National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners Honors Yolanda Bullock- Cooper with 2009 Pioneer Award

Bullock-Cooper Makes Her Mark in the Meeting and Planning Industry

 PHILADELPHIA…February 9, 2010…Yolanda Bullock-Cooper, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Vice President of Short-term and Multicultural sales,  has recently received the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP) 2009 Pioneer Award. This award is bestowed to individuals who have paved the way in the meeting and planning industry for future generations. Nominees of this award are required to have at least 10 years of experience, show evidence of promotion and advancement of minority participation, and demonstrate the positive impact of networking by mentoring to young, aspiring professionals in the meeting and planning industry.

“It is beyond humbling to be recognized by an organization that understands and values the growth, development and purchasing power of African Americans. I take this honor very seriously and look forward to continuing to strive for excellence,” states Bullock-Cooper. “I believe it isn’t the size of your footprint that matters but rather the depth of your imprint.”
    
Bullock-Cooper is directly responsible for Philadelphia’s multicultural short-term & religious sales opportunities and works to increase meeting and convention opportunities for the region. She has more than 21 years of experience in the meetings and planning industry and has secured many high profile multicultural conventions, generating more than $1.5 billion in economic impact for Philadelphia. Bullock-Cooper was named “Top Influential African American” numerous times by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine and featured in The Philadelphia Business Journal, Meetings East, and Hispanic Meetings & Travel magazine.

Founded in 1983, The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBPM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to training needs of African-American meeting planners and association executives. Since its inception, the organization has identified the immense purchasing power and impact of African-American conventions and is committed to the improvement of these meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and convocations. NCBMP effects positive industry transformation by unifying the voice on issues that affect African Americans in the hospitality industry and maximizing the return of investment in meetings and conventions for each member’s respective organization.


The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was formed in 1987 as the first multicultural division of a Convention & Visitors Bureau in the nation. Working to increase Philadelphia's share of the multicultural meetings and tourism markets, MAC maximizes opportunities for the region by promoting Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination and encouraging multicultural business and social responsibility that contributes to and benefits from the varying multicultural communities that enhance our region's hospitality and tourism industry. For more information about MAC visit www.PhiladelphiaMAC.org