Sun Sentinel | January 24, 2014 | Page 1 of 3

Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial rallies support for Fort Lauderdale conference Civil rights organization hosting conference in July 2015

JANUARY 24, 2014|SUN SENTINEL | BY ARLENE SATCHELL

With less than 18 months before Fort Lauderdale hosts the annual conference of one of the

nation's oldest civil rights organization, preparations are ramping up.

In a pep rally of sorts Friday, tourism officials and top executives of the National Urban

League and its Broward County affiliate gave business and community leaders more insight

into what's to come, and the resources needed to pull it off.

"We will bring 10,000 of our friends, $8 million to $10 million in

economic impact, and this is going to take a tremendous

partnership," National Urban League President and CEO Marc

Morial told attendees at the Fort Lauderdale headquarters of the

Urban League of Broward County. "We're excited."

Held typically in the third to last week of July, the annual four-day event draws top U.S.

politicians including presidents and presidential candidates, business and community

movers and shakers, top policymakers and academicians from across the country to its host

city.

With its goal of networking, dialogue and outreach service, the conference acts as a forum

for debate and discussion on policy issues and finding

solutions for challenges affecting blacks and urban

communities, according to the New York-based organization.

"The Urban League conference is a chance not only for the

community and visitors to get a taste of your community and experience your community,

but a chance for your community to showcase itself to an audience far beyond South

Florida," Morial said. "[The conference] can be a catalyst for your continuing efforts to build

Sun Sentinel | January 24, 2014 | Page 2 of 3

Broward as a great destination for visitor events, including meetings of multicultural

organizations like the Urban League."

While exact dates for the Fort Lauderdale convention are pending, this year's conference

will be July 23-26 in Cincinnati. Last year, Philadelphia hosted the event, New Orleans in

2012 and Boston in 2011.

"Each year it gets bigger, it gets better, it gets stronger, and we know that Broward County,

Fort Lauderdale and sunny South Florida will help us raise the bar," Morial said.

Bringing the conference to Fort Lauderdale was no small feat, the city beating out

competitors like Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C., to host in 2015.

Morial attributed the city's success primarily to the leadership of its Broward affiliate,

headed by Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, coupled with efforts of the tourism bureau.

"This is a vote of confidence in Germaine's leadership," he said. "This is a partnership, and

we can't do it without a strong affiliate that has support in the community and in mobilizing

the community."

Smith-Baugh partnered closely with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors

Bureau (CVB) to formulate a proposal to host the conference.

That partnership paid off in February 2013, after nearly three years of planning, when the

civil rights organization officially announced Fort Lauderdale as host city for 2015.

Since then tourism officials have working to secure support for the event.

"When there is a large event like this, community support — financial support — is very,

very imperative," CVB President and CEO Nicki E. Grossman said Friday, noting that the

money will be necessary to help fulfill the hosting commitments that have been made.

Visit Florida, the state's marketing arm, has given $100,000 to the Urban League of

Broward to help with its hosting duties, Grossman said.

And other businesses are stepping up.

TD Bank and Sunshine Health have joined the Broward tourism bureau as title sponsors for

the event. The CVB and TD Bank have committed $150,000 for that sponsorship, while

Sun Sentinel | January 24, 2014 | Page 3 of 3

Sunshine's parent company Centene has pledged $250,000 on the national level, with a

portion going directly to Smith-Baugh's chapter.

"It's going to take a lot of work," Smith-Baugh said Friday. "But we major in the impossible

and this isn't even impossible. So we're going to make it rock. We're going to do great

things."

asatchell@tribune.com, 954-356-4209 or Twitter@TheSatchreport.

Copyright © 2014, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

WPLG Local 10 News | February 9, 2013 | Page 1 of 1

URBAN LEAGUE OF BROWARD TO HOST NAT'L CONFERENCE 2015 National Urban League Conference to be held in Fort Lauderdale

February 1, 2013 |WPLG Local 10 News

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Urban League of Broward County will host the 2015

National Urban League Conference, National Urban League President and CEO Marc

H. Morial and Urban League of Broward County President and CEO Dr. Germaine Smith-

Baugh announced Thursday.

