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Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau News

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Names Christopher Ilitch as new Chairman

DETROIT, Jan. 29 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Christopher Ilitch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. has been elected as the new Chairman of the Board of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB), the organization announced today (January 29) at its annual membership meeting.

(PHOTO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080129/DC12592

LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070131/CLW063LOGO )

In his role as chairman, Ilitch will lead the strategic initiatives of the Board, including escalating recognition and adoption of the new tourism D-brand throughout the local community; growing the tourism industry in southeast Michigan through the infrastructure improvement efforts of the Tourism Economic Development Council; and building stronger relationships across various organizations, companies, and institutions throughout the region. Ilitch will also spearhead the Board's role in attracting meetings and conventions to metro Detroit by leveraging relationships with peers in local industries and associations.

"I have great respect for the mission of this organization and I am excited to lead this Board during this unique period in our region's history," Ilitch said. "With a rich portfolio of new hotels and attractions to offer, we have tremendous momentum that we can capitalize to bring visitors and visitor spending to this region."

Timothy J. McCarthy, a longtime member of the DMCVB Board and President of Checker Sedan was elected Vice Chair of the Board. Patricia E. Mooradian, President of The Henry Ford, was also elected Vice Chair. Victor Martin, Owner of the Best Western Sterling Inn Banquet & Conference Center and also a veteran DMCVB Board Member, was elected Treasurer.

Appointed to the 2008 DMCVB Executive Committee by the Chairman were:

— Thomas J. Lewand, Executive Vice President and COO, Detroit Lions, Inc.

— Matt Cullen, General Manager, Economic Development and Enterprise Services, General Motors Corp.

— Bob Farmery, Vice President, Market Manager, Marriott Lodging

— W. Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Public Policy, Chrysler

— Christina Lovio-George, President, LovioGeorge, Inc.

— Maria Elena Rodriguez, President, Mexicantown Community Development Corp.

— Rich Homberg, Vice President and General Manager, WWJ Newsradio 950

— Kevin Moore, Regional Vice President, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

— Robin Terry, Executive Director, Motown Historical Museum

— Tom Tuskey, Director, Detroit Civic Center

— Rod Alberts, Executive Director, Detroit Auto Dealers

Board officers and Executive Committee Members serve a two-year term.

The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to market and sell the metropolitan Detroit area on a worldwide basis as a destination for leisure and business travel including conventions, trade shows corporate meetings, tours and incentive travel and as a film location to maximize additional visitors, visitor expenditures, state and local tax revenues, and job opportunities.

More than 800 businesses are represented in the DMCVB's membership. The DMCVB was founded in 1896 as the world's first convention and visitors bureau. www.visitdetroit.com

SOURCE Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

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