The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) President and CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME announced recently that the GMCVB has hired Connie Kinnard to be the organization's vice president of Multicultural Tourism.  Ms. Kinnard will begin her tenure at the GMCVB on June 1, 2015.

A national search firm was engaged to conduct a search for top candidates to spearhead the newly created department dedicated to the GMCVB's evolving efforts to raise awareness of the destination's vibrant multicultural community. A screening committee comprised of a diverse group of community and industry leaders reviewed more than 40 applications for the position. 

"We were delighted with the number of highly qualified applicants received locally and from across the country for this critical position at the GMCVB," said Carole Ann Taylor, GMCVB Executive Committee Member, who served on the screening committee. Ultimately, Connie Kinnard's 20 years of experience and success specializing in multicultural tourism made her the standout professional for the GMCVB position and the recommendation of the committee.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Connie to the GMCVB Team," says Talbert.  "We are looking forward to introducing her to our local industry and community partners.   The knowledge, experience and enthusiasm she brings to her new position at the GMCVB will take our multicultural tourism efforts to a new level."

Prior to joining the GMCVB, Connie Kinnard held the position of senior vice president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation. She has been with the Nashville organization since 1996, when she started in Convention Sales and was subsequently promoted to vice president of Multicultural Sales & Development. She holds a Masters of Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Tennessee State University.

Kinnard is an active member of numerous industry organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals, the Urban League and NAACP.