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Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17 THE GREATER HOUSTON CVB EXPANDS ITS TERRITORY WITH NEW DC OFFICE, ADDITIONAL EAST COAST STAFF In the past three years, the 2,400 associations in the Washington, DC area have contributed more than $118 million to Houston's economy with convention business. The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) is ready to compete for a bigger piece of that pie and is starting with a new fully staffed office in DC. The office officially opened with a launch party at Josephine Lounge in Washington, DC, on March 12, 2009. "The goal of the DC office is to help the GHCVB bet- ter connect with the 2,400 association customers in the greater DC area, and thus bring in more convention busi- ness to the city of Houston," said Greg Ortale, president and CEO of the GHCVB. "With the help of the new DC office, I hope to increase the number of meeting bookings by 15 percent within one full year of operation." Houston also has sales representatives in Dallas, New York City and Chicago. The Washington, DC office is the GHCVB's first multi-person office outside of Houston. The DC office is led by Sidney Chang, director of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as five other employ- ees. The office is located at 700 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. ORLANDO CVB TAKES HOME INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc. (Orlando/Orange County CVB) Public Relations and Marketing teams recently won several international awards for their marketing and public rela- tions work. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), awarded the Orlando CVB Public Relations team a GOLD 2008 Adrian Award for the article that appeared in Time Magazine's September 1 issue "Orlando for Grownups," position- ing Orlando as more than a family favorite vacation destination. The Market-ing team also was awarded a GOLD Adrian Award for the nation- al television commer- cial entitled Time Machine that was launched as part of the two-year national marketing campaign. In addition, the CVB Public Relations team was hon- ored with a Silver Adrian Award for the Fox Business News segment featuring Orlando CVB President & CEO Gary Sain discussing Orlando tourism strategies and pro- grams. Bronze Adrian Awards were received by the Meetings and Convention Marketing team for the Different Faces Web banner highlighting Orlando's cre- ative culture and the Leisure Marketing team for the 2007 Endless Summer promotion encouraging fall getaways to the destination. This year's contest attracted nearly 1,300 entries from around the world, with entries judged by top executives from all sectors of the industry. All winning entries will be accessible in the Adrian Awards Winners Gallery online at Pictured here Fran Brasseux, executive director of the HSMAI Foundation presents Gary Sain, Orlando/Orange County CVB president and CEO with Gold and Bronze Adrian Awards. FAMOUSLY HOT WINS GOLD AT THE ADDYS The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism (MACST) is pleased to announce being co-recip- ients of a Gold Addy for their Famously Hot Sales Kit. They share the award with their marketing agency, ADCO. The MACST was awarded the honor at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) of the Midlands' 2009 ADDY Gala on Saturday, March 14. The ADDY competition in Columbia is the first of a three-tiered national competition. Winners at the local level can proceed to the district-level competition, and if successful there, can proceed to compete for a National ADDY Award. "We are ex- tremely honored to share the ADDY Award with ADCO. They have really propelled our image to a new high," states Ric Luber, presi- dent/CEO of MACST. "With their assistance, our marketing and advertising efforts have been strong and have truly stood out among our com- petitors. It's exciting and we hope to continue the professional relationship."