Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 3 CONTENTS B L A C K M E E T I N G S & T O U R I S M C O V E R S T O R Y C O V E R S T O R Y 35 35 Everyone can find a different reason to get excited about a trip to one of the great destinations in the Northeast. For some, it might be the chance to soak in some of the atmosphere in America's most storied Black cultural center. Others might appreciate the religious heritage of the nation's oldest African-American church or its oldest operating synagogue. Meeting, Incentives & Traveling in the Northeast tells the whole story. By Sonya Stinson Is Sour Economy and Digital Revolution Destroying Our Business? explores how tight money, as well as vir- tual meetings and other offsite technology driven events are impacting the meetings industry. By Michael Bennett VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009 30 30 66 66 45 45 F E A T U R E S F E A T U R E S The Most Influential African-Americans in the Meetings/Tourism Industry is our annual review of the progress and success of Black professionals who contin- ue to make significant contributions to our industry. By Gloria M. Herbert Meeting planners are faced with many choices as to where to host their event, from super luxurious hotels to exotic special event venues. But for doing serious busi- ness nothing beats the trusty convention center and his little brother the conference center. Convention /Conference Center Reivew is a look at some of the best convention centers and conference centers around for your consideration. By Solomon J. Herbert II 5 Calendar of Events 8 Newsmakers 10 Association News 12 In The News 14 Arts & Entertainment- 17 Fam Report #1 – USVI 18 Speaking of People 19 Museum Notes 20 Hotel Happenings 22 TPOC News Briefs 24 Great Groups 26 Gateway to Hospitality 28 Site Review – Jamaica 29 Fam Report #2 - Detroit 32 Open Forum 34 Caribbean Corner 58 Hospitality Heartline 59 Pacesetters – La'Wonda Peoples 60 Religious Review 64 Travel Data 71 Vendor Spotlight – Lucy 72 Foodservice Beat A R E A G U I D E S A R E A G U I D E S 90 Tennessee 94 Ontario 98 Ft. Worth 99 Oakland 100 Caribbean Regional D E P A R T M E N T S D E P A R T M E N T S Philadelphia City Skyline Photo Credit: Andrea Golod Weaver/PCVB