Miss Universe Organization - Definition

The Miss Universe Organization is based in New York City and is responsible for organizing the annual Miss Universe pageant. Although owned by Donald Trump and NBC, its president Paula Shugart manages the day-to-day affairs of the organization. Contrary to popular belief, the pageant is not simply a "one night only" affair but rather requires months of preparation. The Miss Universe Organization employs a full-time staff to license and observe the 70-80 national contests held before the pageant (with new countries petitioning to join the pageant every year), to manage the bids by cities/countries interested in hosting the pageant, and to schedule and maintain the appearances by the reigning titleholder (who will travel to some two dozen countries in her year as Miss Universe).