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•pg_38-45__BMT_pg3-58 6/21/13 11:14 PM Page 38 WHO WILL BE THE NEXT BLACK CVB PRESIDENT/CEO? BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT year we are taking another close look at convention & visitors bureaus across the nation in our continuing effort to document the rate of progress that African-Americans are making in the hospitality/travel industry. Unfortunately we cannot report any substantial progress in the upward mobility of AfricanAmericans since we last examined the ranks of CVBs in 2008. When you consider that there are nearly 500 CVBs throughout the U.S., and we can only identify 26 candidates to fill the next opening at the president/CEO level (down from 33 in 2008), this does not speak very well about the depth of our industry's commitment to the concept of diversity and inclusion. Add this to the fact that currently there are only seven CVBs in the nation headed by African-American presidents/CEOs (up from six in 2008), and the picture becomes even clearer. There is, to put it mildly, much more work to be done. Of course, we realize there are certainly more qualified Blacks out there in our industry that have not as yet come to our attention. Still, it's not encouraging. As we have reiterated in the past, this recurring feature is our effort to head off the use of that tired old phrase "We'd love to consider an African-American for this position, but we can't find a qualified Black person to hire." This cadre of eminently qualified, highly skilled and experienced hospitality industry professionals is ready, willing and able to take on the responsibilities of a convention and visitors bureau president/CEO should the opportunity present itself. The list that follows is only the tip of the iceberg. It does not even include former bureau heads like Leslie Doggett (Baltimore Area CVA), Ron Davis (Oakland CVB), or Brenda Scott, the industry's first African-American female to head a convention and visitors bureau in the nation (Mobile), all of whom have a proven track record and whose wealth of expertise would be an asset to any organization. Suffice it to say that there are many, many African-Americans and other people of color, who based on their qualifications, deserve to be considered for heading a CVB when an opening occurs. This LARRY ATCHISON serves as associate director of Convention Sales for the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB). Atchison has represented the ACVB for 20 years and oversaw Albuquerque's sales activities in Washington, DC from 2003 - 2006. Atchison is a 32-year veteran of the hospitality and meeting industry, working for the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau and Budget Rent a Car Systems of New Mexico. 38 CLEO BATTLE was appointed executive vice president of the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau in January 2013. Battle's responsibilities include developing relationships with clients in Washington and Chicago, representing the Louisville Bureau at industry tradeshows and conferences and providing strategic leadership and oversight of the Bureau in all aspects of its fiscal and daily operation. Battle has worked in the hospitality industry for 27 years. Prior to coming to the Louisville Bureau, Battle spent the last 12 years as vice president of Sales & Services for the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau in Richmond, VA. He also held the positions of director of Sales and sales manager at the Richmond CVB. Battle began his hospitality career in the hotel industry working for Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn and Sheraton Hotels. STEPHANIE MAYS BOYD has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She currently serves as a member of the Senior Management team as vice president of Sales, Marketing and Convention Services at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA). In this role, Boyd is responsible for managing day-to-day operations for the short term sales team to produce meetings and conventions, and oversee the operations of the Center's Concierge and Convention Services Departments. She is also responsible for managing the marketing and advertising efforts for the Authority. A native of Macon, Georgia; Boyd started her career path at the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1990 as a convention marketing representative. There she was very active within the community serving on various boards; Boys and Girls Club of Central Georgia, Macon Arts Alliance, Society of Government Meeting Planners, and a graduate of Leadership Macon. RONNIE BURT, a seasoned sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism B M & T ••• May/June 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com