Black Meetings and Tourism

B M & T ••• July/August 2014••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 18 Beverly Nicholson Doty U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Commissioner U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism "On behalf of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, we congratu- late Solomon and Gloria Herbert on their 20th Anniversary and for receiv- ing recognition as one of the Most Influential African Americans in the Hospitality, Travel, and Meetings Industry." Ernest Wooden, Jr. President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board "Congratulations to Sol and Gloria Herbert on the 20th anniversary of Black Meetings & Tourism maga- zine! I commend your leadership and ongoing contributions to the growth and development of the African-American meetings and leisure travel market, which is now a $56 billion industry." John Rolfe Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau "Congratulations Solomon and Gloria on your 20th year of publishing Black Meetings & Tourism! Your contributions have made a significant positive impact in the African American conven- tion and meetings industry. Your work is truly appreciated and I wish you continued success and the very best as you begin your next 20 years." Elliott Ferguson President and CEO of Destination DC "Congratulations, Solomon and Gloria, on your many great successes including the 20th anniversary of Black Meetings & Tourism. Your commitment to our industry is evident through the efforts you put forth to produce top-notch meetings and destination- focused editorial content. Destina- tion DC wishes you all the best in the years to come.

• Cover
• 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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