September 24, 2008

Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau Receives Beacon Award for Diversity Initiatives

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc. (Orlando CVB) was recently honored with the Orlando chapter of the National Association of Woman Business Owners (NAWBO) Beacon Awards in the medium business category. The annual Beacon Awards event recognizes organizations and individuals for celebrating the diversity of Greater Orlando's workforce by promoting inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status. Nominations are accepted from counties throughout Central Florida, including Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.

"We are so proud to receive this award as recognition of our efforts of inclusion in all aspects of our business model," commented Gary Sain, president & CEO of the Orlando CVB. "Diversity in the workforce leads to creativity in how we do business. Our team recognizes that Orlando has diverse cultures and that as the leading branding and marketing organization for the destination we must mirror our community and visitor diversity."

In 2006, the Beacon Awards were created to spotlight community leaders whose beacons guide the way in diversity and inclusion. Founders included the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners, Walt Disney World Resort, the YaYa Network, and Orlando Business Journal's Diversity Works initiative. Past winners of the Beacon Award include; Fifth Third Bank, Florida Hospital, WKMG-TV, UPS and Welbro Building Corporation.

The Orlando CVB is the official sales and marketing organization for the Orlando area responsible for generating brand awareness, increasing travel to the area and booking conventions and meetings. For more information, visit orlandoinfo.com/cvb.