FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 3, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tiffany Twine
(757) 385-6646

Hutchinson Honored Again by Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine
Featured Among the Most Influential African-Americans in the Industry

Once again, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine announced that Al Hutchinson, vice president of convention sales and marketing for the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been selected as one of the most influential African-American managers in the hospitality/meetings/tourism industry. Hutchinson was previously honored in Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine's November-December 2010 issue entitled The Most Influential African Americans in the Meetings/Tourism Industry and will also be recognized in the November-December 2011 issue.

Each year, the magazine presents an annual review of the progress and success of those African-Americans who continue to make significant contributions to the hospitality industry. Those that were selected were commended for their impressive accomplishments, their tenacity and their determination to succeed.

Hutchinson and his staff of 16 are responsible for generating direct spending revenue to the City of Virginia Beach by bringing meetings, conventions, professional trade shows and sports-related events to the city.

"It's no surprise that Al and his staff recently surpassed their fiscal year room-night goals for future Virginia Beach business," said Jim Ricketts, director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.  "Al continues to do an incredible job of selling the new Virginia Beach Convention Center and positioning Virginia Beach as a year-round destination."

Hutchinson is an active leader locally and nationally with the American Society of Association Executives Industry Partners Alliance, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and the Virginia Aquarium Board of Directors.

In addition, Hutchinson has been a long-time member of Destination Marketing Association International, the American Society of Association Executives, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, the Professional Convention Management Association and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. Hutchinson previously served on the Urban League of Hampton Roads' Board of Directors and the Virginia Beach Hilltop YMCA's Board of Directors.

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