contents FALL 2011 | VOL 13 | NO 3
COVER STORY 6 | SOUTHWEST MEETINGS
Destinations include America’s sixth-largest city Phoenix, Arizona and the multi-culturally diverse Albuquerque, New Mexico. Picture your next event at the Talking Stick Resort in Arizona or the newly unveiled Hotel Chimayó in Santa Fe. 2 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
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18
14
COVER STORY 06 Southwest Meetings 18 IAHMP/CIMPA Educational Conference - Introduction ........................................18 - Welcome Letters ................................19 - Conference Agenda ..........................24 - CDMP ....................................................33 - Hotel Albuquerque Info & Map ......34 - Post Conference Trip - Santa Fe ......36
FEATURES 14 INDUSTRY PROFILES HM&T profiles top industry executives who understand the value of the Hispanic Meetings Market. - Michael Smith ....................................14 - Evelyn Vazquez ..................................16 - Gary Simon ..........................................17
38 Hispanic Heritage
38
Destinations 48 Quince Magazine
DEPARTMENTS 04 Editor’s Comment 04 Credits 05 Industry Briefs 37 Diversity in the Industry
48
EDITOR’S COMMENT
The close of 2011 is upon us and the meetings & tourism industries survived another tough economic year. Early perception of the meetings industry in particular shows a decrease in conference attendance across the board. Even the U.S. Government is cutting back on government employees’ travel including that to conferences and events. In November President Obama signed an executive order curb tailing government agencies’ travel and encouraging events to be held at government properties and the use of technological advances in teleconferencing and video conferencing. These reductions will begin to take effect in 2013 but have already ruffled feathers at the U.S. Travel Association who feel this measure by the government is “anti-travel” instead of “anti-waste”. The outcome of this executive order will not be measured until 2014 but in the meantime meeting planners must deal with the reduction of attendance numbers throughout the industry and how to cut costs while maintaining high quality conferences and events. Associations and organizations have had to think outside the box when planning their meetings and that is exactly what is happening this December in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From December 7 to 11 the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP) is presenting their 16th Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show by joining forces with CIMPA, the Connected International Meetings Professional Association. Early on in the year the two association presidents decided to join forces and combine their conferences to increase attendance and reduce costs for both organizations. Talk about thinking outside the box! If this synergy is a success then other associations may learn from it and help each other with regional meetings and even conferences that may be of common 4 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
ground for two or even three organizations to join together to present a strong event to their respective members. During these trying times these unique efforts may be what are needed for the meeting industry to continue success. For those in attendance of the IAHMP/CIMPA Conference at Hotel Albuquerque you will learn first-hand of best practices from top industry experts such as Terry Singleton, CSEP, Owner, President/COO at CCP Events, Inc. and International President Elect at International Special Events Society –ISES, as well as meeting planners Laurie Roach, President and Owner of TURN OF EVENTS and Patty L. Waid, event planner and marketing consultant. The conference information and agenda begins on page 18. We are also featuring Southwest Meeting destinations in this issue with profiles of Phoenix and Albuquerque as well as hotel and casino Talking Stick Resort and the debut of Hotel Chimayó (pages 6 to 13). We continue with our Industry Executive Profiles (pages 14-17) that include Michael Smith of Travel Portland, Evelyn Vasquez of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches VCB and Gary Simon of the Sacramento CVB. Hispanic Meetings & Travel is also focusing on Hispanic Heritage in the United States. We are showcasing the Hispanic Culture found in two of the oldest cities in the country, San Antonio and San Diego. These two cities are drenched in Hispanic history, culture and heritage and we are proud to highlight them in this issue (pages 38 to 41). Hispanic Meetings & Travel is also debuting its’ first back cover issue ever. The Quince magazine cover is now prominently placed in the back of HM&T. Ms. Yamantie Galnares graces the cover of Quince with her quinceañera in Georgia profiled in both the English and Spanish languages. Yamantie’s family gives us a look into their efforts to bring the Mexican tradition to life in a part of the country with very little Hispanic influence. They too had to think outside the box to make their dream of a quinceañera a reality. As this year wraps up I would like to thank our readers and advertisers for their commitment to Hispanic Meetings & Travel and Quince magazine. Your positive feedback helps motivate us to present a professional publication and hope to provide pertinent information to help you plan your events and travels. May you all have a wonderful Holiday Season. ¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo! María de la Luz González Editor
HispanicMeetingsTravel.com PUBLISHER GVR Public Relations Agency, Inc. www.gvragency.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Margaret Gonzalez mgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com
EDITOR María de la Luz González mdgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com
DESIGN & PRODUCTION BAY AREA MEDIA SERVICES / SCENE MEDIA CREATIVE DIRECTOR - John Ennis ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR - Betsey Ennis www.bams.us / www.scenelive.net
ADVERTISING STEVEN GONZALEZ sgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com
MARIA GONZALEZ mdgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Albuquerque CVB, CIMPA, City of Albuquerque, Greater Phoenix CVB, María de la Luz González, Margaret Gonzalez, Steven Gonzalez, Heritage Hotels & Resorts, IAHMP, MGM Resorts International, Meliá Hotels International, Lida Peterson, Sacramento CVB, San Antonio CVB, San Diego CVB, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB, Talking Stick Resort, Travel Portland
PHOTOGRAPHY Albuquerque CVB, CIMPA, Linda Cullifer, DigPicPhoto, Sanjuana Galnares, Greater Phoenix CVB, Heritage Hotels & Resorts, Joy Key, MGM Resorts International, Meliá Hotels International, Sacramento CVB, San Antonio CVB, San Diego CVB, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB, Talking Stick Resort, Travel Portland
ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE GVR Public Relations Agency 2600 South Shore Harbor Blvd., Suite 300 League City, Texas 77573 Telephone - 281-245-3330 Fax - 281-668-9199
W E B PA G E www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com WEB MASTER - Margil Villarreal Hispanic Meetings & Travel ISSN #1527-8387 is owned and published by the GVR Public Relations Agency, Inc., at 2600 South Shore Harbor Blvd., Suite 300, League City, Texas 77573 C 19992010 All Rights Reserved. Hispanic Meetings & Travel cannot by held responsible for unsolicited material. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for any unsolicited material and will return only those accompanied by stamped self-addressed envelope. We reserve the right to edit all copy. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher. Subscription rates: $30.00 per year within the USA, $52.50 in Canada, and $75.00 elsewhere. All subscriptions must be paid in U.S. currency. Single copies: U.S. $5.00, Canada $8.75, and $12.50 elsewhere. Produced in the USA.
industrybriefs N E W * F R E S H * P R O G R E S S I V E
MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL announces the opening of second U.S. property, Meliá Orlando Hotel at Celebration Leading Spanish Hotel Brand to Operate the Former Mona Lisa Suite Hotel in Celebration Florida
M
eliá Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel brands, is celebrating the opening of its second hotel in the United States in Orlando’s coveted Celebration neighborhood. The hotel, which has been rebranded as Meliá Orlando Hotel at Celebration, is a 240-unit property featuring luxurious residentially styled one and two bedroom suites formerly operated as the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel. Within easy reach of the multiple entertainment attractions Orlando has to offer, this new addition to the Meliá Hotels International portfolio is the perfect complement to the brand’s existing high-end family friendly properties. Just minutes away from Walt Disney World ® Resort theme parks, Meliá Orlando is the perfect destination for a family getaway. Orlando, FL is the number two tourist destination in the United States, and will act as yet another platform for the brand to strengthen its fan base in the United States as part of an intensive global expansion strategy. “We are delighted to add this great hotel to our international portfolio and to offer our loyal guests the Meliá Hotels International experience in this sought-after destination,” said Meliá Hotels International CEO and Vice Chairman, Gabriel Escarrer. “This is a key component of our strategy to grow and diversify internationally, and add to our presence in the United States, which we started last year with the addition of the Meliá Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. It is also an example of great integration and teamwork between our Orlando-based vacation club team, Club Meliá, under the leadership of Executive Vice
President Denis Ebrill who identified and negotiated this deal, and the Meliá Hotels International team in Miami, under Senior Vice President Alvaro Tejeda Schroder, who has driven the takeover and transition of this highly attractive property to the Meliá brand and operating standards.” “Meliá Orlando Hotel at Celebration offers consumers new to our brand the perfect opportunity to window shop what we have to offer globally,” said Alvaro Tejeda Schroder. “The popular location of this property helps to ensure greater familiarization of the experience for which Meliá Hotels International is renowned.” Meliá Orlando Hotel at Celebration, which was originally developed as a condominium resort, features rooms complete with luxury amenities including private balconies and full kitchens with stainless steel appliances. There are also two restaurants on property, as well as preferred access to nearby golf courses. For adults looking to enjoy a relaxing vacation, there is a spa and health club conveniently located nearby in the center of Celebration Village. The hotel offers guests bicycles, as well as golf cart and van shuttles, to and from downtown Celebration and theme parks. Meliá Hotels International has resorts across the globe including destinations such as Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican
Republic. Florida is a key feeder market for these regions and Meliá Hotels International has high hopes for increasing brand recognition in the market, helping to further expand their presence in the United States. Meliá Hotels International is proud to have more than two million consumers enrolled in their MAS loyalty program, 300,000 of which live in the U.S. About MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL Meliá Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and is one of the world’s largest resort hotel chains, as well as Spain’s leading hotel chain. It currently provides more than 350 hotels and 87,000 rooms in 35 countries on 4 continents under its brands: Gran Meliá, Meliá, ME, Innside, Tryp by Wyndham, Sol and Paradisus. Its product and service portfolio is complemented by Meliá Club, the only vacation club operated by a Spanish company. In 2011, the family company founded by Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, which operated under the name “Sol Meliá” for decades, initiated a new stage in its development under the brand name that represents its present and its future: Meliá Hotels International. www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 5
COVER STORY
SOUTHWEST MEETINGS
Children's Museum of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona A
merica’s sixth-largest city still has real cowboys and rugged mountains and the kind of cactus most people see only in cartoons. Phoenix is the gateway to the Grand Canyon, and its history is a testament to the spirit of puebloans, ranchers, miners and visionaries. Projected against this rich backdrop is a panorama of urban sophistication of World class Hotels and Resorts and Stadiums and Arenas worthy of the world’s biggest sports spectacles. Restaurants with inspired cuisine and inspiring patio views and Golf courses that beckon players year round.
