©Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – The Offi cial Destination Sales & Marketing Organization for Greater Miami and the Beaches.

HISTORIC OVERTOWN – IT’S SO MIAMI®

There’s more to Miami than soaking up the sun. In Historic Overtown, you can soak up smothered pork with a fresh-baked biscuit. You can soak up the world’s only street art by the late Purvis Young. And if you love music, head to any church on Sunday to soak up gospel or to the historic Lyric Theater for live variety shows. Get a rich taste of Historic Overtown and learn about our other great neighborhoods at ItSoMiami.com

THE GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU CONGRATULATES THE FOLLOWING RECIPIENTS OF THE APEX AWARD.

WE SALUTE YOUR EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO MULTICULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM.

> H.T. SmithAttorney

> Marilyn Holifi eldPartner, Holland & Knight LLP

> Stephen SonnabendRetired, Sonesta Hotel

> Merrett StierheimFormer President, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

> Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Ph.D.Historian & Founder, The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc.

> Arnold W. DonaldPresident/CEO, Carnival Corp.

© Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau — The Offi cial Destination Sales & Marketing Organization for Greater Miami and the Beaches.

CS 01495

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Alejandra Y. CastilloNational Director

U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

In 2014, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker appointed Ms. Alejandra Y. Castillo to serve as the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Ms. Castillo is the first Hispanic-American and the second women to lead the Agency since its creation. In this capacity,

Ms. Castillo directs the Agency’s strategic efforts to enhance the growth and global

competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs). Under Ms. Castillo’s leadership, the Agency has expanded its effort to help MBEs grow and succeed through access to capital, access to contract, and access to business opportunities both domestically and abroad.

Prior to assuming this role, she served as National Deputy Director managing the Agency’s day-to-day operations and its national network of 44 business centers. Under the Obama Administration, MBDA has assisted minority-owned firms in obtaining nearly $15

billion in contracts and capital and creating and saving over 33,000 new jobs. She has forged important strategic stakeholder relations and key public-private partnerships. Ms. Castillo first joined the Department of Commerce in 2008 as a Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for the U. S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). In this capacity, she was responsible for business outreach and intergovernmental affairs, as well as assisting in the development of policy initiatives geared at trade promotion and enforcement of U.S. trade laws.

A practicing attorney for several years, Ms. Castillo has worked in the private, government and nonprofit sector. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Ms. Castillo served as the Executive Director of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) headquartered in Washington D. C. During her tenure at HNBA, she was instrumental in working with the White House, and non-profit organizations, such as the Latinos for a Fair Judiciary, in support of the nomination and confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Ms. Castillo served as a member of the Clinton Administration as a Senior Policy Analyst to the Deputy Director at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

A native of New York, Ms. Castillo holds a Bachelor Degree of Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in economics and political science. Ms. Castillo holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin; and also holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from American University - Washington College of Law. Ms. Castillo is active in a number of civic and professional organizations, including: The Hispanic National Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of DC, the American Bar Association, and the American Jewish Committee. In 2010, Hispanic Business Magazine recognized Ms. Castillo among the Top 100 Influential Latinos in the U.S. and she received the 2010 Rising Star Award by the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia.

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William D. Talbert IIIPresident & CEO

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)

Ernest (Ernie) Wooden, Jr., a long-time senior hospitality industry executive and Los Angeles-area resident since 1999, is the President and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism), Wooden has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry, including more

than a decade in senior leadership positions in both global brand management and operations with Hilton Hotels Corporation. As Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management for Hilton, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., he led all worldwide branding initiatives for the well-known hotel corporation, working with 3,000 properties in 80 countries. His operations roles at Hilton included overseeing territories in Mexico, the Caribbean and across the U.S. In addition, Wooden has also worked with such top hospitality brands as Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton and Promus Hotel Corporation.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Wooden holds both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management science from Thomas Edison State College and is currently pursuing a doctorate from the International School of Management, Paris, France.

