Black Meetings and Tourism

November/December 2021

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B M & T ••• November/December 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 NEW VISIT PHILADELPHIA® INITIATIVE INVITES MEMBERS OF NA TIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL TO EXPLORE PHILADELPHIA Proud & Prominent Philadelphians & Pan-Hellenic Council Members Featured In Videos & Itineraries VISIT PHILADELPHIA® recently announced a new year-long marketing effort to encourage the more than two million members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council® (NPHC), an umbrella organization composed of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities known as the Divine Nine, and African-American travelers in general to visit Philadelphia to experience the region's history, culture, food, drink and fun. The initiative includes videos and itineraries featuring trip suggestions from proud and prominent Philadelphians and mem- bers of NPHC on visitphilly.com. Why This Project Now?: Black history and culture have long been a part of the Philadelphia experience and a great reason for travelers to visit the region. It was here that activist Octavius Catto fought for voting rights and where music legends Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff developed the Sound of Philadelphia. It's also a place where two historically Black colleges and universities thrive. Also thriving is the Black travel market. According to MMGY Global, Black U.S. leisure travelers spent $109.4 billion on travel in 2019, and their trips accounted for 13% of the U.S. leisure travel market. "We want Black leisure travelers to know that Philadelphia is must-visit destination, and there's no one better to extend the invitation to visit than local NPHC members," says Rachel Ferguson chief innovation and global diversity officer. "This initiative is a continuation of VISIT PHILADELPHIA's efforts to invite Black travelers to explore our region and support economic growth for the vital Black and Brown-owned businesses that make it such a special place." Videos & Itineraries: The VISIT PHILADELPHIA: Black Greek Edition videos, found on visitphilly.com, showcase local NPHC members sharing their favorite places to go and things to do in Philadelphia. These proud Philadelphians appear in locations around the city that are significant in the Black and/or NPHC commu- nities, including The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. International Headquarters and City Hall. Participants include: • Kevin Harden Jr., Ross Feller Casey, LLP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® • Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® • Charlene Collins, Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® • Harold T. Epps, Diversified Search and Bellevue Stategies, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.® • John Burrell, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.® • Richard Lee Snow, United Negro College Fund, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.® • Hon. Blondell Reynolds Brown, former member of Philadelphia City Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.® • Hon. Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia City Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.® • Aunyea Lachelle, NBC10, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.® • Tumar Alexander, City of Philadelphia, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.® • Rashon Howard, Shon, LLC, Nu Sigma Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.® • Hon. Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Philadelphia City Council, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.® • Vanetta Reeder, Jefferson Health Northeast Division, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.® • Bishop Dwayne Royster, Power Interfaith, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.® Along with the videos, potential visitors find customized Philadelphia itineraries curated by local members of each organization. The itineraries include museums (Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, National Constitution Center), restaurants (SOUTH, Booker's Restaurant & Bar, Relish), shops (Blue Sole Shoes, Boyd's, Dolly's Boutique & Consignment, TC Unlimited), concert venues (Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, The Mann, The Dell Music Center) and other businesses — many of which are Black-owned. The videos and itineraries will be boosted by VISIT PHILADELPHIA's integrated marketing machine, including advertising, social media and public relations. RACHEL FERGUSON I N T H E N E W

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