Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism June/July 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 13 educational entity, an art library, and a museum – similar to Harlem's Schomberg Research Center, and (XI) bring- ing in investments – from the city, corporations, and pri- vate sources. It is into this historic backdrop and cultural renewal that MMC intends to merge: both as a partner and as an innovator – as an extension of the established traditions as well as a beacon for the highest ideals in artistic achieve- ment. Of late, change has come to America. Evidently, this spirit of change is alive and well in Leimert Park. The management of MMC expressed "We look for- ward to seeing all music lovers at 'The Gallery' as often as they wish. In turn, our commitment is to bring the finest in music to mid Los Angeles. If you love great music and recognize the need for culture, we look forward to having you join us!" KIAWAH ISLAND'S BEACH NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S TOP TEN Latest in Long List of Accolades For Kiawah Island and Kiawah Island Golf Resort For the second year in a row, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach (www.drbeach.org), named Kiawah Island one of the top-10 beaches in America. Leatherman is the director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research and has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991. Fifty cri- teria are used to evaluate beaches, which include water and sand quality as well as safety, facilities and environ- mental management. This award is just the latest in a long list of accolades recently received by Kiawah Island and Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Just last week, for the third time in four years, the leading on-line tennis travel website, TennisResorts-Online.com, named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the No. 1 tennis resort in the world. This rank- ing is based on Kiawah's overall tennis program including instruction, teaching staff, facilities, as well as other resort facilities such as lodging, cuisine, service and value. Tennis magazine ranks it as the No. 4 tennis resort in the U.S. The prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently named Kiawah Island as the No. 2 island in North America and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as No. 3 resort in the U.S. Golf World magazine has named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the No. 1 resort in the U.S. GOLF magazine lists Kiawah Island Golf Resort as one of its 10 "Platinum Resorts" in the U.S. Both Golf Digest and GOLF magazines name The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the 4th best public course in America. The Ocean Course was site of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and will host the 2012 PGA Champio- nship. Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, SC, Kiawah Island Golf Resort includes The Sanctuary, 255-room hotel and spa, and close to 600 pri- vate villas and luxury homes, two tennis centers, five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course – host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA championships, nine restaurants, and features a world-renowned recreation and nature program. For more information on the resort, visit www.kiawah- resort.com or call (800) 654-2924. 41ST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL POW WOW A SUCCESS! The U.S. Travel Association reports the most business sessions in Pow Wow history among the 4,800 delegates attending the 41st International Pow Wow held in Miami recently with both buyers and sellers of Visit USA travel indicating a high level of satisfaction with the brisk sched- ule of pre-planned appointments held during the show. Feedback on Miami from buyers of travel was excellent, according to the U.S. Travel Association, and Greater Miami is expected to see $350-400 million in future busi- ness as a result of hosting this year's Pow Wow. The Greater Miami CVB extends a sincere thank you to their many partners, sponsors, and the entire Greater Miami community for putting the WOW in Pow Wow Miami. From the moment delegates arrived at Miami International Airport, where for the first time ever dedi- cated Pow Wow lines were provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, visitors were welcomed with Miami's commitment to customer service. As a result of the effort and energy put forth by Greater Miami's dedicated vol- unteers, hotel staff, taxi drivers, airport employees, tour guides, restaurants, attractions, shopping venues and many other "hospitality ambassadors," Pow Wow dele- gates experienced the Miami magic that makes it among the most popular destinations in the world. The business booked during the U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow Miami will benefit the Miami community for years to come.

• Cover