As President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) for the

past 10 years, and as Chief Operating Officer for the prior nine years, William D. Talbert,

III has distinguished himself as a highly respected visitor industry and community leader.

Talbert’s nineteen years of experience at the GMCVB includes major accomplishments such as

assisting with the passage of the Food and Beverage tax to fund the GMCVB’s advertising budget,

negotiating inter-local government funding agreements and preparing four successful Super Bowl

bids and three Pow Wow bids. talbert holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida

Atlantic University and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. In

2006, he earned the Certified Destination Management Executive.

Ernest Wooden Jr.President/CEOLos Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

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Roy JayPresident/CEOOregon Convention BureauPortland African American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (AACCO)

Laura Mandala is Managing Director of Mandala Research, LLC, a firm that conducts studies for Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. She is a former Vice President of Partnership Research with the former Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). She led the

organization’s efforts in providing diverse research products and services, meeting the needs of all sectors of membership. While at TIA (now U.S. Travel Association), Laura became known for her expertise and work in niche travel markets. She helped research topics like the economic value of the gay and lesbian market; the size and impact of wine and culinary tourism in the United States; the role of shoppers as an economic driver; emerging markets and the African American Traveler and the importance of attractions visitors to an area’s economy. She continues that work now, with partners like the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, and helps clients develop strategies and programs that reflect the changing marketplace and the niche segments within. Laura received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from DePaul University and is completing her doctoral work at Northwestern University.

Recognized by Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine for the 17th consecutive year as one of the most influential African Americans in the convention and tourism industry. Roy Jay is considered a pioneer in convention hospitality and has shared his expertise with thousands over the years. In Oregon, some

people, simply refer to him as “Mr. President” because he heads various private and public sector companies and joint ventures. He is a sought after speaker, workshop facilitator, mentor and motivator.

Laura MandalaManaging Director

Mandala Research, LLC

Jon BallesterosVice President, Public Policy

San Francisco Travel

Beginning his new role on Feb. 6, 2012 as the newly-created position of Vice President, Public Policy, Ballestero became the “voice” of the 16 million visitors the city receives each year. The San Francisco Travel Association is a private, not-for-profit organization that markets the city as a leisure, convention and

business travel destination. With more than 1,500 partner businesses, San Francisco Travel is one of the largest membership-based tourism promotion agencies in the country. Jon Ballesteros experience on the local, state and national levels made him a vigilant and productive voice for the association and San Francisco’s tourism industry. He became a liaison to all aspects of the public and private sectors on policies that could impact their mission. Tourism, San Francisco’s largest industry, generates in excess of $8.3 billion annually for the local economy. Ballesteros completed coursework for a Masters of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, and graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Economics from Claremont McKenna College.

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Hank Thomas, a Stone Mountain resident and a Howard University student was 19-years-old at the time, when the Freedom Riders arrived in Anniston, Ala. and was among the riders aboard. Mr. Thomas, now a businessman is President of Victoria Hospitality Properties, Inc. which owns/operates Marriott

Hotel franchisees, and is Vice President of Hayon, Inc. and Hayon II, Inc., which own and operate McDonald franchisees.Hank Thomas became a field secretary for CORE in 1962, working in Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama. He was inducted into the Army in 1963 and served as a medic and did a tour of duty in Vietnam, 1965–66….Mr. Thomas moved to Atlanta after Vietnam and got in the franchise business, starting with a Laundromat, followed by a Dairy Queen. Today, he and his wife own two McDonalds and four Marriott hotels.

Henry “Hank”James ThomasPresidentVictoria Hospitality Properties, Inc.NABHOOD Board

H. T. SmithAttorneyH. T. Smith, P.A.

Albert Tucker serves as vice president of Multicultural Business Development for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB). It is Tucker’s vision to expose ethnically diverse individuals and groups to Greater Fort Lauderdale so that GFL becomes the destination of choice for

individuals of color.