The conference will take place the last week of July 2015. “Dr. Smith-Baugh has been

instrumental in establishing the Urban League of Broward County as the community’s

leading civic and social services organizations, and one of the most dynamic

community outreach networks in the nation,“ said Morial. “I can think of no better

setting for a conference that is focused on effecting community change.”

“I'm proud and thrilled to welcome the National Urban League Conference to the

Broward County for 2015,” Smith-Baugh said. “Not only do Fort Lauderdale and Broward

County represent an exciting cross-section of cultures, but we feel that our affiliate’s

thriving public and private partnerships throughout the region can be a model for the

nation.”

“It’s about so much more than the $8 million

economic impact that the National Urban

League Conference brings to Broward

County. It’s about strengthening the

community by becoming the destination of

choice for the country's largest and most

influential black professional organizations,”

said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention &

Visitors Bureau.

The National Urban League Annual Conference is a national forum for debate and

discussion on policy issues and creating solutions to the challenges confronting African

Americans and urban communities. The 2013 Conference is scheduled for July 24 – 27 in

Philadelphia, followed by the 2014 Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Miami Herald | February 1, 2013 | Page 2 of 3

Broward as a great destination for visitor events, including meetings of multicultural

organizations like the Urban League."

While exact dates for the Fort Lauderdale convention are pending, this year's conference

will be July 23-26 in Cincinnati. Last year, Philadelphia hosted the event, New Orleans in

2012 and Boston in 2011.

"Each year it gets bigger, it gets better, it gets stronger, and we know that Broward County,

Fort Lauderdale and sunny South Florida will help us raise the bar," Morial said.

Bringing the conference to Fort Lauderdale was no small feat, the city beating out

competitors like Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C., to host in 2015.

Morial attributed the city's success primarily to the leadership of its Broward affiliate,

headed by Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, coupled with efforts of the tourism bureau.

"This is a vote of confidence in Germaine's leadership," he said. "This is a partnership, and

we can't do it without a strong affiliate that has support in the community and in mobilizing

the community."

Smith-Baugh partnered closely with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors

Bureau (CVB) to formulate a proposal to host the conference.

That partnership paid off in February 2013, after nearly three years of planning, when the

civil rights organization officially announced Fort Lauderdale as host city for 2015.

Since then tourism officials have working to secure support for the event.

"When there is a large event like this, community support — financial support — is very,

very imperative," CVB President and CEO Nicki E. Grossman said Friday, noting that the

money will be necessary to help fulfill the hosting commitments that have been made.

Visit Florida, the state's marketing arm, has given $100,000 to the Urban League of

Broward to help with its hosting duties, Grossman said.

And other businesses are stepping up.

TD Bank and Sunshine Health have joined the Broward tourism bureau as title sponsors for

the event. The CVB and TD Bank have committed $150,000 for that sponsorship, while

Westside Gazette | February 9, 2013 | Page 1 of 3

URBAN LEAGUE OF BROWARD COUNTY ALL IN INCLUSIVE: AHEAD OF THE REST

February 1, 2013 |WESTSIDE GAZETTE | By Bobby Henry, Sr.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (February 1, 2013) – Recently, the Urban League of Broward County

made known to the public that the institute is the beneficiary of a $2 million funding venture

from Sunshine State Health Plan that will support urban league’s health and wellness initiatives

and capital campaign.

The pronouncement of the study, Closing the Gap: The State of Black Broward Health was

made at the Urban League’s Annual Business Meeting. “Let’s be clear the Urban League

produce the report inclusively and collaboratively. For many years, we have been concerned

about the growing health challenges that impacts Broward County residents. While we realize

that the dialogue will be important, we are also compelled to want to put into place

programs and initiatives that respond to the health needs and disparities that plague our

community”, stated Germaine Smith-Baugh, President and CEO of the Urban League of

Broward County.

