Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1140472
CHERYL RICHARDS serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at VisitDallas. VisitDallas was the first tourism bureau in the nation to create a dedicated diversity and inclusion depart- ment, aimed at elevating Dallas as a leader in the industry and building new partnerships to grow business. Richards' goal is to imbed diversity into the fabric of VisitDallas, which she has accomplished by developing creative programs and partnerships to honor diversity of all kinds. The diversity and inclusion team focus on high levels of attendee customization for diverse groups. Richards was instrumental in working with the board of directors to amend the by-laws of the organi- zation to focus on diversity and inclusion at the board level which added a board-standing committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Richards and her department have been honored with numerous awards including the Greater Dallas Best Practices and Diversity FIRST Corporate Achievement Award, the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce Diversity Award, the Black Meetings & Tourism APEX Award, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President's MARCUS MARGERUM, vice president of government and community affairs, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB), repre- sents the interest of ACVB and its members in government issues impacting the hospitality industry. Margerum plays an integral part in ensuring the hospitality industry's voice is heard by local and state leg- islators. He sits on the board of directors for Georgia Travel Association, Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau, Destination International Advocacy Committee, KERMIT MADISON serves as Senior Director of Multicultural & West Coast Sales for Memphis Tourism where he manages the multicultural market nationally and also manages the west coast market (association, corporate). He's a 2011 past winner of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners Supplier of the Year award and also a four-time win- ner of Memphis Tourism Sales Person of the Year. Madison is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. tiatives in securing business. The Multicultural & Tourism department not only leads efforts internally, but with Kinnard's leadership, the department spearheads external business development programs in the heritage neighbor- hoods for tourism capacity building along with a cultural program called Art of Black Miami. Art of Black Miami is a marketing platform that highlights all forms of art in Miami that touches the African Diaspora. Kinnard has worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and holds a Master's Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tennessee State University. She is active with numerous civic/service organizations and has served on various professional boards throughout her career. Kinnard has been in Miami for almost four years now and loves promoting the culture and diversity found in the 305. Prior to joining the GMCVB, Kinnard worked for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation for 19 years and held the position of SVP of Multicultural Sales & Development. Destination Marketing Accreditation Program and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation. STEPHANIE MONROE is the Director of Specialty Market Sales for Explore St. Louis, who leads a team in the areas of sporting events, religious conferences, fra- ternal organizations and military meetings. Mon-roe is a graduate of the University of MO, Columbia. Monroe joined the organization in 2007 as National Convention Sales Manager and has been responsible for booking some of St. Louis' largest events, such as Church of God in Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses, 7th Day Adventists, National Baptists, National Urban League and National Society of Black Engineers. B M & T ••• May/June 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23 23