FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kelly Schulz or Jennifer Lotz
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
jlotz@neworelanscvb.com

Members of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau Convention Sales and Services Teams Awarded Prestigious Certified Meeting Professional Certification
MaryBeth Guarisco and Jeffrey Anding join elite group of meeting professionals

NEW ORLEANS–Sept. 17, 2009– The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is proud to announce that Jeffrey Anding, director of convention marketing, and MaryBeth Guarisco, director of convention services, received the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, recognizing individuals who have achieved the meeting industry’s highest standard of professionalism.

According to the Convention Industry Council, through the CMP program, individuals who are employed in meeting management pursue continuing education, increase their industry involvement, and gain industry-wide recognition. The CMP credential increases the proficiency of meeting professionals by stimulating the advancement of the art and science of meeting management; increasing the value of practitioners to their employers; and recognizing and raising industry standards, practices and ethics.

“Every member of the New Orleans CVB team must exemplify the characteristics of strong hospitality leaders through their dedication to New Orleans' convention and tourism industry,” said Nikki Nicholson, vice president of convention sales for the New Orleans CVB. “The CMP certification of Jeffrey Anding, MaryBeth Guarisco and several members of our team further solidifies the New Orleans CVB's commitment to our customers, our industry and our city.”

Jeffrey Anding has been in the New Orleans hospitality industry since 1990. In that time, he has held positions in operations, hotel sales and 14 years in convention bureau sales at the New Orleans CVB. In his current role as director of convention marketing, Anding creates resources for promoting the city to convention customers, including tools for CVB sales managers to employ for solicitation. He is also involved in directing convention advertising as well as communicating trend information to CVB members. He currently manages key national accounts and national sports groups such as the National Football League, National Basketball Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

MaryBeth Guarisco began her career at the New Orleans CVB, as an event coordinator in September 2003. Through her commitment to the Bureau, she is dedicated to convention customers by providing convention staffing, preparing client visits to the city and coordinating other meeting details. Guarisco and her team of account executives assist all convention clients to ensure successful meetings. Prior to working for the New Orleans CVB, Guarisco became acquainted with the hospitality industry through her position with the publication, New Orleans CityBusiness.

Consistently recognized as one of the top five convention and visitor bureaus in the United States, The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism. In 2008 New Orleans welcomed 7.6 million visitors, an increase over 2007 visitor levels of 7.1 million people. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

** Headshots are available upon request.

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