It has been 19 years since the Urban League has attempted such a feat as this report. “The

report that was released today provides a blueprint for understanding these issues on a

greater scale and working collaboratively with partners to address these important

challenges. With its gift of $2 million, Sunshine Health is allowing us to take this critical step. The

Urban League of Broward County is grateful for this significant investment and partnership,”

Smith-Baugh continued.

For decades, the Urban League of Broward County has center their attention on changing the

lives of African American children and families in the community through education, job,

housing and health programs. Serving thousands of families and individuals each year The

Urban League of Broward County has made it clear that it cannot serve the entire community

by itself.

“This report helps us to leverage collaboration between other agencies to better serve the

community,” Smith-Baugh said.

Urban League’s services include educational support, job training, housing assistance and

health education. In May 2012, the Community Empowerment Center opened; this allowed

the Urban League to increase its services to individuals and families in Broward County. Under

Smith-Baugh’s leadership, the Board of the Broward County Urban League is diverse, bringing

Westside Gazette | February 9, 2013 | Page 2 of 3

together the non-profit, business and community-based organizations to develop strategies

aimed at improving the quality of life for Broward County residents.

Sunshine Health President and CEO Chris Paterson, looks forwarded to the relationship with the

he Urban League of Broward County and believes that it will have long-term benefits. “The

report issued by the Urban League of Broward County, “Closing the Gap,” tells us that we

need to continue to address health challenges to ensure the viability of families and ultimately

the community at large. If we want to eradicate diabetes, hypertension, infant mortality and

reduce the mortality rate caused by HIV/AIDS in communities of color, it calls for an investment

of resources, collaboration and data sharing. Sunshine Health is committed to a role as one

strategic partner with the Urban League of Broward County and other key stakeholders to

achieve this goal.”

Civil Rights institute convention comes to Fort Lauderdale in July 2015

Not a stranger to the area the National Urban League has held its mid-winter training

conference in Fort Lauderdale for the past 10 years. Yet South Florida was not considered to

be a host for its national conference. This change about three years ago with the vision of

Albert Tucker. Last Friday, Fort Lauderdale was officially picked for the civil rights organization’s

2015 convention.

“Our conference is only as strong as the host affiliate and its leadership and Germaine is a

strong leader… in this community and in our urban league movement as well,” said National

Urban League Senior Vice President Rhonda Spears Bell. Spears Bell made the announcement

at a press conference in Fort Lauderdale, crediting Germaine Smith-Baugh and local

leadership for their preference.

“Dr. Smith-Baugh has been instrumental in establishing the Urban League of Broward County

as the community’s leading civic and social services organizations, and one of the most

dynamic community outreach networks in the nation,” National Urban League President and

CEO Marc H. Morial said in a written statement. “I can think of no better setting for a

conference that is focused on effecting community change.

The convention is billed as a national forum for debate and discussion on policy issues and

finding solutions for challenges affecting African Americans and urban communities, typically

draws many of the nation’s influential leaders and top policy makers, league officials said.

Morial said he expects the league’s national convention to attract about 5,000 of the

country’s most influential community leaders, top policy-makers, academicians, business

Westside Gazette | February 9, 2013 | Page 3 of 3

leaders and artists for three days of dynamic dialogue, intellectual exchange and community

service.

Tourism officials say that just about 10,000 people normally come to where the event is held,

this means a considerable financial contribution to local businesses. Insistent marketing by the

Greater Fort Lauderdale Visitors & Convention Bureau also helped Fort Lauderdale beat out

nine other U.S cities to secure the event.

Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB President Nicki E. Grossman, who is one heck of a negotiator,

said, “It’s about so much more than the $8 million dollar economic impact that the National

Urban League Conference brings to Broward County. It’s about strengthening the community

by becoming the destination of choice for the country’s largest and most influential Black

professional organizations.”

Although four hotels have been contracted, the host hotel will be Harbor Beach Marriott

Resort & Spa. The 2015 conference will be held during the last week in July, league officials

said preparation is anticipated to begin real soon.

