Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1016288
3 CONTENTS 21 21 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 7, 2018 4 Publisher's Message 5 Calendar of Events 6 In The News 8 Hotel Happenings 10 Newsmakers 26 Caribbean Corner 28 Cruise News 30 Travel Data 31 From The Motherland 32 Barbados 33 Baltimore 34 Michigan 37 New York 39 Rhode Island 40 South Africa 12 12 B M & T ••• July/August 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Miami CVB BL ACK MEETING & TOURISM COVER STORY FEATURES DEPARTMENT AREA GUIDES The lack of diversity in the hospitality/travel/meetings industry is alarming, especially when considering the amount of money that minorities spend on travel and tourism annually. Katrina's Corner reports on a new mentoring program by Black Meetings & Tourism focused on Building Diversity in the Travel Industry that will launch in September at CBCF. By Katrina Ruff In It's no secret that the "Sunshine State" has much to offer both the leisure and business traveler. With Florida's customary subtropical climate and most loca- tions graced by a beach within a 45-minute radius, Florida draws thousands of travelers every year. Visitors around the globe flock year-round to Florida's well- known destinations of Orlando, Key West, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Tampa to name a few. Ken Lawson Reports on His Tenure as President/CEO of Visit Florida, tells the whole story. By Victoria Head 23 23 14 14 The travel industry spends very little marketing to African-American's while aggressively focusing advertising and marketing budgets on predominately White travel clientele. Much like BMW and Mercedes assumed in the '80s, many in the travel industry have taken the attitude that the African-American travelers will come whether they advertise or not. But they, like the automotive indus- try in the '80s, are in for a rude awakening. Hopefully Why Planners Should Only Book Destinations That Support The African-American Market Segment will begin the discussion that will help change all that for the better. BY Matt Thomas Miami Doral Golf Resort & Spa When picking a hotel for a special event many things are brought into consideration. Questions come up like: What theme or ambiance do you want?.. How many attendees?...What's the occasion? One of the advantages of picking a historical hotel to house a groups' guest is simply the educational value. Many of these prestigious hotels have been up and running for 90+ years. There is a lot of history and experiences that have transpired within these walls over those years. From showcasing world-class entertainment to housing some of the world's most famous people, Historic Hotels For That Memorable Meeting offers options for your next conference, business meeting, family reunion or any other intimate gathering. By Solomon J. Herbert II