Join the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Columbia Hotel Motel Association and the Greater Columbia Restaurant Association for a Hospitality Stakeholders Meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. December's Hospitality Hotspotter session will feature top hospitality and tourism leaders and government officials from the city, regional and state levels, as well as a showcase of area attractions.

The cost of the session is $15, which includes coffee and danishes in the morning and a plated lunch. Hospitality Hotspotters is a hospitality training program with a focus on hospitality, tourism, retail, entertainment, economic development and community organizations.

Agenda

9:00 am       Registration & Attractions Showcase

9:30 am       Welcome & Introductions
                   Douglas OFlaherty, SC Hospitality Association

9:50 am       Columbia Hotel Motel Association Remarks
                   Jason Reader, President

10:00 am     SC Legislative Outlook: Are you on the menu?
                   Tom Sponseller, President & CEO, SC Hospitality Association

10:40 am     The Marketing Plan for Columbia
                   Ric Luber, President & CEO, Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism

11:00 am      Marketing South Carolina and Tourism in Columbia
                   Duane Parrish, Director, SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism 

11:20 pm     The Hospitality Industry and the City of Columbia
                   Mayor Steve Benjamin

11: 40 am    BREAK

12:00 pm     PLATED LUNCH

12:45 pm     Impact of the University on Hospitality in Columbia
                   Harris Pastides, President, University of South Carolina

1:15 pm       Wrap Up & Closing Remarks

1:30 pm       Adjourn

*Destination Marketing Program employee registration is only $5.00. Please request your discount registration code from Barbara Chambers at bchambers@columbiacvb.com or Mandi Engram at mengram@columbiaauthority.com.