Congratulations go out from Birmingham to Yalonda Hockaday of Elizabeth, NC, the winner of the 2015 “Reunion to Remember” giveaway. The CVB-sponsored contest, valued at $10,000, includes 20 rooms for two nights at the Embassy Suites-Birmingham, a barbecue feast catered by Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q, beverages provided by Birmingham Coca-Cola, and t-shirts for the whole gang from the CVB. The Hockaday family reunion is set for summer 2016.

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In early June, the CVB hosted a “nuts and bolts” Destination Birmingham tour for area frontline personnel. Many popular area attractions such as Railroad Park and Vulcan Park and Museum were on the tour.

The Tourism Department joined the Convention Sales Department in hosting the American Bus Association Top 100 Committee the first part of June. Tour operators from around the country were in town to sample a visit to Birmingham for future tour itineraries. In mid-June, Brent Cotton will be in Chicago for the Americas Meeting & Events Exhibition. More than 3,000 planners from all markets are expected for two full days of attendee appointments. Barry Hoehn and Brent Cotton are making plans to again host HelmsBriscoe representatives this month. The new associates of the third party booking association will spend two days getting to better know Birmingham facilities and amenities. The Hyatt Regency Birmingham-Wynfrey Hotel is providing lodging. The month wraps up with Heidi Soltys in Chicago for the Association Forum of Chicagoland. Members of the Forum represent more than 47,000 association professionals from nearly 2,000 Chicago-based organizations.

Company’s Coming: Conventions & Events for June and July
Samford University,  June 1-2
Mortgage Bankers Association of Alabama,  June 2-3
Miss Alabama Pageant,  June 3-6
Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Alumni Association,  June 3-8
Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants,  June 4
Steel City Jazz Festival,  June 4-6
Veterans of foreign Wars of the U.S.,  June 4-7
Alabama Poultry & Egg Association,  June 5-6
Southeastern Exposure,  June 5-7
Alabama Mineral and Lapidary Society,  June 5-7
Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association,  June 5-7
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,  June 5-7
Alabama Council of Architects,  June 5-7
SliceFest,  June 6
United States Fastpitch Association,  June 6-7
The Sovereign Grand Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows,  June 7-10
Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research,  June 7-12
REACH,  June 7-12
Law Enforcement Executive Development Association,  June 8-11
USDA Rural Development,  June 8-11
State Dept. of Education-Div. of Administrative/Financial Services,  June 9-12
The Enthusiast Network,  June 10-11
Alabama Department of Labor,  June 11
Birmingham Blogging Academy,  June 11-12
United States Fastpitch Association,  June 12-14
Department of Alabama, Marine Corps League,  June 12-14
Disc Golf Birmingham,  June 13-14
Alabama Funeral Directors & Morticians Association,  June 14-17
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.,  June 16-21
Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs,  June 16-21
Christian Home Education Fellowship of Alabama,  June 18-19
Phil Waldrep Ministries,  June 18-20
National Sacred Harp Convention,  June 18-20
American Institute on Federal Taxation,  June 18-20
Alabama Sports Foundation,  June 20-21
Samford University Summer Forensics Institute,  June 20-July 4
International Order of The Rainbow for Girls,  June 25-28
Birmingham Vulcans Rugby Club,  June 27
Jehovah’s Witnesses,  July 2-5
Greater Emmanuel Holiness Churches,  July 3-8
The Most Worshipful Olive Branch Grand Lodge,  July 9-16
Forty & Eight,  July 10-12
International Order of The Rainbow for Girls,  July 10-13
Alabama Gun Collectors Association,  July 11-12
Southeastern Conference,  July 13-16
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons,  July 16-22
The Church of God of Prophecy,  July 17-19
United Christian Fellowship Alliance,  July 20-25
Church of the Highlands,  July 21-23
Tuskegee University Alumni,  July 22-25
National & Independent Gospel Music Association,  July 22-26
Alabama Recreation & Parks Association,  July 23-26
Black American Softball Association,  July 24-26
Alabama Nursing Home Association,  July 27
Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education,  July 28-31
Church of the Highlands,  July 30-Aug. 1
Secret Stages Music Festival,  July 31-Aug. 2