Tweet It: #PHLDiversity and @PhiladelphiaMPI announce Jack P. Ferguson #Scholarship for #minority #meeting professionals. http://bit.ly/1MlvBRh

PHLDiversity and Philadelphia Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International Create 'Jack P. Ferguson Scholarship' for Minority Professionals

Scholarship commemorates inclusive leadership by sending minority meeting professionals to the
World Education Conference

Philadelphia, PA – February 2, 2016 - PHLDiversity, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, (PHLCVB), in partnership with the Philadelphia Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (PAMPI), has announced the creation of the 'Jack P. Ferguson Scholarship' for minority meeting professionals. This scholarship will honor outgoing PHLCVB President and CEO, Jack Ferguson, for his many years of dedicated service cultivating Philadelphia's diverse meetings and conventions industry, and championing the inclusion of the city's minority business communities within the industry. PAMPI will fund the first year.

Annually, the fund will send a multicultural PAMPI member to the Annual Meeting Professional International (MPI) World Education Conference (WEC), allowing them to keep up with the latest industry trends and receive continuing education credits. Taking place in Atlantic City this year from June 11-14, 2016, the recipient will receive conference registration, round-trip transportation, and up to 3 nights of lodging.

As President & CEO of the PHLCVB, and in his 46-year hospitality career, Ferguson demonstrated a commitment to ensuring diversity in both meeting and convention bookings, and Philadelphia's world-class hospitality workforce. Under his leadership, PHLDiversity secured groups such as the 2014 National Society of Hispanic MBAs Conference and Career Expo, 2014 Asian American Hotel Owners Association Convention & Trade Show, and 2015 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention.

“As diversity and inclusion is ingrained in the PHLCVB culture and essential to the work the organization does, I am honored to have my name on this scholarship” said Ferguson.

To better serve these diverse groups, and establish a career pipeline for minorities in hospitality leadership, Ferguson and PHLDiversity have focused on creating career and professional development opportunities including the PHLDiversity Hospitality Education Day, which provides guidance and key connections to area high school and adult students in designated hospitality programs, and Business Opportunity events that connect minority suppliers to incoming meetings and conventions. Additionally, the division invests in hospitality education through its annual contribution to Temple University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management's Tamara J. Gilmore scholarship for underrepresented female students.

“As President and CEO of the PHLCVB, Jack Ferguson has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to diversity” said Greg DeShields, Executive Director of PHLDiversity. “His legacy, and the Jack P. Ferguson Scholarship, will inspire future leadership to continue his work.”

PAMPI members in good standing can apply for the Jack P. Ferguson Scholarship by March 15, 2016 by visiting www.pampi.org. The recipient will be notified by April 15, 2016.

The Philadelphia Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of meeting professionals through education, connections and leadership development. MPI is the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association, providing innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acting as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry.

###

PHLDiversity, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), was formed in 1987 as the first multicultural division of a Convention & Visitors Bureau in the nation. PHLDiversity maximizes opportunities for the region by promoting Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination, 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, log on to www.phldiversity.com