Three separate chapters of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the premier educational and technological resource in the meeting industry, have recognized three different employees of the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau (LACVB). Michael Shannon and Matthew Hourihan, of the LACVB Northeast Region Sales office, and Scott Williamson of the LACVB Southeast Region Sales office all received awards.

``These awards exemplify our desire to set the industry standard for service,'' said Bill Buckley, executive vice president of sales for the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau. ``I am delighted to have such outstanding individuals working to get the word out about Los Angeles as a premiere meetings destination.

'' The New Jersey Chapter of MPI named Shannon ``Meeting Professional of the Year.'' Both Hourihan and Williamson were named ``Supplier of the Year.

'' The MPI Westfield Chapter of MPI honored Hourihan while the Potomac Chapter singled out Williamson. Michael Shannon, CMP, was honored as the 2000-2001 ``Meeting Professional of the Year,'' an award given ``for consistently epitomizing professionalism and serving as a role model of professional excellence to his peers in the New Jersey Chapter and the meetings industry.'' This marked the first time the New Jersey Chapter has given out this prestigious award.

Both Hourihan and Williamson received ``Supplier of the Year,'' which is given out to one supplier per chapter based on a history of accomplishments in the industry and for contributions made to meeting management and MPI. The members of each chapter nominate individuals for this honor.

Shannon, a previous ``Supplier of the Year'' winner in 1996, is a nineteen- year veteran of the hospitality industry. Hourihan has been working in the visitor industry since 1990, and has been with the Bureau since 1998. With the Bureau since 1999, Williamson has spent 14 years in the industry.

The LACVB is a private, not-for-profit association whose mission is to market Los Angeles as a destination for leisure and convention travelers. For further information, please contact John Duel of the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, 213-236-2347, or fax, 213-236-2395, jduel@lacvb.com.