COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)- The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism welcomes Colleen Keenan as the newest member of the team, serving as a sales assistant for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. Colleen Keenan

Keenan, a Boston, Massachusetts native, is a senior at the University of South Carolina and is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management with a concentration in meetings and events.

Prior to this position, Keenan was an event supervisor for catered events at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Additionally, she has garnered useful experience working in the hotel industry in both Columbia and Boston.

"The University of South Carolina continues to produce quality students time and time again," said President and CEO of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism, Ric Luber. "We are thrilled to have Colleen on our team and know her skill set will be a great benefit to the entire Columbia region."

In her new role, Keenan will prospect groups that could be a good fit for the Columbia area, assist sales managers in researching new business opportunities and manage all sales activities within the social and family reunion markets.

About the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism:
The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is a private, not-for-profit corporation funded primarily by revenue generated by visitors through accommodations taxes and is the parent organization of Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and Columbia Regional Sports Council. The mission of the Midlands Authority is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling Columbia, its accommodations, restaurants, facilities and attractions as a destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, special events and leisure travel. For more information, please visit columbiacvb.com.

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