Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1459281
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francsico 3 CONTENTS 27 27 20 20 13 13 VOLUME 29, ISSUE 3, MARCH/APRIL 2022 4 Publisher's Message 5 Calendar of Events 6 In The News 8 Hotel Happenings 11 Newsmakers 38 Caribbean Corner 50 Cruise News 52 Travel Data 53 Georgia 55 Indianapolis 56 Jamaica 57 Minneapolis 58 Mississippi 60 Philadelphia 61 Washington, DC B M & T ••• March/April 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com BL ACK MEETING & TOURISM COVER STORY FEATURES DEPARTMENT AREA GUIDES Whether visiting the neighborhoods and buildings made famous during Los Angeles-based movie mak- ing, gazing from your hotel window at a segment of the Las Vegas Strip in all its neon glory or standing in awe viewing the expansive natural wonders of a state or national park, the west is loaded with icons, variety and developments to entice. The African-American Guide to Meetings, Incentives & Traveling in the West tells the whole story. By Rufus McKinney There are many reasons why a planner will take a closer look at a destination they may have once passed over for a meeting or conference. This is espe- cially true as travel slowly comes back from a crippling Covid-19 Pandemic that totally disrupted the meetings industry and forced association executives to rethink short term and long-term conference strategies. Emerging Markets to Watch offers you six possibili- ties here to consider for your next in-person meeting or convention. By Rufus McKinney 42 42 Meeting In 'The Sunshine State' Just Got Brighter With New Renovations And Upgrades explains why, according to meeting planners across the country, Florida is ranked the highest state for affordable travel, accessibility and value. Add to this the state's beautiful weather and diverse hotel and venue opportunities, and Florida is the perfect meet- ings, conventions, and incentive travel destination. By Buck Samuels 40 40 Recently, the new Walt Disney World Swan Reserve opened its doors, adding to the more than 450 hotels and resorts in the destination (including 150+ convention hotel properties). And, as it works to complete a $127 million renovation in early 2022, the Caribe Royale Orlando has become the recipient of the AAA's highly coveted Four Diamond distinction, a first for the property. Orlando Welcomes Five New Hotels For Groups offers a snapshot of the five newest hotel properties to open their doors in the number one meet- ings destination in the U.S As the travel and meetings market responds to world events and an ever-evolving economy, we feel it prudent to pause from time to time to assess what impact all these occurrences are having on our indus- try. As we do each year, we put several questions to some of the top CVB heads in the industry in an effort to share their knowledge with those seeking solutions to the daunting challenges faced by many destination reps and planners. A View From The Top: CVB Heads Annual Report On State Of The Industry provides answers in their own words to the questions posed to them. By Solomon J. Herbert photo credit: PopMedia Group