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IN THE NEWS TOURISM STRATEGY, U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY BRYSON SWEARS IN CAROLWALLACE AS NEWLY APPOINTED TTAB MEMBER San Diego Leader to Focus on Use of Tourism as ANNOUNCEMENT OF NATIONAL TRAVEL AND FOLLOWING PRESIDENT OBAMA'S and Job Creation and Training to Promote National Tourism U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson conducted a swear- an Economic Development Tool, Advocacy and Outreach, ing-in ceremony in January and met with the 32 newly appoint- ed members of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) including Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. Bryson's discussion with the Board followed the President's announcement of a National Travel & Tourism Strategy and corresponding Executive Order from the President. The Board, first created in 2003 by then Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, pro- vides stakeholder feedback on the challenges being faced by the U.S. travel and tourism industry, as well as ideas for what the federal government can do to help strengthen this important sector. "This Board represents the eyes and ears of our nation's travel and tourism industry and I am committed to working with each of the esteemed members to bring more visitors to the United States," Bryson said. "I look forward to putting ideas into action, and to helping bol- ster job creation in this critical economic sector, which already supports more than 7.5 mil- lion jobs throughout the country." "Ms. Wallace is an expert in both domestic and international travel and tourism related to the convention industry, CAROLWALLACE and San Diego is fortunate to have her at the helm of our extremely successful convention facility. She's been instru- mental in attracting many of the industry's most lucrative conventions that have placed San Diego in the internation- al spotlight including Comic-Con International," said Mayor Jerry Sanders. "She will be an enormous asset to the board." "Under Ms. Wallace's leadership, the San Diego Convention Center has become one of the region's strongest eco- nomic engines, supporting thousands of jobs countywide," said Nikki Clay, chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation Board of Directors. "She is passionate about advancing the interests of the convention industry in the U.S., and internationally, she has been highly successful at forging global relationships and seeking new opportunities to bring international business to San Diego." "I'm honored to lend my expertise to help strengthen the international travel and tourism market, a sector so vital to the national economy," said Wallace. "In San Diego, tourism is also the lifeblood of our local economy and our region's third leading industry. I'm excited about working with my fellow board members to expand and create new opportunities to grow the industry and to help position the U.S. as a preeminent destination for international visitors." Guide Highlights Community Attributes to Travelers and Event Planners Dotted with flags framing Iron Mike, an icon of the Fort Bragg para- DYNAMIC DESTINATION GUIDE RELEASED trooper, the cover of the 2012 Fayetteville Area Destination Guide reflects the personality of the greater Fayetteville commu- nity – which Today show travel editor Peter Greenberg recognized as "one of the most patriotic communities in America." "What a perfect reflection of the spirit and char- JOHNMEROSKI acter of our community," says John Meroski, Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB) president and CEO. "As America's first military sanctuary community, patriotism is part of the fabric of who we are." Inside, potential visitors and event planners will find information to plan their visit, meeting, tournament or special event. Content includes: attractions & activities; annual calendar of events; hotels details; meeting space; tour itineraries; 8 Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com HERMAN "SKIP" M