February 3, 2003

On January 24, mayors and members of the Mayors Business Council came together at the Public Private Partnership Plenary Breakfast during the 71st Winter Meeting in Washington DC to recognize eight outstanding public private partnerships and to highlight the importance of business and cities working together to find creative solutions to the challenges facing America's cities. The Mayors Business Council established the awards to encourage business and cities to work together as city resources become stretched and the need for local community improvements increase.

In addition to the awards, the business focused agenda featured mayors and members of the Mayors Business Council speaking on issues impacting cities and businesses ranging from travel and tourism to economic development. Members of the business community included on the agenda were Howlie R. Davis, Senior Vice President and Director, Local Government Affairs, CH2M Hill/OMI, and Howard Menaker, Manager of Public Affairs, Bechtel, Co-chairs of the Mayors Business Council Steering Committee; Kathi Wilkes, Vice President, MWH Americas, sponsor of the plenary breakfast and member of the Mayors Business Council; Michael P. Kercheval, President and CEO, International Council of Shopping Centers; Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman and CEO, Lowes Hotels and Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable; and Michael Gehrisch, President and CEO, International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, President of the Conference of Mayors, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman also addressed the group.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, President of the Conference of Mayors, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman also addressed the group.