Honoring Mary Ann Torres.

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor Ms. Mary Ann Torres for being named the Convention Services Manager of the Year by the Event Service Professionals Association (“ESPA”) and

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; and

WHEREAS, For over 25 years, Ms. Torres has had a distinguished career in the region's hospitality industry having served as an event manager for the Atlantic City Convention Center and show manager for the Atlantique City Antique and Collectible Show and, currently, she serves as event coordinator at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority; and

WHEREAS, On January 7, 2012, Ms. Torres, a certified meeting planner, was awarded the Convention Services Manager of the Year award during the ESPA Annual Conference at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego, CA; and

WHEREAS, The ESPA (formerly known as the Association for Convention Operations Management) is the first and only association to serve convention services managers and, in September 2011, the organization changed its name to its current title to more accurately reflect the growth in this profession and the diversity of roles its members play in venues and cities throughout the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Through this honor, Ms. Torres demonstrates the high degree of expertise, hospitality, and professionalism of the staff of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority as it strives to become the nation's premier convention venue; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and congratulate Ms. Mary Ann Torres for being named the Convention Services Manager of the Year by the Event Service Professionals Association and

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.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Mary Ann Torres, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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