CincinnatiUSA CVB June Fam Tour

The CincinnatiUSA CVB's Fam Tour, short for Familiarization Tour, began at the Duke Energy Center, where the guests were treated to a tour of the convention center on Segways. There was a brief Segway orientation and then every one was off.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

Dan Lincoln, President and CEO of the Bureau, was seeking any takers to race him around the facility.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

After the tour of the facility, the hosts and guests gathered on the second level for a reception, with the cuisine provided by Ovations and the decor by Accent on Cincinnati.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

The cayenne sour cherry heart-shaped chocolate was to die for!

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

There was an unexpected performance by the extremely funky Exhale Dance Tribe, performing to Bootsy Collins track. Bootsy appeared with the dancers as a surprise.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

After the reception, the crew walked to Fountain Square and had some drinks and hor'dourves at Via Vite.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

From Via Vite, we walked to Bootsy's, where, along the way, we came upon a street performer.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

Barrie Perks, Vice President, Sales and Services of CincinnatiUSA CVB, and ever the party pooper, threatened to extinguish the man's entertainment.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

The guests finished the first half their Fam at Bootsy's.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

On Friday morning, everyone gathered on the terrace of the Hilton’s Belvedere Room. It was a spectacular morning.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

After breakfast, we hopped on a private coach and toured downtown. One of our stops, the Reds Stadium.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

A visit to Cincinnati would not be complete without lunch at Skyline, where Cincinnati's vice mayor joined us.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

The guests concluded their tour at Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

The finale included a wonderful brief concert by Cincinnati's Super Choir. (The young boy in the white suit. He's got a killer voice!)

June Fam Tour, CincinnatiUSA CVB

World Choir Games 2012 Press Conference

Cincinnati, OH will be the first American city to host the bi-annual World Choir Games in 2012. The announcement took place on Thursday on Fountain Square.

What an honor for Cincinnati!

(See all the photos here.)

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Appropriately, opening the festivities was the Cincinnati Children's Choir.

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
President of Interkultur, Gunter Titsch, being interviewed by Cincinnati's Channel 5 news.

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Cincinnati Opera represented at the press conference. What a voice!

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra represented at the presser. The violinist plays a mean banjo, which, he told me, he taught himself.

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bootsy Collins, a resident of Cincinnati.

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Bootsy signs autographs

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Girls choir/ensemble from Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Dan Lincoln, President and CEO of CincinnatiUSA CVB, Gunter Titsch, President of Interkulter, and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory.

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Mr. and Mrs. Bootsy Collins listen to the choir.

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Hamilton County Commission David Pepper

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and First Lady of Ohio Frances Strickland

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Mayor Mallory presents a proclamation to Interkultur

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Cincinnati's very own Kolping Sangorchor

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Pops conductor extraordinaire and the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
What a great turnout!

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
The First Lady of Ohio and Who Dey cuttin' the rug

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Venus Kent of the CincinnatiUSA CVB played an important role in securing the World Choir Games 2012 for Cincinnati. Kudos to Venus!

Press Conference, World Choir Games 2012
Gunter Titsch and Dan Lincoln

Showbiz Dance Academy 2009 Dance Portraits

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Yes, that is my daughter NOT looking at the camera!

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy

Showbiz Dance Academy