Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/140546
•pg_3-13__BMT_pg3-58 6/22/13 1:34 AM Page 11 TPOC NEWS BRIEFS HELLO TPOC FAMILY, hope all of you enjoyed holy week, and nothing too strange on April 1st. Onto business, we only have 4 months until the 11th Annual Conference and Trade Show in the beautiful twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. As you are aware, several events will take place during the conference, one of which will be our 1st International Heritage Summit. Let's hear from Dr. Kevin McPherson, who is the director of TPOC'S Heritage Program, LLC. "TPOC Family, it is our sincere prayer this [message] finds everyone well. We are looking forward to our 1st international conference of our second decade. Last year in Denver at our 10th year celebration we stated "moving forward never backward." Now as we prepare for our 11th annual conference with the theme 'Exceeding The Vision,' we invite you to make sure that TPOC continues to move forward and exceed the vision established 10 years ago by our founders Charlotte Haymore and Betty Jones. With the efforts being put forth by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the determined work of the TPOC national office we know this year's conference will be a great start to our next decade. We will be presenting the new Heritage Tourism Certification for agents wishing to become certified as Heritage Tourism Specialist, we will be special guests for the awesome Emancipation Celebration, we have Friends and Family Heritage Tours planned for both Trinidad & Tobago and a new highlight at this year's conference will be the Heritage Summit on July 30th. This heritage summit, the first of its kind, will focus on bringing various stakeholders together to discuss how we can work together to develop a model of sustainable development based on Heritage Tourism. This year's summit will focus on the Sankofa, one of the four distinct cultures from the TPOC Heritage certification program. In the very near future we hope to co host Summits focusing on Hispanics "Mi Casa Su Casa," Asians "Connected Civilizations," and Native Americans "Unbroken Circle. The theme of the Heritage Summit is The New Black Travel Dollar. In pursuit of this theme all stakeholders are asked to participate in discussions on how you can tap into the millions of dollars currently being spent by the African Diaspora and other cultures highlighted during the TPOC Heritage Certification program." Family we are kicking off our second decade and we can EXCEED THE VISION with our continued dedication and hard work. Please make a special effort to reach out to your clients, friends and family and have them join us in the beautiful I twin islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. A good time is guaranteed for all." Thanks Dr. McPherson, for this update! Mind Massage: Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow. Have a Great Week and thanks for your continued support! Betty TPOC WELCOMES TWO NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS We are pleased to welcome our two newest Associate members, Chantel Ross-Francois, senior sales manager, with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Yolanda Gamoa, director, Field Group Sales, with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Whenever you are taking a group or just interested in what's happening in the Atlanta area, check out the Bureau's web site www.atlanta.net. Likewise, take a look at NJPAC's web site www.njpac.org and familiarize yourself with all they have to offer. We look forward to a long and BETTY JONES lasting relationship. As always, please support all of our Corporate and Associate Members whenever possible! B M & T ••• May/June 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 11