FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz or Tara Letort
New Orleans CVB                                            
504-566-5019                                       
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com/tletort@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau Regional Sales Manager Earns Government Meeting Professional Certification
Certification comes as New Orleans prepares to host Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) and increases offerings for government meeting planners

NEW ORLEANS-September 22, 2011- As New Orleans prepares to host the Society of Government Meeting Professionals' (SGMP) 2012 Conference, eastern regional sales manager Bonnie Newlin, located in Washington D.C., earns a Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) designation, adding another expert in the government market to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau's team.

Together with New Orleans-based senior sales manager Fay Nedd, who received the CGMP designation in 2009, Newlin's commitment to continued education propels New Orleans to the forefront of understanding government planning procedures and raising industry standards. Located in the center of the government market, Newlin has been employed in the hospitality industry for nearly seven years, and is an active member of the Professional Convention Management Association, Meeting Professionals International, CVB Representatives and Association of Meeting Professionals.

Recognized by SGMP, the CGMP certification is a complex process demanding governmental meeting experience prior to application and attendance at intense educational seminars. Achieving the highest standard of professionalism in government planning, an applicant must be able to show a deep understanding for ethics and regulations applying to federal, state and local governments.

For the first time, New Orleans is hosting SGMP's 30th National Education Conference May 16-19, 2012. This is the largest annual event in the government meetings industry where government professionals from across the country come together for education, resources and networking. SGMP is the only national organization in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to government meetings. It consists of 4,000 members through 32 chapters nationwide.

"To have two CGMPs on staff and host the SGMP annual meeting is a testament to this market that New Orleans is the premier destination for governmental meetings," said Nikki Moon, Vice President of Sales, New Orleans CVB. "This meeting will not only showcase the city to those involved in planning and working with government meetings, but will illustrate our abundance of great resources available to every governmental meeting professional. We are thrilled to have both Bonnie and Fay available to help with facilitation of all meeting needs."

For assistance in planning a government meeting, please contact:
*Bonnie Newlin, CGMP                                                            
Eastern Regional Sales Manager                            
703-780-3948
bnewlin@neworleanscvb.com

Fay Nedd, CGMP
Senior Convention Sales Manager
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5060
fnedd@neworleanscvb.com

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,000-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. We create $5 billion in new capital each year- more than any other business sector- by attracting millions of visitors, special events and conventions. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago and four foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

SGMP is a nonprofit professional organization of persons involved in planning government meetings, either on a full or part-time basis, and those individuals who supply services to government planners. Our objectives are to improve the quality and promote the cost effectiveness of government meetings by improving the knowledge and expertise of individuals in the planning and management of government meetings through education, training and industry relationships. For more information, please visit www.sgmp.org or www.sgmpla.org.

*Headshot available upon request.

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