Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094854
January 29-31 2019 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Montego Bay Convention Centre, Montego Bay, Jamaica. For fur- ther information, visit www.carib- beanhotelandtourism.com. January 30-March 2 World Conference of Mayors Collabo- ration Conference, DoubleTree Hotel, Orlando, FL. For more information call (334) 226-1125 or visit www.theworldconfer - enceofmayors.org. February 11-16 National Association of African Ameri- can Studies & Affiliates joint national conference, Dallas/- Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, Dallas, TX. For more information call (207) 856-2800 or visit naaasconfer - ence@naaas-.org. February 27 The State of Black California, an informational brief- ing, presented by the California Legislative Black Caucus, Secretary of State Auditorium, Sacramento, CA. For further information and registration con- tact Ms. Jannell Jackson at (916) 319-2079. March 14 Change Makers Shaping the Future, presented by the Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network and Women in Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Committee, Omni +San Diego Hotel, San Diego, CA. Contact Clara Carter at (619) 265-2561 or with@mccsn.com . March 25-26 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Conference, presented by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), Philadelphia, PA. For more infor- mation visit http//diphilly.com . April 6 SOAR Empowerment event, presented by Black Enterprise in partnership with T.D. Jakes Enterprises LLP, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA. To register and find out more information, visit www.blackenterprise.com/soar . May 8-13 Belize Tourism Expo 20129 Road Show, Placencia, San Ignacio and San Pedro, Belize. For more informa- tion call 501-227-1144 or visit www.betex.bz . May 13 10th Annual Industry Day, presented by the National Association of Black Women in Const4ruction (NABWIC) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Cardozo Education Campus, Washington, DC. For more information contact Cheryl Rodgers at (202) 673-7753 or cheryl.rodgers@dc.gov . May 15-16 Asia Society Diversity & Marketing Leader- ship Summit: Powering Global Businesses, presented by the Asia Society, New York, NY. For more information visit http://asi - asociety.org/global-talent-initia- tives/dreid@asiasociety.org May 16-19 Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC) 2019 Conference & Trade Show, the Guest House at Graceland, Memphis, TN. For more information call (866) 901- 1259 or visit www.tpocassocia - tion.com. May 17 Latinas in Business Inc. Entrepreneur Empower- ment Lunch (EEL) and Latina Entrepreneur of the Month Awards, presented by Latinas in Business Inc., NJ. For more infor- mation visit https://latinabusi - ness.us and Susana@latinasin- business.us. May 22-23 3AF 2019 Asian Marketing Summit, presented by Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF), Los Angeles, CA. For more information visit https://-www.3af.org . B M & T ••• January/February 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 5 PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Solomon J. Herbert ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Gloria Herbert GRAPHIC DESIGN: POP MEDIA GROUP Robert Ingram GRAPHIC ARTIST/WEBMASTER Solomon J. Hebert II FOCUS ON M.I.C.E. EDITOR Matthew Thomas RELIGIOUS REVIEW EDITOR Patrice Kelly TECH NEWS EDITOR William G. Herbert CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rebecca Bernard Edith Billups Victoria Head Brienne Herbert Roy Jay Cheray O'Neal SALES MANAGERS Regina Buggs MARKETING/EDITORIAL Andrew Ingraham O.J. Webb OFFICE MANAGER Dorothy Canty HUMAN RESOURCES Barbara Harper For high quality article reprints of 100 or more, please contact Reprint Management Services at (717)399-1900. The Authority on African-American Conventions & Leisure Travel JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 B l a c k M e e t i n g s To u r i s m COVER STORY A CONVERSATION WITH ERNEST WOODEN FEATURES AFRICAN-AMERICAN GUIDE TO MEETING, INCENTIVES & TRAVELING IN THE WEST FLORIDA SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION EMERGING MARKETS TO WATCH AREA GUIDES ANGUILLA, GEORGIA, INDIANA, MINNESOTA, MISSISSIPPI, WASHINGTON, DC Meeting and incentive planners can keep abreast of discount offers and package deals being offered by visiting Black Meetings & Tourism's website – blackmeetingsandtourism.com – and click- ing on the "Meeting Planner Packages" link. Here you will find many cost saving and often time sensitive deals that can help you bring your meeting in on time and under budget. MEETING PLANNER PACKAGES FOR GREAT SAVINGS COMING IN: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019