Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/875687
10 B M & T ••• March/April 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Hello TPOC Members, March 1st marked the beginning of Women's History Month. I noticed an article in the Huffington Post, written by Akilah Monifa about Zora Neale Hurston, entitled "10 Things I Learned about Zora Neale Hurston." One of the things pointed out was she grew up in Eatonville, Florida an all Black town. Some of us on the board had an opportunity to visit Eatonville and the Zora Neale Hurston Museum. We are very pleased to announce the curator of the museum will be exhibiting some items at the conference. If you get a chance, take time out to read the entire article, you will be amazed at this extraordinary woman Still growing! We'd like to welcome our newest Associate Member, Desale Mitiku Asfaw, managing director of Grand Holidays Ethiopia Tours. Before you plan your trip to Ethiopia, visit their website and see all they can do for you and your groups. This organization has been deliver- ing a unique and enjoyable travel experience throughout Ethiopia for more than 14 years. We'd also like to welcome Stephanie Jones, president & CEO of Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism, located in Miami, Florida; Latonya Joseph, owner of Freedom Travel in Houston, Texas; Danielle Walker of Washington, DC; James Saunders with JS Marketing Group n Travel located in Brooklyn, NY and Starlynn Daley, manager of CB Jones Travel and Events, Wisconsin Office. We look forward to having all our new members join us at this year's conference. Membership Renewal – Thanks to all of you who sent your renewal registration in a timely fashion. For those of you that did not get your individual membership fee in by February 28th, you will be assessed a $20.00 late fee along with the $59.00. You can renew your membership online or mail your payment to: TPOC, 1555 S. Havana St., Ste F-116, Denver, CO 80012. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the home office at (303) 750-0283 or (866) 901-1259. "A Celebration of Success" While filming across the USA, Candrace Martin and Like Minds Productions will be with us and filming the entire 4 days of our upcoming conference. This is a first for us! Her crew also plans on producing a commercial for us to use in future advertisements. This looks like it's going to be one of the biggest conferences ever, so you'd better grab your hotel rooms as well as get your reservation into the home office. MEARS SHUTTLE SERVICE - For those of you flying into the Orlando airport, please note the resort is about 30 to 45 minutes from the airport. We have made arrangements with Mears Shuttle Service for a 10% discount to all conference participants. If this is a service you would like to take advantage of just go to www.mears.com to make your reservation. You still have time to register for the upcoming Travel Agent Forum, with the spe- cial rate offered to TPOC members by our friend Anita Pagliasso. The special code to receive the $99.00 rate is TPOC 4623. This forum will convene at the Paris hotel, March 26-29, 2017. As mentioned in previous notices, we will have a booth during the trade show Tuesday, March 28th and Wednesday the 29th. Look at their website to get the show time. Our booth number is 728. Michael Bennett, our Marketing Director's workshop will be held on Monday, March 27th starting at 8:30 a.m. The title of his workshop is (bi)Social vs Traditional: "Slaying the Media Dragon"(ebi), his room assign- ment TBA. If you are planning to attend, please make sure you support Mr. Bennett as well as stopping by to say hello at the booth. Keep check- ing our website www.tpocassociation.com and our Facebook page. Oregon Shakespeare Festival Experience (OSF) – Remember we mentioned in the September 22nd news brief that members of the board had an opportunity to visit Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). It was surprise after surprise at every turn, each more enjoyable than the last. For those unfamiliar with Ashland, it's located in Southern Oregon, about ten minutes by car from the California state line. Few places compare to the natural beauty of the Rogue Valley. The community is built around Shakespeare, but don't think every play is about the bard. We've put together a great tour of the Rogue Valley, which you will be amazed. You must invite everyone to experience Southern Oregon. The date for this fantastic adventure is September 21st – 26th. Go to our website to view the itinerary as well as the reserva- tion form. The total cost for this trip (land only) is $949.00, which includes $100.00 for your commission. Service fees added at your own discretion. You must also secure and include air for your clients. I guar- antee you and your clients will remember this trip for years to come. Go to "book Orlando shuttle now" and in the promo code box, type "web10". You can pay online or at the Mears counter at the airport. On a sadder note, Brenda Kerr-Dodd, our Indianapolis chapter president, lost her father-in-law a few weeks ago, and I was also notified her husband is having some health challenges. Many of us know how dif- ficult it is going through a family crisis, it is always nice to have someone show a nice jester. So, if you like to send an encouraging card you can for- ward it to 2021 E 52nd street, Ste 203, Indianapolis, IN 46205 or just drop her a line at her email address: upscaletravel2@yahoo.com . T P O C N E W S B R I E F S BY BETTY JONES