Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/22095
FAM REPORT#2 MCCSN: YOUR GUIDE TO THE HEART & SOUL OF SAN DIEGO BY VICTORIA HEAD There is no greaterway to experience the trueHeart&Soul of SanDiego, than to put yourself in the hands of SanDiego’s ownMulti-Cultural Convention Services Network (MCCSN). Founder, Executive and a native San Diegan, Clara Carter, along with her knowledgeable staff are dedicated in the pro- motion of San Diego’s con- vention and tourism dollars. MCCSN is credited for boosting San Diego’s meet- ing attendance and bringing in over a million dollars annually as they strive to assist multicultural meeting planners and executive deci- sion makers representing national associations and corporations in discovering all that San Diego has to offer. The city boasts a wide variety of meeting spaces, accommodations, great value, year-round sunshine, and 70 miles of beautiful beaches; with MCCSN’s knowledge of the city’s diverse communities, quaint ethnic shops, venues and eateries, planners are able to see the true Heart and Soul of SanDiego revealed. MCCSN still assists leisure travelers planning vacations, family reunions and special events, introducing them to the full flavor of San Diego; however, corporately, they are becoming nationally known for their annual Multicultural Familiarization Tours. Each September, corporations rep- resenting various ethnicities are getting on board to be included in this yearly event. The MCCSN FAM provides planners with a clear understanding of why the city has great national attendee drawing power,with an estimated 2 million business men and women making it their meeting destination each year. San Diego’s allure is showcased to 32 pre-qualified national meeting planners, allowing them to taste, see and enjoy some of the city’s popular, culturally diverse attributes, as well as some tantalizing hidden gems. The recent 2010 MCCSN FAM Tour was a great suc- cess; exhibiting Carter’s heartfelt mission of having the “triple E effect” noted throughout the 3-day venture – Experiences that Exceed their Expectations. The Welcome Reception and Dinner were held at the Host Hotel, The Hilton San Diego Mission Valley and was elo- quently MC’d by KSWB/Fox 5 News Reporter Perette Godwin. On the mornings that followed, planners were greeted by the attentive staff at the lovely Marriot Marina, Westgate Hotel and enjoyed a relaxing Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower Cruise’s Inspiration. These educational, breakfast sessions included presentations by San Diegan industry executives representing the San Diego CVB, San Diego Port District and San Diego Convention Center Corp. MCCSN’s Carter shared the mission of her company and their dedication to obtain the best possible price quotes from hotels and suppliers and to help ensure the successful and engagingly diverse meeting experience desired; all at no charge to clients. The days venues and attractions on the itinerary included: The USS Midway, Old Town’s Fiesta de Reyes restaurant, Se Hotel, Hilton Bayfront, San Diego Repertory Theatre and an afternoon at Balboa Park, the nation’s largest cul- tural urban park with over 15 museums, botanical gardens and special exhibits; African performing group AKAY- AA provided the planners with a session of song and dance at the parks Mingei International Museum. Each year the FAM tour includes a trade-show, which allows local businesses to showcase their products and services; this year’s was host- ed by the Porto Vista Hotel; a chic European property located in the center of San Diego’s Little Italy. Radio person- ality Tayari from Smooth Jazz 98.1 entertained during the lunch portion of the tradeshow. By the close of the tour, MCCSN had secured a booking for the 2011 meeting of the National Optometric Association, to be hosted by the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel. Unity: Journalists of Color plan to hold their 2014 convention there and San Diego is also being considered by the Global Business Developers & Research Institute as the location for 2012 Global Business Summit. If your organization has an interest booking your event into San Diego or in attending a San Diego Heart & Soul Multicultural FAM Tour, contact the helpful MCCSN staff at (877) 79-MCCSN (62276) or visit their website at www.MCCSN.com. Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com