Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
O n April 21-23 the African American Travel Conference takes place at the Midwest Airlines Convention Center in Milwaukee, WI. Another great conference to help suppliers tap into the bur- geoning $40+ billion African-American travel market, right? Well, not exactly. The first problem I have with this annual con- fab is its deceptive name. The conference is not produced by, presented by or owned by African- Americans. I actually attended the very first African American Travel Conference some years back, and was not only taken aback by this revelation, but also because in their infinite wisdom the conference plan- ners didn't even bother to prominently position a few people of color as buffers between the mostly Black attendees (except for some suppliers) and the all White organizers. A fact that was roundly criticized by some of the more vocal group travel leaders in attendance. The second problem I had with that conference was that the program offered little or no benefit to the group travel leaders, and in my opinion was organized strictly for the advantage of the suppliers and sponsors. During the confer- ence there was not a single educational workshop or session of any kind to assist group travel leaders become more com- petent and efficient at planning their travel events, negotiat- ing rates and carrying out their various other responsibilities. And keep in mind that many if not most of these group trav- el leaders were seniors, retired folk and volunteers from com- munity organizations, church groups and the like. So they had a minimum of training or experience if any in planning group travel. Instead of training, they were taken on a city tour, attend- ed a few meal functions where suppliers were able to make their pitches, and then were required to man tradeshow table- top booths while suppliers rotated from table to table every eight minutes or so to sell their destinations, properties or other products. Now let me say up front that I have not been back to any of these so-called African American Travel Conferences since that first experience. So I can't really say first hand how, if at all, they have changed or improved. I have, on the other hand, spoken to a few colleagues who have attended other AATCs, and if I am to believe them, things are more or less the same. Who knows, maybe this year's will be different. Which brings me to my next point. The reg- istration fee for the 2009 AATC is $950 for members and $1,150 for non-members. If one of the three authentic and bonafide African- American industry organizations – National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Travel Professionals of Color and National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers – attempted to charge such exorbi- tant rates, attendance would most certainly take a nosedive. And these three organizations not only offer outstanding networking and deal making opportunities for suppliers, but also pro- vide exceptional educational workshops for attendees on both sides of table. Finally, before I can lay this subject to rest, I must also address the lack of corporate support these three organiza- tions have been afforded by the industry they so ably serve. For those suppliers who have made their interest in the African-American market obvious by their funding support, this is not directed at you. But far too many destinations, air- lines, hotels, attractions, convention centers and others have stood on the sidelines, unwilling to seriously invest in these organizations and the market they serve. I am reminded of the travel & tourism conference once held annually by the Greater New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network some years ago. As well organized and valuable as this conference was, organizers were unable to garner enough ongoing sponsorship support and it faltered after a seven- or eight-year run. The board of directors reluc- tantly turned over the conference to MPI in an effort to keep it alive, with the promise that it would be incorporated as a tract of the MPI conference each year. This happen for a cou- ple of years, but to my knowledge the tract is no longer oper- ational. The purpose of this publisher's message is not to dissuade you from attending the AATC. If you or your company can benefit from attending, that's your decision to make. I just know I won't go back. The point I am making here is that African-American industry organizations, like those men- tioned above, do outstanding work and deserve your support. Sooner or later we must all come to the realization that ice is ice, and our ice is just as cold, as the saying goes, as theirs. Publisher's Message Solomon J. Herbert Publisher/Editor-In-Chief E-Mail: BMandTMag@aol.com Black Meetings & Tourism is published bi-monthly by SunGlo Enterprises, 20840 Chase St., Winnetka, CA 91306-1207 •Telephone: (818) 709-0646/Fax: (818) 709-4753 Copyright 2009 by SunGlo Enterprises. All rights reserved. Single Copies, $6.00 Subscriptions $45.00. Postage Paid at Pasadena, CA. •Postmaster send address changes to Black Meetings & Tourism, 20840 Chase St., Winnetka, CA 91306-1207. Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 4