Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/10149
CONTENTS C O V E R S T O RY 58 Whether your desire is to educate children about the true and total history of America, or to simply discover unknown facts about our heritage that you may have missed during your days in history class, there are many African-American Sites & Venues around the country that can be included in your next conference or leisure travel plans. By Victoria Head VIRGINA SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION F E AT U R E S 23 Each year tens of thousands of fans converge in football stadiums around the nation to celebrate college rivalry, meeting of friends and just a whole lot of family fun. Black Football Classics Are Big Business shares some strategies on targeting this niche within a niche. By Franzelle Pertilla 24 Empty hotel rooms, blank spaces on event calendars and quiet downtown streets tell the story in pictures of how hard the recession has hit the hospitality industry. Major Trade Organizations Assess the Health of the Hospitality Industry gives some insight into what the future holds. By Michael Bennett 55 The NCBMP & NABHOOD Form Strategic Alliance reports on a meetings and hospitality industry collabo- ration to address the demands of education, training and workforce diversity. The mission of this alliance is a col- laborative one to provide solutions and effectively implement strategies for improvement of the status of African-Americans in the meetings and hospitality industry. By Michael Bennett 62 Vast in both geography and visitor appeal, the West offers something for everyone — and it’s an especially ideal destination for active and adventurous meeting and leisure travelers. Meeting, Incentives and Traveling in the West is our yearly report on what the region’s vis- itor product has to offer. By Sonya Stinson Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 74 Located midway between New York and Florida, Virginia is the gateway to the South. Throughout the state are historic landmarks where America got its roots, as well as an inventory of world class meeting facilities and accommodations that make Virginia top- of-mind for planners and business travelers alike. D E PA RTMENT S 5 Calendar of Events 6 Newsmakers 8 Arts & Entertainment 10 In The News 12 Association News 13 Museum Notes 14 Hotel Happenings 16 Site Review #1 – Bahia 19 Applause – Arthur Keith 20 Gateway to Hospitality 22 Caribbean Corner 27 Religious Review 28 Percy Sutton Memorial 32 Carroll Armstrong Memorial 33 Site Review #2 –Wisconsin 34 TPOC News Briefs 36 Jacksonville Report Card 38 Foodservice Beat 82 From the Motherland AREA GUIDES 84 Pennsylvania 89 Caribbean Regional 91 Sitka 92 Mississippi Statue of Martin Luther King_ Photo Credit: Denver CVB 3 VOLUME 17, ISSUE 3, MARCH/APRIL 2010 BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM FLORIDA SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 40 Location is one of the biggest factors in selecting a meeting destination; choosing the right destination is as important as the meeting itself. Meet In Florida provides more than enough reasons for your group to pick the Sunshine State for your next meeting or con- ference. By Victoria Head