Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1152980
27 Born in Houston, Texas and accepted to the University of Texas Austin, Larry Alexander decided to attend the University of Houston and help his dad care for his mother during a time of illness. A premed major with 12 years of education and residency in front of him, Alexander chose to be responsible and help his mother. Supported by the Dean of Counseling, he took every career and vocational test avail- able at the time, eventually deciding to enter the hospitality industry. Over the next 20 years, Alexander worked with Westin Hotels and Resorts, lived around the country, and renovat- ed and repositioned properties. He ultimately rose to the position of general manager, and in 1999 he became president of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. Alexander navigated the efforts to land some of the world's most coveted sporting events, including Super Bowl XL in 2006 and the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four. He also cre- ated and leads the Detroit Metro Sports Commission, a subsidiary of the Bureau responsible for landing the 2003 and 2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games, the 2008 Women's International Bowling Congress, and contributing to the successful bid for the 2005 MLB All Star Game. During Alexander's tenure the city has hosted the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and the NCAA Final Four and Frozen Four. In 2019 Detroit hosts the 110th NAACP national convention. Alexander also helms the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, which is over- seeing Cobo Center's highly successful renova- tion. As CVB President, Alexander has a great product to share with the world. In his words, "Detroit has Great Energy as a City." According to Alexander, the Industries in Detroit are vibrant and successful. And in order to better understand the impact of, and to advance the vibrant Hospitality and Tourism Industry, he feels there needs to be Standard Industry Codes (SIC). Alexander points out that after Thanksgiving retail sales are tracked, while home sales tracked at the beginning of the year. Because the hospitality industry includes retail, hotels, restaurant and transportation it is either number one, or number two in most markets. When one multiplies exponentially the unique offerings of something special in each destina- tion is easy to enjoy yet difficult to track their economic impact, particularly without proper SIC coding. Detroit markets tourism and hospitality in Germany, China, London and Great Britain. Detroit advocates its 543 developments. Within 5 blocks there are 4 sports teams and 3 sports arenas. Since 2017, it is the only U.S. city to have its MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL teams play within its downtown district and one of only four U.S. cities to have said teams play within the city limits of their namesake. On a personal note, Alexander met his wife Kitt in Chicago. Carson Alexander, their mil- lennial daughter helps to keep them in tune to the unique points of view of a vibrant genera- tion. Ms. Alexander loves animals and volun- teers by supporting the special needs commu- nity. She volunteers with the Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary (PEAS), a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization, dedicated to providing care and comfort to all animals within their reach. In addition, the family's pets are three cats Fiona, Bache (which means kiss in Italian) and Luna. The Alexander family has been strength- ened by the adversities they have faced and turned to triumphs. Carson was born four and a half months prematurely at the weight of 1 pound. In a neo natal care unit for six months, she has blossomed beautifully and serves as an occupational therapist and special needs advo- cate. The family motto is to never stop learning, you can't rest on your laurels, and you cannot live in the past. They believe that tomorrow is coming so it is imperative to live your best life today, so that when the research is done one is genuinely whom they project themselves to be to the world. In Alexander's garage there are General Motors and Chrysler SUVs. Golf is his sport A C O N V E R S AT I O N WITH L A R R Y A L E X A N D E R BY DENNIS ROGERS B M & T ••• July/August 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com