Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/57242
COTTON APPOINTED AS INTERIM DIRECTOR AT THE PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER The Phoenix Convention Center,Arizona's premiermeetings and events facility,wel- comesDebbie Cotton as its Interimdirector. She will lead the organization's daily oper- ations with oversight of a budget of $47.5 million and a staff of 273 employees. Cotton brings over eight years of executive management experience from her previ- ous position as Phoenix Public Transit Director where she oversaw operations of an extensive multimodal bus system providing more than 16 million miles of service annu- ally. She managed a team of 126 employees and an annual operating budget of $242 mil- lion in a department that oversees the largest transit system in Arizona. During her tenure, Cotton expanded public transit services for customers and collaborated with regional partners to successfully launch the city's first light rail line in December of 2008. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Convention Center is one of the Public Transit Department's regional partners. The two agencies often partner to provide convention center guests with con- venient public transit options. "Debbie is an exceptional manager with proven leadership skills," said Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos. "Under her leadership, the Phoenix Public Transit System has grown exponentially and even launched the city's light rail line. I am confident that her experience and connections within the community will be an asset to the Phoenix Convention Center." Cotton is dedicated to service excellence and believes that staying client-focused, seeking innovative cost- saving practices and motivating employees are the keys to business success. Her professional career includes more than 19 years of local government experience where she has served in several management positions as well as co-chair of the city of Phoenix's Innovation and Efficiency Task Force. The award-winning Phoenix Convention Center is one of the 25 largest convention venues in the United States. It offers nearly 900,000 sq. ft. of rentable meeting and exhibition space and can accommodate 80% of the convention meetings market. NCBMP HONORS VISITOR BUREAU SALES DIRECTOR BRADLEY David Bradley, director of convention sales at the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau (VFCVB),was honored recently as "Outstanding 2011 Pioneer" by the National Coalition of BlackMeeting Planners (NCBMP). The annual award recognizes a hospitality industry professional who demonstrates exemplary service in promoting minority participation in the meeting planning business and the positive impact of networking, and whomentors aspiring young professionals in the industry. The 30-year hotel and destination sales andmarketing veteran was singled out for his involvement in the Coalition's student educational assistance committee and student travel awards program and his leadership of its community outreach efforts. "There's nothing an employer likes to hear more than wonderful things said of his or her staff, and Dave Bradley's Outstanding Pioneer award is just one of many accolades he's garnered during his time with this organization," said Bureau president PaulDecker."Hospitality people are well-known for their 'givebacks' to the communities in which they live and work, but Dave's personal efforts create a tremendously positive impression ofValley Forge andMontgomeryCounty's hospitality industry in the communities inwhichwe sell, as well." Bradley is a nine-yearVFCVB employee.He resides in Brookhaven, Pa.with his wife and two children. 6 Black Meetings & Tourism January/February 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NEWSMAKERS