Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
Hyatt Fairlakes, Fairfax, Va., prior to his current position. Steele is also a past chairman of AH&LA, having held the position of 2007 chairman of the board. CALVIN TAYLOR is vice president of Bureau Development for the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. Taylor works closely with state government, city officials and the local hospitality industry in enhancing the development and growth of Memphis tourism. Additionally, he oversees the day- to-day needs of the MCVB's 500+ subscribers. As co-founder of the Beale Street Development Corp., the organization that re-introduced the historic district as a tourist des- tination, Taylor has also worked as the PR director for Southland Racing Corp., the Southeast's largest pari-mutuel waging center. Taylor is also a member of the national Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and serves on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Tourism Roundtable. Taylor is currently the president of the Tennessee Association of con- vention and Visitors Bureaus. MELVIN TENNANT is president and chief executive offi- cer of Meet Minneapolis, the official convention and visitors association. He became the organization's sec- ond CEO in 2006. Since joining Meet Minneapolis, Tennant has overseen convention sales and marketing programs that bring an economic impact of approximately $11 billion to the area. With an annual budget of $ 9million and a staff of 50, he played an integral role in laying the groundwork and implementing logistics for Minneapolis Saint Paul's successful hosting of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Additionally, Tennant oversees the management and operations of iDSS, a private company that delivers a complete web-based series of software applications for destination marketing organizations, associa- tions, hotels and corporations. Bringing more than 25 years experience in destination sales and marketing to Meet Minneapolis, Tennant has served on the boards of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Minneapolis Downtown Council, the Airport Foundation MSP and March of Dimes – Minnesota Chapter. In addition, Tennant has served on the boards of the Travel Industry Association, the ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and the MPI Foundation, and is a past chairman of DMAI. During his career Tennant has received many accolades, most notably the RMCA's President Award, MPI's Chapter Legacy Award – Carolina Chapter, and Black Meetings & Tourism magazine's APEX Award. Tennant received his B.A. from Rice University and holds an Association Executive Certificate from ASAE. ALBERT TUCKER serves as vice president of Multicultural Business Develop- ment for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. In his role, Tucker is responsible for developing partner- ships and alliances with communi- ty, civic and business leaders both locally and nationally to attract a larger number of multicultural meetings and conventions, as well as family reunions to Greater Fort Lauderdale. For the past eight years, Tucker has helped increase multicultural participation in the tourism and convention sales market by more than 60%. During summer 2007 more than 100 family reunions chose Greater Fort Lauderdale as their gathering place, along with other multicultural business produced an economic impact of more than $55 million to the community. Tucker has been the visionary in the development of The Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation, which will be located in Lauderhill, FL. This $50 million project will pro- vide the gospel music industry with a home to preserve the rich history of this genre and will serve as a center for eco- nomic and educational empowerment for all. The Gospel Complex is scheduled for completion in early 2011. Tucker currently serves on the Executive Board of the Urban League of Broward County and is a member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale. He is also a member of the State's Multicultural Committee for VISIT FLORIDA CAROL WALLACE, president & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, is responsible for the overall manage- ment, marketing and operation of the San Diego Convention Center. She joined the corporation in 1991 and oversees a full-time and part- time staff of 560 and an annual budget that exceeds $34 million. Her latest achievement includes being selected as the North American rep- resentative on the AIPC Internatio- nal Associat-ion of Congress Centres board of directors. Wallace has more than 26 years experience in the conven- tion and facility management industry. DIANNE WILLIAMS currently directs the African- American marketing initiatives for Royal Caribbean Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 56