Visitors Bureau dinner to honor Rosalind Williams

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Conference and Visitors Bureau’s 2000 Annual

Dinner scheduled for Thursday won’t be the same without CEO Rosalind

Williams, bureau employees say.

“The purpose is to reflect back on the accomplishments of the year and

give awards,” said Gail Ossipoff of the bureau, which is dedicating this

year’s event to Williams.

Williams recently lost her battle with cancer. Known for her vivacious

zest for life, Williams was responsible for organizing sporting events,

dinners and other high-profile spectacles for the bureau.

Under her direction, the bureau drew tourists and spectators here for

the Toshiba Senior Classic golf tournament and the Newport-to-Ensenada

International Yacht Race.

“I miss Rosalind a lot,” Ossipoff said. “We’re hanging in there, but

it’s hard when the captain of your ship is gone. It’s kind of empty

without her.”

The event will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel and will be begin

with a welcome reception, followed by dinner and a program. The outgoing

chairman, Mehdi Eftekari, will be ushered out and the new chairman, Henry

Schielein of the Balboa Bay Club, will assume his new post.

City Manager Homer Bludau and Mayor John Noyes also will attend.

FYI

* WHAT: Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau 2000 Annual

Dinner

* WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday

* WHERE: The Four Seasons Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive

* INFO: For tickets, call Gail Ossipoff at (949) 722-1611