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ICI•pg_3-13__BMT_pg3-58 1/22/13 1:13 AM Page 10 Speaking Of People J o s e p h McCorvey has been selected to direct the sales effort for the Aurora (IL) Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. McCorvey has over two decades of experience as a destination sales and marketing professional in Ohio and Indiana; worked with Marriott International in sales; and provided consulting services to several hotels properties in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. McCorvey also served as director of marketing and sales for a new convention center and hotel venue in Erie, PA. McCorvey holds membership in several industry organizations, including the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners. As account director (Eastern Region) for the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, TJ Jackson brings AfricanAmerican and associations based in the eastern U.S. to Austin for conventions. In this role, Jackson handles not only prospecting and sales calls, but also site visits, tradeshows and client events. Prior to joining the Austin CVB, Jackson served as multicultural sales and marketing accounts director at Visit Jacksonville. She has additional experience as a publisher and Internet tourism sales executive. Jackson is a member of the Destination Marketing Association International, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Religious Conference Management Association, Professional Convention Management Association, Meeting Professionals International and Travel Professionals of Color. Sara Zetts is the assistant director of operations, for the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC)reporting to Assistant General Manager/Director of Operations John Page. Zetts will be responsible for ass-isting Page in all aspects of facility operations, with particular regard to efficiency, performance and customer service. She joins the facility after more than six years with the San Diego Convention Center, where she was the facility services manager overseeing a team of 180 members. Prior to moving to San Diego, Zetts was affiliated with PromoWest Productions and the Value City Arena – Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in financial management, Zetts is originally from the Youngstown area. Willie B. Clay's, CMP, CASE hotel sales career includes 26 years of service with Marriott International, where he has been the recipient of the prestigious Chairman Circle Award eight times. Since 1996, Clay has worked as a senior sales executive at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile handling the Midwest Association/ Affinity Markets. It was at this same hotel that Clay began his career in 1986 as an executive meetings manager. Other highlights in Clay's Marriott career include director of sales positions at both the Bloomington Marriott Airport in Minneapolis from 1988 to 1992 and the St. Louis Marriott Airport from 1992 to 1996. Thom Connors, regional vice president and general manager of Cobo Center/SMG recently announced the promotion of Cedric Turnbore to senior operations manager at Cobo Center. Turnbore's promotion comes from three years of dedicated service as manager of Production Services for Cobo Center. While overseeing vendor contract services, he supervises the training and performance of production service staff in Cobo Center, ensuring a welcoming event experience for customers. In his new post, he will continue to oversee set up, cleaning and housekeeping in Cobo, and coordinate the safety and Green initiatives in the facility. Previously, he received the Manager of the Year award from Marriott Hotels and was nominated three times for the prestigious Rose Award. The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CV-B) recently announced Johnny Danrich III, CMP as the new assistant director of Sales & Services. In this post Danrich is responsible for the national association and corporate market segments, and oversees the Convention Services managers. Prior to joining the Oklahoma City CVB in February 2012, Danrich was the director of Sales for the Omni Majestic Hotel in St. Louis. Danrich has an extensive background in the hospitality industry including nine years with the St. Louis CVB in both sales and services. He has also held management positions with Ritz Carlton, Marriot, Wyndham and Hard Rock hotels. 10 B M & T ••• November/December 2012 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com