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ICI •pg_3-13__BMT_pg3-58 12/21/12 2:38 AM Page 8 IN THE NEWS ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER TO HOST 11,000 MEETING PLANNERS AT INDUSTRY EVENTS IN COMING YEARS The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) will be host to four industry events in the coming year(s). The OCCC and Visit Orlando sales teams attract additional business by being actively involved in many industry organizations as members, sponsors and attendees. The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) 2012 Annual Meeting, the 2012 International Association of Exhibitions & Events Expo! Expo!, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders 2013 Annual Meeting and the 2014 and 2016 Americas Incentive Business Travel & Meetings will meet at the convention center bringing more than 11,000 meeting planners to the destination. "We are proud to be the host city and center for these meeting industry events," said Kathie Canning, general manager, Orange County Convention Center. "These events bring together meeting planners & organizers from the biggest & brightest shows in the industry. These four events alone will bring meeting planners to our market and the potential for massive amounts of business to the Center and the destination." "Hosting events like this gives us the opportunity for meeting professionals and leaders in our industry to experience the destination first-hand," said Tammi Runzler, senior vice president of convention sales for Visit Orlando. "It also gives us the opportunity to target these associations and groups for future meetings that they are producing and gives us a distinct advantage when they are considering next meeting or convention." About The Orange County Convention Center The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest convention facility in America. Each year OCCC attracts more than 200 events to the Central Florida area. As a result, roughly 1.4 million attendees contribute approximately $2.1 billion to the area's economy each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center visit www.occc.net. INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL & LEADERSHIP SUMMIT ASSEMBLES BIG NAMES FOR A BIG CAUSE More than 2,000 charitable attendees gathered for the 6th Annual International Financial and Leadership Summit at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on August 22-24, 2012 in the Houston Galleria area. The three-day conference, which featured nationallyrenowned speakers and panelists, was hosted by the Texas Women's Empowerment Foundation (TWEF) in an effort to raise funds for Eagle Scholars, TWEF's scholarship program. Throughout the summit, prominent business pioneers including Herman Cain, CNN's Soledad O'Brien and Stedman Graham spoke to audiences about leadership and success through diversity. The highlight of the event was the black-tie gala, where keynote speakers such as Soledad O'Brien were named official TWEF ambassadors during an awards ceremony. "It was so overwhelming to see so much support for the organization from such a diverse group of people," said Deavra Daughtry, founder of TWEF. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to have had phenomenal, multicultural speakers and attendees inspire us all." Also in attendance were 25 TWEF Eagle Scholars, each of whom will attend a trip to Washington D.C. with the money raised from the summit. Other notable speakers included: Chief executive officer at Amerigroup, Aileen McCormick; president and CEO of Accion Texas, Inc., Janie Barrera; chairman and CEO of ChaseSource, L.P., Anthony R. Chase; shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Roland Garcia, Jr.; executive VP at Booz Allen & Hamilton and member of President Obama's National Committee on the Arts and Humanities, Reginald Van Lee; banking mogul and founder of the 8 BM&T ••• September/October 2012 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com