FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Brenda Anderson

312-673-4902

CIC SELECTS NEW MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Washington, DC – May 27, 2008 – The Convention Industry Council (CIC) is pleased to announce the selection of TALLEY MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC (TMG) as the new management company partner following an extensive search process conducted through the AMCI RFP process.  CIC will continue to be based in the Metro DC area out of TMG’s Alexandria, Virginia office.

Brenda Anderson, CIC’s Chair and CEO of the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE) said, “Based on our strategic planning process begun in December 2007, the Board identified the key attributes needed in our management partner going forward. TMG meets and exceeds these required parameters.”

Deborah Sexton, President and CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Treasurer of CIC and Chair of the AMC Selection Task Force said that key considerations were for a firm that had deep knowledge and experience in the convention industry and a firm understanding and appreciation of CIC’s programs and long term vision. “TMG’s depth and breadth in meetings and conventions is well documented and recognized across the industry. Gregg Talley’s personal and corporate commitment to our field and to CIC in particular is clearly outstanding,” added Sexton.

TMG, an AMCI accredited firm, with 65 full time employees is headquartered outside Philadelphia in Southern New Jersey with an additional office in Alexandria, VA.  CIC will be staffed and managed in the Virginia office. TMG currently manages 22 national and international associations and societies.  The company also provides convention management to over 20 national and international organizations including one of North America’s largest conventions, the International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous.

“We’re honored to serve CIC and by extension, the industry organizations. We are committed to giving back to the industry and to professional certifications”, said Gregg Talley, CAE, and CEO of TMG. “We look forward to this partnership and growing CIC through our combined vision, knowledge and relationships.”

CIC’s signature programs, the CMP Designation and APEX, will continue to grow and provide value to the convention industry and the hospitality field. There are over 14,000 CMPs with 1,100 signed up for the certification exam taking place this summer. APEX is about to launch Power Shop, the Microsoft Office ready, networkable version of the Tool Box with all of the current APEX templates, and data standardized Housing Tools, RFPs and ESG (Event Staging Guide). APEX’s technology partners, hotel firms and convention centers- the backbone of the industry - have incorporated these standard data fields into their systems. CIC’s opportunity is to globalize these programs while adding a coordinated voice to key issues impacting the profession and the field.  Additional information on the Convention Industry Council can be found at www.conventionindustry.org

 

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