Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1421252
3 CONTENTS 24 24 18 18 19 19 13 13 VOLUME 28, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 4 Publisher's Message 5 Calendar of Events 6 In The News 8 Hotel Happenings 10 Newsmakers 15 Center of Attention 26 Caribbean Corner 28 Travel Data 29 Cruise News 31 Alabama 34 Ariziona 37 North Carolina 39 So th Carolina 41 USVI B M & T ••• September/October 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com BL ACK MEETING & TOURISM COVER STORY FEATURES DEPARTMENT AREA GUIDES Cleo Battle took on a multipronged mission on July 1, 2021, when he started his job as President/CEO of Louisville Tourism. Among his top goals are implementing a strategy to attract more visitors to the city as it continues to cope with the impact of the pandemic, making the local tourism industry's economic benefits more inclusive, and building up the area's tourism workforce. Read about this and much more in A Conversation With Cleo Battle. By Sonya Stinson Visit Baltimore And Tourism Economics Announce Data Analytics Fellowship tells the story an offer to emerging leaders from underrepresented communities and diverse ethnic backgrounds the opportu- nity to gain firsthand experience working in the destina- tion marketing and travel economics industries Choosing the right venue for your meeting or confer- ence is a crucial step in the planning process. Select a des- tination or facility that doesn't resonate with your target audience and you very well may put a damper on atten- dance, no matter how spectacular your scheduled program may be. Planners are challenged to pick a venue that has the amenities that will boost attendance, while at the same time taking care that these same features that attract del- egates will not also detract from the business at hand. Golf resorts, claim many planners, can offer the perfect balance for a successful meeting event. Meetings Love Golf Resorts suggests a few golf resorts you should consider for your upcoming meeting or conference. By Rufus McKinney Pamela Stevenson served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years and reached the rank of colonel. Stevenson earned a J.D. from Indiana University. Her career experience includes working as an adjunct professor with the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and Air Force JAG School, as a professional leadership consultant, and founding a law firm. Stevenson is a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing District 43. She assumed office on January 1, 2021. Her current term ends on December 31, 2022. A Conversation With Kentucky State Legislator Pamela Stevenson shares answers to questions posed to her by BM&T. Belle of Louisville photo credit: Louisville Tourism u