For Immediate Release

Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces New Chairman

Don Freeman, Services Industry Leader, Assumes Position at Annual Meeting

DALLAS, TX (October 30, 2009) - Donald S. (Don) Freeman, Jr., chairman of the world's leading provider of services for events and expositions, has been appointed by City of Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert to serve as chairman of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Dallas CVB) for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. 

The announcement of Mr. Freeman's appointment was made by outgoing Chairman Laura V. Estrada at the Dallas CVB's annual meeting, held today in the new AT&T Performing Arts Center's Winspear Opera House in the Arts District.  "As chairman, Don brings unmatched expertise in convention and exhibition services, and Freeman is a respected name throughout the industry," said bureau President and CEO Phillip Jones.  "He's the perfect person for this role as we move toward the opening of our Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel in early 2012 with an ambitious goal for room night bookings and citywides."

Based in Dallas with 41 offices in North America, Freeman annually produces more than 4,300 expositions and 11,000 additional events worldwide.  The 80-year old, privately held company has received numerous excellence awards over the years, most recently including the 2008 International Service Excellence Award, International Council of Custom Service Organization; the Bersin & Associates 2008 Learning Award for Organizational Management Excellence; Alcon Laboratories' 2008 Supplier Excellence Award; and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Capital Chapter's 2008 Green Award for the company's environmental practices.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Mr. Freeman served in the Supply Corps prior to joining Freeman in 1964, and the company's headquarters moved to Dallas in 1974.  In addition to his induction into the Convention Industry Council's Hall of Leaders, he has received the IAEM Distinguished Service Award, the PCMA President's and Distinguished Member awards, the Trade Show Exhibitors Association Distinguished Services Award, and the Distinguished Life Member Award from the Texas Society of Association Executives.  He serves on the board of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Chief Executives Roundtable, and supports the Dallas Museum of Arts and the National Center for Policy Analysis.

Serving with Mr. Freeman on the Dallas CVB's board of directors for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010 are:

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