Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/944430
B M & T ••• January/February 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15 WANDA COLLIER WILSON, PRESIDENT/CEO, VISIT JACKSON To date our visitor tracking meth- ods have not indicated a decrease in international travel. Jackson has not been directly impacted by the restric- tions. We continue to receive interna- tional travelers and welcome them with our own brand of Southern Hospitality. We have made a conscious effort to work with the international con- tacts through our state division of tourism office to engage the interna- tional market. We recently hosted 22 European Journalists for the opening JIM WOOD, PRESIDENT/CEO, MEET AC Easily accessible from all major airports Detailed and creative itiner- aries Participate in trade shows Advertising CampaignsContests Assistance of an International office Cooperative marketing with part- ners and other DMO's Based on all the amenities that of 2 new state-of-the-art museums: the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History. The journalists were exposed to Jackson's inherent rich offering to the Civil Rights Movement, other museums, wonderful food, properties and the music that makes us the "City with Soul". A planner should chose Jackson because it's centrally located for its attendees, it's more affordable than our neighboring destinations, it's full of rich culture, a deep history, unmatched hospitality, music and food galore. A planner could plan a day-trip to explore other areas of interest, but we feel confident that there will be too much to explore right here in our city. A few ideas include exploring the 13 Mississippi Blues Trail Markers, or the Civil Rights Driving Tour, see signature backdrops to movies like, "The Help" or "Get on Up", and the 29 attrac- tions and museums are certainly enough to keep the interest of all of your attendees. Specific outreach efforts continue through direct contact with identified planners, such as the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, and attending select tradeshows to promote meetings and visiting Jackson. We also participate periodi- cally in special issues of pertinent print publications that offer the propensity for mass exposure. We have a strong rapport with the Pan- Hellenic Council locally, regionally and on a nationwide basis. We are also proactively seeking niche groups that have a strong interest in Civil Rights to connect them with the remarkable museums here in our city that tell our story. Birmingham's rich history in America's Civil Rights Movement is a draw not only for African- American visitors but for visitors of all ethnicities. Birmingham was Ground Zero for the movement in 1963, when events here led to the passage of the National Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Birmingham cam- paign now unfolds in the new U.S. Civil Rights Trail website www.civil- rightstrail.com. In one of his last acts as president, Barack Obama named Birmingham's Civil Rights District a national monument. KITTY RATCLIFFE, PRESIDENT/CEO, EXPLORE ST. LOUIS Louis is fortunate that our top international markets have not been impacted in recent years to any travel restrictions for international visitors. Our leading international markets, Canada, China, Mexico and the United Kingdom, have continued to produce strong numbers for us. St. Louis is excited to be hosting Travel South International Showcase in 2019. This will provide us the opportunity to showcase St. Louis to international journalists, tour opera- tors and US receptive tour operators. And in the spring of 2018, WOW Airlines will start new non-stop serv- ice to St. Luis from Reykjavík, Iceland, with connections to many European cities, so we're looking for- ward to expanding our travelers from those markets. St. Louis is sophisticated, yet an affordable destination for any trav- eler. Our region offers a variety of world-class attractions, exhibits and cuisine, all wrapped in a friendly, diverse atmosphere. St. Louis has a long list of must see attractions for international visitors, including the iconic Gateway Arch, National Blues Museum, world-famous bar- beque establishments, Opera Theatre St. Louis and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (both with international followings), as well as a being key stop on the historic Route 66 that plays an important role in American lore. St. Louis is a multi-cultural desti- nation, which celebrates the numer- ous races and nationalities that help create the diverse cultural landscape of our community. Explore St. Louis actively markets to African American visitors during the key travel seasons to make them aware of the attractions, venues and must see events. Additionally, we are proud to host many conventions of primarily African American delegates, like the National Urban League in 2017, Church of God in Christ in multiple years, National Baptist Convention, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the recently announced AEAONMS Annual Convention in 2022.