Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/22095
competitive meetings, tourism and hospitality arena. As always there are some new additions to the list, while some familiar faces are gone, at least for the moment. We were espe- E cially pleased to learn of the appointment ofMonica Smith to the position as president/CEO of theMacon CVB. We have followed Smith’s career closely and watched with much pride as she blossomed into a well-respected industry leader. Also new this year is Cleo Battle and Greg O’Dell, both of whomhave proven they deserve this recognition by the fine work they have done in Richmond and Washington, DC respectively. Back again is Ronnie Burt, although this time as VP of Convention Sales and Services with Destination DC. Dropping off the list is Ed Grier, who retired from his position as president of Disneyland Resort. Also gone are Kansas City’s Ava Gardner, Hilton’sWilliam Holland, former Pasadena CVB president NanMerchand, State of Ohio’sAlicia Reece and industry icon Brenda Scott, who’s still active in the industry, though not on the CVB side of the business. Putting together this list every year makes us, and I hope you, so very proud of those who we are recognizing. But as a result of the process involved it also becomes obvious that so much more needs to be done in the area of diversity and inclusion. As always, those listed here are to be commended for their achievements, their tenacity, and their determination to succeed in an industry that has been slowto embrace the concept of inclusiveness. Overcoming the challenges they’ve had to face in order to reach the top of their profession, they’ve earned the right to your respect, admiration and recognition. And most importantly, they deserve your consideration when it comes to booking business with them, for them or from them. LARRY ALEXANDER, president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) and a 30-year veteran of the hospi- tality and tourism industry, has shaped the Bureau into the leading organization responsi- ble for facilitating tourism economic growth in Metro Detroit. His introduction of a 10-year tourism vision for the region led to several efforts now well underway to achieve regional beautification; service training of hospitality industry workers; and infrastructure improve- ments, including a critical review of regional facility space. Alexander leads an innovative, multi-award winning convention sales, marketing and convention services effort that has often exceeded CVB industry standards for its performance. He over- sees an annual budget of $12 million and 51 employees. Following passage in 2009 ofMichigan Public Act 554,which regionalized the management of Cobo Center under a public Authority, Governor JenniferGranholmnamedAlexander as the State’s appointee to the five-member Detroit Regional Convention FacilityAuthority Board.Alexander was elected Chairman at the Authority’s firstmeeting and is currently leading a team that is transforming Detroit’s Cobo Center into a Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53 ach year BM&T offers our annual reviewof the progress and success of thoseAfrican-Americanswho continue tomake significant contributions to our industry. Considering the challenges the industry has gone through in the last couple of years, the accomplishments of those included in this report andmore impressive than ever. It certainly shows a level of commitment, perseverance and excellence that we should all emulate as we pursue our individual career paths in the