Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094854
cott that would keep Black businesses and organizations from Miami for almost three years and reportedly cost the area upwards of 50 million dollars in lost convention business and tourism revenue. After the dust settled, Miami city officials and African-American community came to terms implementing major political, social and economic Improvements directly and indirectly attributable to the boycott. Among the notable changes related to the Travel industry were; the creation of the Visitor Industry Council to expand African- American participation in the county's tourism industry, scholarships for Black stu- dents to attend Florida International University's hospitality program, and the establishment of a Black-owned, conven- tion-quality hotel in the Miami Beach area — the Royal Palm Crowne Plaza, with majority African-American owner, R. Donahue Peebles. During the 20+ years since that time, under the leadership of current Greater Miami President & CEO, William Talbert, Miami has continued to spiral upwards in setting some of the industry's best practices for inclusion and diversity. In addi- tion to the devel- opment and pro- motion of ethnic neighborhoods includ- ing, Little Havana, Little Haiti and Historic OverTown, Miami also brought in African-American executive Connie Kinnard as Vice President of Multicultural Tourism. Certainly high on the list of Best Practices in reaching this (and any) market, is to Go Where They Are. BM&T has long encour- aged and assisted our clients to support their advertising campaigns by having a relevant connection on some level with key Africa African-American Travel Industry groups. Among those to consider are: Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC) Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Legislative Conference National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD) International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show (IMHTS) Black Meeting and Event Professionals (BMEP) Additionally, BM&T encourages major national and international travel related organ- izations such as PCMA, IMEX, DMI, MPI and others to broaden their circle of opportu- nity for representation of all pertinent markets, which we feel helps strengthen and economi- cally empower our industry. Although it may seem to go without say- ing, another immensely important best FIRST STEP practice is to be sure that your marketing messages and images reflect the market you wish to reach. This was a sugges- tion offered by BM&T many years ago that prompted an executive at a major Cruise Line to inform us that he was directing his compa- ny to completely re-design their collateral materials to prominently feature images of people of color as cruise passengers, not just as servers. To more effectively reach the African- American market, we have also urged industry movers and shakers to seek out and utilize Black-owned PR and advertising agencies, as well as reach out to this lucra- tive niche by advertising with Black media companies. Toward this end and to more effectively reach the African-American market, we have also urged industry movers and shakers to seek out and utilize Black-owned PR and advertis- ing agencies, as well as reach out to this lucra- tive niche by advertising with Black media companies. These, of course, are just a few of many possibilities to explore in positioning your company to get ahead of the curve and to join your progressive colleagues who are enjoying the many well established benefits that diversity and inclusion bring. For 25+ years, it has been BM&T's privilege to serve as a resource for assisting Travel companies in building and cultivating the continually evolving African-American market. Remember, "If you build it, they will come," but only if they know about it. *Copies of the 2018 African American Traveler Study can be purchased at www/mandalaresearch.com/reports B M & T ••• January/February 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 26 Miami President & CEO, Talbert has continued to spiral upwards in setting some of the industry's best practices for inclusion and diversity. In addi- tion to the devel- opment and pro- The City of Redding and United Airlines announced a new, non-stop flight from Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning March 8, 2019. The new flights to Los Angeles will run seven days a week, with connections available to destinations nation- wide, as well as international connections. The new flight is scheduled to depart LAX daily at 7:10 p.m. and arrive at RDD at 9:25 p.m. This flight will remain overnight and will depart RDD the following morning at 6:45 a.m., arriving at LAX at 8:35 a.m. United will operate a 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200 on the new route with low introductory fares as well as travel bundles for affordable air travel options. "This is great news," said Redding Mayor Kristen Schreder. "United Airlines' decision to introduce a new, non-stop flight will open more opportunities for leisure and business travel, which is something the local community has told us they wanted as a first priority for expanding service." "We are thrilled to announce new service between Redding and Los Angeles," said Janet Lamkin, United Airlines California president. "This new flight connects business and leisure travelers in Redding to our global network from Los Angeles, and will bring more travelers to Northern California. United is California's global airline, connecting California to the world, and bringing the world to California." U N I T E D AIRLINES TO BEGIN SERVICE BETWEEN REDDING AND LOS ANGELES The City of Redding and United Airlines announced a new, non-stop flight from Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) to Los Angeles The City from Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) to Los Angeles The City International Airport (LAX) beginning March 8, 2019. The new flights to Los Angeles will run seven days a week, with connections available to destinations nation- wide, as well as international connections. The new flight is scheduled to depart LAX daily at 7:10 p.m. and arrive at RDD at 9:25 p.m. This flight will remain overnight and will depart RDD the following morning at 6:45 a.m., arriving at LAX at 8:35 a.m. United will operate a 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200 on the new route with low introductory fares as well as travel bundles for affordable air travel options. "This is great news," said Redding Mayor Kristen Schreder. "United Airlines' decision to introduce a new, non-stop flight will open more opportunities for leisure and business travel, which is something the local community has told us they wanted as a first priority for expanding service." "We are thrilled to announce new service between Redding and Los Angeles," said Janet Lamkin, United Airlines California president. "This new flight connects business and leisure travelers in Redding to our global network from Los Angeles, and will bring more travelers to Northern California. United is California's global airline, connecting California to the world, and bringing the world to California."