Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1459281
B M & T ••• March/April 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12 an essential role by collaborating with senior management to lead and engage strategic planning and programming devel- opment initiatives and opportunities to engage structural change for the benefit of member communities. With this position, Hock will be focused on five core priorities: self- awareness and personal investment; education and aware- ness; community engagement; workforce/talent development; and branding and promotion. "Since implementing equity, diversity and inclusion as a strategic goal for the association in 2017, Destinations International has been working to lead and engage diversity initiatives and opportunities within our industry," said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. "Sophia will lead the organization's overall strategic plan as we continue to push our industry forward on these important initiatives." "I'm thrilled to join the Destinations International team. I appreciate the foundational work that has taken place over the past few years at Destinations International," said Hock. "I look forward to creating sustainable EDI ini- tiatives to hold the industry accountable in a thoughtful and participatory manner." Hock has spent 20 years developing strategy, training, facilitation, and coaching services on topics pertaining to diversity and social inclusion, gender empowerment, com- munity engagement and outreach, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness for clients in the international devel- opment and travel industries. Prior to joining Destinations International, Hock was the founder and CEO of Papilia, an organization dedicated to developing tailored equity, diver- sity and inclusion strategies for the travel industry to attract new audiences while respecting cultural heritage and diverse perspectives. She has proven experience and success working with international and domestic teams and managing multi-mil- lion-dollar bids for participatory governance, economic growth, agriculture, health, and conflict mitigation efforts in Asia, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa for bilateral and multilateral donors. Hock holds a master's degree in International Development Policy from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. "Destinations International is committed to equity, diversi- ty and inclusion," said Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. "Having someone in this role on the associa- tion's executive leadership team ensures that every initiative has a strategic EDI lens. Additionally, Sophia brings an entre- preneur skillset, international expertise and a passion and desire to expand the EDI footprint in our industry." The search for this position was led by SearchWide Global, a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management, experiential marketing, sports and enter- tainment industries. VISIT TAMPA BAY WELCOMES SHAWNA RIGGS TO SALES TEAM Convention Sales Team Adds New National Account Director Visit Tampa Bay (VTB) announces the addition of Shawna Riggs as its new National Account Dir-ector in the Conven- tion Sales department. Bringing her experi- ence in the hospitality and tourism industry, specifically at hotels in the Tampa Bay region, Riggs will join a team dedicated to generating new conventions and meetings, bringing incr- emental business to properties in Hillsbor- ough County. "As we continue to lead the charge of economic recovery for our region, it is essen- tial that we have the experience and premier team that can truly showcase our destination and bring business to our partners," says Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. "We are pleased that Shawna has joined the team and will utilize her experience to welcome significant group business to our destination." With almost a decade in the hospitality and tourism sec- tor, Riggs joins the convention sales team under the leader- ship of Vice President Adam DePiro. With a background in sales and group sales at both Hyatt and Embassy Suites hotels she will lead efforts specifically targeting corporate, association, social, education, religious, government and fra- ternal markets. "I am delighted to join the team at Visit Tampa Bay. I look forward to contributing to the success of Visit Tampa Bay in its mission to increase visitation and create vibrant economic development in Tampa Bay," says Riggs.