Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/37469
Griffith. To reach that potential he advocates a public/private partnership that works together to promote this vital industry. The Minister is studying new opportunities in the develop- ment of recreation, sport, health, leisure, business, festivals, cultural and eco-tourism niches for starters. Trinidad and Tobago is a nation on the move to having one of the most comprehensive tourism offerings in the Caribbean. STATE REPRESENTATIVE, PENNSYLVANIA Dwight Evans State Representative Dwight Evans has played an integral role in Pennsylvania’s tourism, convention and hospitality industry for years. Evans was one of the driving forces behind the effort to fund the Pennsylvania Convention Center back in 1986. In 2004, Evans sponsored legisla- tion reenacting the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) located in center city Philadelphia. This legislation passed both chambers of the General Assembly and reconstituted the board that included representation from someone in the hospitality industry. Over the years, Evans has led efforts to provide job training for the hospitality industry in both the Philadelphia School District and the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC). Evans also led the charge to establish the (MAC) as an arm of the Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau. MAC is responsible for developing and implementing plans to attract African-American, Latino, Asian-American and Native American tourists and conventioneers to Philadelphia. Evans currently serves as co-chair emeritus ofMAC target- ing financial support for Freedom Theater, Philadanco, the Kimmel Center, the Philadelphia Ballet Company, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and the African- American museum among others. Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners Dennis C. Moss is one of the most powerful legislators in Dennis C. Moss Miami-Dade government and a staunch advocate of the meetings, tourism and hospitality industry. As previous chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners and his continued service to his district on the board, Moss has played an instrumental role in almost all legislation during his nearly two decades in office that affects the tourism and hospitality industry. Moss, has built a reputation as one of the most admired and respected leaders and is known for making promises and keeping his word. In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew it was Moss who led the comprehensive efforts to rebuild the region with legislation that became known as TheMoss Plan. Moss also served as commissioner of Miami-Dade County Tourism Development Council. This nine-member board that also includes Greater Miami CVB chief William Talbert, III, is the catalyst organization to promote tourism throughout the Miami-Dade County region. Moss has chaired or served on numerous boards to include the Zoo Oversight Board and the Community Image Advisory Board, whose mission is to improve the maintenance and aes- thetics of the major roadways and transportation facilities – a mission vital to the success of any top tourist market. Moss has advocated on behalf of, or had direct involve- ment in many of the cultural sites and activities in the Miami- Dade region from the restoration of Virginia Key Beach – the “Colored Only” beach during the days of segregation, to gaining approval earlier this year to fund the infrastructure improvements necessary to host the Miami International Aerospace Show. HARVEY JOHNSON, JR. MAYOR, JACKSON,MS In 1997, Harvey Johnson, Jr., made history by becoming Jackson,MS first African-Americanmayor. He has been elect- ed three times to serve as leader of Mississippi’s capital city, most recently in 2009 where he received 85 percent of the vote. Mayor Johnson was the key voice behind the construction of the Jackson Convention Complex, a $65 million state-of-the-art center completed in 2009. The complex has hosted an event nearly every- day since it opened. Among Mayor Johnson’s current initiatives to bolster the city as a convention destination is the devel- opment of a convention center hotel. There are $2 billion worth of development projects either completed, underway or in the pipeline in downtown Jackson. The mayor believes Jackson, “is becoming a destination city due to the restoration of the downtown area.” Approximately 3.14 million travelers visited Jackson last year contributing $315 million to the local economy that employed over 20,000 people. Johnson serves on the U.S. Conference ofMayors Advisory Council and is a member of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors, the Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors and theMississippiMunicipal League. Many of the leaders above took on the challenges of our industry long before they assumed their current positions. The ability to anticipate and see what’s needed before its actually necessary is a character trait they all posses and will serve us well as we move further into the 21st Century. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 47