. S p e a k i n g O f P e o p l e 18 B M & T ••• May/June 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com

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