Press Release

GRCVB Names 2005 - 2006 Board Officers:
Russ Smith Tapped as Chairman 

Media Contact: Martin Armes; (919) 645-2654; marmes@visitraleigh.com
 

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 27, 2005) - The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau's Board of Directors announces a new slate of officers for 2005-2006.

Russell P. Smith is the new board chairman. Smith is general manager of the Embassy Suites Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport. Dr. Betsy Bennett is the new vice chairman, Brent Jayes, CMP, remains secretary/treasurer and R. Doyle Parrish serves on the executive committee as immediate past chairman.

Bennett is director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Jayes is president of Meetings on Cue and Parrish is owner of Summit Hospitality Group.

The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit agency that enhances economic growth and development of Raleigh and Wake County by increasing visitor and convention business. Of note, visitors spent some $1.1 billion in Wake County last year that generated more than $317 total savings per local household in state and local taxes.