Gregory L. Deshields, senior director of corporate relations for the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, has been selected to receive the 2009 Apex Award for Distinguished Service presented by the Black Meetings and Tourism magazine. The award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular field of endeavor that have positively impacted travel and tourism. DeShields will be presented with the award on May 15, 2009 at a luncheon during the Travel Professionals of Color Seventh Annual Conference in Buffalo, N.Y.