Tucker currently serves on the Executive Board of the Urban League of Broward County the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale and is intimately involved with the expansion of Jazz in the Gardens musical festival, which brings in more than 50,000 visitors to South Florida.

Albert A. TuckerVice President of Multicultural Business DevelopmentGreater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

H.T. Smith, nne of Miami’s distinguished native sons, was born in Miami and educated in Miami’s public school system. He is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. Upon his graduation, H. T. was commissioned an officer in the United States

Army, where he served a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. He returned home to earn a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami: School Of Law. H.T. began his legal career by blazing new trails, as Miami-Dade County’s first African-American assistant public defender, and then as Miami-Dade County’s first African-American assistant county attorney. For the past 34 years, H. T. has practiced law in Miami, specializing in criminal defense, civil rights and personal injury. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Superlawyers and Law and Leading American Attorneys. Also, the National Law Journal has recognized H. T. as one of the top trial lawyers in America. H. T. has served four (4) terms as the President of the 20,000 member National Bar Association.

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Toni RicePresidentNew Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network

Greg DeShields currently serves as the Executive Director at PHL Diversity Multicultural Affairs Congress a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) and is a Graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management;

and B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management. Greg DeShields most recently served as the Managing Director of Business Development for Temple University, Fox School of Business & School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. His professional certifications include: American Hotel & Lodging Association, Educational Institute – Certified Hospitality Educator – 2013 Asian American Hotel Owners Association – Certified Hotel Owner 2013.

The New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network (NOMTN) is a non-profit entity that was formed in 1990 to promote New Orleans as a multicultural destination and provide economic opportunities for small and emerging businesses in the tourism industry. Ms. Rice has been with NOMTN since 1997 and has served as

President since 2003. Ms. Rice has over 20 years of experience in the meeting planning, hospitality and tourism industry, preceded by a career in Human Resource Management. She is responsible for the overall operation of NOMTN and is responsible for implementing long term strategies designed to ensure that small and minority businesses continue to flourish in the tourism industry in New Orleans. Ms. Rice is married and lives in Destrehan, LA with her husband, Terrence and has three sons: Steven, Nicholas and Elijah. Ms. Rice attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.

Gregory L. DeShields, CHO, CHE

Senior Director of Corporate Relations

Temple University, School of Tourism/Hospitality Mgmt.

Solomon J. HerbertPublisher & Editor-in-Chief

Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine

Solomon Herbert created Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine, an award-winning, international monthly industry trade publication for the African American Meeting Planner, Incentive Manager, Travel Agent and hospitality/tourism professional. Prior to that, Mr. Herbert was a full time self-employed freelance print

and photojournalist. During that period, over 800 of his articles appeared in numerous regional, national and international publications, including Black Enterprise, Ebony, Essence, The Black Collegian, Black Elegance, Crisis, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Bride’s, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Daily News, Hollywood Reporter, Family Circle, Successful Meetings and Meetings & Conventions. Solomon Herbert is past President of the Black Journalists Association of Southern CA. and is on the Board of Directors of NABHOOD.

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Agraduate in business studies in Paris, Mrs. Vanterpool started her professional career as a civil servant as Head of the Communication and PR Department in St-Martin, then went on to be an entrepreneur starting a very unusual business for a woman in the vehicle maintenance sector. She has always had

a very busy life style, accepting new challenges and going beyond what is accepted. Very well known for her involvement in public life, where she has contributed to many foundations within her community. In 2012, she was elected as part of the RRR political party list. She is now President of the French Tourist Office. But her ambition doesn’t end here, Mrs Vanterpool strives for success in all her endeavors and wants to be a role model for all young women in St-Martin and abroad.

