Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1401511
The highlight for many attendees was the open- ing General Session "Forging Your Path: A Journey to Improve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," which featured a high powered panel of industry icons including: Elliott Ferguson, President/CEO of Destination DC; Julie Coker, President/CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority; Jason Dunn, Group Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Cincinnati USA CVB and Chairman Emiratis of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; Amy Calvert, president of the Events Industry Council; and Melvin Tennant, President/CEO of Meet Minneapolis. Tennant is also the first African- American in history to ever head a CVB, serving as President/CEO of the Oakland CVB in the 1980s. Tennant explained the purpose of the session this way. "While I am blessed to be among some prominent industry leaders, I want to make sure that we convey the importance of making every- one aware of the many unheard voices that we represent. Those of us with a platform must be good stewards of the privilege." Other highlights included: presentations by industry veterans Cleo Battle, recently appointed President/CEO of Louisville Tourism, and Devin Lewis, Director of Regional Sales at Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority – LVCVA; an appear- ance by the entertain- er Usher, who joined MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer on the main stage to discuss the power of human con- nections; and several moving performances by Voices of Service, a four- person acappella group that is composed of veter- an and active military service members. While WEC was about business and profes- sion al development, there was no shortage of opportunities for fun and entertainment. The Opening Reception at Allegiant Stadium boast- ed a variety of alluring food and drink stations, an array of games where some attendees got the thrill of going long to catch a pass on a pro- fessional football field, and of course, an abun- dance of networking opportunities. WEC was capped off by gala Rendezvous Closing Night Celebration at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas for a final round of net- working, mouthwatering cuisine and refresh- ing cocktails. B M & T ••• July/August 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 37 Don Welsh welcomes WEC attendees on Main Stage Usher & Paul Van Deventer Opening Receeption at Allegiant Stadium Opening General Sessional Panel