MEETING PLANNERS
The Phoenix area has always been a memorable place to hold a meeting. Hotels and resorts bask in near-perpetual sunshine, natural beauty manifests itself in every direction, and beautiful sunsets paint the desert sky on a nightly basis. Now, thanks to a metamorphosis in Phoenix’s urban core — including a newly expanded convention center, a new 1,000-room hotel, and a light-rail system that connects meeting attendees to a new world of dining and entertainment options — convening here packs more value than ever. One thing that hasn’t changed: The Greater Phoenix CVB’s sales staff and convention services team remain dedicated to making meeting planners’ lives easy and their events successful. To contact the Phoenix CVB, call (877) MEET-PHX or visit the web site to submit an RFP. Greater Phoenix is America’s sunniest metropolis making it the perfect destination to take a trip with your family. When planning a family trip the Greater Phoenix area offers:
OUT OF AFRICA WILDLIFE PARK
"Call us wild. Call us crazy. Just don't call us a zoo." At Out of Africa Wildlife Park, you get a completely different view of wildlife. That's because this isn't a zoo. Here, exotic animals from all over the world roam in spacious habitats, giving you a chance to see these beautiful creatures and their natural behavior up-close. And, with exciting shows like Tiger Splash, Wonders of Wildlife and Predator Feed, Out of Africa is like nothing you've ever seen. Just 90 minutes north of Phoenix and 30 minutes south of Sedona, Out of Africa let's you experience Africa in the heart of Arizona. Your safari awaits!
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Desert Botanical Garden offers the world's finest collection of arid-land plants from deserts of the world in a unique outdoor setting. The Garden has more than 50,000 desert plants on display throughout five thematic trails that illustrate topics such as conservation, desert living, plants and people of the Sonoran Desert and desert wildflowers. Visit the Garden and enjoy specialized tours, special events, seasonal exhibits, concerts, family activities, an outdoor café and the Garden's gift and plant shop. 6 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER
The Arizona Science Center offers hands-on, eye-opening fun with more than 300 interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, fivestory giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, and traveling exhibitions. Explore 350 hands-on exhibits, a five-story theater and a planetarium in a unique setting. Group rates and facility rentals available.
RAWHIDE WESTERN TOWN AND STEAKHOUSE
Arizona's largest Western-themed attraction, Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse is an authentic replica of an 1880's town complete with a Main Street, gunfights, stagecoach & train rides, burro rides, mechanical bull, climbing wall, gold pannin', shootin' gallery, unique shops, Sundown Cookouts, & world famous Steakhouse & Saloon. The menu celebrates the spirit and hospitality of its Western roots through traditional cooking and true hungry-cowboy portions. Admission to Rawhide is FREE!
MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers great family fun. Visitors can ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad and antique carousel. Visit the museum or a variety of shops, play in one of the spacious playgrounds, or just relax in the grass under a tree.
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX
Our hands-on interactive exhibits are designed to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of children up to age 10 and the grown-ups who care about them. Make a meal in our Texture Café, navigate your way through Noodle Forest, or relax and share a story in our Book Loft. These are just a few of the adventures that await you at the Children's Museum of Phoenix. Before you go contact: Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau 400 E. Van Buren Street, Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: (877) CALLPHX, (602) 254-6500 Email: visitors@visitphoenix.com Fax: (602) 253-4415
Southwest Meetings
Talking Stick Resort is the Toast of the Town in Scottsdale
S
cottsdale’s Talking Stick Resort is a world-class destination with five outstanding dining venues and a host of entertainment options. The Talking Stick Resort also includes a state-of-the art casino, a bar lounge, sushi bar, musical venue, plenty of gambling and one of the best buffets in Scottsdale. Two gorgeous championship golf courses and a large pool area offer multiple locations to just sit and relax. With over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, state-of-the art AV capabilities and the flexibility to accommodate groups up to 2,000 this resort is all about business. The resort features an outstanding hotel conference center with 25,000 square-foot grand ballroom that can be divided into eight separate rooms or used as one for one spectacular occasion. It also offers 21 meeting rooms, full-service banquet catering and plenty of entertainment for attendees. A 650-seat Showroom offers live entertainment and Players Sports Bar and Shadows, the martini and cigar bar offers attendees a relaxing after hours opportunity to unwind and enjoy the amenities of the resort. The 14th floor spa has 11 treatment rooms with services inspired by the ambiance of the Southwest. A steam room, sauna and gym offers all the benefits of a world class resort. The 240,000 square foot gaming floor of the Casino makes the Talking Stick Resort the best appointed meeting facility in Arizona.
The Talking Stick Resort Cultural Center
QUICK FACTS FOR MEETING PLANNERS
A quick look at what makes Talking Stick Resort a popular choice and place for meetings, conferences, events and conventions in Scottsdale and the Phoenix area: • Hotel Guest Rooms..................................................497 • Kings/Suites/Doubles ..................................232/15/250 • Hotel Resort Fee ........................................................$0 • Max Group Size....................................................2,000 • Total Square Feet of Function Space ........100,000 sqft • Hotel Room Tax ................................................11.95% • Sales Tax..............................................................8.95% • High Season ......................................Jan-Apr, Oct-Dec • Low Season....................................................May-Sept • Internet: Complimentary high-speed wireless resort-wide
• Onsite Attractions: ............Spa, Golf, 5 Dining Venues, Gaming, Live Entertainment
• Airport: 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) International Airport and 15 minutes from Scottsdale Municipal Airport (SCF)
The Talking Stick Resort also offers an art exhibition that showcases postmodern pieces by Native Americans of Pina and Maricopa ancestry. The collection includes works from masters of the arts of painting, sculpture, metal work,
8 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
ceramics, basketry and printmaking, as well as new additions of historical photographs, custom pieces for Talking Stick Resort and two talking sticks that reflect the history of the Pima and Maricopa communities. Artists include professionals familiar to general audiences and some are emerging new artists, and others are wonderful discoveries of new talent. For information on hosting or scheduling your next meeting, event, or corporate function at Talking Stick Resort call 1-877-724-4687 or email sales@talkingstickresort.com You may also fill out the online meetings request contract form.
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Southwest Meetings
Albuquerque, New Mexico A
lbuquerque, New Mexico - The Land of Enchantment is famous for its amazing natural beauty and ancient past. From dinosaurs to volcanoes to Native American Anasazi ruins you won't be disappointed. Since the days of the nomadic Native American tribes, the Spanish Conquistadores, and the traders of the Santa Fe Trail, Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico has played host to touring peoples of all kinds. As the fifth largest state by landmass, New Mexico lends itself well to touring by automobile, which millions of people did during the heyday of the famous Route 66. But whether you want to tour by car or on foot, if you want to see natural beauty, historical documents or breathtaking art of all kinds, New Mexico has something for you to see that you just won't find anywhere else. When planning a meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico meeting planners would be wise to take advantage of what Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico offers. Making sure to include time for delegates to enjoy the destination is a must do in hosting a successful meeting. Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico and Home of the Kodak International Balloon Fiesta, Sandia Peak Ski Area, the Albuquerque Biological Park, and historic Route 66. A thriving city, Albuquerque was once unchartered territory sought after by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado who was in search of what proved to be a highly elusive legend - the Golden Cities of Cíbola. What he
found were vast, beautiful landscapes and a rich Pueblo heritage. The Santa Ana, Sandía, Zia, and Isleta pueblos remain and most of them operate successful business ventures, mainly in the form of Las Vegas-style casinos that feature nationally known musical acts. Albuquerque has been named among the top 50 adventure towns by National Geographic Adventure magazine for its biking paths along the Rio Grande and the 52-mile high desert
Turquoise Trail. With a population of 507,785, Albuquerque is a wonderful city to visit and to hold your meetings and events.
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Convention and Tourism Department The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) is one of the largest Hispanic Chambers in the United States. It is a business membership organization designed to foster economic growth, work force development, online business and convention & tourism with an emphasis on the Hispanic business person. Additionally, the AHCC advocates for small business at the New Mexico legislature and for opportunities to increase resources for entrepreneurs. Meeting planners, companies and /or countries interested in utilizing these services may contact the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce through their web site or by contacting Mary Ann Jones, VP Convention & Tourism - Telephone: (505) 842-9003 or Maryann@ahcnm.org
Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce 1309 4th Street SW • Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone 505-842-9003 • Fax 505764-9664
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WELCOME IAHMP Experience our diverse city & state. Plan your meetings, conventions and family vacations in Albuquerque, NM. Call the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Convention & Tourism Department for complimentary services and enjoy your stay.
s s WWW AHCNM ORG s EMAIL !"1TOURISM AHCNM ORG
Southwest Meetings: Heritage Hotels
Introducing the new Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe
H
Newly remodeled Downtown Santa Fe hotel celebrates the culture of Chimayó, New Mexico
eritage Hotels & Resorts has completed the renovation of the Hotel Plaza real. The newly opened Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe offers visitors a glimpse into the magical culture of Chimayó, a distinctive community in Northern New Mexico.
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Chimayó is a historical agricultural community nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 30 minutes North of Santa Fe. Founded in the 17th century as a traditional fortified central plaza, the close-knit community of Chimayó is centered around rich, time-
honored artistic traditions, culinary customs, spiritual devotion and familial bonds. The renovation began in August of 2010 when Heritage Hotels and Resorts CEO, Jim Long, began forming partnerships with Chimayó’s community leaders and artists. Construction started in January 2011 and completed in August 2011. “Chimayó is such a special place with a unique story and history”, said Jim Long, Heritage Hotels & Resorts CEO. “By partnering with the Chimayó community in this project, we hope to help inform visitors about the history and culture of Chimayó and to preserve the original community heritage for future generations.” A percentage of the hotel’s room revenue profits will be donated to the Chimayó Cultural Preservation Association, www.Chimayómuseum.org. This association works to preserve the culture of Chimayó by building an archive of historical photographs and documents, gathering oral histories, maintaining historic buildings and increasing community awareness of local history and culture.
Visitors to Hotel Chimayó will encounter a variety of custom authentic artwork. More than 70 artists from Chimayó contributed to the hotels décor. Chimayó community members crafted 500 hand-made crosses from found materials to accent the fireplace mantels in each hotel room. Weavings designed and crafted by award-winning Chimayó artists adorn the lobby and hotel rooms. The hotel features a new bar and restaurant. Low ‘n Slow Lowrider Bar at the Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe features authentic lowrider elements crafted by Chimayó specialists. Named after the book “Low ‘n Slow – Lowriding in New Mexico” by Jack Parsons and Carmella Padilla, the bar is designed to capture the essence of the low-rider culture – its exuberance, style and artistry. On the street outside the bar will be an exclusive “Lowrider Only” reserved parking space. Tia’s Cocina New Mexican Restaurante at Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe features rustic village foods prepared by Santa Fe’s renowned Chef Estevan Garcia in a family dining atmosphere. Heritage Hotels and Resorts has commissioned a Chimayó agricultural grower to produce the famous Chimayó chile, a small heirloom chile known for a distinctive robust flavor. The first chile crop was available in the fall of 2011.
