GLOBETROTTING TO CONDUCT NATIONWIDE SEARCH TO FIND NEW MULTI-CULTURAL HOSTS FOR IT’S RETOOLED TRAVEL SHOW

BY MICHAEL BENNETT

It’s really an exciting time around the Black Meetings and Tourism office as we anticipate the re-launch of our television series Globetrotting. Many of you reading this article have made inquiries about the show over the years. You might remember we attempted to launch the show shortly after September 11, before we pulled the plug and decided to wait for a more appropriate time.

That time has arrived. The extra time has allowed Black Meetings and Tourism Television (BM&T TV) in association with our producer Clear Vision Entertainment, LLC (CVE) to completely revamp the original concept into something we think will be an outstanding series that will engage the viewers and encourage travel like never before.

The multi-cultural travel marketplace is by all accounts a $100 billion a year business. Globetrotting will be the first of its kind television program that addresses this unique market. The creators of Globetrotting, Solomon Herbert, publisher/editor-in-chief of this magazine along with Gloria Herbert, associate publisher/editor believe this show is poised to gain wide audience acceptance.

The Herbert’s brought in Michael Bennett, the author of this column and the chairman and CEO of Clear Vision Entertainment, to executive produce Globetrotting. I am the former senior producer and co-manager of Discovery/Travel Channel’s west coast offices where I oversaw numerous hours of original program production. Through the combined talents of BM&T TV and CVE we’ve created something we think will allow the many businesses that take the multi-cultural travel dollar for granted to stand up and take notice of the huge potential this market can bring to their bottom line.

We are currently in the process of seeking out corporate sponsors for Globetrotting, have already entered into discussion with several major corporations and are actively negotiating with a few companies at press time. At the appropriate time we will announce our corporate sponsors and others who share the vision of Globetrotting.

As stated earlier, we have completely retooled this program from its original concept. One such adjustment is the target audience. Globetrotting is designed to cast a wide net. To that end our show will highlight areas of interest to African-Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. In order to reach this diverse audience we feel it vitally important to have our hosting team reflect the audience we are targeting.

It is our pleasure to announce that we will begin a nationwide search for hosts from each one of the aforementioned groups. We are looking for people who are bright and energetic. They must not be afraid to try new things and actually be an active participant in some of the many activities associated with travel such as snow skiing, scuba diving and the all important taste test of many different cuisines we’ll encounter while filming the show. And finally, our hosts must be available to travel and convey a passion for travel. Globetrotting destinations are still to be determined, but we promise it will be an exciting mix of both foreign and domestic locales.

We will begin the audition process in Las Vegas in November and continue in Los Angeles in December. We are looking for fresh faces and have no problem taking on beginners who can convey the enthusiasm this show requires. This is a family oriented show designed to show the breadth of the multi-cultural traveler. If you know of anyone who would like a shot at hosting Globetrotting please forward a picture and resume to Black Meetings and Tourism, 20840 Chase Street, Winnetka, CA 91306.