Washington, D.C. – The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) is proud to announce its 2019 Ambassadors, an elite group of meeting and event professionals who will serve as advocates for MMBC and the broader meetings industry.  
 
“Together with our board members, partners and network of supporters, MMBC Ambassadors will help spread the industry’s value story in priority markets, with a focus on policymakers, business leaders and the media,” said Trina Camacho-London, MMBC co-chair and Vice President of Global Group Sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Ambassadors’ activities in 2019 will include: sharing statistics, case studies and personal stories about the industry’s value; promoting and participating in industry-wide advocacy efforts, including Global Meetings Industry Day and the Worth Meeting About campaign; raising awareness of MMBC at relevant conferences and networking events; developing blog posts, videos and op-eds on the ROI of meetings; and recruiting new industry supporters and third-party validators. 
 
“We are delighted to have a strong, driven group of individuals joining our 2019 cohort,” said Julie Coker Graham, MMBC co-chair and president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). “The Ambassadors have been critical to our success as a coalition, including our ability to reach key decisionmakers effectively. They bring a front-line perspective and remarkable passion for advocating the industry’s value to people, businesses and the economy.” 


The 2019 cohort includes forty-one industry professionals from 15 states, Canada and Poland. Many are returning members of the 2018 cohort or have been recognized as next-generation leaders by PCMA or Destinations International. 

  • Sam Bhandarkar, LRP Publications
  • Natasha Botbijl, GET Event Management
    Raul Cavazos-Binder, Development Counsellors International
  • Krzysztof Celuch, Celuch Consulting 
  • Windy Christner, American Pharmacists Association
  • Jeremiah Cook, Visit Athens
  • Emily Dietrich, Niagara Parks Commission
  • Terence Donnelly, Experient  Dahlia El Gazzar, DAHLIA+ Agency 
  • Deborah Gardner, DG International and LLDG International, LLCC
  • Ann Garvey, Visit Norfolk  Robert Hampton, Visit Seattle
  • Judi Holler, Holla Productions  Molly Holt, Heart Rhythm Society 
  • Ellie Hurley, SmithBucklin  Molly Johnson, Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Missy Johnson, MJ Meetings  Joanne Joham, International Congress & Convention Association 
  • Grace Jones, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
  • Alexis Kereluk, ConnectSeven Group
  • Amy Ledoux, American Society of Association Executives
  • Megan Martin, RingCentral  Catherine McKenna, CMK Solutions
  • Rosa Mendoza-Friedheim, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 
  • Mia Monroe, Sustainable Brands
  • Zoe Moore, LB Alliance
  • Sue Neill, George P. Johnson
  • Alex Plaxen, Little Bird Told Media
  • Carol Porter, Sustainable Meetings
  • Diane Ramos, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors 
  • Angie Ranalli, San Diego Tourism Authority
  • Claire Repass-McManus, Inspirato
  • Erin Scholes, SD Meetings & Events
  • Neha Shah, Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Carly Silberstein, Redstone Agency
  • Sarah Soliman Daudin, Soliman Productions
  • Sharon Sullivan, Leading Age
  • Larissa Tishevskaya, Tourism Toronto
  • Dr. Erinn Tucker, Georgetown University
  • Melissa Walling, Association Forum
  • Lindsay Williams, Global Experience Specialists

To learn more about the MMBC Ambassadors, please visit meetingsmeanbusiness.com/ambassadors or email info@meetingsmeanbusiness.com.  

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About Meetings Mean Business 

Meetings Mean Business is an industry-wide coalition to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. By rallying industry advocates, working with stakeholders, conducting original research, engaging with outside voices and more, the coalition brings the industry together to emphasize its importance. Comprised of over 60 members, the coalition unites the meetings industry with one strong and powerful voice. For more information, visit www.MeetingsMeanBusiness.com