Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1140472
B M & T ••• May/June 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 18 STEPHANIE MAYS-BOYD is a member of the senior manage- ment team at the Pennsylvania Convention Center serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. With over 28 years of experience within the hospi- tality industry, Mays-Boyd is responsible for leading the sales and marketing efforts to steer the Center towards excellence by garnering relationships with clients, representing the Pennsylvania Convention Center at industry tradeshows and conferences and provid- ing strategic leadership and oversight of the Center in all aspects of its fiscal and day to day operations. Mays Boyd serves as the second vice chair of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Board (PHLCVB). She started her career in 1991 in her hometown of Macon, Georgia with the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She later relocated to Philadelphia in 1996 where she now enjoys a progressive career at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Mays-Boyd successfully leads the sales and marketing efforts to promote over a 1 million square feet of saleable space. Mays-Boyd has a strong belief in community service and lends her time, talent and energy to various organizations. She serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Lincoln University, Board member for the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Delaware River Port Authority, Legacy Youth and Education Tennis Center and Chairman of the Philadelphia Leadership Council of UNCF. Mays-Boyd is also a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Links, Inc. and serves as a member of the National Executive Council of The Links, Incorporated. CLEO BATTLE is Executive Vice President of Louisville Tourism. Battle has worked in the hospitality industry for 34 years. Prior to com- ing to Louisville, he spent 12 years as Vice President of Sales & Services of the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau in Richmond, VA. He also held the positions of Director of Sales and Sales Manager at the Richmond CVB. Battle began his hospitality career in the hotel industry working for Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, and Sheraton Hotels. Battle is a native of Denver. He is a graduate of Metropolitan State University in Denver with a bachelor's degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. He earned his Masters of Business Administration in 1997 from Averett University in Virginia. He is both a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE). RONNIE BURT, sis a destination marketing professional who has served in a leadership capacity for major markets around the country. Burt most recently was the President Executive Committee since 2013, and has a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Banks also served as Director of Housekeeping and Assistant Director of Human Relations at the hotel. Prior to this, Banks served 12 years at Entergy Services, Inc. where she worked in staffing, training and development, supplier diversity/supply chain management, and project management. She started her career at NOMTN where, from between 1994 and 1998, she served as Convention Sales Manager. Bank's core competencies include human resource manage- ment, leadership, team building, process improvement, strategic planning, and developing and maintaining strategic partner- ships/relationships. Banks has extensive board and leadership experience with several local and national non-profit organiza- tions. She has been the recipient of the Louisiana Minority Business Council Business Advocate of the Year Award (2007 & 2010), the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance 2006 Chairman's Award, Emerging Philanthropist of New Orleans 2011 Graduate, New Orleans City Business 2017 Women of the Year, and 2018 MPI Diversity Award. Banks earned her Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree from Loyola University and her MBA from the University of New Orleans. Battle currently serves on the Meeting Planners International Board of Directors, Kentucky Derby Museum Board of Directors, Louisville Sports Commission Executive Board, Louisville Zoo Foundation Board, and Board Member for Northeast YMCA of Louisville. He is Past Chair of Destination & Travel Foundation, Destination International Sales & Services Committee, and Virginia State University Hospitality Department Advisory Board.