Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/52019
Business and Technology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore(UMES), Princess Anne, MD. Dr. Boger exercises CEO accountabili- ty for a thriving Bachelor of Scie- nce Degree Pro- gram, designed to produce entry level managers for a variety of Foodservice, - Lodging and Travel/Tourism related professional careers. Prior to UMES, he held leadership roles with Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina, West Indies and Wiley Universities as well as The Jamaica Hotel School/Hotel Casa Monte, Kingston, Jamaica and Parry Property Management Co. of Dallas, TX. Under his recent leadership, UMES was accredited by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) as the 20th University nationwide, and the First HBCU, to offer the Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Golf Management. Similarly, the overall HRM degree program was guided to ACPHA accreditation earlier this year. With 40+ years of industry operations and training expertise, he is recognized as the "Dean" of Black College Hospitality Educators. Dr. Boger regularly provides consulting services in hospitality marketing and training to U.S., Caribbean, and African companies and governments. He has held leadership positions with more than 20 major industry organizations, includ- ing currently, the Professional Certification Commissions of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), and the National Restaurant Association (NRA). A prolific writer, Dr. Boger has authored 10 book chapters and more than 100 articles on industry subjects Since last year's issue, he has received the BM&T/TPOC APEX Award and was designated a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Emeritus by the AH&LA. The first African American to be so recognized. BENNISH D. BROWN is executive director of the Rock Hill/York County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Rock 46 Hill, SC, where he has served since 2000. Under his leadership, in 2008, the Rock Hill/York County CVB became the first destination marketing organi- zation in South Carolina to be accredited through the industry's global parent body – Destination Marketing Association International. Brown's primary duties are to oversee the daily operations of the CVB, with spe- cific responsibility for supervising activi- ties that market York County to the sports, group tour, meetings and leisure traveler tourism segments. The destina- tion is recognized nationally as a pre- miere amateur sports destination, contin- ues to annually host major tournaments of national youth sports organizations, and was the site of an ESPN His professional affiliations include serving on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Tourism Society, which is com- prised of organizations and destinations from 12 southeastern states. He is also Vice Chair of the South Carolina Travel & Tourism Coalition, a public/private tourism advocacy group. An avid community volunteer, Brown most recently served as Chair of the Steering Committee that commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the "Rock Hill Jail, No Bail" 1961 civil rights lunch counter sit in by the Friendship Nine (nine students from the former Friendship Junior College). Their refusal to pay bail and instead serve 30 days hard labor in jail, changed the strategy of the sit-in move- ment across the country. Prior to joining the tourism industry, Brown worked in public relations and media relations for 19 years, and held a number of positions in both radio and newspaper. RONNIE BURT, a seasoned sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, serves as vice pres- ident of Sales and Services for Destination DC and most recently was senior vice president of Sales and Service for the Indianapolis Convention & V i s i t o r s Association. In this role, Burt oversees a team of 25 people that include leading strategic sales and service efforts, housing and business development for the nation's capital and its growing con- vention facilities, to include the new Washington Marriott Marquis. Burt began his career in marketing at Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. He joined the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority as an intern and quickly moved up through the sales ranks to national sales manager. He joined the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association in 1999 as director of national accounts, eventually leading its sales efforts in the role as vice president of convention sales and services. In 2006, Burt served as the interim president and CEO, where he managed a staff of more than 50 employees and a $9 million budg- et. Burt has also worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Atlanta, GA CLARACARTER is the president and founder of the Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network (MCCSN), Inc. This San Diego-based destination/-meetingmanage- ment company is focused on global site selection and con- tract negotiations for groups and organizations seek- ing exciting desti- nations for meet- ings, conferences and conventions. A 20-year veteran of the Hospitality Industry,Carter has distinguished herself as the creator and producer of the nationally known Multicultural FAM tour. This tour is cus- tomized to give clients the unique view of a city by incorporating its exciting ethnic & cultural features. The FAM Tour was first launched in San Diego. In FY09/10, Carter was a successful bidder for funds ear- marked for multicultural marketing by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District. Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com