Jeanne VanterpoolMinister of TourismSaint Martin, Office De Tourisme de

Archivist and Historian Dorothy Jenkins Fields was born on December 31, 1942 in Miami, Florida .In 1974 Fields then received her M.A. degree in Curriculum and Instruction through a local outreach program out of the University of Oklahoma. In that same year, in preparation for the nation’s bicentennial,

Fields began a search for information from which curriculum materials could be developed on the black experience in South Florida. Fields was unable to find any information about South Florida’s black history in any school or public library. From this experience Fields established The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, a photographic repository containing the legacies of Miami’s black community Of South Florida in 1977. Fields’ vision was to establish a manuscript and photographic repository for the African American community of Miami. She initially began collecting oral histories from older African American residents living in the communities of Overtown and the Brown Subdivision. From her efforts, the city of Miami later designated the community of Overtown as a National Trust “Main Street” community. Overtown is officially named the Historic Overtown Folklife Village. Fields is also responsible for the successful restoration of the landmark Lyric Theater located in Overtown.

Dorothy Jenkins FieldsFounder/Historian

Black Archives Foundation of South Florida, Inc

Graylyn has worked with The Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami for over seven years. Their mission is to advance economic participation and open doors of opportunity for African Americans and Black minorities of Africa descent in the Greater Miami Visitors Industry. For four years, Graylyn

worked at Ohio State University developing programs to engage community and university resources. Swilley-Woods, Executive Director of the Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami (BHI), was recently recognized as an Outstanding Community Leader at the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Black History Month Celebration at the Hilton Bentley Hotel on February 23, 2012. Having spent more than 20 years in education, Ms. Swilley-Woods has developed educational programs that received both state and national recognition.

Graylyn Swilley-WoodsExecutive DirectorBlack Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami

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Paul PhippsChief Marketing OfficerVISIT FLORIDA

Commissioner Keon Hardemon was born in Miami, Florida where his family stressed to him the core values that remain true to him today: the importance of education, integrity, and service to the community. His first home was in the James E. Scott Public Housing Development in the Liberty City area of Miami-

Dade County. He was raised in Liberty City neighborhood and is the epitome of the idiom that “It takes a village to raise a child”. After graduating from Miami Northwestern, Commissioner Hardemon enrolled at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Mr. Hardemon graduated from FAMU with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters in Business Administration. Upon graduating, he returned home to Miami-Dade County to work for Pfizer, a Fortune 500 firm, but later resigned to enroll in law school at the University Of Miami School Of Law (UM) Currently, the Commissioner is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the American Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association, FAMU Alumni Association, and the UM Alumni Association.

Paul Phipps is responsible for directing the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic marketing plan, as well as its programs in support of industry Partners and the Florida tourism brand. As a key member of the executive leadership team, Paul oversees the Advertising, Brand, Editorial content,

Marketing Solutions & Sales, Promotions, Public relations and Research teams, as well as the VISITFLORIDA.com family of websites. Prior to joining VISIT FLORIDA in 2013, Paul spent 37 years in the sales, marketing, promotions and management industry. His former positions include General Manager for Seminole IMG Sports Marketing, Assistant Athletic Director at Florida State University, Chief Marketing Officer for International Speedway Corporation, Executive Vice President for Major League Soccer and General Manager of several NBA Teams.

Commissioner Keon HardemonVice Chairman

City of Miami

Carole Ann TaylorChairwomen

Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami

Carole Ann Taylor has been in the travel, duty free and culture retail business since the founding of her family owned business 27 years ago. Her specialty destination stores include Little Havana to Go, Little Havana’s Official Gift and Tour Bus Stop in Little Havana, Miami To Go, Miami Gifts To Go and

Little Havana To Go at Miami International Airport. She is a partner and President of the online culture retail website www.Cultures To Go.com, featuring Culture artists, artisans, designers, jewelers and manufacturers. Ms. Taylor is a former partner in duty free at Miami International Airport and owner of Bayside to Go at Bayside Marketplace and Miami To Go - The Caribbean Collection in Downtown Miami.