“I’m proud and thrilled to welcome the National Urban League Conference to Broward

County for 2015,” said Smith-Baugh. “Not only do Fort Lauderdale and Broward County

represent an exciting cross-section of cultures, but we feel that our affiliate’s thriving public

and private partnerships throughout the region can be a model for the nation.”

The Urban League of Broward County is a not for profit, community based organization

founded in 1975. We empower communities and change lives in the areas of education, jobs,

housing and health. Our mission is to assist African Americans and other disenfranchised

groups in the achievement of social and economic equality. Programs/services include

affordable housing development and redevelopment, youth development, diversion,

employment and training, education and community empowerment and civic engagement

Miami Herald | February 1, 2013 | Page 2 of 3

Broward as a great destination for visitor events, including meetings of multicultural

organizations like the Urban League."

While exact dates for the Fort Lauderdale convention are pending, this year's conference

will be July 23-26 in Cincinnati. Last year, Philadelphia hosted the event, New Orleans in

2012 and Boston in 2011.

"Each year it gets bigger, it gets better, it gets stronger, and we know that Broward County,

Fort Lauderdale and sunny South Florida will help us raise the bar," Morial said.

Bringing the conference to Fort Lauderdale was no small feat, the city beating out

competitors like Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C., to host in 2015.

Morial attributed the city's success primarily to the leadership of its Broward affiliate,

headed by Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, coupled with efforts of the tourism bureau.

"This is a vote of confidence in Germaine's leadership," he said. "This is a partnership, and

we can't do it without a strong affiliate that has support in the community and in mobilizing

the community."

Smith-Baugh partnered closely with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors

Bureau (CVB) to formulate a proposal to host the conference.

That partnership paid off in February 2013, after nearly three years of planning, when the

civil rights organization officially announced Fort Lauderdale as host city for 2015.

Since then tourism officials have working to secure support for the event.

"When there is a large event like this, community support — financial support — is very,

very imperative," CVB President and CEO Nicki E. Grossman said Friday, noting that the

money will be necessary to help fulfill the hosting commitments that have been made.

Visit Florida, the state's marketing arm, has given $100,000 to the Urban League of

Broward to help with its hosting duties, Grossman said.

And other businesses are stepping up.

TD Bank and Sunshine Health have joined the Broward tourism bureau as title sponsors for

the event. The CVB and TD Bank have committed $150,000 for that sponsorship, while

Miami Herald | February 1, 2013 | Page 3 of 3

Sunshine's parent company Centene has pledged $250,000 on the national level, with a

portion going directly to Smith-Baugh's chapter.

"It's going to take a lot of work," Smith-Baugh said Friday. "But we major in the impossible

and this isn't even impossible. So we're going to make it rock. We're going to do great

things."

asatchell@tribune.com, 954-356-4209 or Twitter@TheSatchreport.

Copyright © 2014, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Sun Sentinel | December 14, 2012 | Page 1 of 2

BROWARD WOOS BIG-MONEY CONVENTION

December 14, 2012 |By Doreen Hemlock| Sun Sentinel

Broward County's push to attract more black tourism is paying off: The civil rights

group National Urban League is expected to hold its annual conference in Fort

Lauderdale for the first time in 2015, tourism officials said Thursday.

“The conference could bring more than 10,000 people and $8 million in

economic impact to the area — just as it is forecast to bring to the host city of

Philadelphia next year,” League President Marc Morial has said.

And that's without counting all the media coverage of the event that typically

lures speakers from the White House, Congress and corporate America, as

attendees help set the country's black urban agenda.

"The media exposure is going to be incredible for our market," said Albert

Tucker, who heads up multicultural marketing for the Greater Fort Lauderdale

Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"When CNN is here talking about Fort Lauderdale, people will say: 'If the Urban

League can go there, then we can go.' It really opens up a multitude of doors

for other organizations to come."

