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39 B M & T ••• March/April 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Executives (ASAE), Center for Association Leadership, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the MPI Foundation, and is a past chairman of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). He currently serves locally on the boards of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis Downtown Council and YouthLink, an organization that strives to build healthy relation- ships with youth a nd the community to address youths' urgent needs so that doors of opportunity are opened to futures of empowerment, connectedness and self-reliance. 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 mag- azine's APEX Award. Tennant received his bachelor's degree from Rice University, m aster's degree in Christian Leadership Studies from Liberty University and holds an Association Executive Certification from ASAE. RICKEY L. THIGPEN joined the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau (JCVB) in 1987 as the manager of Information Systems. For the past 29 years Thigpen has served in multiple man- agement positions within the administrative and marketing disci- plines. Currently Thigpen serves as executi ve vice president of Jackson's official destination marketing organ- ization. He is responsible for govern- mental & community engagement, stakeholder relationships, signature event management and new & untraditional market initiatives. Thigpen also serves as the exec- utive director of Destination Jackson, Inc., the community's 501c3 tourism non-profit organization. Thigpen is a member of numerous pro fessional and civic organizations, including Destination Marketing Association International, 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc., Mississippi Valley State University National Alumni Association, Leadership Jackson Alumni Association (Board of Directors), Alpha Foundation, Inc. (vice-chairman), Mississippi March of Dimes, (Board of Directors) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., (where he serves as the Missi ssippi District director and member of the Southern Region Board of Directors). Thigpen represents the Jackson CVB on numerous committees and commissions includ- ing the Mississippi Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Mississippi Tourism Association. He serves as a principal member of the JCVB Speakers Bureau and is involved in professional coaching, peer and local school districts mentoring and th e Red Cross-Mississippi Chapter. Thigpen is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He holds a bac- calaureate degree in Computer Science, a master's degree in Leadership and is currently completing requirements to obtain a doctoral degree in Psychology/Organizational Behavior & MELVIN TENNANT, CAE, is presi- dent and chief executive officer of Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association. He became the organiza- tion's second CEO in 2008. He previ- ously served in similar capacities in Charlotte, N.C., San Antonio, Texas and Oakland, Calif. Since joining Meet Minneapolis, Tennant has overseen convention sales and marketing programs that bring a direct economic impact of $900 million to the area. With an annual budget of $12 million and a staff of 60, Tennant and his team worked closely with the Minnesota Vikings and other organizations as a member of the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Bid Committee to secure the National Football League's Super Bowl for Minnesota in February 2018. Just a few months later, he and his team worked with the University of Minnesota and other local leaders to secure the 2019 National Collegiate Athletics Association Men's Final Four. Both events will be held in the new Minnesota St adium currently under construction. Under his leadership, Meet Minneapolis launched an affiliate organization, Sports Minneapolis, in May 2014 to market and sell Minneapolis as a site for amateur and professional sporting events, sports-related conventions and related activities. Previously, Tennant's Meet Minneapolis team also worked alongside the Minnesota Twins to secure the 2014 Major League Baseba ll All-Star Game and 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, from 2007-2014, Tennant served as CEO for Internet Destination Sales System (iDSS), a private company that delivers a complete web-based series of software applications for destination marketing organizat ions, associations, hotels and cor- porations, where he oversaw the company's management and operations. iDSS was acquired by Tempest in Fall 2014. Tennant continues to serve on its board of directors. Tennant has proved himself a leader in the travel industry. Currently, he is chairman of the board for Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), and is the first supplier to serve in this positio n in the organization's history. In addition, Tennant has previously served on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association, American Society of Association opportunity and as a fan. She holds a B.A. in Public Relations and a M. A. in Organizational Communications. A native of Chicago and an avid sports fan, she and her husband have two daughters, one son and three grandsons. She is a firm believer in me ntoring and volunteering. Haithcox-Taylor says that until her beloved Chicago Bears recruit her as a take-no-stuff linebacker; or when her Bulls are ready for an in-your-face point guard; she will continue to support African-Americans and women in business.