Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/770136
11 B M & T ••• July/August 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com N E W S M A K E R S On July 1, 2016 GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME officially began his tenure as the new 2016-2017 Board Chair of VISIT FLORIDA. The Board of Directors is the orga- nization's private sector governing body who, along with the members of its 11 committees, provide guid- ance, input and insight into the evo- lution of VISIT FLORIDA's mar- keting programs. Appointed by Enterprise Florida in conjunction with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the 31-mem- ber board is comprised of representatives from key sectors of the tourism industry and is balanced geographically throughout the state. The nine-member Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, made up of the offi- cers and standing committee chairs, includes Gene Prescott, president – The Biltmore Hotel, who will serve as treasurer; and Simone Champagnie, FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management executive director of Development, who will serve as Secretary. Other Miami- based board members include past Board chair Andrew Hertz, president & general manager – Miami Seaquarium; and Christine Duffy, president – Carnival Cruise Lines. VISIT FLORIDA – the official tourism marketing corpora- tion for the state of Florida – promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership, VISIT FLORIDA serves more than 11,000 tourism industry businesses. DIONNE D. WILLIAMS NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GROUP SALES AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER Williams Specializes in Association and Corporate Sales GMCVB PRESIDENT & CEO WILLIAM D. TALBERT, III, CDME NEW CHAIR OF THE 2016-2017 VISIT FLORIDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Geoff Lawson, vice president and general manager of The National Conference Center, announced that Dionne D. Williams has been named executive director of group sales, responsible for leading the association and corpo- rate sales team for The National. Prior to her promotion, Williams was director of national sales. "We are delighted to announce that Dionne has received this pro- motion to the position of execu- tive director of group sales at The National," stated Lawson. "Her professionalism, leadership and sales abilities are a tremendous asset to our team." Over the past year, The National, under new ownership, has implemented highly effective and success- ful changes throughout the property with millions of dol- lars in renovations, and the development of a highly effi- cient sales and customer service team that has excelled in bringing some of the top companies in the nation to this unique training and meeting facility. In addition to marked additions and improvements across the board, The National also built a team challenge high and low ropes course and partnered with one of the top team- building companies in the country to help facilitate lead- ership development programs. The result has been rave reviews across the board. "The changes in the culinary programs including farm- to-table, chef's tables, wine dinners and special private events created just for our customers, along with the phys- ical changes that have included beautiful dining areas, wine bar, a revamped sports bar, outdoor fire pits and other top- flight amenities have helped return The National to the forefront of the meetings and training industry," explained Williams. Williams joined The National Conference Center in June, 2014 immediately following the ownership change. Prior to joining The National, Williams was corporate director of business evaluation for Gaylord Hotels. Her career in the hospitality industry spans more than 25 years with multiple major brands in capacities spanning from sales and marketing to operations. Williams is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas with studies in political science and communication. She resides in Leesburg, VA. DIONNE D. WILLIAMS WI LLIAM D.T ALBERT, III