BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM MAGAZINE
presented itsBM&T Annual APEX DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavor that have positively impacted the travel industry.
The awards were
presented at a gala dinner event during the International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show on July 27th at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami, FL.
To be considered for a BM&T Apex Award, a candidate’s record of service must: Provide long-term benefits for the travel industry and the African-American market segment; Represent a national level of prominence; and, Demonstrate a track record of a minimum of two years.
2019 Award Recipients Include:
·
Julie Calvert
, President/CEO of Cincinnati USA CVB
·
Joseph McCray
, Convention Sales Manager, Greater Miami CVB
·
Essence Banks
, Executive Director, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network
·
Laura Mandala
, President/CEO of Mandala Research
·
Katrina Ruff
, Owner/Operator of Forums Meetings & Events.
·
Linville Johnson
,
Deputy Director of African-American and Multicultural Markets for the Islands of The Bahamas.
·
Wendy Kallergis
, Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association
·
Ed Ponder
, CEO,
The Rednop Management Group
·
Ibis Romero
, Executive Director, Sunny Isles Beach Tourism & Marketing Council
·
Rocco M. Angela
, Associate Dean, School of Hospitality, Florida International University
·
Frances X. Suarez
,Mayor, City of Miami
·
Rebecca Ann Fields
,Educational Specialist, Department of Career & Technical Education, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
·
Denella Ri’chard,
Senior Director, Trade Communications & Engagement
for Holland America Line
Previous Apex Award recipients include Arnold Donald, President/CEO of Carnival Corp., Rita D. McClenny, President/CEO of Virginia Tourism Corp., Julie Coker, SVP for Philadelphia CVB, Elliott Ferguson, President/CEO of Destination DC, Gary C. Sain, President/CEO Orlando/Orange County CVB, William Norman, President/CEO of TIA, Dionisio James D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism and Aviation for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line, to name a few.
BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM
:
Publishing since 1994, BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM is the exclusive, African-American owned, awarding-winning, international, trade publication for and about the $72+ Billion plus African-American meetings, incentives, leisure and group travel markets