Meeting at Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe
Located downtown in the historic Santa Fe Plaza, Hotel Chimayó offers a unique events venue for small business meetings, post-conference events, and social gatherings. The property features 56 guestrooms of which 50 are spacious suites that includes the Santiago Presidential Suite. Within a short walking distance from the hotel are some of the most treasured Santa Fe attractions such as the State Capitol, the Palace of the Governors, St. Francis Cathedral basilica, and the Loretto Chapel, which houses the Miraculous Spiral Staircase. Stay at Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe and enjoy the southwest culture that will have you yearnHotel Chimayó de Santa Fe ing to return! 125 Washington Ave For site tours and booking Santa Fe, NM 87501 information, please contact: Toll Free: 1-855-752-9273 Regina Martinez, Regional hotelchimayó@hhandr.com Director of Sales & Marketing www.hotelchimayó.com at 505-992-5850. www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 13
INDUSTRY PROFILES | CVB EXECUTIVES
Michael Smith
Vice President of Convention Sales Travel Portland
M
ichael Smith has successfully led sales teams and
operations for top travel and tourism brands for
more than 30 years. Currently, Mike serves as the
vice president of convention sales for Travel Port-
land, the destination marketing organization that markets Port-
land and the Oregon Convention Center for convention business.
Mike oversees a convention sales staff of 11, targeting regional,
national and international meetings and conventions.
As a testament to his longstanding leadership in the meetings
and conventions industry, Mike was the first U.S. convention and visitors bureau executive to receive the acclaimed Certified Diver-
sity Meeting Professional (CDMP) certification through IAHMP.
Mike is an ambassador for the city of Portland. As a native
Oregonian, he has lived in the Portland area for 26 years with his
wife and two sons. Having made Portland home and the central location of his career, Mike both has witnessed and contributed to
growing Portland’s increasing international popularity as being a
vibrant and green city for visitors and meeting delegates alike.
With Mike’s help, Portland and the Oregon Convention Cen-
ter have also earned a reputation as being a top West Coast desti-
nation for corporate and association meetings of all sizes. During his tenure , Portland has grown to become one of the west coast’s major destinations’ for meetings and conventions.
Before he came to Travel Portland in 1987, Mike held a vari-
ety of roles in hospitality and tourism industry. This includes a
two-year position as the director of sales for Kah-Nee-Ta Resort, located in Central Oregon. Kahneeta is a premier destination resort
owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
(Warm Springs, Wasco, Paiute). Mike also served in an assistant director of sales position with La Mansion hotels in San Antonio, Texas for four years before coming back to his home state.
His extensive association and professional affiliations include
the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI),
Oregon Society of Association Management (OSAM), American
Society of Association Executives (ASAE), International Associ-
ation of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Professional Convention
Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Professionals Inter-
national (MPI), Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the Association for Convention Sales and
Marketing Executives (ACME), and the International Associa-
tion of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP).
Mike received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in
1972 from Willamette University in Salem, Ore., and a Master of
Arts in management science in 1977 from Webster University in St. Louis.
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INDUSTRY PROFILES | CVB EXECUTIVES
Evelyn Vazquez P DIRECTOR OF SALES St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB
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erhaps it’s the alignment of the stars after 500 years or maybe it’s just a quirk of fate, but whatever the reason, there’s little doubt that Evelyn Vazquez’s presence at the VCB at this time in history is certainly fortuitous for Florida’s St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches. Known as Florida’s Historic Coast, this 42-mile stretch of pristine beaches and world-class golf is, as the name implies, filled with history – most of which is truly Hispanic. Located midway between Daytona and Jacksonville, this will be the setting for several major celebrations of Hispanic culture. Next year, St. Augustine and its rare Constitution Monument will play a major role in the 200th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution. Of course, 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s discovery and naming of La Florida and it was near Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast where he came ashore. In 2015, St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, will celebrate its 450th birthday and focus new attention on Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles who founded the city so long ago. It is fittingly appropriate that Evelyn Vazquez, an experienced Hispanic professional, should play a role in these momentous celebrations. Born and raised in New York City by Puerto Rican parents, Evelyn brought her two children to Florida in 1982 in search of a new life. Four years later, they moved to St. Augustine where she got a job managing a condo/hotel. Ever since, she has been in love with St. Augustine and the hospitality industry. Evelyn has served a total of eight years as Director of Sales for the VCB. In many ways, her earlier employment as sales manager for two major resorts, vice president of sales and marketing for one of the area’s leading attractions, and director of group sales for St. Augustine’s oldest scenic cruise have all contributed to her continuing success in her current position with the VCB. Not only has she effectively directed the VCB’s corporate, group and leisure sales efforts, Evelyn frequently “thinks outside the box” – especially with regard to reaching Hispanic markets. For example, her “Fifteen and Forever Expo,” held in November, combined St. Augustine’s popularity as a wedding destination with a new market – Quinceaneras. As Evelyn correctly predicted, the expo provided the exposure needed to make St. Augustine irresistible to quinces. In addition, Evelyn was successful in landing the most prestigious of all Latin American sales events – Florida Huddle, 2013. When she isn’t introducing Florida’s Historic Coast to meeting planners and tour operators nationwide, Evelyn has a few other passions – her two sons, three grandchildren and her thoroughbred racehorses! For information on meeting opportunities on Florida’s Historic Coast, go to www.MyFloridaMeetings.com or contact Evelyn direct at EVazquez@FloridasHistoricCoast.com or 904-209-4431.
INDUSTRY PROFILES | CVB EXECUTIVES
, Multicultural Affairs Gary R. Simon Director Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau
G
ary Simon joined the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau in 1996. In 2001 he was named Director of the newly created Multicultural Affairs department. The department’s goal is to work with multicultural and ethnic based associations and organizations to drive convention and meeting business to Sacramento. Also in 2001, Mr. Simon’s department coordinated Sacramento’s first Juneteenth Festival – a celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The festival has become a staple community event, drawing more than 8,000 people annually. Mr. Simon is very active in the community and has worked on behalf of Sacramento’s youth in many capacities. He has coordinated community outreach programs for the Sacramento Sports Commission, Sacramento Job Corp., Communities In Schools, American Diabetes Association, LEED and All Ways Knocking, Inc. Gary is committed to promoting the diversity and cultural heritage of the Sacramento region. His work includes establishing partnerships with local organizations to promote culture and civic awareness, including Native American Day, Pacific Rim Festival, MLK Celebration, Black Expo, Festival De La Familia, Juneteenth Festival, Chinese New year, OCA, and the Chinese Mall Celebration. Mr. Simon serves on many boards and is a member of several local and national organizations these include: The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Planners, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc; Chair, for Sacramento Juneteenth Committee and Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau Multicultural Advisory Committee; member of Sacramento’s Hispanic, and Asian Chambers of Commerce. Board member of Zeta Beta Lambda Foundation, All Ways Knocking, Inc. and the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce Gary Simon grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He’s a graduate of San Francisco State University, where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. He became a resident of Sacramento in 1995, where he began work in the political arena as the re-election campaign manager for the late city council member Sam Pannell. Mr. Simon is married to his wife of 14 years, Latonia Walton-Simon and they have a four year old daughter Laylah Renae’. Mr. Simon is an avid sports man and a “rider”. He enjoys taking long rides on his motorcycle feeling the wind in his hair. www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 17
The Magic of Meetings in a Diverse World
T
16th Annual IAHMP International Conference
he International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals in cooperation with The Connected International Meetings Professional Association are pleased to present “The Magic of Meetings in a Diverse World” a program that enriches the lives of people in the travel, meetings, events and hospitality industry. This conference conveys a family atmosphere that keeps participants returning year after year to enjoy sharing friendship and knowledge and connecting with Association executives, meeting planners and suppliers. During the next three days you really have an opportunity to get to know each other and it’s a relationship you can continue to enjoy in the coming year. The Certified Diversity Meeting Professional makes it possible for you to earn your CDMP Credentials at the annual conference. The training brings top diversity professionals who share their knowledge to help you excel as an diversity professional. This credential will empower you in meeting your goals to outreach and work with important ethnic groups whose annual business and purchasing power is in the trillions of dollars. Be sure to register for this event or just sit in and find out what this exciting program brings to the industry. Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of the most historical locations in the western hemisphere. When you arrive in New Mexico you immediately know you are in a very special place. You will be staying at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town an area of New Mexico which dates back to the early 1700’s. You will also enjoy a Welcome Reception at Casa Esencia one of New Mexico's most historic buildings and a landmark with the National Register of Historic Places. Originally a private hacienda Casa Esencia was purchased by Heritage Hotels & Resorts, a Hispanic owned company. Casa Esencia is also surrounded by the rich history of Old Town and St. Felipe de Neri Cathedral. Here you will find more than 100 unique shops, galleries, restaurants and world-class museums all within walking distance of Casa Esencia and Hotel Albuquerque. Meet Keynote Speaker, Robert Canton, Director, U.S. Conventions and Tourism practice at Price Waterhouse Coopers in Tampa, Florida who will present “The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S Economy.” And later you can help define the “Economic Value of the Hispanic and Multicultural Meetings Market” with speakers John Tagami a member of The Japanese American Citizens League; Alma Morales Riojas, President, MANA, A National Latina Organization and Josie L. Olympia, MD, a member of the Connected International Meeting Planners Association (CIMPA) Advisory Board. At noon you get to hear from Roberto R. Llames about value-based and performancebased solutions to assist organizations in transforming their business processes by adopting and utilizing next generation technologies. Get ready to meet some of the most powerful women in the meetings industry, Patty 18 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Waid and Laurie Roach who will share information on “What do Meeting Planners Do.,” And Patsy Cisneros AICI CIP, of Corporate Icon, Image Development Specialists, Authors of “The Professional Image Toolkit How to Look Like You Mean Business.” And Pat Martinez, President/CEO, National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC) on “Transforming Your Events Through Sponsorship.” On Friday, meet Mauricio Ibarra, Cónsul de México en Albuquerque and Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM, Executive Director, Mexico Tourism Board in Washington, DC when they present “Mexico: The Perfect Fit for Latino Meetings & Conventions” and then learn how to Market Your Meeting or Event on TV and in the News from industry experts Clara Padilla Andrews of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), Publisher, El Hispanic News in Portland, Oregon and Más New Mexico and Kirk Whisler, president of Western Publication Research representing 625 Hispanic publications. At noon meet Aliana Apodaca, President, Positive Directions Company who presents “Living Life with a Splash of Salsa! Strategies for Success!” In the afternoon learn all about Pitching Your Destination and Hotels to the Multicultural Meetings Market and then get ready to meet Terry Singleton, CSEP, Owner, President/COO at CCP Events, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the International President Elect at International Special Events Society – ISES one of the largest associations in the world. She will present “What the Heck Just Happened: The Unforeseen Budget Items.” We end the conference in Albuquerque with a Reception in the Franciscan Ballroom and a Gala Diversity Awards Banquet and Dance featuring the music of Micky Cruz. On Saturday and Sunday we depart on a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico for a post conference tour to the first U.S. city to be chosen by UNESCO as a Creative City. You will be staying at the historic St. Francis Hotel or Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe where you'll be nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rockies and be immersed in natural beauty. Check out the Agenda and review all the speakers and events in your own personal issue of Hispanic Meetings & Travel while enjoying your participation at this year’s IAHMP Conference.
