Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507211
B M & T ••• September/October 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 I N T H E N E W S TOURISM DIVERSITY MATTERS AWARDS DINNER TO HONOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP) Leaders Across Corporate, Non-Profit, Government and Academic Sectors Convene at 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference Powered By Tourism Diversity Matters Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM) recently announced the inaugural Tourism Diversity Matters Diversity & Inclusion Award will be presented to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Awards Dinner, sponsored by Meet Boston, will take place on October 23, 2023, at TDM's flagship Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Conference. The presti- gious award will be given annually to an organization mak- ing an extraordinary impact in DEI advancement. This year's honoree is being recognized for its longtime mission to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well- being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color. "Our 2023 DEI Conference is cen- tered on how we can collectively drive meaningful and sustainable change. There is no organization more deserving of recognition for creating and sustaining equitable opportunities than the NAACP," said Greg DeShields, executive director of TDM. "They pioneered the civil rights movement in the 20th century and continue their extraordinary work today to end race- based discrimination through 21st century activism. It is an absolute honor to recognize their achievements in DEI excellence." TDM is also excited to announce that the conference will be emceed by Jennifer Rodríguez, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC). Rodríguez has over 20 years of experience in support- ing economic development and empowerment for under- represented groups. In addition to serving as President & CEO of GPHCC, she is also the Region 5 Representative at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, with a focus on initiatives to improve economic prospects for Latinos and Hispanic-owned businesses. Prior to her current roles, Rodríguez was the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs and has been widely recognized for her advocacy work with various awards and honors. The 2023 DEI conference: The Collective Experience, will ignite inspiration and preparedness for today's most pressing DEI issues. The conference is designed for CEOs, corporate leaders, Chief Diversity Officers, government offi- cials, and university-level educators and administrators. Full conference registration to The Collective Experience is $750, which includes the Awards Dinner as well as access to all other events, sessions and research. Registration is now open. Individual tickets to the Awards Dinner can be purchased at $250. For the conference agenda and to register, visit TDMCOLLECTIVE.COM. WHAT: 2nd Annual Tourism Diversity Matters Awards Dinner 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference: The Collective Experience WHEN: Monday, October 23, 2023 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. ET WHERE: Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing 201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19106 MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL DONATES $20K TO SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION ON BEHALF OF MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS CLIENTS Donation Will Support Under-Resourced Music Program For Mississippi Middle School MGM Resorts International recently presented a $20K check on behalf of its meetings and conven- tions clients to Save The Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to helping students, schools and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. The presentation took place at the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica during the Candlelight Concert Series, an exclusive event for MGM