Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/79688
African-American community, but the United States as whole. This is just the beginning of the Stay-A-Day program. Once some of this infrastructure is in place, steps will be taken to market the Stay-A-Day program. It does no good to create this infrastructure if the consumer lacks awareness of its exis- tence. We will work closely with media, corporate and industry partners to promote Stay-A-Day. Melvin Tennant, president & CEO of Meet Minneapolis believes Stay-A- Day is a "great idea," that can augment other international outreach programs such as Brand USA and what Minneapolis does in conjunction with efforts by the state of Minnesota to reach the international tourist. Unlike many of the ELLIOTT FERGUSON coastal cities such as New York, Miami or Los Angeles that already have a large influx of international visitors, Midwest and other middle- America destinations continu- ally look for innovative ways to reach international mar- kets. Tennant and his team are working on a mobile web- site application as just one more tool in the arsenal, so the Stay-A-Day initiative will further supplement steps his team is already taking. While Tennant manages the CVB of a large Midwestern city with name recognition, tourists both domestic and international, often bypass smaller markets such as Macon, GA about a hour-an-half south of Atlanta on the road to Savannah. According to Valerie Bradley, Communications manager for the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau, much of the international outreach is done through the state of Georgia and she sees Stay-A-Day as a wonderful tool to support and attract new visitors. She believes social media and promotions are the key. Recently, the state put together a media kit for German trav- el writers, which prominently features the Macon-Bibb County region. Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival is the signature event held each March. There are more Cherry Blossom Trees in Macon, than Washington D.C., but getting the word out through Stay-A-Day can bring direct brand awareness to the Macon event. From a tour operator perspective, Larcelia Kebe of Harlem Your Way! Tours Unlimited in New York loves the concept of Stay-A-Day. Kebe says, "the international mar- 30 kets are keeping her business afloat," and welcomes the inter- national outreach. She has contracts in place with several for- eign travel providers who use her services for their clients. Some of the smaller destinations we spoke with also rec- ommended incorporating FAM trips into the Stay-A-Day platform for international travel and tourism professionals selling the U.S. market. Politically speaking, it would seem obvious our government leaders would embrace Stay-A-Day. But many don't know the impact the industry has on their local communities, so we must educate them. Every 35 visitors equal one fulltime job that can't be outsourced. Elliott Ferguson, president&CEOofDestinationDC says Stay-A-Day is a great idea for a host of unique challenges he faces in the nation's capitol. Much of the international traffic that arrives throughDulles,does not stay in the greater Washington D.C. area,but rather p a s s e s t h r o u g h Du l l e s on the way to someplace else. Many international sellers MELVIN TENNANT of U.S. travel have a lack of knowledge about Washington DC, believing it to be nothing more than a political center. Stay-A-Day can go a long way towards adding clarity to the international travel agents and consumers to correct this mis- perception. In addition, it's a jobs issue for his community, especially in the Black commu- nitywho could benefit fromthe increase in inter- national visitor traffic. Part of the BrandUSAbusinessmodel asmentioned earli- er has amatching fund provision. Thematching funds provid- ed by government can only be released if the travel and tourism industry provides a combination of cash and in-kind services. Much of the Stay-A-Day platform can help trigger some of thematching funds. We will be developing this platform with industry assistance. If you have any ideas to better support this initia- tive please contact Gloria Herbert at Black Meetings and Tourism – glo@bmtmag.com, Mathew Thomas – matt@bmtmag.com or myself,Michael Bennett – Michael@bgeinc.com. You can also call Black Meetings and Tourismat (818) 709-0646. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com MICHAEL BENNETT