Black Meetings and Tourism

B M & T ••• July/August 2014••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 20 Greg Ortale President and CEO, Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau "For two decades, Black Meetings & Tourism has shined a light on the importance of African American conventions and meetings in our country. Through Gloria and Solomon Hebert's leadership, the pub- lication has thrived in promoting African American individuals in our industry and encouraging others to join. I congratulate my friends Solomon and Gloria and wish them continued success. Cleo Battle Executive Vice President Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau "Congratulations Solomon and Gloria on reaching an important milestone. THANK YOU for your support of my efforts and the hard work and ded- ication to the industry you have provided. Wishing you many more years of success." Clara Carter President and Founder Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network "Congratulations to two awe- some, inspiring trailblazers in the tourism industry. What a blessing you have been to me and many others. We appreciate your gentle boldness that have prolifer- ated this industry to more than $56 billion. We salute you on 20 years in the travel and tourism media business."

• 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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