Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has named Brandi Scott to the position of corporate sales manager, announced William D. Talbert, III, CDME, President and CEO. In this position Scott will handle corporate accounts in the Southeast region. Prior to joining the GMCVB, Scott worked as a sales manager for Marriott International, Inc. She was responsible for building relation- ships and delivering customer service to existing and new corporate clients for their small meetings market and repre- sented over 70 hotel properties and multiple brands in the Marriott's central region. Scott is a graduate of the University of Florida, Gainesville, where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC has named Denise Mongoven as the new director of National Accounts. Mongoven will be based out of the corporation's Midwest sales office in Chicago. She is responsible for booking and contracting citywide conventions, as well as developing and implementing marketing strategies to drive increased citywide business from Chicago and the surrounding Midwest area markets to the San Diego Convention Center. The SDCCC has a unique marketing model in which it is exclusively responsible for all citywide convention sales and marketing activities, resulting in a con- venient "one-stop-shopping" experience for clients. Mongoven comes to the SDCCC with over 15 years of hospitality experience. Destination Toledo, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Harlene Mitchell as convention sales manager. Mitchell most recently was senior account manager for Cumulus Broadcasting where she received local and national sales awards and recognition. Her strong background in sales and business-to-business client relations and service will make her a valuable asset to the convention and visitor's organization. She has a marketing degree from the University of Toledo. Mitchell recently assisted in attracting the Kappa Alpha regional conference, which confirmed Toledo and the Holiday Inn French Quarter as the site for their annual meeting later this month. The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau announces the appointment of Monica Robinson as director of Diversity Sales. Robinson hails from the St. Louis area and most recently served as direc- tor of Event Services at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Robinson's extensive hos- pitality background includes sales and marketing roles at the Renaissance Grand and Ritz Carlton Hotels as well as Trump and President Casino's. Robinson's 15 years experi- ence garnered her listing in several editions of Who's Who in Black St. Louis. Her professional affiliations include member- ship in National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as well as the International Special Events Society (ISES). Michael Gunn, CMP, Greater Birmingham CVB vice president of sales, was recently named the 2009 Executive of the Year. The award is given by the Alabama Tourism Depar- tment at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism. With more than 26 years of industry experience, Gunn is responsible for the operation of the convention sales staff in booking state, regional, national and international convention business for the greater Birmingham area. He supervises a staff of 14. "This award is quite an honor, even more so since it comes from my peers in Alabama's hospitality industry," Gunn said. "I am especially proud of the staff I'm privileged to work with in Birmingham; so much of this honor is due to their hard work and dedication." Kashmie Ali, CHA has been appointed general manager of the 300- room Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa. Ali will be responsible for the 31- acre resort, including oversight and man- agement of the nearly 300-member staff, all food and beverage outlets and sales and marketing initiatives. Ali arrives at the Wyndham Sugar Bay with an impressive background in the hospitality in the U.S. and the Caribbean. He began his career as GM with American General Hospitality in Dallas, responsible for various hotel brands throughout several states. Ali also served stints at Virginia-based Shamin Hotels and Sandals Resorts International. Before joining Wyndham he was the director of Operations for the five-star Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet boutique resorts in St. Lucia. 12