State of New Mexico Office of the Governor
A WELCOME MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ As governor of the great State of New Mexico, it is a privilege to welcome all atten-
dees to Albuquerque for the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Profes-
sionals (IAHMP) 16th annual educational conference and tradeshow.
Organizations like the IAHMP allow for individuals to learn from experienced professionals in the meeting and special event arena. Through the part-
nerships that IAHMP has developed here in the United States and abroad, the members have the ability to become successful, global leaders in these respective fields.
I want to thank the IAHMP, and their board, for
the work that they have done in bringing this
year’s conference to Albuquerque. I hope that all
attendees take the time to experience our state’s
majestic sunsets and sample our renowned cuisine dur-
ing your stay in the Land of Enchantment. Sincerely,
Susana Martinez
Governor of New Mexico
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Mrs. Margaret Gonzalez President & CEO International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals 2600 South Shore Harbor Blvd., Suite 300 League City, Texas 77573 Dear Mrs. Gonzalez and Conference Attendees: As Albuquerque’s mayor, I would like to personally welcome the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals to Albuquerque – the shining star of the Southwest. Prepare to be amazed by our rich culture, our unique heritage and our wonderful people.
Meeting Planners play a very important role starting with
selecting a city for their conference and working through all
the details to make the conference a success. I hope that your time in Albuquerque is productive as you meet for
your 16th annual international conference from Decem-
ber 7-10, 2011. We look forward to having you in our city
as you continue your work to help groom young profes-
sionals to become the future leaders in your industry.
Your journey through Albuquerque can take you in many directions,
and no matter what your interests are, the city has much to explore.
Our spectacular climate – boasting all four seasons and 310 days of
ample sunshine – sets the scene for hiking, biking, skiing or hot air
ballooning above our majestic landscape. Enjoy an excellent collec-
tion of visual and performing arts, fascinating cultures and spectacular cuisine.
Experience a place where the modern city sky-
line is set against the backdrop of the ancient
cultures of the Southwest. Immerse yourself in
Albuquerque. You will be glad you did. Best Regards,
Richard J. Berry, Mayor 20 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
On behalf of Heritage Hotels and Resorts and the City of Albuquerque, I would like to personally
welcome you the 16th Annual IAHMP Annual Educational Conference and Tradeshow. Heritage
Hotels and Resorts is one of the most unique hotel companies in the country. We are a locally
owned minority business, headquartered in Albuquerque New Mexico. Our vision is to incorporate
the culture and heritage of the Southwest into each of our properties.
Heritage Hotels and Resorts is a collection of seven award-winning hotels located in New Mexico and Southern Arizona, distinct in style, drawing from the unique blend of Native American, Mex-
ican, Spanish and American Western cultural and historical influences. Our mission is to create hotel experiences that provide our guests a better understanding and appreciation of the region to
which they are traveling. The architectural appeal of each hotel, designed with historical authen-
ticity, combined with careful and creative landscaping and interior design provides the perfect
backdrop for meetings and special events. We offer one-of-a-kind meeting accommodations in
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Tucson.
We are a company that truly embraces our history, culture and cultural preservation. Each of our
properties supports local “Cultural Causes” through financial and in-kind donations. We also
encourage our guests to support our local cultural causes as well. We truly believe that by support-
ing our culture will preserve our history for our children, our grandchildren and the people that vis-
it the great Southwest to experience for generations to come.
We are very proud to be able to host IAHMP for the second time at Hotel Albuquerque. Once again
I would like to welcome you to “The Land of Enchantment” and hope you have a wonderful conference.
Adrian Perez
President
Heritage Hotels and Resorts
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A GLOBALLY DIVERSE ASSOCIATION December 7-11, 2011
WELCOME! Bienvenidos! Bem-vindo!
The International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals are wishing you an enjoyable and rewarding experience at our 16th International Conference & Trade Show “The Magic of Meetings in a Diverse World.” We look forward to meeting each one of you personally. We have a full agenda during the next three days, so please take a few minutes to read through the information in Hispanic Meetings & Travel magazine. It includes our itinerary for each day of the conference and other important information. On behalf of our members in Europe including the Iberian Chapter we are very interested to work with our colleagues in the USA and Mexico. This is a very exciting time for us as IAHMP presents us the opportunity to organize in Europe and began to plan for a European conference in the near future. Closer to the USA the Mexico Chapter is presenting a program at this conference inviting our members to take their meetings to Mexico. And the South American chapter is getting organized to host our USA and European colleagues next year. We look forward to bringing you to the great nations that make up South America which are ready to host your meetings and events. We are happy to give you an update on the U.S. Hispanic Market:
• The Hispanic community is now the largest minority group in the history of the United States. With a population of over 50 million (including Puerto Rico) and an estimated purchasing power of over $1 trillion, the domestic Hispanic population on a global scale would qualify as the 8th largest economy in the world surpassing that of Canada, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and India. • Over 60% are NATIVE born to the Untied States can trace their roots to the early 1600’s and 1700’s when the Southwest was Spain and then Mexico territory. • More than one in eight people in the US are of Hispanic origin. By 2012, that number will be one in six. • People of Mexican origin may be either born in Mexico or of Mexican heritage born in the USA.
• A recent presentation at the American Hotel & Lodging Association Conference by Suzanne D. Cook, Ph.D. in cooperation with U.S. Travel Association reports Hispanic domestic travel spending is at a record high of over $70.9 Billion annually.
We want to express our gratitude to Adrian Perez, President, Heritage Hotels & Resorts and Ed Pulsifer, Vice President Sales, Heritage Hotels & Resorts for being a Sponsor for this year’s conference and Post Conference Tour to Santa Fe. We also thank everyone who has helped to make this conference a success.
Margaret Gonzalez IAHMP
Armando de la Garza México
22 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Diego Fernández de Córdoba South América
Linda Pereira Europe
Welcome to “The Magic of Meetings in a Diverse World!”
The Connected International Meetings Professional Association is honored to join forces with the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals in bringing you this year’s International Conference and Trade Show in Albuquerque. Both organizations have a deep commitment to diversity within the meetings and hospitality industry and it is a partnership that makes sense. As an Asian-American, I am cognizant of the challenges that face minorities in the world of business. CIMPA as an organization is committed to promoting the importance of diversity in the business world and in the meetings industry in particular. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Heritage Hotels for hosting us this year and the Hispano Chamber of Commerce for all their help in planning this event. So, come explore Albuquerque with us as we renew friendships, make new ones and talk about how we can do our jobs better. All the best,
Lida Peterson Lida Peterson President Connected International Meetings Professionals Association About CIMPA CIMPA is unique among meeting planning organizations. It is an online association of buyers and sellers of meeting and travel products and services with a mission. CIMPA leverages state-of-the-art tools and methodologies for more efficient travel and meetings -- focusing on results. CIMPA focuses on achieving meeting objectives and allowing attendees to experience the world and bond with its people. This is probably the most significant difference in philosophy between CIMPA and other meeting planning organizations. To learn more about CIMPA please visit www.cimpa.org.
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Conference Agenda Wednesday, December 7, 2011 08:30AM
Conference Registration Opens - Hotel Albuquerque Continental Breakfast Early Arrivals - Franciscan Ballroom
09:00AM
Certified Diversity Meeting Professional (CDMP) Program:: – Alvarado C - Ballroom Introduction by Margaret Gonzalez, a Founder/President of IAHMP and the CDMP Program Presenter, Angela Gonzalez Rowe, President, Latino Hotel Association The CDMP has been awarded to professionals in the USA, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and the UK . The CDMP training will be offered at the conference this year by professional speakers/trainers: Carlos Conejo, CSSBB Peak Performance Seminars & Consulting - Multicultural Associates, and Carole Copeland Thomas, Multiculturalism, Global Diversity & Leadership Training Speakers Carole Copeland Thomas As a speaker, trainer, global thought leader, and business owner since 1987, Carole Copeland Thomas moderates the discussions of key issues affecting our global marketplace. She has her pulse on the issues affecting working professionals and consults with industry leaders on a regular basis. From speaking at the Federal Highway Administration, SHRM, Hewlett Packard, Verizon, Cargill, and Monster.com to interviewing experts around the globe, Carole knows how to analyze the dynamics of a changing marketplace. Carole graduated with honors in 1975 from Emory University. She entered graduate school in 1983 (on a Martin Luther King, Jr. academic fellowship), and received her MBA degree from Northeastern University in Boston. Carole is the Tri State Coordinator for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Chair of the Multicultural Committee for the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. See: www.tellcarole.com Carlos Conejo is President of Peak Performance Seminars, Training & Consulting. A Thousand Oaks-based leadership and process improvement consulting firm. Conejo is the author of “Motivating Hispanic Employees: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Motivating Hispanic Employees” written for the non-Hispanic leader or manager in order to help with better understanding of the fine nuances of the Hispanic culture, approach to teamwork and other work place issues. His second book, “Recruiting and Retaining Multicultural Employees” is geared toward assisting Human Resources professionals more effectively deal with the exploding populations in America. He is currently serving as President of the Pepperdine University Ventura County Alumni Association. Julia Wai-Yin So, Ph.D. - A Speaker of Diversity on Diversity - Julia So, Ph.D. is a retired college professor and administrator, Dr. Julia Wai-Yin So is the Principal of So García Associates, LLC. She has been speaking on diversity & inclusiveness, leadership & change, and Asian & Latino cultures since 1995. With decades of international experience working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds while living in Hong Kong, Japan and Ecuador, she is an expert on UNRAVELing the Three Cs to debunk certain cultural communication codes that one uses or presenting the Asian/Latino Parallels about the similarities of the two fastest growing racial/ethnic minority groups in the US. Dr. So received her B.A. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington, and Ph.D. in Public Policy and Political Economy from the University of Texas at Dallas.
