Black Meetings and Tourism

B M & T ••• July/August 2014••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 LET BE YOUR SUCCESS STORY. Discover a city teeming with world-class hotels and culinary experiences. A city bustling with a new generation of artists and innovators. This is Los Angeles. Energetic. Diverse. Forever unique. The perfect setting for your next success story. And all the stories to come. Let your planning begin at discoverLosAngeles.com/meetings. Charles Jeffers Senior Vice President, Operations and Executive Director East Point, Sales and Marketing Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau "It's an honor to have been select- ed for the Most Influential African Americans in Hospitality/Travel/- Meetings Industry by such an esteemed publication in the meetings and tourism industry. Solomon and Gloria Herbert are lead- ing the charge on recognizing African-Americans in the hospitality industry. Thank you both for all that you do." Michael Gunn, CMP Vice President of Sales Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau "Birmingham sends hearty con- gratulations to Solomon and Gloria Herbert on 20 years of suc- cessful publishing. As an early supporter of Black Meetings & Tourism, the Birmingham CVB has long recognized its strength and value. Here's to 20 more years of in- depth features, emerging stories and fine journalism. Cheers!" Albert Tucker Vice President of Multicultural Business Development Greater Fort Lauderdale Conven- tion & Visitors Bureau "Greater Fort Lauderdale congratulates Black Meetings & Tourism on its 20-year milestone and its role in grow- ing a vibrant and healthy eco- nomic engine for our region. Special salute to Solomon and Gloria Herbert, who stand at the helm and chart the course for success." Melvin Tennant President and CEO Meet Minneapolis "I am pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate Solomon and Gloria Herbert on their signifi- cant industry milestone. I am proud to call them my friends and look for- ward to enjoying 20 more years of outstanding story- telling from Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine."

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• When Black Meetings & Tourism was founded in1993, African-Americans were few and far betweenin the Meetings/Tourism/Hospitality industr y, especiallyat the upper echelons. Black Meetings &Tourism Celebrates 20 Years of Publishingbriefly recaps what we've
• BM&T Tribute Sectionoffers some testimonialsfrom a few of our partners and associates in the industrywith whom we have worked during the last twodecades.
• It's no secret we don't have many elected officials whoadvocate for a level playing field when it comes toAfrican-Americans in the hospitality industry. WhatCan Elected Officials Do to Level The PlayingField? is a short primer on the positive impact elect
• Ernest (Ernie) Wooden, Jr., a long-time senior hospitalityindustry executive and Los Angeles-area residentsince 1999, talks about his work and goals as presidentand CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & ConventionBoard (LA Tourism) in BM&T's Q&A, Part II.By So
• What Happened To All Of The Industry'sDiversity Programs And Why Are They Out OfVogue? explores the waning interest within our industryto champion the cause of inclusion.By Michael Bennett
• Sports Tourism is an estimated $600 billion ayear industry and growing so fast, its proving difficultto quantify with any degree of certainty.Cashing in on Sports Tourism gives it a shot.By Michael Bennett
• Many of your colleagues and friends haveappeared on the pages of Black Meetings &Tourism over the years. Some of them are stillactive in the industry, some have moved on toother pursuits, and sadly, some are no longerwith us. How Many of Them Can YouRecog
• Workplace diversity in hospitality and tourismis a key factor in representing the community as awhole and facilitating cultural exchange on a globallevel. In So Why Should We Care AboutDiversity? industry icon Melvin Tennant offershis views on the subject
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