HORACE C. HORD, JR. serves as regional vice president, Government & Community Relations for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. Hord has been a tourism industry leader for over seventeen (17) years in sales, marketing and government Industry relations. His business management experience runs the gamut from entrepreneur to corporate leader. A dynamic manager whose strategic planning and positive listening skills combined with the ability to motivate and stimulate a team, has consistently built and increased business together with achieving what seems to be the unreachable.

Hord joined Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises in June 2004, in the newly created position of Regional Vice President for Caribbean Government and Industry Relations. His key role in the Company’s initiative is to establish a unique working partnership with the Caribbean governments and other private sector Organizations to keep RCI as the foremost cruise tourism partner and provider of tourists to the Caribbean region.

Prior to joining RCI, Hord was president & CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association, and before that served as American Airlines director of Marketing/Atlantic Caribbean from 1989 to 2000.

ANDY INGRAHAM serves as president/CEO of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc. (NABHOOD), of which he is one of the founders in 1999. NABHOOD was formed to increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels; increase vendor opportunities and executive level positions for minorities, thereby creating wealth within the African-American community.

Ingraham is also president of Horizons Marketing Group Intl. Inc., a marketing and public relations corporation with special emphasis on African American and multicultural tourism. He has over 19 years in the tourism industry, developing specific expertise in multicultural and Caribbean tourism. Because of his knowledge and expertise, he is a constant source of articles and has been featured or quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, National Public Radio, Hotel Business, Black Meetings & Tourism magazine and a host of other publications. Horizons created a number of programs for Caribbean destinations seeking to access the growing African American and multicultural market.

ROY JAY serves as president/CEO of the Oregon Convention and Visitor Services Network. Jay is often described by clients, customers and competitors as the Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan in this rapidly growing industry. Jay, a native of Portland, Oregon, is one stays on top of his game. Whether in a lead or support role, Jay exemplifies the meaning of professionalism, salesmanship and being a true colleague. His keynote speech, last May, to the San Diego Chapter of MPI left no doubt that he has the ability of working with diverse groups of people in an effort to accomplish better cultural awareness and understanding among everyone. He currently serves on the board of NCBMP, advisor to TPOC, maintains memberships or participations in over 60 local, national or regional associations and organizations. A savvy business entrepreneur, he was the 2005 recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major For Justice Award for the development of one of his community service programs which helped expunge minor criminal convictions and reinstate drivers’ licenses in Oregon.

In addition to his convention, tourism and community service work, Roy serves as the head of several non profit organizations including the African American Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance of Minority Chambers, which was awarded of the entire management of Portland, Oregon’s Smart park public parking garages in 2003. Roy shared his good fortune with the Hispanic, Philippine and African American Chambers of Commerce.

DEBORAH HUNTER JOHNSON is vice president of Global Human Resources Services for American Airlines, where she leads a team of professionals who provide HR services and support to domestic and international managers of people in the U.S., Latin America, Canada and Mexico. She also has primary responsibility for coordinating the company’s global diversity and corporate citizenship efforts.

Johnson obtained a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and J.D. from Howard University School of Law. She resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and their daughter.

Before joining American, Johnson served as an attorney with the then Chrysler Corporation and the former law firm of Patterson Phifer & Phillips.

JILL JOHNSON serves as executive director at the Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, a position she has held since January of 2004. Johnson is in charge of marketing, serves as a communications strategist, and oversees the CVB budget. Johnson has now been involved in the hospitality industry for 20-plus years. Previously, Johnson was employed by the Marriott Corporation. Originally hired as account manager, Johnson worked her way up the ladder and was promoted to director of sales. Among her professional affiliations, Johnson is a member of The Missouri Society of Association Executives (MSAE).

ROBERT JOHNSON is the Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, an innovative business network that provides strategic investment and direction in and for a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial services, real estate, hospitality/restaurant, professional sports, film production, gaming and recording industries.

