Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094881
B M & T November/December 2018 www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10 N E W S M A K E R S SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY HIRES MONICA SMITH AS PRESIDENT AND CEO The 12-state Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has hired convention and visitors bureau veteran Monica Smith as president and CEO. She is only the third chief executive in the 35-year history of STS. Smith took office in August upon the retirement of Bill Hardman after his 21-year tenure in the position, according to Tim Todd, Interim Chairman of the STS Board of Directors. Smith, who has more than 26 years' experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, most recently was vice president of sales and services for Visit Jacksonville, the city's tourism sales and marketing organization. She previously was president and CEO of the Macon Bibb County CVB in Macon, Ga. She also has worked at the Pasadena CVB and the Newport Beach CVB in California and for Destination Cleveland in Ohio. Smith, who has served on the STS board of directors through her positions in Jacksonville and Macon, is a graduate of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. A BOUT SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY (STS) Founded in 1983, Southeast Tourism Society (southeasttourism.org) provides education, advocacy, recognition, and networking oppor- tunities for travel and tourism professionals to best promote their destinations in its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Its headquarters are in Roswell, Georgia. GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER GENERAL MANAGER JOHN PAGE TO BE HONORED AS DIVERSITY PIONEER ON OCTOBER 31 John Page, general manager of the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), was honored as a 2018 Diversity Pioneer Award recipient during the 8th Annual Central Ohio Champions of Diversity Awards Luncheon & Business Expo and Career Fair on October 31 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. Page was recognized for his leadership, focus on diversity and community outreach as general manager of the GCCC, which completed an award-winning $140 million expansion and renovation in 2017. "The Central Ohio Champions of Diversity Awards are designed to highlight and recognize the contribu- tions of individuals and corporations with 200 or more Central Ohio employees who demonstrate outstanding efforts in diversity leadership, development, supplier, workforce and community outreach," said Sharon S. Gordon, chairperson of the 2018 Central Ohio Champions of Diversity. Known as the only program in the area recognizing the diversity accomplishments of both individuals and corporations, the event is planned entirely by local businesses owned and operated by minorities, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to local non-profit organ- izations assisting minority communities. Page was also recognized in September as one of the 2018 Most Admired Chief Operating Officers in Central Ohio by Columbus Business First. He was a Smart Business Columbus 2016 Central Ohio Smart 50 Award recipient and has been profiled extensively in Who's Who in Black Columbus. A two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, Page also serves as a commissioner on the Ohio Expositions Commission, the gov- erning body for the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair. The Greater Columbus Convention Center is located in downtown Columbus and owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and managed by SMG.