Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44484
The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is proud to announce that Kim Jamieson has been named their new director of communications. Jamieson joins the Authority from Chernoff Newman, a full-service advertising,public relations, interactive and marketing communica- tions firm headquartered in Columbia, S.C. with offices in both Charleston, S.C. and Orlando, F.L. As director of communications, Jamieson will focus on out- reach to travel writers and other out-of-area media to tout the positive attributes of the entire Columbia region. She will also collaborate with local media to communicate the importance of tourism to the growth and development of the Columbia area. The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau announces that MerianneRoth has been namedVP of Marketing Communications. Roth has more than 16 years of experience in messaging strategy, public relations, brand marketing, cause marketing, promotional events, corporate commu- nications, media relations, and crisis and issues management. Most recent- ly, Roth served as Consumer Brand Marketing and Publicity director for JCPenney Corporation,where she was responsible for developing and implementing brand marketing, communi- cation,and publicity initiatives, increasing brand awareness and maintaining a positive, consistent brand image. Roth's back- ground also includes serving as the senior manager of Public Relations for Pier 1 Imports. Food and beverage industry veteran Filius Laurent joins the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center and Spa, a AAA Four Diamond Fort Lauderdale hotel, as the newdirector of food and beverage. In this position, Laurentwill lead the food and beverage operations for the 501-room hotel and its 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event facilities. Laurent brings more than 20 years of food and beverage experience throughout theU.S.andCaribbean toHyattRegency Bonaventure. He has worked at a number of Hyatt properties including his most recent tenure at Hyatt Regency Princeton in New Jersey as well as Hyatt Regencies in Washington, New Orleans,LosAngeles, and Saint Lucia,where Laurent began his Hyatt career as amember of the opening team. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum announces the appointment of Laresa F. Thompson to director of Marketing and Comm- unications. Thompson comes with over 15 years experience in the com- munications,marketing and broadcast fields. Most recently, Thompson worked at Lowe's Companies, Inc., where she held a variety of roles including public relations, internal communications, marketing and advertising. Prior to Lowe's, she also worked in the broad- cast sector in television and radio. In addition, Thompson served on the board of Rebuilding Together of the Carolinas, the leadership advisory council of Precious Giftz, Inc. and in various volunteer roles in the Charlotte-area community. Polynesian Adventure Tours/Gray LineHawaii announced the promotion of Deborah Freitas as its new director of Maintenance. In her new position, Freitas is responsible for the mainte- nance of all Polynesian Adventure Tours vehicles, ranging fromutility and passenger vans to midsize and full-size motorcoaches. Previously, Freitas served as the company's maintenance manager. Freitas hasmore than 18 years of transportation experience in Hawaii, working at Coca Cola Enterprises of Hawaii and Hawaii Transfer Company Ltd. prior to joining Polynesian Adventure Tours/Gray Line Hawaii in 2005. She also has 10 years of tourismhotelmanagement experience. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has named Rodney Gutierrez, CMP as senior sales manag- er for the Sales & Marketing Division. As sales manager, Gutierrez will be responsible for sales management responsibilities in support of the mar- keting program for the OCCC to maxi- mize space utilization and provide a positive economic impact for the Central Florida community. Gutierrez has more than 19 years of hospitality and sales experience. Before coming to the OCCC, he was a meetings and events manager for BCD Travel handling the Darden Restaurant account in Orlando, FL. Prior to BCD Travel, Gutierrez worked for Tupperware as a meeting planner and the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau as an account executive. Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 11