Under The RLJ Companies umbrella, Johnson owns or holds interests in companies operating in the professional sports, hospitality/restaurant, real estate, financial services, gaming and recording industries. Core assets of The RLJ Companies include RLJ Development, a privately held hotel investment company, which acquires and develops upscale select-service hotels, including Hilton-branded and Marriott-branded hotels in major North American urban markets. In February 2006, RLJ Development entered into an agreement to acquire 100 hotels for approximately $1.7 billion, bringing total holdings to 111 hotels.

Other assets include RLJ Urban Lodging Fund, a private equity hotel investment company, RLJ Asset Management Group, RolloverSystems, a financial services company in Charlotte, NC.

RON KELLY is president and CEO of Global Jet Shares, who are the leaders in providing fractional ownership in previously owned Gulfstreams, considered by most to be the Rolls Royce of corporate jets. Located in Van Nuys, California, Tetoboro, New York, and Ft Lauderdale, Florida, Global Jet Shares has redefined the fractional jet ownership industry by offering the prestige and performance of the luxurious Gulfstream at the fraction of the price of a comparable aircraft. Now with Global Jet Shares' new MyJet card program you can have a Gulfstream at your disposal for as little as $185,000.

Kelly’s life long affair with aviation started at the age of 14 when he soloed his first Sailplane. Kelly currently holds a Multi-Commercial pilots license and his 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and real estate have afforded him the insight to identify the various proven aviation professionals that have become the synergistic team of Global Jet Shares. With over twenty-five years of Gulfstream operational experience, at GJS safety is our number one priority, followed closely by customer service.

JON MANNS has been the president and chief executive officer of the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) since 1999. DCVB is an innovative destination marketing organization dedicated to attracting visitors to Georgia’s most culturally diverse county. Manns has implemented several innovative programs, which complement the rich diversity and influential community in DeKalb. DCVB is a leader in the family reunion market and has created a cutting-edge Tourism Academy that teaches our tourism partners and the community at large the things to see and do in DeKalb County.

Manns is a native of Atlanta, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and an accomplished photographer, trombonist and vocalist. Manns currently holds the office of Chairman for the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra and Treasurer for the DeKalb History Center. He also serves on the Board of Directors or advisory boards for the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), Southeast Tourism Society (STS), the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb Convention Center Authority and other civic organizations.

OSCAR MCGASKEY, JR. is the executive director of the Kansas City Convention and Entertainment Facilities, which consist of the Convention Center, Music Hall, Kemper Arena and the American Royal complex. McGaskey is responsible for a $20 million operating budget, 120 employees and managing a $150 million capital improvement program. He has held this position since June 2004 and was previously the general manager of the Dallas Convention Center from 1992-2002.

HOWARD MILLS, SR. - CMP is a dynamic, results-oriented executive with an extensive business background that includes over 30 years as a chief meeting/conference planner for the National Urban League. He is a founding member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and continues to be a tireless advocate for inclusion and advancement of Blacks in the industry. Mills currently serves as the organization's Chairman Emeritus.

Mills freelances as a trainer and consultant in the meetings industry. He regularly attends industry conferences to keep abreast of changing trends, share experiences and to network with meeting planners and suppliers. He remains steadfast in his commitment to mentor and work with young people in the industry. Through his vigilant networking, he brings together young people and key industry practitioners, often resulting in new or advanced employment opportunities for young people.

Mills is pleased to have been recognized by his peers in the industry. He was given the Hall of Leaders Award presented by ASAE, The Spirit of Hospitality Award given by the IACVB Foundation, numerous awards presented by the NCBMP, the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award and the Ann Tanneyhill Award, both bestowed by the National Urban League, as well as many citations and awards presented to him by cities, bureaus and hoteliers.

A graduate of Tuskegee University, Mills is experienced in all facets of meeting/conference planning, budgeting and negotiations. He has been singularly honored for his pioneering efforts and sterling contributions on behalf of Black meeting planners and promoting meeting planning as a career.

R. DONAHUE PEEBLES is president and CEO of The Peebles Corporation. Recognized today as a leader in the exclusive field of real estate development and management, Peebles' portfolio includes four-star hotels and quality residential and commercial properties in Washington, D.C., and glamorous Miami Beach. In addition to serving as president and CEO of his multi-million dollar real estate development firm, Peebles also chairs the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, a private, not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract business travelers and sightseers to Miami.