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TOWNSEND ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF CHAMBERS On January 18, 2011,MC Townsend, president/CEO of the Regional Black Chamber ofCommerce of the San FernandoValley (RBCC), a strong association of successful busi- ness owners,professionals, and entrepreneurs,was elected chairman of California Council of Chambers, Sacramento, California, a subsidiary of the California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC/COC). By her side serving as vice chair will be Aziza Goines, presi- dent of the Sacramento Black Chamber, all under the direction of the California Black Chamber of Commerce. Townsend’s appointment was confirmed for two years by the COC Board of Directors, and she will continue her duties into 2013. While continuing her service as president of the local chamber/RBCC, she will bring a diverse advantage to the COC. In just nine short years, the RBCC has become one of the most active and visible vehicles for economic empowerment for its members in the San Fernando Valley. “Turning contacts into con- tracts” is the motto of the RBCC. The mission of the RBCC is to capitalize on its location in the second largest metropolitan area in the nation by bringing its nearly 300 members recognition and access to the opportunities that abound, explains Townsend. As the new chairman, of the Council of Chambers, her efforts to connect this emerging, yet powerful organi- zation, the California Black Chamber’s Council of Chambers to the vast industries of business, education, export, commerce, entertainment and social empowerment will be a prodigious task, but Townsend is committed to accomplishing it with ease under her watch. THE CHICAGO CONVENTION & TOURISM BUREAUMOVES SWIFTLY TO APPOINT CEO The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB) Board of Directors recently named Donald P.Welsh as president and CEO. Welsh, 54, previously served as the CEO of the Indianapolis Convention andVisitorsAssociation. “Our state leaders made sweeping reforms setting the stage for a new way of doing business in Chicago and Illinois.The Bureau was tasked with taking the tools they gave us to move the needle,” said CCTB Chairman Bruce V. Rauner. “First, we put a new board of business and civic leaders in place.Acity known formaking no small plans,we then set out to find the best CEOto lead us into the future. I’mpleased to say—we’ve found the right person. Don is exactly what we need to take the Bureau to a whole new level and sharpen Chicago’s competitive edge.” As CEO of the Indianapolis Convention andVisitorsAssociation,Welsh was instrumental in raising the pro- file of the destination, filling the city with new business and securing private funding for theAssociation.During his tenure he helped openmore than $3 billion in new tourism-related developments—including a new airport, new stadium, doubling the size of the Indiana Convention Center, and opening the world’s largest JWMarriott. Prior,Welsh served as CEOof the Seattle Convention andVisitors Bureau for five years where he oversaw an $11million budget andmore than 50 employees, including a sales office inChicago.While at the helm,downtown Seattle touted a hotel occupancy rate of 75 percent. Welsh successfully rebranded the Seattle bureau and also implemented aTourismMatters campaign to raise awareness about the significant impact of tourism. Welsh officially assumed his role with the CCTBin early February.“Chicago is in a league of its own.There is not a larger stage than this world-class city and it’s an incredible honor to be tasked with marketing Chicago to visitors fromevery corner of the globe.” SaidWelsh. “Working alongside Bruce, the board and our Bureau team, we are ready to hit the ground running and drivemore economic growth for Chicago and Illinois andmore value for our customers.” 6 Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NEWSMAKERS