12:30PM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Welcome Luncheon - Fireplace Room Meet and Greet the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP) and the Connected International Meeting Professionals Association (CIMPA)
04:00 PM
Conference and New Member Orientation
24 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Conference Agenda (Wednesday, December 7, 2011: Continued) 07:00PM
Welcome Reception - HISTORIC CASA ESENCIA Ed Pulsifer, Vice President, Heritage Hotels is our host for this evening event. Built in 1783, Casa Esencia is one of New Mexico's most historic buildings and a landmark with the National Register of Historic Places. Originally a private hacienda the landmark was purchased by Heritage Hotels & Resorts in 2008. Casa Esencia is sur rounded by the rich history of Albuquerque's Old Town founded in 1706, the historic town brimming with charm and culture and St. Felipe de Neri Cathedral. More than 100 unique shops, galleries, restaurants and worldclass museums are all within walking distance of Casa Esencia and Hotel Albuquerque.
Thursday, December 8, 2011 07:30AM
Exhibitors Setup for Trade Show - Franciscan Ballroom
08:00AM
Conference Registration – Albuquerque Hispano Chamber Volunteers Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town 800 Rio Grande Boulevard, NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104 505-843-6300 or 1-800-237-2133
08:30AM
Continental Breakfast - Franciscan Ballroom Official Opening and Industry Trade Show Exhibits Aztec Dancers presentation in the east Courtyard of Hotel Albuquerque presented by "CIRCULA SOLAR OLLEN XOZHEAELLE" Color Guard Showing of the Colors - Major Christopher Lucas, Marine Recruiting Station, Albuquerque, New Mexico National Anthem - Beatrice Rivas Davalos, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber Convention and Tourism Dept., Sales and Marketing Coordinator Trade Show EXPO Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Franciscan Ballroom
09:00AM
WELCOME - BIENVENIDO! CONFERENCE HONORARY CHAIRMEN
Alex O. Romero President/CEO Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
Adrian Perez President, Heritage Hotels & Resorts
Lawrence John Executive Director, Navajo Nation – Ethics and Rules Office
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Conference Agenda (Thursday, December 8, 2011: Continued) Introduction of IAHMP/CIMPA Leaders
Margaret Gonzalez
Lida Peterson
Catherine Gonzales
Mary Ann Jones
IAHMP International President & Founder, Publisher, Hispanic Meetings & Travel
President - Connected International Meeting Professionals Association (CIMPA)
IAHMP President, Southwest Region, Founder New Mexico State Chapter
VP Tourism, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
Linda Pereira
Diego Fernandez de Cordoba
Dr. Josie L. Olympia,
South America Chapter & Panama CVB
MD, DLFAPA CIMPA Advisory Board
Angela Gonzalez Rowe President,
Maria de la Luz Gonzalez
Southeast Region and President, Latino Hotel Association
President, Midwest Region South
Armando de la Garza IAHMP Mexico Chapter President
Founder/President Iberian Chapter Lisbon, Portugal
Elida Chavez
Viviana Matasaru
President, Western Region
President, Northeast Region and Meetings & Events US Tennis Association
Lawrence John
Clara Padilla Andrews
Rafael Gonzalez
Marco Puente
Board Member and Ethics and Rules, The Navajo Nation
Board Member and Publisher, MAS New Mexico
Board Member and retired NASA Space Shuttle Manager
Pres. of the Southern California Chapter "Las Californias"
Not Pictured:
Ramon Alvarez Director G.S.A.R. Marketing,
Shirley Barney Board Member and Meeting &
President Spain Chapter, Madrid, Spain
Events Planner, The Navajo Nation
26 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Conference Agenda (Thursday, December 8, 2011: Continued) Corporate Board of Advisors
10:00AM
Tony Gladney
Dzidra Junior
Ed Pulsifer
Alex Yemenidjian
Vice President, National Diversity Relations, Caesar’s Entertainment, Inc.
CMP, Director of Sales, The Mirage Las Vegas
Vice President Sales, Heritage Hotels & Resorts
President, Tropicana Las Vegas
Michael Dominguez
Salvador Mendoza
Bill Williams CMP
Jorge Franz
CHSE, Vice President, Global Sales, Loews Hotels and Resorts
Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion at Hyatt Hotels Corp.
Vice President, Diversity/Sales, Chicago CVB
Vice President, Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Alvarado Ballroom A/B/C - General Session Keynote Speaker - Robert Canton, Director of the U.S. Conventions and Tourism practice, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Tampa, Florida “The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S Economy.” Introduction by: Michael C. Smith, CDMP, Vice President of Convention Sales, Travel Portland and Rosa Mendoza-Friedheim, The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, Miami, Florida. Robert Canton leads PwC's Sports, Convention & Tourism Practice. Over the past 25 years, Rob has provided strategy and economic consulting to destinations throughout the U.S. and on five continents. He led his firm's 15-month study, on behalf of the Convention Industry Council and its member partners, to quantify the value of the meetings industry within the U.S. economy and is currently leading a similar study for the Mexican Ministry of Tourism that will quantify the value of meetings to Mexico's economy. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Destination and Travel Foundation, and is currently a member of DMAI, PCMA, the US Travel Association, and Urban Land Institute. Mr. Canton holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of South Florida and a Master of Tourism Administration from The George Washington University.
10:45AM
Q/A with Robert Canton Moderators - Michael C. Smith, CDMP, Vice President of Convention Sales, Travel Portland and Rosa Mendoza-Friedheim, The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, Miami, Florida
11:00AM
Coffee Break
11:15AM
Defining the Economic Value of the Hispanic/Multicultural Meetings Market, Is it 93 Billion? Or is it much more! Introduction by Mary Ann Sena-Edelen, Director of Regional Sales Diversity, MGM Resorts International and Gary Simon, Director of Multicultural Affairs, Sacramento CVB
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Conference Agenda (Thursday, December 8, 2011: Continued)
SPEAKERS John Tagami, President, Pathway Strategies, LLC John Tagami is the President of Pathway Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm that provides federal advocacy and business services to corporations, non-profit organizations, and local and state governments. He is currently a board member of the Asian American Action Fund, the Pacific Coast Immigration Museum, the Pan Pacific American Leaders and Mentors organization, and the University of Hawaii Alumni Association (DC chapter). He is also a current member of the Japanese American Citizens League. Alma Morales Riojas, President & CEO, MANA Alma Morales Riojas is the President & CEO, MANA, A National Latina Organization was founded and developed by Mexican American women and today serves Latinas from all over the world. For over 26 years MANA has served as a foundation to support Latinas in their professional and personal endeavors. Before she became President and CEO of MANA, Ms. Riojas served as National Executive Director of Federally Employed Women, Inc; Executive Director of the National Alliance of Veteran and Family Service Organizations; Associate Director of the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services; and President of ALMA Consulting Services. Josie L. Olympia, MD, DLFAPA Josie L. Olympia, MD is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY at Buffalo Department of Psychiatry and Director of CME at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. Dr Olympia is board certified in psychiatry and is a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. She is a past president of the Western New York Psychiatric Society and still holds the post of legislative representative from that organization. She has been an active member of the UB Department of Psychiatry and is currently the co-chair of the CME committee. As CME co-Chair, Dr. Olympia is responsible for medical conferences sponsored by the SUNY at Buffalo Department of Psychiatry several times a year both locally and abroad. Dr. Olympia is a retired Colonel, USAR. She has received many awards and honors in the military as well as her civilian life and is consistently selected as one of America ’s Top Psychiatrists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. She continues to participate in medical missions to the Philippines. She is also a member of the Connected International Meeting Planners Association (CIMPA) Advisory Board. Panel Moderators - Mary Ann Sena-Edelen, MGM Resorts Las Vegas and Gary Simon, Sacramento CVB 12:30PM
Luncheon - Recognizing our Colleagues in the Industry Trade Show Continues... Introduction of Guest Speaker, Lida Peterson, President, CIMPA Guest Speaker - Roberto Llames Roberto R. Llames is the founder and president of Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (ESI), an 8(a)-certified company that focuses in providing valuebased and performance-based solutions and services to assist organizations in transforming and improving their business processes, adopting and utilizing next generation technologies, and providing on-site program support and Information Technology (IT) services. Roberto is a Filipino-American who migrated to the United States in 1980 and began his career in IT in 1981 as a Computer Operator. Roberto is a member of the CIMPA Advisory Board.
02:00PM
What DO Meeting Planners Do? Introduction of Speakers by Gillian Ware, CMP, National Sales Director, San Diego CVB and Dzidra Junior, Director of Sales, The Mirage Las Vegas
28 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Conference Agenda (Thursday, December 8, 2011: Continued) Patty L. Waid is an event planner and marketing consultant who has been involved in the creation and implementation of various high profile events over her twenty plus years in the business. In July of 2003, Patty was able to implement one of her “bucket list� dreams . . . starting her own event planning business! Her company Waid & Associates offers marketing and event planning services custom designed for maximum effectiveness, creativity, and client satisfaction. Patty Waid is known for her innovative perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking. Meeting her clients needs, while always focusing on the positives and having FUN, are the cornerstone to her great success in the industry. Laurie Roach is the President and Owner of TURN OF EVENTS a professional, full-service corporate event, meeting planning, program management, and marketing services company. Turn of Events has been working with clients to create successful events such as conventions, conferences, grand-openings, seminars, team building sessions, meetings, fundraisers, banquets, seasonal programs, brand-awareness events and themed events since January 2000. TURN OF EVENTS also offers her clients database management, marketing consulting, technical or business plan writing, and newsletter production. Laurie Roach, has over 22 years of experience in planning and coordinating awardwinning special events, corporate conferences and marketing programs. 02:45 PM
Q/A Patty Waid and Laurie Roach Moderators - Gillian Ware, San Diego Convention and Visitor's Bureau and Dzidra Junior, MGM Resorts Las Vegas
03:00 PM
Coffee Break
03:15 PM
Guest Speaker - Patsy Cisneros Introduction by Sara Melendez-Davis, CDMP, CHSP, Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau Patsy Cisneros AICI CIP, Owner/partner, Corporate Icon, LLC Image Development Specialists - Authors of The Professional Image Toolkit - How to Look Like You Mean Business. Corporate Icon specializes in training individuals, business groups, and organizations to project the quality of their knowledge and skills - and the quality of their products and services - through their dress, speech and behavior.
04:15 PM
Guest Speaker - Pat Martinez Introduction by Evelyn Vazquez, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, Visitors and Convention Bureau Transforming Your Events Through Sponsorship - Pat Martinez, shares the formula for successfully transforming programming through sponsorship. Pat Martinez is the President and CEO of the National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC). The NHCC is a non-profit organization working with corporate America since 1985 to provide its member companies a multi-layered approach and resources to effectively maximize the diversity of the Hispanic market. Prior to joining the NHCC, Pat was the National Director of Development for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
06:00 PM
Historic Old Town - Explore Old Town on your own Historic Old Town Albuquerque is the city's cultural center, with five museums and more than 100 shops, galleries and restaurants. Founded in 1706 by a group of Spanish families the settlers organized their new town in the traditional Spanish colonial way, with a central plaza anchored by a church. When the original adobe church collapsed after the long, rainy summer of 1792, they rebuilt, and in 1793 San Felipe de Neri church was completed. Today, this adobe church with walls five feet thick is the oldest in Albuquerque and its white towers mark Old Town from a distance. www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 29
Conference Agenda (Thursday, December 8, 2011: Continued) It remains a functioning Catholic church, and as you wander around the neighborhood you may see couples posing for wedding pictures in the Plaza's gazebo. More than 300 years after it was founded, Old Town remains a center for culture, architecture, shopping, art and cuisine. Despite centuries of change, the Albuquerque Old Town area has retained its charming, walkable character.
