Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/633921
B M & T ••• November/December 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12 12 T P O C N E W S B R I E F S Hello TPOC Member, Many of you have been asking about the pre conference fam. As mentioned previously, the pre conference fam will take place April 21, 22 and the morning of April 23rd. However, we will also have our very first Founders Awards Banquet on the evening of April 20th. We are diligently working on all of the activities for the fam; however, we do not have pricing. I do know the fam will include a tour of Long Beach, Los Angeles, hotel site inspections, a ticket to the Founders Banquet, attractions in both locations and some meals. It is our goal to have the cost of the fam to you no later than November 15th. Hotel accommodations have been blocked for April 20, 21 & 22nd aboard the Queen Mary. The nightly rate starts at $129.00. You can start making your hotel reservation directly with the ship reservations department at 1 877 342 0742. To receive the special TPOC pre conference rate, you must inform the agent that you are with Travel Professionals of Color. Remember, TPOC is offering a great savings to anyone who would like to join the vast number of travel profession- als with the CTA (Certified Travel Associate) designation. The CTA, focuses on those "nuts and bolts" skills that you use on a daily basis – selling skills, customer service skills, destination knowledge and communication skills. Do not delay in your decision to join the ranks of our CTA's. Testing will be offered during the conference. Contact Michael Taylor if you are interested, he can be reached at mikalt01@gmail.com. Hate to sound like a broken record, but please get your payment in to reserve your cabin for the 14th Annual Conference and Trade show scheduled for April 23 – 30, 2016, aboard the Carnival Miracle cruise ship. We will be releasing cabins November 30th. Also Southwest Airlines is now accepting reservations through April 30th, and rates from various gateways are very reasonable. BY BETTY JONES Photo Credit: Popmedia Group/Robert Ingram