Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•pg_3-13__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 6:28 AM Page 3 CONTENTS BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM VOLUME 20, ISSUE 1, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 24 COVER STORY Heritage tourism is a booming year-round business. The museums and events in places like Birmingham, Baltimore, Greensboro, Washington DC, Pensacola, Norfolk and Charlottesville, VA are more than Black History Month destinations. Study after study suggests that heritage tourism plays a major role in the selection of a vacation destination. Heritage Tourism Not Only a Strong Draw During Black History Month But All Year Long tells the whole story By Michael Bennett 19 FEATURES The elections are behind us, and we didn't go over the fiscal cliff, so travel/meetings/hospitality honchos can now focus on keeping our industry on the path to pre-recession levels of success and prosperity, hopefully sooner than later. As we do each year, we put several questions to some of the top CVB heads in the industry in an effort to share their knowledge with those seeking solutions to the daunting challenges faced by many destination reps and planners. CVB Heads Annual Report is the result of our efforts. DEPARTMENTS 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 32 43 48 50 51 Publisher's Message Calendar of Events Newsmakers In The News Speaking of People TPOC News Briefs Hotel Happenings Museum Notes Site Review – Punta Cana Traveling The Globe - Scotland Caribbean Corner Open Forum From the Motherland Travel Data Cruise News By Gloria M. Herbert 33 Meetings and conventions are the lifeblood for many in the African-American community. The 25 largest African-American Conventions of 2012 proves that even during tough economic times we found a way to affirm or reaffirm our faith in the "All Mighty" or enjoy the networking opportunities and career building of attending professional conferences. By Michael Bennett 44 Are International Destinations Still a Viable Option For Meeting Planners? examines the desire by many associations and their delegates to experience the unique mosaic of cuisine, nightlife, art, culture and diverse neighbourhoods found offshore, and for that matter across the globe. 52 Pennsylvania 56 Baton Rouge 57 Jamaica AREA GUIDES By Patricia Ann Jordan Vistors to the home of Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, GA Photo Credit: Atlanta CVB B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 3