Black Meetings and Tourism

Nov/Dec 2012

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/105245

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 17 of 76

ICI•pg_14-22__BMT_pg3-58 1/22/13 2:21 AM Page 17 PAC E S E T T E R S ALBERT TUCKER: "TO GIVE – THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK" BY VICTORIA HEAD reater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor's Bureau (GFLCVB) now leads the nation in attracting AfricanAmerican residents. This is in large part due to the influx of Caribbean immigrants from Jamaica, Haiti and Trinidad. V.P. of Multicultural Business Development at GFLCVB, Mr. Albert Tucker has made it his mission to ensure that GFL's past is always a rich, exciting and flavorful present day experience; "We want each visitor to be able to celebrate the spirit of diversity in our friendly beach resort setting." To keep this historic and uniquely diverse destination thriving, Tucker and his team relate to and understand the AfricanAmerican business community, making sure their needs are heard and financial support is given so their efforts to create and maintain the energetic, cultural vibe making GFL a rich cultural experience, continues to flourish. "Every CVB should be willing to support the infrastructure of their communities, because as they upgrade, promote and build, people will come, stay longer, have a great time, spend more money and talk about their experiences when they get home…To give is the only way to get back." Tucker has been working with the GFLCVB for over 11 years. Within his first five years the Multicultural Business Development Plan more than tripled the tourism dollars brought in by the African-American, Hispanic and Caribbean markets. Tucker's strategy was to develop partnerships and alliances with community, civic and business leaders, locally, nationally and internationally to attract a larger number of multicultural conventions, family reunions and meetings to GFL. A graduate of Leadership Broward Class XVIII, Tucker currently serves on the Executive Board of Broward County's Urban League, which is progressively lead by president & CEO, Germaine Baugh. Tucker is also a member of the 100 Black Men of GFL and for the past four years has been recognized by Black Meetings & Tourism as one of the most influential AfricanAmericans in the tourism industry. When asked about Black Meetings & Tourism's new Stay-A-Day initiative (a national campaign to encourage travelers to stay a day or more after their vacation/business venture is completed, so they and their families can discover that city's eateries, historic neighborhoods, cultural sites and venues, all from an African-American perspective), Tucker's declared, "Stay-A-Day is a wonderful initiative for the country. Groups that meet or are scheduled to meet in GFL – The National Association of Black Accountants, 100 Black Men of American, National Association of Black Hoteliers, Owners, Operators and Developers, Travel Professionals of Color and the American Tennis Association (who in August, 2012 had more than 3,000 African-American amateur tennis players here to participate in their landmark 95th National Championships) will all greatly benefit in Stay-A-Day and experience some great finds, simply because we have so much going on." There's the soon to come The Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation – to be located in Lauderhill, Florida. It's a $50 million project providing the Gospel Music Industry with a home to preserve the rich history of this genre and will serve as a center for economic and educational empowerment for all. Also under redevelopment is Sistrunk Boulevard – a shopping and dinning district which is more historically known as the site of Provident Hospital – the only medical facility for Blacks from 1938 to the mid-1960s. The Blvd is being revitalized as a pedestrian attraction, including Betty's Soul Food & Barbeque where politicians, celebrities, and everyday folks enjoy hefty portions of soul food. Also on the Blvd. is the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center which houses rare artefacts and other information regarding Broward County's African-American and Caribbean history. But the newest event on Sistrunk Blvd., which had everyone dancing in the streets, was the 1st Annual MIDTOWN SUMMERFEST! To learn more about the GFLCVB and its programs, visit www.sunny.org/multicultural or contact Albert Tucker: (954) 767-2456 or at atucker@broward.org. G BM&T ••• November/December 2012 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Black Meetings and Tourism - Nov/Dec 2012