Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/244474
•pg_39-53_mj__BMT_pg3-58 1/8/14 10:39 PM Page 43 (TPOC). TPOC is a non-profit organization whose focus is on Heritage Tour-ism, education, training and networking for African-American and other minority travel professionals. Bryant is currently an international marketing and event planner for VISIT FLORIDA with 22 years of tourism experience, and says she is looking forward to serving as the newly elected president of TPOC. RONNIE BURT, a seasoned sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism ind-ustry, serves as vice president of Sales and Servi-ces for Destination DC and most recently was senior vice president of Sales and Service a seasoned sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, serves as vice president of Sales and Services for Destination DC. Prior to Washington he served as senior vice president of Sales and Service for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. In his role for Destination DC, Burt oversees a team of 25 people that include leading strategic sales and service efforts, housing and business development for the nation's capital and its growing convention facilities, to include the new Washington Marriott Marquis opening 2014. Burt began his career in marketing at Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. He joined the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority as an intern and quickly moved up through the sales ranks to national sales manager. He joined the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association in 1999 as director of national accounts, eventually leading its sales efforts in the role as vice president of conven- tion sales and services. In 2006, Burt served as the interim president and CEO, where he managed a staff of more than 50 employees and a $9 million budget. Burt has also worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Atlanta, GA. CLARA CARTER is the President and Founder of the Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network (MCCSN), Inc. This San Diegobased destination/-meeting management company is focused on global site selection and contract negotiations for groups and organizations seeking exciting destinations for meetings, conferences and conventions. A 20-year veteran of the Hospitality Industry, Carter has distinguished herself as the creator and producer of the nationally recognized Multicultural FAM tour. This tour is customized to give clients the unique view of a city by incorporating its rich ethnic & cultural features for future meeting opportunities. MCCSN is the only independent meeting management company in San Diego County that has fully realized the significance of responding to the needs of an often-underserved segment of the market - the ethnic conference and its attendees. Carter is a highly sought speaker and industry expert on issues surrounding multicultural tourism and diversity. Carter continues to lean forward with the recent launch of the MCCSN Travel Concierge mobile application available on the Itunes and Google Play native platforms. Additionally, Carter is set for the 2013 holiday season unveiling of San Diego's first online digital magazine for the luxury, executive and incentive travel segment – 'Destination Elite.' Her numerous national, state, and local recognition includes: 2013 Top three (3) finalists for California Travel and Tourism Commission's Industry Relations Liaison representing 1,800 assessed businesses in the Orange County and San Diego County region; Black Meetings and Tourism APEX Award for Distinguished Service in Tourism; and Small Business of the Year Award – Southern Region of California, among others Carter has also been recognized, for five consecutive years (2009-2013), by Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine as One of the Most Influential African Americans in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. San San Diego for 2010; 2009 Women Who Mean Business honoree; 2009 Special Star Award (dedication and service to African American Art in San Diego); 2007 the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals named Ms. Carter Meeting Planner of the Year. And for three consecutive years (2009-2011), Black Meetings and Tourism has recognized her as one of the most Influential African Americans in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. JULIE COKER is senior vice president, Convention Division, for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB). Coker oversees a staff of 25 convention sales and services professionals who are responsible for selling the expa n d i n g Pennsylvania Convention Center and Phila-delphia's hotel package to customers across the country. Coker joined the PCVB after serving as general manager at Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. In her role, Coker oversaw all operational aspects of the 350-room hotel, which is the only hotel in the city located on Philadelphia's revitalized waterfront area. Among her responsibilities were: directing all hotel and employee operations such as managing the assets and providing monthly profit and loss statements, maintaining legal compliance, assessing financial or product issues, and outlining sales and marketing strategies, while provid- Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2013: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 43