The news comes as Broward boosts tourism marketing to black groups, partly to

make up for the recent loss of a big annual medical convention. The ARVO eye-

doctor group left the county after 18 years, seeking a bigger space with a

convention-center hotel for its 12,000 attendees yearly.

To help compensate, the tourism bureau has wooed the National Association of

Black Accountants to hold its annual convention in Fort Lauderdale in 2016. That

group, which first held its convention in Broward in 2006, has booked more than

5,000 room nights so far for its 2016 meeting, officials said.

Sun Sentinel | February 9, 2013 | Page 2 of 3

Attendees: Roughly 5,000 registered attendees expected, but as many as 9,500 people

are typically drawn to the destination hosting the convention, CVB research shows. One

registration usually includes several attendees, officials said.

Fundraising: The Urban League of Broward County, which played an instrumental role in

Fort Lauderdale's selection, will have major fundraising to do as part of its host

obligations. For the 2008 conference in Orlando, the Metropolitan Orlando Urban

League —now called the Central Florida Urban League— set a fund-raising goal of $1.3

million to go toward the opening night reception and other programs, according to the

Orlando Sentinel.

Hotels/Transportation: The headquarters hotel is the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa,

but contracts are also being negotiated with Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Hyatt

Regency Pier 66, Embassy Suites and Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel,

CVB officials said. Transportation shuttles will be provided between the hotels and the

convention center.

High-profile speakers: Past conferences have drawn some of the nation's top political

figures and elected officials including President Barack Obama, Attorney General Hon.

Eric H. Holder, Jr. and Senator John McCain.

Economic impact: Officials expected the conference to have an $8.5 million to $9

million economic impact. In addition, the conference's free Expo Hall will give local

businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services and individuals

looking for jobs can take advantage of its employment and networking fair, said

Franklin.

"Local businesses will benefit from the dollars spent in the area," said Central Florida

Urban League President and CEO Allie L. Braswell Friday. Braswell was recently in Fort

Lauderdale for the National Urban League's mid-winter conference.

Tourism boost: Officials said the mid-summer event also will help during the traditionally

softer tourism period.

"July is an excellent time for us to be able to bring a conference of this size to the area

as this time of year is usually a little bit slower," said Broward County Mayor Kristin

Jacobs.

Putting on a successful convention also will show similar organizations the area is

capable of handling their national conferences, Tucker said. "The status of the

destination improves tremendously as other organizations will follow the lead of the

Urban League to bring their conference to our shores."

Sun Sentinel | February 9, 2013 | Page 3 of 3

Showcasing the area: The CVB expects to showcase Fort Lauderdale's historic black

Sistrunk Boulevard community, which houses the African-American Research Library

and Cultural Center and other heritage attractions, during the conference.

Community involvement: National Urban League officials say locals will also benefit

from the conference's career, business, youth and social programs. Hundreds of local

volunteers will help put on the convention and at past conventions the organization has

launched community projects. For example, in New Orleans the group helped distribute

hurricane kits.

"It's just as much for the local community as it is for those coming from around the

country," said National Urban League Senior Vice President Rhonda Spears Bell at the

recent press event announcing Fort Lauderdale's selection. "We want to make sure

we're leaving a stamp on the community when we leave."

South Florida Times | February 9, 2013 | Page 1 of 2

URBAN LEAGUE COMING FOR 2015 MEETING

February 8, 2013 | By Cynthia Roby | Special to South Florida Times

FORT LAUDERDALE – The National Urban League has selected Fort Lauderdale as the

host city for its 2015 Civil Rights and Social Justice Conference. The announcement

came during a press conference held Friday at the Urban League of Broward County’s

Community Empowerment Center, 560 N.W. 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

The league held its midwinter conference in the city for just over a decade, according

to Rhonda Spears Bell, its senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

“We are familiar with the city and thought it was time to bring the big game here,” she

said.

The city will be prepared and will work hand-in-hand with Broward Urban League,

Broward County government and the community to “make sure that this conference is

special,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler.

