Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44484
POSITION STATEMENTS Definition: "Diversity is the collective strengthofunique experiences, skills, talents, perspectives and cultures that each employee brings to an organization to create a dynamic business envi- ronment. To value diversity is to advocate and foster inclu- sion and respect, and to embrace growth and opportunity in this area." GOAL: "DMAI's Diversity Initiative has been put into place to encourage diversity in the workplace.The educational and development core of this initiative will focus on identifying and trainingDMOprofessionals in the key core competen- cies of successful leadership at senior and executive levels. This initiative will also focus on the growth and recruitment of qualified professionals who may increasingly fulfill lead- ership positionsworking in the destinationmarketing indus- try.Aparticular focus will be placed on fosteringmore eth- nic diversity in DMOs, which has been identified as an opportunity for growth." CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS The Event Impact Calculator – Launched at the conven- tion, this online tool allowsDMOs tomeasure the economic value of sales, jobs wage and taxes generated by an event. Developed byTourismEconomics, Inc.ofWayne,PA, it uses DMAI'S DIVERSITY localized analysis to reflect data specific to each destination. Users can input information to analyze a variety of scenar- ios. For more information, go to http://www.destinationmar- keting.org Top Three Issues for DMOs — In a session titled "Leading Issue Facing DMOS Today," Mark Andreas of American Express Business Insights said a survey revealed the following concerns as top-of-mind: • Championing the relevancy of DMOs in the market- place • Securing stable financing sources • Budget constraints on providing free convention cen- ter space and other major discounts or perks New DMAI Destination Awards – The convention's Thursday Industry Spotlight featured the winners of the new "Best of the Road" contest sponsored by Rand McNally and USA Today. The competition focused on "small town gems" with populations under 150,000. The awards went to: • Best for Food,Lafayette,LA •Most Beautiful, Sandpoint, ID • Friendliest,WallaWalla,WA •Most Fun,Glenwood Springs,CO •Most Patriotic,Rapid City, SD In another new contest, created jointly by DMAI and Americans for the Arts, Ventura, CA and Miami were selected as winners of the Arts Destination Marketing Award. How those behind the meetings stay ahead Introducing HSMAI's MEET —the evolution of Affordable Meetings® SM As the meeting- and event-planning industry's premier show, MEET National brings a new name – and a new vision – to the business of connecting meeting and event professionals with the right exhibitors to make connections that make a difference. Moving your meetings and events forward. September 7-8, 2011 Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C. www.hsmaimeet.com For exhibit information, contact meetexhibits@jspargo.com. Follow us: Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 51