Black Meetings & Tourism - Industry Briefs

Industry Briefs
	READY TO PLAY? READY TO CONNECT? TAMPA BAY IS READY FOR YOU Thrill seekers, explorers, foodies, convention goers and laid-back vacationers rejoice! Tampa Bay is ready to play and ready to connect. Visit Tampa Bay is investing $6 million in sales and marketing ... read more
	EXPLORE THE CULTURAL DISTRICTS OF MINNEAPOLIS As you consider Minneapolis for your upcoming meetings and events, we invite you to learn more about our Minneapolis Cultural Districts, seven vibrant communities where event attendees can experience ... read more
	SOL AND GLO ACCEPTED AWARDS IN LAS VEGAS AT IMEX Any of you who are familiar Gloria and Sol know that they have not been publishing Black Meetings & Tourism since 1994 for the accolades. Their main mission and passion is to recognize the contrib ... read more
	THE ANGUILLA TOURIST BOARD ANNOUNCES TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) is pleased to announce two new appointments to the organization’s Board of Directors. Mrs. Melisha Maccow-Niles was appointed as the new Chairperson of the Board, and ... read more
	HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S 2026 GRAND WORLD VOYAGE REFRESHED TO INCLUDE FURTHER EXPLORATION OF ASIA, CENTRAL AMERICA Holland America Line , long known as a leader in destination-rich longer cruises, announced recently updates to its 2026 Grand World Voyage sailing aboard Volendam. The refreshed voyage will now provi ... read more
	NEWLY ANNOUNCED ROYALTON CHIC BARBADOS TO JOIN MARRIOTT’S AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION PORTFOLIO During the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) in London, Blue Diamond Resorts is thrilled to announce that the eagerly awaited Royalton CHIC Barbados will join Marriott International’s distinguished Autog ... read more
	ST. PETE-CLEARWATER IS STILL SHINING Visit St. Pete-Clearwater , the official tourism marketing and management organization for Pinellas County, is telling the world that the destination is “Still Shining,” and ready to welcome visitors. ... read more
	CHATTANOOGA, THE BIRTHPLACE OF OUR NATION’S HIGHEST MILITARY HONOR, IS HOME TO THE CHARLES H. COOLIDGE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR HERITAGE CENTER Chattanooga, Tennessee, where our nation’s highest military award was first presented in 1863, is also home to the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center located in the heart of d ... read more
	VELTON W. SHOWELL III TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS 2024 HOWARD F. MILLS PIONEER AWARD AT THE NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PROFESSIONALS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Leadership Dynamics International LLC is honored to announce that its Founder and Chief Strategist, Velton W. Showell III, will receive the esteemed Howard F. Mills Pioneer Award from the National Coa ... read more
	NYC TOURISM + CONVENTIONS NAMES JULIE COKER PRESIDENT AND CEO The New York City Tourism + Conventions Board of Directors today announced its selection of Julie Coker as President and CEO. She will begin the role on December 9, 2024. Ms. Coker currently serves as ... read more
	EXPERIENCE GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE BUSINESS THRIVES IN THE BOARDROOM AND IS CELEBRATED AT A BAR, ON THE COURT, OR THE SCENIC BACK NINE Unleash your potential in Greensboro’s convention center and upscale hotels. With more than 600,000 square feet of meeting space citywide, Greensboro is the perfect place to host your next event. The ... read more
	MEETINGS & EVENTS TRADE PRESS HONORED AT INAUGURAL EVENT HOSTED BY CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT AND MEETINGS PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL (MPI) AND UNLV HOSPITALITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED On October 9, Caesars Entertainment and Meeting Professionals International produced the inaugural event , “Media & Momentum: A Morning of Recognition and Impact” to celebrate and recognize the co ... read more
	CRESCENT HOTELS & RESORTS ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT OF THE HOTEL CLEVELAND, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION Crescent Hotels & Resorts has announced the management of Hotel Cleveland, Autograph Collection, a historic property situated in downtown Cleveland. The former Renaissance Cleveland Hotel underwen ... read more
	VISIT ANNAPOLIS & ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY WELCOMES RASHEEDA MARTIN AS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is excited to announce the appointment of Rasheeda Martin as its new Senior Director of External Relations. Martin, previously the Director of Sales a ... read more
	SANOVNIK DESTANG ELECTED NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CARIBBEAN HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION (CHTA) Sanovnik Destang, a respected hotelier from St. Lucia and Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts, has been elected as the new President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). His ap ... read more
	EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES MCCORMICK PLACE AND MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY EVENT STANDARDS CERTIFICATION The Events Industry Council announced recently that two Oak View Group-managed (OVG) venues—Chicago’s McCormick Place and the Miami Beach Convention Center—have achieved Silver Level Certification to ... read more
	CMEX LEADERSHIP AWARDS TO HONOR CARIBBEAN OLYMPIC CHAMPION, TOURISM AND MEDIA LEADERS The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) has announced the first round of honorees for the 2024 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser. Among the distinguished recipients are Thea LaFond, Olympic gold medal ... read more
	HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S 2026 CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND SEASON FEATURES MORE CRUISES, INCREASED PORT VISITS AND ADDED OVERNIGHTS Holland America Line is expanding its Canada and New England season in 2026 with more cruises, increased ports of call and added overnights. A new 28-day Legendary Voyage — “Canada, New England and Ic ... read more
	ESTHER OH KOSTECKY APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER OF FOUR SEASONS HOTEL NEW ORLEANS Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans announces the appointment of Esther Oh Kostecky as its new General Manager. With a rich heritage of leadership in the hospitality industry, Esther brings more than twent ... read more
	BM&T’S ANNUAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEET UP AT IMEX AMERICA TO BE HELD AT BLACK FAMILY-OWNED CLASSIC JEWEL RESTAURANT In keeping with our mission to support African-American vendors and suppliers in the hospitality/travel/tourism industry, Black Meetings & Tourism is holding its annual African-American Meet Up in ... read more