Member News

Neil Mullanaphy was named Director of Meetings and Conventions and Director of The Foundation for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In his new role, he will be responsible for the ATSSA’s Annual Convention and Traffic Expo. The event draws more than 3,000 attendees from 44 countries annually, who exhibit in 500 booths. A member of NYSAE’s Board of Directors since 2012, Mullanaphy currently serves as Treasurer.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts awarded Michelle Nicoletti the Director of the Year Award at its 2015 Annual Sales Meeting. The award is given to the person who exceeds the revenue expectations of the company. Final selection is made by the directors of sales and marketing from all domestic hotels. Nicoletti also recently celebrated 20 years with the company.

Michael Cummings, of Tate/Cummings, and Vice Chair of ASAE’s Communication Section Council, led two CEO sessions during ASAE’s Annual Meeting in Detroit. He co-presented Creating an Employer of Choice Association with Susan Avery, CAE, CEO, International Association of Plastics Distribution, Addy Kujawa, CAE, Executive Director, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and Arlene Pietranton, PhD, FASAE, CAE, CEO, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He also co-presented Driving Transformation with Mona Buckley, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Professional Insurance Marketing Association; Linda Chiaverini, President and Founder, Solutions+ of New York; Megan Markowski, CAE, Executive Director, United Dance Merchants of America; and Jeffrey Tenenbaum, Esq., Partner, Venable LLP. Cummings recently launched a new design and copywriting service for associations, Deco by Tate/Cummings.

Americans value the work and contributions of the nation’s not-for-profit organizations. A public opinion survey conducted for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) revealed that nearly four in five Americans believe not-for-profit employees should be exposed to the same training as finance professionals at other businesses. Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed in an ORC International CARAVAN® survey for the AICPA reported that they have donated money to or volunteered for a not-for-profit organization (such as a charity, foundation, social welfare or advocacy group or religious organization). In addition, specialized professional training was an important consideration for a significant majority (78%). They believe employees of not-for-profits should get the same training and resources as other finance professionals. More than half of those polled (57%) would be more likely to donate money to a not-for-profit whose employees receive regular updates about financial management issues and trends.

Hilton Hotels is one of more than a dozen leading, US-based companies that formed the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, which has the goal of being the nation's largest employer-led coalition committed to creating pathways to meaningful employment for America's young people. The coalition has the collective goal of engaging at least 100,000 Opportunity Youth—16-24 year olds who face systemic barriers to jobs and education—by 2018 through apprenticeships, internships, training programs, and both part-time and full-time jobs. Additionally, the coalition will leverage existing collaborative efforts on the ground in a handful of cities to partner in building these pathways. Hilton is supporting the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative by committing to hire at least 15,000 young people in its offices and owned and managed hotels over the next three years, providing them with a wealth of skills and training to be successful in the world of hospitality and beyond. Visit jobs.hiltonworldwide.com and youth.hiltonworldwide.com for more information.

Matt Schechter, National Director of Sales, San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, reports that San Diego's lifestyle, creative talent, and technological innovation was featured in National Geographic Channel's documentary, World's Smart Cities: San Diego. One of only four cities chosen worldwide and the only U.S. city to be included, San Diego is showcased through interviews with industry leaders, innovators, and lifestyle luminaries. The film takes audiences on a personal journey through San Diego's culture, spectacular locations, and future growth plans for the region.