Las Vegas, November 18, 2006
Roy Jay was elected by unanimous vote today as the new national chairman of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners at their Fall conference in Las Vegas. The overwhelming vote by the board of directors makes Jay only the fourth chairman of the organization in 23 years and the first one ever from the west coast.
Founded in 1983, better known as “The Coalition”, the organization includes members from coast to coast in the hotel, convention and meeting industry.
Also elected as president is Janice Mardis of the National Bar Association in Washington, DC, Shirley Henderson as Vice President of the Ben E. King Foundation. The Chairman’s position will chart the course of the organization. NCBMP represents a majority of the African American organizations throughout the country with new members joining monthly.
“He brings a new prospective to this organization. He has that magnetic personality and business savvy that everyone loves,says Henrianna Davis representing Travel Professionals of Color. NCBMP met at The Rio hotel in Las Vegas and had to utilize two other neighboring hotels to handle the overflow of a record attendance this year.
The organization has announced their spring conference will be in Niagara Falls, New York in 2007 where Jay will preside over this first meeting. African American account for nearly $40 billion annually in convention, meeting and leisure travel business.
Staying true to the organizations motto “We do business with our friends”, NCBMP’s leadership and organization influences local, regional and national expenditures to those that are supportive.
Jay indicates that he also intends to have the organization elevate it’s advocacy role in the industry which includes providing educational assistance.
NCBMP is headquartered in Silver Springs, Maryland. Roy Jay intends to maintain his Chairman’s position from Portland, Oregon.
Contact: Portland: 503-231-2571 or Washington DC: 202-628-3952