Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/22095
STELLA BEENE-VENSON is the meet- ings and travel administrator for the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. For the last 22 years, she’s been the go-to person for setting up meetings for various organizations, committees and members of the church’s organization and hierarchy. Her clients within the church range from youths considering the min- istry, towomen in the clergy, to the church’s Board of Directors. Beene-Venson is a long time member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and serves as the organization’s current president. KATHLEEN JACKSON BERTRAND, with theAtlanta Convention &Visitors Bureau since 1983, serves as senior vice president, community and governmental affairs.Bertrand has been instrumental in the ACVB’s development of diversity market- ing programs and its governmental relations.She is the highest-ranking woman or African-American staff member in the history of the organization. Bertrand serves on numerous boards and has been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of “Atlanta’s Top Hospitality Industry Leaders,”byBlackMeetings&Tourismmagazine as one of the “Most Influential African-Americans in the Meetings/Tourism Industry,” and by the Atlanta Business League as one of “Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence.” Under her direction the ACVB publishes its African-American visitor publication, Atlanta Heritage Guide which just celebrated its 20th consecutive year in print in 2010.Bertrand’s most recent project is the produc- tion of the BronzeLens Film Festival, a new film festival that celebrates Atlanta as both a destination and the new mecca for filmand filmproduction by people of color. Bertrand is a well known and honored jazz recording artist/writer,with performances ranging from two Olympic Games to performances before two presidents and jazz concerts world-wide. A three-timeMontreux Jazz Festival performer,Bertrand’s discography includes 4CDs,with her newest CDrelease scheduled for spring 2011. ERNEST P. BOGER, CHA, FMP, CHE,CHA, FMP,CHE, is tenured associate professor and chairman of the Hotel & Restaurant Management(HRM) Department within the School of Business and Technology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore(UMES), Princess Anne, MD. Dr. Boger exercises CEO accountability for a thriving Bachelor of Science Degree Program, designed to produce entry level managers for a variety of Foodservice, Lodging and Travel/Tourism related profes- sional careers. Prior toUMES, he held leader- ship roles with Bethune- Cookman, South Carolina, West Indies and Wiley Universities as well as The Jamaica Hotel School/Hotel Casa Monte, Kingston, Jamaica and Parry Property Management Co. of Dallas, TX. Under his recent leadership, UMES was accredited by the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) as the 20th University nationwide, and the First HBCU, to offer the Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Golf Management. Similarly, the overall HRM degree program was guided toACPHA accredita- tion earlier this year. With 40+ years of industry opera- tions and training expertise, he is recognized as the “Dean” of Black College Hospitality Educators. Dr. Boger regularly provides consulting services in hospitali- ty marketing and training to U.S.,Caribbean, andAfrican companies and governments.He has held leadership posi- tions with more than 20 major industry organizations, including currently, the Professional Certification Commissions of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), and the National Restaurant Association (NRA). A prolific writer, Dr. Boger has authored 10 book chapters and more than 100 articles on industry subjects Since last year’s issue, he has received the BM&T/TPOC APEX Award and was designated a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Emeritus by the AH&LA.The firstAfricanAmerican to be so recognized. BENNISH D. BROWN is executive director of the Rock Hill/York County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Rock Hill, SC. He was hired as the organization’s first executive director in June of 2000 after the official merger of the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Rock Hill Sports Council. Brown’s primary duties are to oversee the daily operations of the CVB, with specific responsi- bility for supervising activities that market York County to the sports, group tour, meetings and leisure traveler tourism segments. Prior to joining the tourism industry, Brown worked in public relations and media relations for 19 years, and held a number of positions in the communications field. Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 55