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MACON-BIBB CVB CEO SELECTED FOR "FORTY FOR THE FUTURE"' Monica Smith, president & CEO of the Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MBCCVB) has been chosen for the first class of "Forty for the Future: Travel's Leading Talent." The Southeast Tourism Society (STS), an Atlanta-based professional association in the tourism industry, organized the recognition. Those chosen, most of whom were nominated by their employers or professional mentors, range from the tourism director in the north Georgia town of Dahlonega and the marketing and com- munications manager at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky, to the president of the visitors bureau in Fort Bragg, CA, and a partnership marketing specialist for the Virginia Tourism Corp. All are younger than 40, and they represent businesses and organizations in 14 states. "All of them have demonstrated leadership in their careers and communities and are beacons for others," said Bill Hardman, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society. STS will recognize the Forty for the Future Class of 2012 during a special presentation at the STS Fall Forumin Virginia Beach, VA, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. "Our objectives with 'Forty for the Future' are to recognize leadership, demonstrate how varied tourism jobs are and inspire even younger people to consider tourism as a career," Hardman said. A panel of tenured pro- fessionals representing numerous components of the tourism industry evaluated the nominees. "We wish we could have recognized even more, but this group lives up to the program's name. They truly are 'Forty for the Future,' and we expect even bigger accomplishments and leadership from them," Hardman said. Out of the forty tourism professionals selected by STS, Monica Smith is one of six chosen from Georgia. Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism in its member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Its headquarters are in Atlanta. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, travel media and other travel-related organizations. DISNEY'S GEORGE AGUEL ASSUMES EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES Disney executive and longtime industry leader, George Aguel, has been given a new assignment for Walt Disney Company, expanding his role overseeing the Global Corporate Alliances and Operating Participants organizations. To accommodate this increased focus,hewill relinquish his responsibilities overseeingDisney's globalmeetings- and-events business. Aguel originally assumed leadership of the CorporateAlliances team in 2010, adding to a portfolio of responsibilities that included Disney's Resort/Park Sales and Services teams, the Disney Institute and the Disney Event Group. In his expanded role,Aguel continues to lead CorporateAlliances, the teamthat forges strategic partnerships with a broad range of corporations in support of all ofDisney busi- ness units, including film studios and media networks, theme parks and resorts, consumer products, and interactivemedia. He also remains responsible for theOperating Participants group,which devel- ops and manages relationships with third-party companies that operate businesses at Disney theme park loca- tions worldwide. The dedicated leadership focus underAguel's direction reflects the importance of these partnerships and the ambitious growth Disney has planned for them. That growth includes the $4.4-billion-dollar Shanghai Disney Resort under construction in China. "As much as I look forward to expanding the scope of myAlliances and Operating Participants work, I will greatly miss being a part of the industry I've served my entire career," saidAguel. "I also have the utmost con- fidence that ourDisney teamwill continue to be a powerful partner to the industry and provide our clients with incomparable meeting and event experiences." AnneHamilton, vice president,Resort Sales and Services,will continue to lead the Resort Sales and Services organizations supporting theDisneyland andWaltDisneyWorld Resorts andDisney'sAulani Resort inHawaii. Hamilton will report to Rick Continelli, who assumes the role of senior vice president, Resort/Park Sales and Services. 6 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NEWSMAKERS