Friday, December 9, 2011 09:00 AM
Continental Breakfast - Franciscan Ballroom Trade Show Exhibits Continues
10:00 AM
General Session - Alvarado Ballroom A/B/C
10:00 AM
Mexico: The Perfect Fit for Latino Meetings & Conventions Introduction by: Angela Gonzalez Rowe, Latino Hotel Association and Glenda Damian, CEM, CMP, LAS VEGAS CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY Salute to México Dignitarios y Participantes
Lic. Mauricio Ibarra Cónsul de México en Albuquerque
Eduardo Chaillo Mexico Tourism Board, Director Washington, DC
Armando de la Garza Gaytan Presidente de IAHMP México. iahmpmexico.mx
11:00 AM
Coffee Break
11:15 AM
Marketing Your Meeting: Getting Your Event on TV and in the News Speakers: Clara Padilla Andrews - Speaker & Facilitator. Mrs. Clara Padilla Andrews is the immediate past President of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), headquartered in Washington, DC ’s National Press Building. She is the Owner/Publisher of the El Hispanic News based in Portland, Oregon and Más New Mexico based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Clara is a native of Albuquerque and was elected to the office of Secretary of State of New Mexico from 1982 to 1986 making her the highest ranking Latina public official in the nation at that time. During her varied career she has received the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Distinguished Service Award; founded the Hacienda Community Development Corporation and The Clara Vista Apartments that set a national standard for community comprehensive housing services. In 1985, she founded Las Amigas de Nuevo Mexico, to promote travel to the State of New Mexico. She currently serves as a member of the board of directors for MANA a National Latina Organization, is Secretary of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility; the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda and the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals - IAHMP.
30 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Conference Agenda (Friday, December 9, 2011: Continued) Kirk Whisler is the president of Western Publication Research, a national advertising sales program representing 625 Hispanic publications; WPR Books, a book publishing company; LPNnews, a news service targeting Latino media; and Eastern Publication Research that does Hispanic readership studies and other research. From 1992 to 1996 Whisler served as publisher of Mexico Events & Destinations Magazine. Between 1986 and 1992 Kirk was publisher of NEVADA Magazine and from 1977 to 1986 Kirk was publisher of SOMOS AND CAMINOS Magazines. 12:30 PM
Association Luncheon - Franciscan Ballroom Tradeshow Continues Introduction of Guest Speaker by Alessandra Bergman-Nicolini, Director of National and Hispanic Sales, Tropicana Las Vegas Guest Speaker Aliana Apodaca President Positive Directions Company “Living Life with a Splash of Salsa! Strategies for Success!”
02:00 PM
Pitching Your Destination and Hotels to the Multicultural Meetings Market : Edward T. Pulsifer - Speaker & Facilitator, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Heritage Hotels and Resorts Ed is a Native New Mexican, born and raised in Albuquerque. He has over twenty-five years of hospitality experience in New Mexico, ranging from single property sales and marketing management to multiple hotel sales and marketing management. Ed also held the position of Vice President Convention Sales and Marketing for the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has worked for Heritage Hotels and Resorts for the past 8 years as Vice President Sales and Marketing. Heritage Hotels and Resorts is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is a locally Hispanic owned, minority business. Alex Romero, President & CEO - Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Alex is a retired bank executive formerly with the Bank of America’s New Mexico Consumer Market Division. He was named President of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce in December of 2004. He has been Chairman, Albuquerque Development Commission; the Federal Reserve Bank Kansas City (Denver Branch) Community Development Council and a Board Member, Lovelace Medical Center and the New Mexico Economic Development Commission. Alex is a Graduate, School of Banking, University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, the Advanced School of Marketing, University of Georgia, Athens, GA; National Commercial Lending School, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK ; The National Bank Card School, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL and the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (NASD). Chandrakant “C.K.” Patel - Asian American Hotel Owners Association “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Those words by India ’s Mahatma Gandhi could well be the credo of Chandrakant “C.K.” Patel, whose work in the present has been shaping the future of American hospitality for almost 30 years. He serves on the Board of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), which is one of the hotel industry’s most influential groups. AAHOA has 10,000 members who own almost 21,000 hotels with a property value of almost $130 billion.
www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 31
Conference Agenda (Friday, December 9, 2011: Continued) Angela Gonzalez-Rowe Founder/President & CEO - Latino Hotel & Restaurant Owners Association Angela Gonzalez-Rowe has more than 15 years experience within the hospitality industry. She began her career as the Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Hispanic Meetings & Travel magazine; the only magazine dedicated to the Hispanic meetings, convention and tourism market. Through this position, Ms. Rowe became an expert on U.S./Latin America travel trends. Ms. Gonzalez-Rowe is strongly committed to the growth of Latino hotel and restaurant owners, operators, and developers. She is a strong advocate for the advancement of Latinos in the hospitality industry. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in American Jurisprudence from the University of Houston and completed Corporate Governance training from the Harvard Business School. Andrew “Andy” Ingraham President/CEO National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc. NABHOOD Andrew “Andy” Ingraham serves as President/CEO of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc. (NABHOOD), of which he was 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. 03:15 PM
Break
03:30 PM
Guest Speaker - Terry Singleton, CSEP, Owner, President/COO at CCP Events, Inc. and International President Elect at International Special Events Society –ISES Introduction of Guest Speaker by Stephanie Monroe, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Bureau and Yvonne Guzman, Visit Denver What the Heck Just Happened: The Unforeseen Budget Items Terry Singleton is a Certified event professional creating extraordinary events for corporate, social and fundraising clients. Comprehensive services that include theme decor, interactive games, planning and production services. Award winning productions achieved through cutting edge designs and strategic vendor relationships. For more than a decade, CCP Events has been one of the leading event specialists in the Southeast.
04:30 PM
Free Time - Shopping in Old Town
07:00 PM
Reception - Hotel Albuquerque - Franciscan Ballroom
08:00 PM
Diversity Awards Banquet - Franciscan Ballroom CVB of the Year Award • Hotel Corporation of the Year Award Asian Leaders Award by CIMPA • Presentation of CDMP Graduates
12:00 AM
End of Program
Saturday, December 10, 2011 10:00 AM
Post Conference Tour - Santa Fe, New Mexico Pre-registration is required - Details on page 36 Conference Hotel
HOTEL ALBUQUERQUE AT OLD TOWN 800 Rio Grande Boulevard, NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104 Telephone - 505-843-6300 or 1-800-237-2133 32 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Certified Diversity Meeting Professional
Each year, millions of people travel globally to attend meetings, conventions and special events. It is therefore a necessity for people within the travel and tourism industry to be culturally aware if they want to maintain relevance and stay competitive. Connecting with your customers is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity. When you understand customer’s needs and preferences you can more effectively support your company’s efforts to delight customers and win their loyalty – which translates into greater profits for your firm.
IAHMP founded the Certified Diversity Meeting Professional designation to meet the needs of industry professionals who work and do business with people all over the world. Becoming culturally aware means understanding your customer based on a specific knowledge of a person’s country of origin, cultural nuances and among other traits such as gender, educational level, etc.
Certified Diversity Meeting Professional Designation
In today’s global market economy, meeting planners across the board are finding it challenging to create a meeting environment that supports and promotes the inclusion of diversity. As attendance to annual events diversifies, so does the role of the meeting planner. Gender, religious practices, language barriers and cultural awareness are all issues that must be identified to ensure that attendees get the maximum benefit of attending business meetings and educational programs at various conferences and special events. IAHMP supports the old axiom “Knowledge is Power” and wants to put in the hands of meeting professionals on both sides of the table the knowledge that will better prepare them for the future.
Certification Program
The International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP) has developed and implemented a Certification Program for its members and industry professionals to enhance their skills in the market place. In partnership with Academic and Industry Professionals, IAHMP has successfully introduced the Certified Diversity Meeting Professional (CDMP) program, which is the first program of its type in the Meetings & Hospitality industry. Materials for the program include a Study Guide and the CDMP Testing Program. Upon completion of the CDMP individuals will be able to enhance their professional skills to work with diverse publics.
The CDMP Program will:
The CDMP program will Increase intercultural understanding, interaction and communication and further the appreciation and understanding of Mexican/Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and other cultures in the Western Hemisphere. The CDMP program will provide a bridge for collaborative and cooperative exchanges among the diverse groups in the industry. The CDMP program will facilitate an understanding of Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and other groups in the Western Hemisphere and create opportunities to work together in professional relationships. The CDMP program will act as a catalyst for intercultural development in the meetings & hospitality industry. The CDMP program will develop a network for future intercultural and professional development activities through the IAHMP annual conference. www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 33
Heritage Hotels and Resorts IAHMP Post FAM Trip Santa Fe, NM December 10-11, 2011
Heritage Hotels and Resorts will host a post FAM trip to Santa Fe on December 10-11. We will depart Hotel Albuquerque on Saturday December 10th at 10am. Transportation will be provided by Follow the Sun Tours and the bus will be parked directly outside the main entrance of the hotel. We will arrive in Santa Fe at approximately 11am on Saturday and guests will be staying at Hotel St. Francis and Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe. Both of these beautiful cultural hotels are located directly on Historic Santa Fe Plaza. The following is the itinerary for the trip.
