Black Meetings & Tourism - NCBMP Conference Taking Shape

Industry Briefs
NCBMP Conference Taking Shape
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners' Annual Conference is slated to unfold in Philadelphia, PA from December 4-8, 2013. The confab will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown serving as host hotel. The conference promises to not only offer outstanding educational opportunities through a series of workshops and general sessions, but boasts a stellar lineup of speakers, presenters and entertainment. A two-part General Session entitled "State of The Industry " will kick off the conference, with Hattie Hill, founder and CEO of Hattie Hill Enterprises serving as presenter. A number of other general sessions, roundtable discussions and workshops will follow exploring subjects like *"What Meeting Planners Want/What Suppliers Need From Meeting Planners - What Makes An Effective Partnership?* , *" "When Convention Centers Are No Longer Free," "Technologies in the Hospitality Industry,"* and *"Advocacy for the Hospitality Industry,"* the topic which Ernest Wooden, Jr. will address at the Leadership Luncheon on Friday. Wooden is president and CEO of the LA Tourism and Convention Board. Additionally there will be committee meetings, a Business Exchange Marketplace, Silent Auction and City Tours. Philadelphia native, Larry Miller will be the keynote speaker at the Opening Session for the 2013 NCBMP Conference. Miller served as president, executive vice president and controller for Jantzen, Inc. and was a manager for Kraft Foods, assistant controller at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. and held various positions with Campbell Soup Company. In 1997, he was hired by Nike Inc., serving as vice president and general manager of Nike Basketball, where he was responsible for managing day-to-day operations of Jordan Brand, Nike Basketball and Converse. In 2007, Miller was hired as president of the Portland Trail Blazers. Under Miller's management, the Trail Blazers have positioned themselves to make a respectable run at an NBA title. Portland has recorded three consecutive trips to the postseason while riding a streak of 159 consecutive sellouts dating back to December 21, 2007. Also during his tenure, the Trail Blazers have made significant strides to becoming a leader in sustainability among professional sports franchises. Larry Miller resigned on July 7, 2012 as president of the Portland Trail Blazers to return to his previous role as president of the Jordan Brand. Attendees will be pleased to learn that R&B crooner, songwriter and actor Eric Benet will be the entertainment headliner for the Saturday night Awards Gala. Bonet's new album "The One" is the first album released on his newly formed record label Jordan House Records, which he created in partnership with EMI. The tradition of community outreach during the NCBMP conference will continue in Philadelphia. Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, a long time sponsor of the event, is seeking volunteers for the morning of December 4 ^th. This year, Philabundance will benefit from the generosity of the community outreach participants. Philabundance was created in 1984 with the simple belief that no man, woman or child should go hungry. Their growth and eventual integration with the Philadelphia Food Bank in 2005 has made them the region's largest hunger relief organization. They are now able to address hunger through direct service programs and a network of 500 member agencies, as well as contribute to a broad spectrum of social services through food cupboards, emergency kitchens, shelters, daycare and senior centers and beyond. Philabundance has taken a stronghold of the hunger issue in the Delaware Valley, implementing both emergency relief and also long-term strategies to strengthen the hunger safety net. For more information call the NCBMP at (301) 860-0200, fax them at (301) 860-0500, or visit www.ncbmp.com .

Industry Briefs

NCBMP Conference Taking Shape

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners' Annual Conference is slated to unfold in Philadelphia, PA from December 4-8, 2013. The confab will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown serving as host hotel.

The conference promises to not only offer outstanding educational opportunities through a series of workshops and general sessions, but boasts a stellar lineup of speakers, presenters and entertainment.

A two-part General Session entitled "State of The Industry " will kick off the conference, with Hattie Hill, founder and CEO of Hattie Hill Enterprises serving as presenter. A number of other general sessions, roundtable discussions and workshops will follow exploring subjects like "What Meeting Planners Want/What Suppliers Need From Meeting Planners - What Makes An Effective Partnership? , " "When Convention Centers Are No Longer Free," "Technologies in the Hospitality Industry," and "Advocacy for the Hospitality Industry," the topic which Ernest Wooden, Jr. will address at the Leadership Luncheon on Friday. Wooden is president and CEO of the LA Tourism and Convention Board.

Additionally there will be committee meetings, a Business Exchange Marketplace, Silent Auction and City Tours.

Philadelphia native, Larry Miller will be the keynote speaker at the Opening Session for the 2013 NCBMP Conference. Miller served as president, executive vice president and controller for Jantzen, Inc. and was a manager for Kraft Foods, assistant controller at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. and held various positions with Campbell Soup Company. In 1997, he was hired by Nike Inc., serving as vice president and general manager of Nike Basketball, where he was responsible for managing day-to-day operations of Jordan Brand, Nike Basketball and Converse.

In 2007, Miller was hired as president of the Portland Trail Blazers. Under Miller's management, the Trail Blazers have positioned themselves to make a respectable run at an NBA title. Portland has recorded three consecutive trips to the postseason while riding a streak of 159 consecutive sellouts dating back to December 21, 2007.

Also during his tenure, the Trail Blazers have made significant strides to becoming a leader in sustainability among professional sports franchises. Larry Miller resigned on July 7, 2012 as president of the Portland Trail Blazers to return to his previous role as president of the Jordan Brand.

Attendees will be pleased to learn that R&B crooner, songwriter and actor Eric Benet will be the entertainment headliner for the Saturday night Awards Gala. Bonet's new album "The One" is the first album released on his newly formed record label Jordan House Records, which he created in partnership with EMI.

The tradition of community outreach during the NCBMP conference will continue in Philadelphia. Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, a long time sponsor of the event, is seeking volunteers for the morning of December 4 ^th. This year, Philabundance will benefit from the generosity of the community outreach participants.

Philabundance was created in 1984 with the simple belief that no man, woman or child should go hungry. Their growth and eventual integration with the Philadelphia Food Bank in 2005 has made them the region's largest hunger relief organization. They are now able to address hunger through direct service programs and a network of 500 member agencies, as well as contribute to a broad spectrum of social services through food cupboards, emergency kitchens, shelters, daycare and senior centers and beyond. Philabundance has taken a stronghold of the hunger issue in the Delaware Valley, implementing both emergency relief and also long-term strategies to strengthen the hunger safety net.

For more information call the NCBMP at (301) 860-0200, fax them at (301) 860-0500, or visit www.ncbmp.com .