Kathleen Bertrand, senior vice president of community and governmental affairs for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau , has been named among “The 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry in 2013,” by Successful Meetings magazine.
The annual list honors professionals who have contributed to the business of meetings, and through their actions, have made a significant impact on the meetings industry.
“Kathleen is an instrumental force in positioning Atlanta as one of the country’s premier convention and tourism destinations,” said William Pate, president and CEO, ACVB. “We’re proud of Kathleen’s newest accomplishment as one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry.”
Celebrating 30 years with the ACVB, Bertrand created the Atlanta Heritage Guide, the ACVB’s first-ever African-American visitor-oriented publication, which has been produced for more than 20 consecutive years. For almost 10 years, she spearheaded the groundbreaking “Diversity in the Hospitality Industry Summit,” designed to foster nationwide hospitality industry discussion on issues regarding diversity and inclusion.
Bertrand also co-founded the Hospitality Industry Professionals (HIP), an organization dedicated to the growth of diverse leadership through educational development, professional development, mentoring and networking.
In 2009, Bertrand founded the BronzeLens Film Festival with the mission of promoting Atlanta as the new film mecca for people of color and to showcase and foster the next generation of filmmakers. Now entering its fourth year, BronzeLens is one of the most anticipated film events in the country, drawing national attention from producers, directors, screenwriters, actors and the media.
She also has been recognized by Atlanta Daily World in its inaugural class of “Women of Excellence” earlier this year, by Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of “Atlanta’s Top Hospitality Industry Leaders,” by Atlanta Business League as one of “Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence,” and by Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine as one of the “Most Influential African-Americans in the Meetings/Tourism Industry.”
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