Saturday December 10th
10am- Depart Hotel Albuquerque, transportation provided by Follow the Sun Tours 11am- Arrive in Santa Fe. Hotel Accommodations will be provided by HHR at Hotel St. Francis and Hotel Chimayo 11am-6pm- Explore Santa Fe. You will be within walking distance to over 400 Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Museums 6pm- Reception at Hotel Chimayo in the Low N Slow Bar 7pm- Dinner at Hotel Chimayo in Tia’s Cocina
Sunday December 11th
9am- Breakfast at Hotel St. Francis in Tabla de los Santos 11am- Bus departure from Hotel St. Francis and Hotel Chimayo back to Albuquerque Bus will arrive at Albuquerque International Airport at approximately 12:15pm
Hotel St. Francis
Inspired by the early presence of the Franciscan missionaries in New Mexico, the spectacularly renovated Hotel St. Francis is designed in a style where peace and tranquility are the key design elements throughout. Here, utter simplicity is an exacting art. The hotel is a refuge that leaves a lasting impression upon one’s mind, heart, and soul and provides a moment for reflection and contemplation. The St. Francis has the distinction of being one of the oldest hotels in Santa Fe and is on the National Register of Historical Places. There is no hotel in Santa Fe that can provide guests with a greater authentic experience. Enjoy peaceful dining at Tabla de Los Santos restaurant and Secreto Bar where both trace their splendid offerings to the Franciscan missionary journey from Assisi Italy to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe offers visitors a glimpse into the magical culture of Chimayó, a distinctive community in Northern New Mexico. Chimayó is a historical agricultural community nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 30 minutes North of Santa Fe. Founded in the 17th century as a traditional fortified central plaza, the close-knit community of Chimayó is centered on rich, time-honored artistic traditions, culinary customs, spiritual devotion and familial bonds. Visitors to Hotel Chimayó will encounter a variety of custom authentic artwork. More than 70 artists from Chimayó contributed to the hotel’s decor. Chimayó community members crafted 500 hand-made crosses from found materials to accent the fireplace mantels in each hotel room. Weavings designed and crafted by award-winning Chimayó artists adorn the lobby and hotel rooms. This beautiful cultural hotel offers 56 rooms and is located in the heart of Santa Fe and steps away the Historic Plaza. 36 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
DIVERSITY IN INDUSTRY | HOTEL EXECUTIVES
M
ary Ann Sena-Edelen was promoted to Director of Diversity Regional Sales for
MGM Resorts International. In this role, Mary Ann will be responsible for develop-
ing and implementing a business strategy to attract diverse
convention groups to MGM Resorts properties.
Most recently, Mary Ann was Director of Diversity and
Training at Monte Carlo where she oversaw all areas of
training and incorporated diversity into all aspects of the resort’s daily operations. Prior to that, she was Senior
Diversity Leadership Manager for the Corporate Diversi-
ty Leadership Education program. Mary Ann joined the Company in 1993 as a Casino Training Manager at MGM
Grand.
Mary Ann earned her Federal Communications Com-
mission licenses at the National School of Broadcasting and also attended the University of Utah majoring in
Communications. She earned a degree in Hotel Restau-
rant Business Management with casino emphasis from the
College of Southern Nevada.
Mary Ann is a Certified Master Trainer of the MGM
Resorts Diversity Champion Workshop as well as a certi-
fied trainer of Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People.
Active in the community, she volunteers for the Amer-
ican Legion Baseball, Safe Nest women’s shelter, the
Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada, and the US Vets housing facility.
Mary Ann’s office is located at Mandalay Bay, and she
can be reached at 702-632-7905.
Mary Ann Sena-Edelen Director of Diversity Regional Sales MGM Grand
Focus on
S
San Antonio’s Hispanic Heritage
an Antonio is a top destination choice when planning a meeting. The city enjoys a steady stream of thousands of convention visitors each month. Over 20 million people enjoy the Alamo City each year and many of them come back year after year. What makes San Antonio such a fascinating destination? Few cities can claim the legacy and history of San Antonio. It all began with a simple ceremony when in 1718 Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five were located along the San Antonio River. The missions' purpose was to acculturate and Christianize the native population and make them Spanish citizens. Today, visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians and friars and possibly even meet the descendants of those first inhabitants. Few cities can claim such history. But the establishment of the Missions in Texas began even earlier, when Spain stepped up its colonization due to the encroachments threatened by the French from Louisiana in 1690. East Texas became the home of six Missions (three would later be relocated along the San Antonio River). In need of a way station between these and their source of supply to the west, a failed mission known as San Francisco Solano, was relocated from Coahuila to the San Antonio
River and renamed San Antonio de Valero. It later became known as the Alamo and today as the shrine of Texas history which remains a top tourist attraction for the Alamo City. The missions established along the San Antonio River in the 1700s include Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada reminders of the extent of Spain's dominion north from Mexico. In fact, Texas is home to more Missions than any other state including California where the Spanish also established Missions in their quest to colonize the western lands for New Spain. The missions flourished between 1745 and the 1780s and remain today a top tourist attraction for those who visit San Antonio. DID YOU KNOW? The church at Mission Concepción celebrated the 250th anniversary of its dedication in 2005. This is the only mission church in San Antonio, Texas that never lost its roof or walls to age or neglect. As a result, remnants of colorful frescos still remain. SAN ANTONIO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 203 S. St. Mary’s, Suite 200 San Antonio, Texas 78205 Telephone: 210-207-6700 Toll Free: 800-447-3372 FAX: 210-207-6782 www.visitsanantonio.com
38 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
Focus on
M
San Diego's Hispanic Heritage
any people assume that the Hispanic settlement and occupation of California in the early 1600’s left little impact on modern day San Diego. Not true! California has Spanish names all over the place, Presidio, Arroyo Seco, Conejo, La Brea, El Monte, Los Gatos. Hundreds of Spanish names and words flash by as you travel the freeways, cities, and the backcountry of California. You notice them too when reading newspapers and magazines or watching television: Sacramento, Redondo, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Chico, Modesto, Los Angeles. Or you spot them along neighborhood streets: La Sierra, El Mar, La Jolla, Via del Sol and many, many more. Yes, place-names and handsome stucco and tile-roofed buildings give California a special ambiance. But the most important effect of Hispanic heritage, is not visible, it lies in the complex and little-known legal history of San Diego when it was a Mexican pueblo with settlers and municipal government, and -- most important -- thousands of acres of city-owned land. These are the Pueblo Lands, so called because they belonged to the pueblo of San Diego. San Diego was established as a presidio, or military outpost, as well as a mission, in 1769, as part of the Spanish Colonial Empire. In the 1820s, Mexico became independent of Spain, and the retired soldiers began to move out of the presidio and down the hill, establishing houses in what is called "Old Town." In 1834, after receiving petitions from the residents for civilian government, Mexico recognized San Diego as a pueblo and granted it the right to municipal government. Most significantly, the grant of pueblo status brought with it the right to pueblo lands. San Diego is recognized as the first mission and presidio established in California, founded in 1769. It was the first permanent Spanish settlement in Alta California. Other presidio and mission settlements followed: Monterey, in 1770; San Francisco, 1776; and Santa Barbara, 1782. Meantime, to help support these military and religious communities, civilian pueblos were established at San Jose (1777), Los Angeles (1781), and present-day Santa Cruz, in 1797. By the end of Hispanic rule of California, in 1846, there were four pre-
40 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
sidios, seven pueblos, and twenty-one missions. After the Mexican War and the American occupation in 1846, California became a territory of the United States. In 1850, when California became a state, San Diego was chartered as a city under California law but because it had been a pueblo, San Diego inherited the legal rights and the lands assigned under Spanish and Mexican law. U. S. jurisdiction over California began on July 7, 1846, with the conquest of Monterey, the capital of Alta California. Two years later, under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico ceded California and other territories to the United States. * The most visible aspects of San Diego's Hispanic heritage are certainly its place-names and its architecture. The name of the city itself, many of its mountains, valleys, subdivisions, and streets remind us of the Spanish saints, soldiers, and settlers of this area. The Mediterranean-style architecture, with its stucco walls and red-tiled roofs, seen in so many homes and public buildings, is a constant visual reminder of Hispanic heritage. But the most significant elements of the Hispanic legacy have been San Diego's pueblo lands assigned by the Spanish and later by Mexican law which maintained the City of San Diego we know today. * A discussion of the events of the Mexican War; the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Pueblo Lands and Land Grants are beyond the scope of this article. --------------------------------
Resources: Clare B. Crane, Winner of the Judge Jacob Weinberger Award for Legal History in the 1991 San Diego History Center Institute of History; Hubert Howe Bancroft, the foremost historian of California's early days and California’s Spanish Place-Names, What They Mean and How They Got There, Barbara & Rudy Marinacci.
Yamantie with her cousins and friends at Seminole Lake.
Traveling to a Quinceañera Taking road trips are always fun especially when traveling to a family event such as a quinceañera. That is what we did this past summer when we travelled to Yamantie’s quince on behalf of Quince magazine and as a Galnares family member. We decided to make a mini-vacation out of this 1,400 mile trip. Whenever we travel on Interstate 10 East we always like to stop in New Orleans so we decided to spend a night there in order to explore the city. Staying by the French Quarter is key; within a short walk you can be in Jackson Square, the mighty Mississippi, and lose yourself in the narrow streets, French architecture and jazzy music. This trip was particularly interesting since it was the first road trip I have taken while being socially active on Facebook. About 100 family members and friends were traveling to Georgia so the whole family was able to stay connected via Facebook without having to make a phone call! In Bainbridge it was great to see family and friends after months and years since the last family event. Yamantie’s parents went out of their way to make everyone feel welcomed and comfortable.
From food and drink days before and after the quinceañera, to special accommodations and daily phone calls they were truly great hosts. On July 30 was the big event! The small Catholic Church was filled with guests as the mass was celebrated in Spanish. The reception was held at the local Bainbridge College. Kudos to Yamantie’s family for thinking outside the box! The dance routines Yamantie and her chambelanes performed were the hit of the night. Most quinceañeras are nervous or stressed at this point of the fiesta but not Yamantie. It was great to see her soaking up every moment of her quince. After the dance ended at 11 everyone headed to the Galnares home for the after-party where menudo was served and dancing went on until 4 in the morning. It was epic!! Spontaneity during a trip is always fun - after leaving Georgia on Monday morning we decided to make a pit stop in Pensacola Beach. Our little deviation was well worth it as we took a dip in the crystal blue water and had a delicious seafood lunch. We had decided to spend this night in Baton Rouge because we wanted to visit the Louisiana
Tips for Traveling to a Quinceañera • Make an event/vacation out of it • Visit new places • Lodge in different cities • Eat at different restaurants • If you travel with children teach them to appreciate road trips and learn about the area you’re traveling in.
State Capitol, an impressive 34-story building situated next to the Mississippi River. This is a must see stop since it is located right off Interstate 10. Overall this trip had a great purpose, time to be with family and friends along with opportunities to experience the Gulf Coast States. I can’t wait for the next family quinceañera!
Want to be featured in QUINCE Magazine?