GLORIA M. HERBERT is the associate publisher/editor of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine, the award winning, international bi-monthly industry trade publication for the African-American meeting planner, incentive manager, travel agent and hospitality/tourism professional. Herbert also serves as associate

producer of “Globetrotting,” a television travel series that premiered in November of 2002 on BET on Jazz. Before creating Black Meetings & Tourism along with her husband, Solomon Herbert, who serves as the magazine’s publisher/editor-in-chief, Gloria was a part of their print and photo journalism team that produced over 800 articles which appeared in numerous regional, national and international publication

Gloria M. HerberAssociate Publisher/EditorBlack Meetings & Tourism Magazine

CHA, FMP, CHE, is tenured associate professor and chairman of the Hotel & Restaurant Management(HRM) Department within the School of Business and Technology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore(UMES), Princess Anne, MD. Dr. Boger exercises CEO accountability for a thriving Bachelor of

Science Degree Program, designed to produce entry level managers for a variety of Foodservice, Lodging and Travel/Tourism related professional careers.

Ernest P. BogerChairman-Hotel & Restaurant Mgmt.Dept.

University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

Hemant D. (Henry) Patel has been a resident of Miami, Florida, since 1989. He was born in India and received his education in Bombay, India. After working for his father in the diamond and precious stones import/export business in Bombay, Hemant opened his own garment manufacturing business. When

he moved to the United States, he first worked for a dry cleaning and supermarket company in Atlanta, Ga. Hemant is now a full-time hotelier. He has owned and operated an independent hotel and a franchise hotel outside downtown Miami since 1989. Hemant has a long-term association with AAHOA. He was a regional director for a number of years before becoming chairman of the organization. The Miami-Dade County Commision approved the nomination of former AAHOA Chairman Hemant Patel as one of the two new candidate to be on Tourism Development Council (TDC).

Hemant D. (Henry) PatelExecutive DirectorBlack Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami

As Executive Director of the National Organization of Black County Officials, Inc. (NOBCO), Linda is responsible for the overall daily operations of the organization, to include fiscal management, personnel and staffing matters, national programs development, private and public sector partnerships. She reports

to the Chairman and the Board of Directors of NOBCO and provides leadership support to NABCO and the Business Roundtable. Linda has more than twenty-five years of experience in organizational management including diversity policy creation and program implementation, political relationship building, organizational management, public relations, special events management and budget development. Linda holds a B.A. in Public Relations and a M.A. in Organizational Communications and Management. A native of Chicago and an avid sports fan, Linda has one son and two grandsons.

Linda HaithcoxExcutive Director

National Policy Alliance

INTERNATIONAL MULTICULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM SUMMIT & TRADE SHOW AGENDA

FRIDAY, JULY 18

*Subject to Change 1:00pm - 06:00pm Registration Pre Function 02:15pm – 05:00pm Heritage Tour of the Miami-Dade County Sponsors: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami will host the Heritage Tour to showcase the rich culture of Miami ethnic communities including areas in Coconut Grove, Little Havana, Little Haiti and Overtown. (Must be pre-registered) Pick up at the front entrance of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel Committee Meetings 04:00pm - 05:00pm Heritage Tourism Committee Meeting Bal Harbour Island CVB Committee Meeting Fisher Island APEX Award Committee Meeting Lumus Island 05:30pm - 06:30pm Opening General Session Grand Ballroom MC: Andy Ingraham, Founder/President/CEO, NABHOOD Welcome: William Talbert, President/CEO, Greater Miami CVB Welcome: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner, City of Miami, FL Welcome: Audrey Moss Edmonson, Commissioner, Miami-Dade County, FL Welcome: Carole Ann Taylor, Chairwoman, Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami Remarks: Paul Phipps, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Florida Speaker: Alejandra Y. Castillo, National Director, U.S. Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce 07:00pm - 08:30pm Welcome Reception at the Lyric Theater (in Historic Overtown) Lyric Theater A celebration of Miami’s rich multicultural cummunities of African American, Off Property Bahamians & Caribbean history & its contribution to the tapestry of Greater Miami. Sponsor: City of Miami SE Overtown/Park West CRA, Bahamian Connection Restaurant, Pepsi (Pick up at the front entrance of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel)

