Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 59 LA'WONDA PEOPLES, AMERICAN AIRLINES BY VICTORIA HEAD L á Wonda Peoples is manager of African-American seg- ment marketing for American Airlines, Fort Worth, TX. Peoples began her career with American Airlines back in1986 as a reservations agent. She has since come to lead the African- American segment marketing initiative which was started two years ago under the auspices of board of directors member, Earl Graves, founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine. The initiative was developed to help increase American Airlines' African-American member- ship and loyalty to their frequent flyer program from both business and leisure travelers. Over her many years with American Airlines, Peoples has found that the company is very committed to the African-American community. American Airlines makes it a point to reach out to small business owners, educating them to the various resources that American-Airlines has to offer and helping them understand ways they can take advantage of ben- efits that larger companies have been utilizing all along. Peoples works with a group of managers and employees from various departments throughout the company to increase African- American participation in their small to medium business enterprise. This program offers businesses the opportunity to obtain points when tickets are purchased; these points can then be redeemed for various products benefiting the busi- ness owner, such as discounts, upgrades, Admiral's Club mem- berships or club day passes. "I am always looking for ways to enhance our relation- ship with various organizations in the community," says Peoples. "It is my responsibility to make sure that we always have good representation, that we keep them aware of the various programs American Airlines offers to small and medium business owners and to get our employees placed on their boards." Over the years, American Airlines has developed great relationships with UNCF, whom they've been working with for the past 30 years, the NAACP and The National Urban League. Connecting with people and developing the best way to make the relationship between her company and the cus- tomer a win-win situation for both sides involved is the most rewarding part of the job for Peoples. She also enjoys attend- ing various events that American Airlines sponsors, such as the one they sponsored for the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Peoples and her staff were able to work with the director of the chamber in preparation for the event and sub- sequently had the opportunity to make a presentation to the group's leaders. Peoples is also proud of the rela- tionships that they have formed with radio personalities Steve Harvey and Michael Baisden. When Steve Harvey took his Father's Day mentoring event on the road to Dallas, Fort Worth area, American Airlines was able to partner with him and became the events official airlines for the weekend. American Airlines brought in approximately 50 students and chaperones to attend the festivities. The company also was a sponsor for Steve Harvey's Hoodie Awards last year in Las Vegas. The Hoodie Awards honors local business estab- lishments, religious and community leaders, as well as churches and high schools for their contributions and excellence within various neighbor- hoods. The airlines also sponsored Michael Baisden's entrepreneur's radio segment. During this special segment, Baisden highlighted small business owners and their businesses; the show was entitled, American Airlines, living your dream. The contestants were made up of American Airlines' frequent flyers. Since the show aired in its prime time radio spot, business owners have been in communication with American Airlines, advising that their businesses and websites noted great levels of increase from the public as a result of the segment. Peoples is committed to staying focused on ensuring that the African-American community is aware that American Airlines is committed for the long term. If you are in the Fort Worth, TX area and would like to find out more information about American Airlines small and medium business pro- grams, feel free to contact Peoples at (817) 931-2564 or you can reach her by email at American.giving@aa.com. Lá Wonda PeoPLes