Quince Magazine is currently looking for quinceañeras to feature in its upcoming issues. We want to hear from you if: You’ve had a quinceañera in the last 3 years. Have a unique story to tell about your quince fiesta. Are
beginning your quince planning and would like for us to chronicle your journey. Contact the Editor of Quince
Magazine at mdgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com to submit your name and information. A Quince Magazine staff member will follow up with you to work out the details of your feature. Quince Magazine | 7
A: All this was planned ahead of time. We wanted everyday of our guests stay to feel like home and it was accomplished, thanks to God, family and friends. Todo esto fue planeado con anticipación. Queríamos que cada día de la estancia de nuestros invitados de lejos se sintieran como en casa y se logro, gracias a Dios, familiares y amigos. Q: As parents what was the best part of Yamantie’s quinceañera? Como padres ¿cuál fue la mejor parte de la quinceañera de Yamantie? A: Seeing our daughter’s face filled with happiness and see her having fun. Also, seeing our family and friends reunited. La cara de felicidad de nuestra hija y verla divertirse. Así como ver reunidos a familiares y amigos. Q: Yamantie, what was the best part of your quinceañera experience? ¿Yamantie, que fue la mejor parte de tu experiencia
6 | Quince Magazine
de quinceañera? A: Being able to share such a fun, great night with family and friends! ¡El poder compartir una noche grande y divertida con familia y amigos! Q: What advice do you have for parents who are currently planning a quinceañera? ¿Qué consejos tienen para los padres que están preparando una quinceañera? A: Begin preparing with plenty of time and be sure of what you want. Empezar a prepararse con tiempo y tener mucha seguridad en lo que se quiere. Q: Yamantie, do you have any advice for a young girl planning her quinceañera? Yamantie, ¿tienes algún consejo para una joven planificando su quinceañera? A: Organization is key, but don't stress out too much, always be calm and patient when trying to decide upon something and of course always have fun doing it. You're only able to have a Quinceañera once! La organización es clave, pero no te dejes llevar por el estrés, siempre tranquila y paciente cuando se trata de decidir acerca de algo y, por supuesto, siempre divertirte haciéndolo. ¡Sólo puedes tener una quinceañera una vez!
Photos by Joy Key (joykeyphotography.com)
and Linda Cullifer,
Quince Magazine | 5
A: I made the decision 3 months prior. At first I did not want a court in order to stand out, but then I felt I would be too alone so I decided to have my cousins and friends join me. Lo decidí 3 meses antes. Al principio quería sobresalir nada más yo, pero a la vez me sentía que iba a estar muy sola, así que decidí que llevaría primos y amigos. Q: Where did you buy Yamantie’s gown? ¿En donde compraron el vestido de Yamantie? A: During winter vacation in December at “All Dressed Up” in Houston, Texas. En las vacaciones de diciembre, en “All Dressed Up“ en Houston, Texas. Q: Who choreographed the dances that Yamantie and her chambelanes performed? ¿Quien hizo la coreografía de las danzas que realizaron Yamantie y sus chambelanes? A: Maricela Pecina of Progreso, Texas (Zumba Instructor) Maricela Pecina, de Progreso, Texas (Maestra de Zumba) Q: How was Yamantie able to practice her dance routines since her cousins live so far from her? ¿Cómo fue capaz Yamantie de practicar sus rutinas de danza pues sus primos viven tan lejos? A: Our family traveled to Texas for a week so that Yamantie would learn the choreography with the majority of the chambelanes who lived there.
La familia viajo a Texas una semana para que Yamantie aprendiera la coreografía con la mayoría de los chambelanes que vivían allá. Q: What was the name of the song you chose for the father-daughter dance? ¿Cuál era el nombre de la canción que eligieron para el baile de padre e hija? A: Waltz of the Butterflies with drum by Avelino Perez. Vals de las Mariposas, de Avelino Perez con tambora. Q: Yamantie you seemed to have become very emotional when you danced with your father. What was going through your mind at that moment? Yamantie parecía que te emocionaste mucho cuando bailaste con tu padre. ¿Qué pasaba por tu mente en ese momento? A: This being my first dance, I was very proud and honored being able to share it with my father. Siendo mi primer baile, tenia mucho orgullo y honor al compartirlo con my padre. Q: How long before the quinceañera were the professional pictures of Yamantie taken? ¿Cuánto tiempo antes de la quinceañera fueron tomadas las fotos profesionales de Yamantie? A: Three months before the quinceañera, in the month of May. En el mes de mayo, 3 meses antes de la quinceañera. Q: The majority of your guests were not only from out-of-town but had to
4 | Quince Magazine
drive a great distance to attend the quinceañera. Were you ever afraid that not many people would make the trip to attend? La mayoría de sus invitados no eran sólo desde fuera de la ciudad pero tuvieron que conducir a una gran distancia para asistir a la quinceañera. ¿Tuvieron alguna vez miedo que no mucha gente haría el viaje para asistir a la fiesta? A: Yes it was our biggest concern but the majority made a great effort to accompany us on that special day. One hundred people came from the state, Mexico, the Texas Valley, Houston, Alabama, Tennessee. Some had their vacation set for that time a year in advance, others closed their businesses to attend. To all our thanks, family and friends. Si fue nuestra mayor preocupación pero la mayoría hizo el gran esfuerzo de acompañarnos en ese día especial. 100 personas fueron del estado, México, Valle de Texas, Houston, Alabama, Tennessee. Algunos tenían sus vacaciones separadas desde un año antes, otros cerraron sus negocios. A todos nuestro agradecimiento, familia y amigos. Q: Yamantie’s quinceañera was more than just the day of the fiesta. You had a welcome dinner for your guests the night before, the day of the fiesta, an after party that lasted until 4 the next morning and a lake outing the next day. How were you able to plan all these things?! La quinceañera de Yamantie fue más que el día de la fiesta. Tuvieron una cena de bienvenida para sus invitados la noche anterior, el día de la fiesta, una reunión después de la quinceañera que se acabo a las cuatro de la mañana y viaje a la laguna el día siguiente. ¿Cómo le hicieron para poder planificar todos estos eventos?!
Yamantie with her cousin and Chambelan de Honor, Marco Flores.
guests, with sufficient space for everyone to be comfortable and the university afforded us that. Buscamos un lugar digno de recibir 300 invitados, con espacio suficiente para que estuvieran cómodos y la universidad nos lo ofrecía. Q: What was the most difficult part of the planning process? ¿Cuál fue la parte más difícil del proceso de planificar la quinceañera?
Q: You live in a part of the country where the Hispanic culture is miniscule. Did the church in your small town know about the quinceañera tradition? Viven en una parte del país donde la cultura Hispana es minúscula. ¿La iglesia en su pequeño pueblo sabía sobre la tradición de la quinceañera? A: Since it was a Catholic Church it is normal for them to celebrate events like quinces. Siendo una Iglesia Católica es normal que se lleve a cabo una celebración de XV anos. Q: Did you have a set budget? ¿Tenían un presupuesto concreto? A: We began with a budget but we knew there would be changes to it. Empezamos con un presupuesto; aunque sabíamos que iba a haber cambios. Q: You had a very unique venue for the reception and dance. How did you choose to hold the event at the local college? Tuvieron un lugar único para la recepción y baile. ¿Cómo eligieron tener el evento en la Universidad local?
A: Since it’s a rural area vendors didn’t quite understand what is available in big cities, for example, the banquet packages for quinceañeras, weddings, baptisms, etc. We had to go to larger cities to find the musicians, DJ and stores with products for the quinceañera. Como es un lugar Contryside (área rural) no entendían muy bien lo que en las grandes ciudades se tiene, como por ejemplo los paquetes enteros para quinceañeras, bodas, bautizos, etc. Había que ir a otros pueblos para conseguir músicos, DJ y tiendas donde encontráramos lo de quinceañeras. Q: What was the easiest part of the planning process? ¿Cuál fue la parte más fácil del proceso de planificar la quinceañera? A: The assurance that Yamantie had as to the color of her dress, as well as the fact that she designed the cake. La seguridad que tenia Yamantie en cuanto al color del vestido, así como también que ella diseño el pastel. Q: Yamantie how did you decide on your court of honor? You only had chambelanes. ¿Yamantie cómo decidiste sobre tu corte de honor? Sólo tenías chambelanes.
A: We searched for a venue worthy of seating 300
Quince Magazine | 3
Featured Quinceañera: Yamantie Galnares Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Bainbridge, Georgia, USA
Question: Did you always know that you
Las invitaciones de Yamantie estaban muy
would celebrate Yamantie’s XV with a
hermosas y únicas. ¿Cómo consiguieron la
quinceañera fiesta?
idea de hacer una invitación tan animada?
¿Siempre sabían que Yamantie tendría una fiesta de quinceañera?
A: We had seen the Works of the photographer Joy Key and we loved it, so we just had
Answer: Yes, it was always in our plans.
to communicate to her our vision. We want-
When Yamantie was 8, 9, 10, 11 years old
ed an invitation that spoke about Yamantie.
she was very excited about it, but when she
Yamantie chose her favorite dress wear
was 11 and 12 she wanted a trip. We all spoke to her and told her that she can take
(cowgirl). We wrote a special poem and her
a trip at any time but you only turn 15 once.
brother Fernando helped with the design.
She accepted and now says she wishes she
Habíamos visto el trabajo de la fotógrafa
could turn 15 all over again.
Joy Key y nos encanto, solo teníamos que
Si siempre estuvo en nuestros planes. Cuando Yamantie tenía 8, 9, 10, 11 años estaba muy emocionada, pero cuando llego a 12 y
trasmitirle nuestros planes. Queríamos una invitación especial que hablara de
13 quería un viaje. Todos hablamos con ella
Yamantie. Yamantie escogió su vestimenta
para decirle que un viaje en cualquier tiem-
favorita (vaquera). Escribimos un poema
po se puede hacer y los XV solo una vez se
especial y su hermano Fernando contribuyo
cumplen. Ella acepto y ahora dice que
en el diseño.
quisiera volver a cumplirlos. Q: How old was Yamantie when you began
Yamantie with her parents, Fernando and Sanjuana, and her brother Fernando.
Q: Who did the majority of the planning?
planning the actual fiesta?
Yamantie, her parents, or we’re all involved?
¿Que edad tenia Yamantie cuando comen-
¿Quien hizo la mayoría de la planificación?
Quince magazine is proud to feature
zaron a planificar su fiesta?
¿Yamantie, sus padres, o todos?
the Quinceañera of Yamantie Galnares.
A: We began planning at age 13 & half and
Despite living in a rural part of the U.S.
at age 14 we reserved the date at the
A: As a family we were all involved in the
church and reception venue.
planning process and execution of the
without much Hispanic culture around
A los 13 años y 6 meses comenzamos plani-
quinceañera, but Yamantie’s biggest sup-
ficar y a los 14 años, reservamos la fecha de
port came from her brother Fernando.
them, Yamantie’s family was able to
la Iglesia y Salón.
stay true to the quinceañera tradition
Q: Yamantie’s invitations we’re very beauti-
and deliver a memorable event. 2 | Quince Magazine
Todos como familia nos involucramos en la planificación y desarrollo de la
ful and unique. How did you get the idea to
quinceañera, pero el mayor soporte de
make such a lively invitation?
Yamantie fue su hermano Fernando.