Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1537157
In the bustling heart of Atlanta's Southside, Mercedes Miller stands as a symbol of vision- ary leadership and dedication. With a career spanning over three decades in hospitality, Miller's inaugural year as president of the ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence and her deep roots in the community. A native of Atlanta's Southside, Miller's story is one of service, resilience and purposeful evolution. A graduate of Morris Brown College, she began her professional journey as the first Black salesperson at the Stouffer Waverly Hotel. This milestone was not merely a personal achievement but a defining moment that underscored her ability to transcend barriers in a competitive industry. In that iconic moment, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam descended upon Atlanta, Georgia to commemorate the birth of its founder in observa- tion of Saviors' Day, the annual 3-day holiday, which includes speakers, seminars, workshops and a graduation ceremony. By chance or favor, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and his personal team arrived at the Waverly seeking a buy- out with one unwavering caveat: that the hotel have Black management and Black management alone, that "looks like us," act as their liaison. That day in 1992, with eyes wide open, Mercedes Miller was plucked from the obscurity of the back office and never looked back. This role thrust her into the fore- front of the hospitality industry, teaching her the impor- tance of representation, collaboration, and leadership under pressure. That Saviors' Day gathering is said to have drawn 55,000 visitors at Georgia's Dome outdraw- ing a World Series game taking place the same day, to hear the Minister deliver 'A Torchlight for America." It was this formative experience at the Waverly Hotel that shaped her career and made her the leader she is today. Miller's ascent in the hospitality sector started in her early teens selling merchandise at 6 Flags amusement park and is marked by pivotal roles at some of Atlanta's most prominent institutions. After her tenure at the Waverly Hotel, she joined the opening team for The Renaissance Concourse Hotel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Later, her role as the airport's national sales manager at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau broadened her expertise and influence. However, it was her work at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) that solidified her reputation as an industry leader. Starting as a marketing analyst in 1995, Miller rose through the ranks to become executive director in 2011. Under her leadership, the Gateway Center Campus expanded significantly, with the development of the Gateway Center Arena and enhancements to the Historic College Park Golf Course. These projects transformed the region into a premier destination for conventions and events. Visionary Leadership at ATL Airport District CVB Miller's appointment as president of the ATL Airport District CVB marks a new chapter in her illustrious career. Her comprehensive understanding of the region, combined BY TONI WALKER B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15 A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H M E R C E D E S M I L L E R : A YEAR OF LEADERSHIP AND A NEW LEGACY AT ATL AIRPORT DISTRICT CVB