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MGM MIRAGE EXECUTIVE DEBRA NELSON INDUCTED INTO THE WOMEN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEVADA HALL OF FAME MGM MIRAGE Vice President of Corporate Diversity and Community Affairs Debra Nelson has joined a list of prominent local women in the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada Hall of Fame. Nelson was presented with the Women’s Chamber top honor at its 5th Annual Women’s Hall of Fame and Pioneer Award Luncheon held recently at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Las Vegas. The Women’s Hall of Fame publicly honors nominees and recipients of the Women’s Chamber ATHENA award, which Nelson was awarded in December. The Hall of Fame also recognizes professional women for their accomplishments in the performing arts, media and entertainment industries. “Since making Southern Nevada her home, Debra has become a role model in the community,” said June Beland, president of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “Her contributions to the diversity profession are remarkable and have contributed signifi- cantly to the position of MGM MIRAGE as an industry leader.” The Hall of Fame is designed to encourage the continued achievements of businesswomen in Nevada. Proceeds from the luncheon will provide educational scholarships and grants for professional women. “While most of our executives and employees are focused on giving exceptional service to our guests, many of Debra’s responsibilities focus on representing MGM MIRAGE in our community, and she does so in an equally outstanding way,” said Phyllis James, MGM MIRAGE senior vice president, senior counsel and chief diversity officer. “She sets a wonderful example for professional women who work in every industry.” At MGM MIRAGE, Nelson is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of the compa- ny’s diversity initiative and community affairs activities. Previously she held management positions at DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes-Benz companies and in higher education and media. Since joining MGM MIRAGE, she was a founding member of the Chief Diversity Officers Roundtable established at Cornell University to promote the practice of diversity among America’s Fortune 500 companies. In Nevada, she found- ed the Diversity Professionals Network as a platform for networking and best practice sharing. She was the cat- alyst for Las Vegas’ inaugural Women of Color Conference, which has since become an annual national profes- sional development event. Nelson can be reached at (702) 650-7400. THE ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU PROMOTES LARRY ATCHISON TO VICE PRESIDENT OF CONVENTION SALES, SERVICES & SPORTS The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) announces the promo- tion of Larry Atchison to vice president of Convention Sales, Services & Sports. In his new position, Atchison will have the primary responsibility of directing the convention and sports sales initiatives within the bureau. “Larry is an instrumental part of our organization, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to promote him into this position,” said Dale Lockett, president and CEO of ACVB. Atchison, a 28-year veteran of the hospitality and meeting industry, has been with ACVB for 17 years. After serving as ACVB’s sales manager for four years in Washington, D.C., he returned to Albuquerque where he was promoted to senior direc- tor of Sales in 2006. He most recently served as interim vice president of Convention Sales & Services for the Bureau. Atchison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Langston University in Oklahoma. He is a member of ASAE, NCBMP, RCMA and SGMP and has worked for companies including Budget Rent A Car Systems, Inc. and Fountainhead Resort. Atchison can be reached at (800) 733-9918. 6 Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NEWSMAKERS