Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/770139
7 B M & T ••• September/October 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NYC & COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY AS HOST CITY PARTNER FOR 2017 PCMA EDUCATION CONFERENCE New York City to Welcome 600+ Meeting Planners and Suppliers to New York Marriott Marquis June 11–14, 2017 the conversation urging Black Americans to move their money to Black owned banks. Since then, OneUnited has seen a sharp influx in web traffic and new accounts, with over $3 million deposited since this call to action. "If 1 million people opened a $100 savings account in a Black owned bank, we would move $100 million! That's real economic power", states Teri Williams, president & COO of OneUnited Bank. "It is critical for the Black community to utilize our $1.2 trillion in annual spending power to create jobs and build wealth in our community." OneUnited is uniquely positioned to lead this Black financial empowerment movement to intelligently invest in the Black community and create gen- erational wealth. Banking with black owned banks results in better circulation of Black dollars, creates more jobs for the Black community, provides mortgage and small business loans for Black borrowers, educates the urban community on financial literacy, and harnesses the power of the black dol- lar. For over two decades, OneUnited Bank, with locations in Los Angeles, Miami and Boston and its ability to open accounts online nationwide, has been steeped in the financial literacy movement. Studies show black dollars leave the Black community after 6 hours as compared to 28 days in the Asian American community. OneUnited Bank is encouraging the Black community to move their money and extend the life of the black dollar. To participate in the #BankBlack Challenge from anywhere in America go to www.oneunited.com/bankblackchallenge, open a $100 new savings account and challenge 20 friends to do the same. NYC & Company, New York City's official destination marketing organization, announced recently at PCMA's Education Conference in St. Louis that New York City will be the host city partner of the 2017 PCMA Education Conference June 11–14, 2017. The announcement was made during the closing breakfast by Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, who was accompanied on stage by Scott Nadeau, general manager of the New York Marriott Marquis. Also attending the announcement in St. Louis were Jerry Cito, senior vice president of Convention Development at NYC & Company, and Matt Pizzimenti, director of Sales and Marketing at the New York Marriott Marquis, whose hotel will be the host of next year's conference. "We are thrilled that New York City has been chosen as the host city for the 2017 PCMA Education Conference," said Dixon. "With unprecedented growth in new hotels, event ven- ues, attractions and incentives for delegates, I look forward to welcoming the PCMA community to see all that is new in New York City next year." "PCMA is truly the leader in global meetings and conven- tions and drives innovation in our industry," said Nadeau. "We stand ready to welcome PCMA as a host city partner in 2017 and look forward to showing the attendees our hotels and what New York City has to offer." The PCMA Education Conference is an annual conference hosted b y the Professional Convention Management Association that is attended by meeting planners and industry suppliers. The multi-day program features a series of network- ing and educational sessions that highlight leading strategies for business events, key industry-shaping trends and how meeting planners can lend their expertise to help achieve orga- nizational goals and objectives. New York City is a perfect destination for PCMA's diverse global audience," said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO. "The Marriott Marquis' Times Square location and flexible event space will ensure that our 2017 Education Conference participants have an optimal education and networking experience." In 2015 New York City welcomed 6.1 million meetings and convention delegates. With more than 109,000 hotel rooms and unprecedented growth in new hotels, event venues, attractions and infrastructure investments, the City's five boroughs offer many unique options for planners to Make it NYCTM. "Working together with PCMA, I look forward to making next year's conference a great success for our partners," said Cito. "We invite everyone from PCMA to see why New York City truly remains an attractive destination to host a meeting, convention or event of any size." To stay informed about the 2017 PCMA Education Conference, visit pcma.org. To learn more about planning meetings in New York City, visit nycgo.com/makeitnyc. DEBORAH SEXTON FRED DIXON