Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/34521
needed to fill some of the upperman- agement positions in a company…and serve on various boards throughout the industry as well.” But Gunn is aware that “there is MIKE GUNN still a big gap between people of color in this industry as it relates to upper management. There are still very few general managers with the major hotels, only a handful of CEO’s at the CVB and convention center level. The young men and women need to have role models in these positions to encourage them, men- tor them and feel they play a major role in shaping the indus- try in years to come.” Hall echoed Gunn’s words with her own story, “I am cer- tain that I wouldn’t be where I am professionally if there was an absence of diverse leaders in the Philadelphia hospitality and tourism industry. Each major opportunity in my career has developed with the assistance of a diverse leader investing personally and professionally in my development.” This from Peggy Riley in Louisville: “To me, the need is to provide realistic skill training to minorities who are interested in senior level positions or who want to be CEOs, so they can compete for those positions. I think a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) that has minorities with the poten- tial of moving to the next level in their careers should serve as a mentor and provide the skill training needed.” “I give credit to Melvin Tennant, CEO of the Minneapolis CVB, for encouraging Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) to look at diversity in the Industry and figure out a way that they could promote and encourage a more diverse workforce at DMO’s around the country,” add Riley.. “Out of Tennant’s encouragement, DMAI has just cre- ated the ‘Raising Star’ program that will identify African- American senior-level DMO staffers who are interested in taking their career to the next level.” From Rosa McArthur: “Social media has made the world smaller and brought us closer together. Because we are so connected in this way, understanding the world's ethnicity is crucial especially in view of current economic conditions. With that in mind a more diverse workforce allows us the opportunity to conduct business with even more sensitivity and productively. With so many experienced people in our industry out of work, developing a diverse workforce should be an easy fix.” And finally, a word of encouragement; President Obama has withstood continuous attacks on his character since his election and handled it with dignity and grace, even when some wish he would fight fire with fire. One of the President’s great strengths is his ability to resist such petty disputes, which at the end solves nothing and hurts everyone. Our pursuit of diversity must be equally measured in degree and tone, for we all know we are on the right side of this issue. 22 Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com