Scheduled for the last week of July 2015, the conference is expected to bring about

5,000 registered attendees and pump between $8.5 million and $9 million into the local

economy, Bell said. “It’s not just about the monies ULBC will leave behind but the

growth (Fort Lauderdale) we’ll experience because we were chosen as the host city,”

said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors

Bureau.

“This gives us the opportunity to bring the most influential black professional

organizations to town.” The conference will have an extensive cultural impact on the

community, said Broward County Mayor Kristen Jacobs.

“Things are a little slower in July, so it’s an excellent time to bring a conference of this

size to the city,” she said. The NUL picked the Marriott Harbor Beach as host hotel. “We

have contacted four other hotels, but the Marriott Harbor Beach will serve as our host,”

said Bell.

Selecting the host city was a competitive process, Bell said. Fort Lauderdale was among

10 cities vying to host the conference. There was “some healthy competition,” Bell said.

“There was not a financial component for the host city to bid but there is an affiliate

guideline,” she said. “The city must be able to host the number of people our

South Florida Times | February 9, 2013 | Page 2 of 2

conference attracts. And destination is always an attraction as people consider cities

that are easy to get to.”

The names of the other nine bidding cities were not disclosed. Germaine Smith-Baugh,

president/CEO of the local league, described the announcement as “momentous,”

adding, “We believe that it’s important to have the Urban League of Broward County

be seen as an integral part of the social and economic fabric of our community.”

The National Urban League is a 102-year-old civil rights, social justice urban advocacy

organization servicing more than 2.8 million people nationwide through its 95 affiliates.

Urban League of Broward County to Host

2015 National Urban League Conference

MEDIA CONTACT

Teresa Candori

212-558-5433

tcandori@nul.org

URBAN LEAGUE OF BROWARD COUNTY TO HOST 2015 NATIONAL

URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. (February 1, 2013) -- The diverse and vibrant city of Fort

Lauderdale will be the site of the National Urban League’s prestigious 2015

Conference, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and

Urban League of Broward County President and CEO Dr. Germaine Smith-

Baugh announced today.

“Dr. Smith-Baugh has been instrumental in establishing the Urban League of

Broward County as the community’s leading civic and social services

organizations, and one of the most dynamic community outreach networks in

the nation,“ Morial said. “I can think of no better setting for a conference that is

focused on effecting community change.”

The Conference will take place the last week in July 2015. Morial said Dr. Smith-

Baugh’s outstanding leadership was instrumental in attracting the conference to

the city.

“I'm proud and thrilled to welcome the National Urban League Conference to

the Broward County for 2015,” Smith-Baugh said. “Not only do Fort Lauderdale

and Broward County represent an exciting cross-section of cultures, but we feel

that our affiliate’s thriving public and private partnerships throughout the region

can be a model for the nation.”

“It’s about so much more than the $8 million dollar economic impact that the

National Urban League Conference brings to Broward County. It’s about

strengthening the community by becoming the destination of choice for the

country's largest and most influential black professional organizations,” said Nicki

E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors

Bureau.

Morial said he expects the nation’s largest civil rights and social justice

conference to attract as many as 5,000 of the nation’s most influential

community leaders, together with top policy-makers, academicians, business

leaders and artists for three days of dynamic dialogue, intellectual exchange

and community service.

“The National Urban League Conference has been the only event of its kind to

feature both major-party presidential nominees during nearly all of the last

several elections,” Morial noted. “Additionally, leading elected officials and

cabinet secretaries have chosen to break major announcements at the

conference. President Obama attended the 2012 Conference and announced

the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.”

In addition to the registered attendees, thousands of community members will

be drawn to free events such as an Expo Hall featuring hundreds of exhibitors, a

college fair and an employment and networking fair.

###

The National Urban League Annual Conference is a national forum for debate

and discussion on policy issues and creating solutions to the challenges

confronting African Americans and urban communities. The 2013 Conference is

scheduled for July 24 – 27 in Philadelphia, followed by the 2014 Conference in

Cincinnati, Ohio.