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B M & T ••• September/October 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 14 Black Meetings & Tourism Media presented its BM&T Annual Apex Distinguished Service Awards at a gala dinner event during the International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show on July 27th at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami, FL. The awards are presented each year to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavor that have positively impacted the travel industry. To be considered for a BM&T Apex Award, a candidate's record of service must: Provide long-term benefits for the travel industry and the African-American market segment; Represent a national level of prominence; and, Demonstrate a track record of a minimum of two years. 2019 Award Recipients Included: • Julie Calvert, President/CEO of Cincinnati USA CVB • Joseph McCray, Convention Sales Manager, Greater Miami CVB • Essence Banks, Executive Director, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network • Laura Mandala, President/CEO of Mandala Research • Katrina Ruff, Owner/Operator of Forums Meetings & Events • Linville Johnson, Deputy Director of African-American and Multicultural Markets for the Islands of The Bahamas. • Wendy Kallergis, Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association • Ed Ponder, CEO, The Rednop Management Group • Ibis Romero, Executive Director, Sunny Isles Beach Tourism & Marketing Council • Rocco M. Angela, Associate Dean, School of Hospitality, Florida International University • Frances X. Suarez,Mayor, City of Miami • Rebecca Ann Fields, Educational Specialist, Department of Career & Technical Education, Miami-Dade County Public Schools • Denella Ri'chard, Senior Director, Trade Communications & Engagement for Holland America Line Solomon and Gloria Herbert, Publishers/Editors of Black Meetings & Tourism mag- azine, hosted the event, making several of the award presenta- tions themselves. Other presen- ters included Dr. Dennis Rogers, Lisa Blake, Dr. Erinn Tucker, Connie Kinnard, and Andy Ingraham, while PJ Douglas Sands handled the MC duties. Previous Apex Award recipi- ents include Arnold Donald, President/CEO of Carnival Corp., Rita D. McClenny, President/CEO of Virginia Tourism Corp., Julie Coker, SVP for Philadelphia CVB, Elliott Ferguson, President/-CEO of Destination DC, Gary C. Sain, President/CEO Orlando/Orange County CVB, William Norman, President/CEO of TIA, Dionisio James D'Aguilar, Minister of Tourism and Aviation for the Common-wealth of the Bahamas, and Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line, to name a few. A P E X A W A R D S PRESENTED IN MIAMI Linville Johnson Reciving Apex Award. Julie Calvert Receiving Apex Award Apex Awardees Group Shot Essence, Denella & Ed with Apex Awards