Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1125304
I N T H E N E W S B M & T ••• March/Apri 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 CINCINNATI USA CVB ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVE TO BROADEN VISITOR MARKET, ENHANCE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS Jason Dunn Named to Expanded Role Leading Diversity Sales and Inclusion The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau recently announced a new initiative to enhance its focus on diversity and inclusion, making it more relevant in the com- munity and more attractive to visitors. To lead the initiative, Jason Dunn, CTA, has been named Group Vice President, Diversity Sales and Inclusion, said Julie Calvert, President & CEO. "The destination marketing industry attracts 26 million visitors and generates $5 billion in economic impact annually to Hamilton County," said Calvert. "Over the next two decades, studies show that the majority of new U.S. travelers will be people of color and vary- ing nationalities. Trends also show LGBTQ+ travel will be strong. We want to be prepared to sincerely welcome and engage these visitors. This initiative, and Jason's new role, will help us accomplish that." Connecting Visitors to the Community "It's essential that we connect communities of all back- grounds to the Cincinnati region," Dunn said. "While we've made significant progress in doing so – our renewed focus and expanded programs will be an important step in positioning our region as a first choice for all visitors." Dunn will lead a new department responsible for five key initiatives that include all CVB programs related to diversity and inclusion. These include diversity sales, supplier diversity, developing the CVB's first internal diversity/inclusion initiative, expanding the Vibe marketing platform, and growing the Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership, which trains stu- dents for diverse careers in hospitality and tourism. "Jason delivers a skill set, leadership experience and per- spectives that are unique to our organization and have helped create economic growth in the Cincinnati region," said Calvert. "Jason's new, expanded role is an essential part of our commit- ment to helping Cincinnati become the destination of the future." Dunn Led Significant Growth in Multicultural Market Since joining the CVB in 2004, Dunn has led efforts to deliv- er significant new convention business and forged inroads with • More than 3 200 rooms within four blocks Energy Convention Center • Six new hotels just steps from the Duke n n i n o i t a m r o f s n a Tr e O N S O S U L O OO Th LO AT AT K O hotels make us a "mu excitement. New resta Cincinnati USA is hum US i innat O ! W OW A N T AT K Cinc O bid" for your next RFP st urants, entertainment and mming with style, fun and . g n i n n u St is A S Contact us at CincyUSA.com/Meet or 800.543.2613. P. hotels make us a must-bid for your next RFP five entertainment districts • New downtown streetcar system connects all of the convention center • More than 3,200 rooms within four blocks ficial Airline of the Cincinnati USA CVB Of 3 1 43.26 800.5 m o .c A CincyUS