When: April 10, 2008, 11:30 AM check in
Where: Maggiano’s Little Italy
Cost: $30 members / $40 non members
Speaker: Janis Schmees, Executive Director, Harris County Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA)

Janis Schmees began her tourism career working in various hotel chains in the Detroit area, eventually overseeing the sales and marketing initiatives for the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. During her tenure in Detroit, Janis’ team secured some major sporting events to include the Ryder Cup 2004, Super Bowl 2006, and the AAU Jr. Olympics 2003 and 2007. She also assisted in establishing the Detroit Metro Sports Commission, a subsidiary of the CVB and was a founding board member of the Motor City Bowl.

She later became CEO and President of Hershey Capital Region Visitors Bureau, where she became a registered lobbyist and played a key role in advocating tourism throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as educating legislators in Washington D.C. on the driving force and positive economic impact that the sports and hospitality industry creates in the United States.

Most recently, Janis served as the Acting Executive Director at the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. She worked closely with the San Antonio Sports Foundation, Alamo Bowl and the City of San Antonio to bid and service premiere conventions and sporting events.