Black Meetings & Tourism - BM&T APEX AWARDS ACKNOWLEDGE IMPORTANT WORK OF INDUSTRY VETERANS

Industry Briefs
BM&T APEX AWARDS ACKNOWLEDGE IMPORTANT WORK OF INDUSTRY VETERANS
Image from 2017 Apex Awards Gala The Summit & Trade, which runs from July 27-29 is presented by The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Network (IMFITN), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, *Black* Meetings & Tourism Magazine and Horizons International Group, Inc. The theme is "Diversity is the Key in the Travel Market." The Multicultural Summit & Trade show is preceded by the 22 ^nd Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show, also being held at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel July 25-27. The summit is designed to educate attendees on how to gain a share of the $90 Billion+ Multicultural & Heritage Tourism market, share minority travel trends, learn how to market Multicultural & Heritage Tourism and look at diversity issues affecting the Hospitality industry. Multicultural and Heritage Tourism is the fastest growing segment in the tourism industry. The Summit is also intended to empower urban and rural communities to become self-sufficient through the development and marketing of Multicultural & Heritage Tourism. The BM&T Apex Awards are hosted by *Black Meetings & Tourism* publishers Solomon and Gloria Herbert, with PJ Douglas Sands serving as mistress of ceremonies. A host of industry movers and shakers will act as presenters. The BM&T Apex Awards for Distinguished Service are annually presented by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine to a select number of individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavor that have positively impacted travel and tourism. To be considered for a BM&T Apex Award, candidates 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. 2018 BM&T Apex Award Winners include: Marcus Margerum, Atlanta CVB, Atlanta, GA Kitty Ratcliffe, Explore St. Louis, St. Louis, MO Marlinda A. Henry, NCBMP, Ellicott City, MD Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, City of Columbia, Columbia, SC Antwone Stigall, Black Meeting & Event Professionals, San Francisco, CA Dionisio James D'Aguilar, Ministry of Tourism, Commonwealth of Bahamas, Bahamas Bevan Springer, Marketplace Excellence, Scotch Plains, NJ Angela Clayborne, Destination Lancaster, Lancaster, CA Sisa Ntshona, South African Tourism, South Africa For more information about the Apex Awards or to attend the Awards Dinner, email info@multiculturaltourism.net.

Industry Briefs

BM&T APEX AWARDS ACKNOWLEDGE IMPORTANT WORK OF INDUSTRY VETERANS

Image from 2017 Apex Awards Gala

The Summit & Trade, which runs from July 27-29 is presented by The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Network (IMFITN), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine and Horizons International Group, Inc. The theme is "Diversity is the Key in the Travel Market." The Multicultural Summit & Trade show is preceded by the 22 ^nd Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show, also being held at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel July 25-27.

The summit is designed to educate attendees on how to gain a share of the $90 Billion+ Multicultural & Heritage Tourism market, share minority travel trends, learn how to market Multicultural & Heritage Tourism and look at diversity issues affecting the Hospitality industry. Multicultural and Heritage Tourism is the fastest growing segment in the tourism industry. The Summit is also intended to empower urban and rural communities to become self-sufficient through the development and marketing of Multicultural & Heritage Tourism.

The BM&T Apex Awards are hosted by Black Meetings & Tourism publishers Solomon and Gloria Herbert, with PJ Douglas Sands serving as mistress of ceremonies. A host of industry movers and shakers will act as presenters.

The BM&T Apex Awards for Distinguished Service are annually presented by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine to a select number of individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavor that have positively impacted travel and tourism. To be considered for a BM&T Apex Award, candidates 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.

2018 BM&T Apex Award Winners include:

Marcus Margerum, Atlanta CVB, Atlanta, GA
Kitty Ratcliffe, Explore St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Marlinda A. Henry, NCBMP, Ellicott City, MD
Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, City of Columbia, Columbia, SC
Antwone Stigall, Black Meeting & Event Professionals, San Francisco, CA
Dionisio James D'Aguilar, Ministry of Tourism, Commonwealth of Bahamas, Bahamas
Bevan Springer, Marketplace Excellence, Scotch Plains, NJ
Angela Clayborne, Destination Lancaster, Lancaster, CA
Sisa Ntshona, South African Tourism, South Africa

For more information about the Apex Awards or to attend the Awards Dinner, email info@multiculturaltourism.net.