IAHMP 10th Anniversary and Annual Educational Conference

Contact: Margaret Gonzalez
Direct: 281-333-1552
Houston, Texas

The International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary and Annual Educational Conference "Hispanics in the Meetings & Hospitality Industry in America!" on September 1-4, 2005, at the Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC. Your participation and support is invited.

The Capital Hilton is a wonderful upscale property, centrally located in the heart of Washington, DC... 2 blocks from the White House, 3 metro stops within a 3 block radius, with shopping and restaurants galore surrounding the hotel. It's no coincidence that so many of Washington's great events, truly memorable meetings, and successful conventions take place at the Capital Hilton.

IAHMP is planning to host the Trade Show on Friday afternoon, Sept. 2nd with no other competing event, allowing plenty of time to network, present destination videos, and door prizes for the meeting planners. Board member Lisa Bombin, Unico Communications, formerly a meeting planner with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) is already in DC working alongside Angela Gonzalez Rowe, Hispanic Meetings & Travel to outreach all the Latino associations, government and corporate planners to attend the Trade Show. We are committed to plan the best Trade Show to accommodate the needs of our suppliers. The Capital Hilton will do the setup in the Presidential Ballroom, one of the most luxurious settings in DC, so your time spent there is sure to be rewarding.

Room rate at the Capital Hilton is $129 Single and $141 Double. Please contact the hotel directly at 202-393-1000 or 1-800-Hiltons to make room reservations. Be sure to request the room rate for the International Association Hispanic Meeting Professionals. Remember, the IAHMP Conference Sept. 1-4, 2005, coincides with the Labor Day Weekend, so you may want to plan an extra day to enjoy DC with your family members.

IAHMP is known for its outstanding educational program on the Hispanic Market. This year's program speakers include:

Charles Garcia, President of Sterling Financial Group of Companies and author of the best selling book “A Message From Garcia." He has worked for three U.S. Presidents, a Cabinet Secretary, a Governor, and a four star General. In 1997, at the age of 36, Charles Garcia founded Sterling Financial Group of Companies with three people in the cleaned out broom closet of another firm. Since that inauspicious beginning, the company has grown into a global financial services organization with more than 60 offices in 7 countries. And Inc magazine placed Sterling Financial Group among its prestigious top-ten list as the eighth fastest growing privately-held company in the country.

George Herrera, founder and President/CEO of the Herrera-Cristina Group, Ltd, a multidisciplinary management firm, specializing in marketing, communications, corporate diversity, public affairs, event planning and research. Herrera is past president of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors of CENDANT Corporation. Cendant is one of the foremost providers of travel and real estate services in the world; one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors, the world’s largest vacation ownership organization, and one of the world’s largest car rental operators; the world’s largest real estate brokerage franchisor, and the world’s largest provider of outsourced corporate employee relocation services; and leading providers of travel information processing services worldwide.

Rebecca Vigil-Giron, New Mexico Secretary of State is President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), and is the first Hispanic to serve as President of NASS. Giron is an 11th generation New Mexican born and raised in Taos, New Mexico and will share insight on the growing Hispanic population and what the new demographics means for our industry.

The Diversity Panel will include Ana Mollinedo, Vice President Diversity, Starwood Hotels Corporation and Debra Nelson, Vice President Diversity, MGM Mirage Corporation.

Updates on the conference and speakers will be forthcoming and will also be included in Hoy! E. Newsletter and in Hispanic Meetings & Travel.

Your're invited to register early and plan to enjoy the industry's only conference whose entire focus is the Hispanic Meetings Market. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you.