SATURDAY, JULY 19 08:00am - 03:00pm Registration Pre Function 08:00am - 09:00am Continental Breakfast Pre Function Sponsor: PepsiCo 08:00am - 09:00am American Tennis Association (ATA) Display Biscayne Island 08:30am - 08:35am OPENING REMARKS Grand Ballroom Andy Ingraham, Founder/President/CEO, NABHOOD Welcome: Goals for the International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit 08:40am - 09:40am MULTICULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM INDUSTRY UPDATE Grand Ballroom A Comprehensive Review on the performance & growth of the multiculticultural & heritage tourism industry looking at all the data. Presenters: Bill Anderson, Director of Planning & Research, Greater Miami CVB Paul Phipps, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Florida Laura J. Mandala, Managing Director, Mandala Research LLC 09:45am – 10:00am BRAND USA UPDATE Grand Ballroon Brand USA was established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010 to spearhead the nation's first global marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and communicate U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures Presenter: Aaron Wodin-Schwartz, Director, Public Policy, Brand USA 10:00am – 10:20am AHLA UPDATE Grand Ballroon

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AH&LA is focused on the needs of every segment of the lodging industry. Whether you are an owner, REIT, chain, franchisee, management company, independent property, supplier, or state association. AH&LA’s Government Affairs Department outlines a set of legislative and regulatory priorities to create a favorable framework for the U.S. hospitality industry to prosper. Presenter: Vanessa Sinders, Senior V. P., Governmental Affairs, American Hotel & Lodging Association 10:20am – 10:35am Networking Break Pre Function

Sponsor: PepsiCo / San Francisco Travel Association 10:35am - 11:35am GENERAL SESSION A Grand Ballroom EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE - A VIEW FROM THE TOP Thoughts & perspectives from industry leaders on why their cities continue to embrace Multicultural & Heritage Tourism & its Impact. Moderator: Solomon Herbert, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine Panel: Jon Ballesteros, V.P. Public Policy, San Francisco Travel Association Ernest Wooden, Jr., President/CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board William Talbert, III, President/CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Roy Jay, President, Oregon Convention Visitors & Services Network

10:20am – 03:00pm Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Trade Show Open Pre Function 11:40am - 12:40pm PLENARY GENERAL SESSION Workshop B Salon A/B/C THE BUSINESS OF MULTICULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM – WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT? Cities currently focused on multicultural tourism will discuss their practices and the economic benefits that it can bring to their businesses and what can be done to increase more opportunities among African American business owners. Moderator: Gloria Herbert, Editor, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine Panel: Toni Rice, President, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network Albert Tucker, VP of Multicultural Business Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB Greg DeShields, Executive Director, PHL Diversity, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress Laura J. Mandala, Managing Director, Mandala Research LLC 12:45pm - 01:45pm MULTICULTURAL TOURISM LUNCHEON Grand Ballroom Sponsor: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau MC Andy Ingraham, President/CEO, NABHOOD Remarks: Carole Ann Taylor, Chairwoman, Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami Speaker: H. T. Smith, Attorney H. T. Smith, P.A. 02:00pm - 02:50pm PLENARY SESSION Workshop C Salon A/B/C AUTHENTICATION OF DESTINATIONS – WHY IT IS IMPORTANT & SO VALUABLE The authentication and certification process which comprises of site visits and conducting of Heritage

Training Workshops will help a destination understand how to explore the rich culture of a city and its African American Heritage to make it attractive to all visitors.

Presentor: Dr. Kevin A. McPherson, Authentication Director, TPOC Heritage L.L.C. 03:00pm - 03:50pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS Workshop D Salon H/G MARKETING & BOOKING MULTICULTURAL BUSINESS - WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? HOW TO DO IT AND WHERE TO FIND THE LEADS. WHAT STEPS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS Moderator: Velton Showell, President/CEO, Strategic Solutions LLC Panel: Albert Tucker, VP of Multicultural Business Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB Linville J. Johnson, Multicultural Market Development, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Hortensia Simmons, Meetings & Conventions Sales Manager, St. Petersburg/Clearwater CVB Workshop E Salon K/J

HISTORY, HERITAGE TOURS, CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & PARTNERSHIPS HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE

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AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE & HERITAGE Moderator: Graylyn Swilley-Woods, Executive Director, Black Hospitality Initiative of Greater Miami Presentors: Toni Rice, President, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network Greg DeShields, Executive Director, PHL Diversity, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress Sherri Brown, National Sales Manager, Multicultural & Religious, Visit Tampa Bay Dorothy Fields, Historian & Founder, The Black Archives, History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. 04:00pm - 04:50pm General Session F Salon A/B/C USING THE NEW & SOCIAL MEDIA TO COMPLIMENT TRADITIONAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE YOUR DESTINATION TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MARKET New ways of getting information in the manner they chose to receive it. (website, apps, smart phone) Moderator: PJ Douglas-Sands, President, DS3 Group Panel: Weller Thomas, Publisher, Pathfinder Travel Magazine Michael Bennett, Editor at Large, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine Carolyn M. Brown,Senior Multimedia Content, Black Enterprise Magazine Kierna Mayo, V.P. Digital Content, Ebony Magazine Anita Johnson-Patty, GM- Communications (The Americas) Bahamas Ministry of Tourism 06:30pm – 07:30pm Sparkling Wine Reception Pre Function Sponsor: Moreno BHLV 07:30pm – 10:00pm Multicultural Tourism APEX Awards Dinner Grand Ballroom Sponsors: Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine MC: Roy & Juanita Jay Introduction: Dr. Deanne Williams, Associate Professor, Chair, Hospitality Dept., Virginia State University Remarks: Hank Thomas, President, Victoria Hospitality Properties Presentation: APEX AWARDS for distinguished service “A Tribute and celebration of individuals who have made significant contributions in their particular fields of endeavor & have positively impacted travel & tourism thereby making a difference in the development of Inclusion in Tourism”

SUNDAY, JULY 20

08:00am – 09:00am Continental Breakfast Pre Function Sponsor: PepsiCo 09:00am – 10:00am Salon A/B/C PLENARY SESSION G MEETING PLANNERS FORUM-WHY SHOULD PLANNERS BRING THEIR MEETING AND CONVENTIONS TO YOUR CITY? MISSING THE MONEY! Moderator: Andy Ingraham, President/CEO, NABHOOD Panel: Linda Weatherspoon Haithcox, Executive Director, National Policy Alliance Adrian Harrison, President, National Association of Black County Officials Judge Denise Langford Morris, Chair of Judicial Counsel of the National Bar Assoc. Mayor Dr. James L. Walls, Jr., National World Council of Mayors Ellis Alexander, President, National Council of Black School Board Members 10:00am - 11:30am Salon A/B/C PLENARY SESSION Workshop H MAKING THE CASE FOR THE PRINCIPALS & FUNDING OF MULTICULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM & WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DESTINATIONS Identifying & Building your heritage assets Moderator: Andy Ingraham, President, NABHOOD Panel Toni Rice, President, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network Roy Jay, President, Oregon Convention Visitors & Services Network Solomon Herbert, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Black Meetings & Tourism Mag./NABHOOD Board Audrey W. Peterman, President, Earthwise Productions, Inc. Sherri Brown, National Sales Manager, Multicultural & Religious, Visit Tampa Bay 11:45pm – 01:00pm Closing Luncheon Grand Ballroom

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