The most influential African Americans in the Meetings and Tourism Industry

Black Meetings & Tourism Special

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN-AMERICANS
IN THE MEETINGS/TOURISM INDUSTRY

Gloria Herbert

The last 12 months have been challenging times for our industry, so it’s always a welcome pleasure for us to showcase those individuals who continue to overcome obstacles and make major contributions to the meetings, tourism and hospitality arena.

I’m happy to report that our five African-American CVB heads are still in place, though I had hoped their ranks would have increased somewhat by this juncture. Unfortunately there have been some losses I must share with you. Longtime industry veteran Ron Davis, who formerly served as the senior vice president of sales and customer relations for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA), has left his post and for the moment, at least, is missing in action. The good news is that Dittie Guise, who last year was listed at the general manager of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, is now PCCA’s chief operating officer.

Sadly, the InterAmerican Travel Agents Society (ITAS), once a key fixture in the travel industry, is no longer in operation, a victim of airline caps, the growing competition from direct Internet sales, and an overall unfavorable business climate for small mom and pop travel agencies. As a result, Dr. William Lawton, the group’s president in 2003, has been removed from our roster. When one door closes, however, another usually opens up. So we are happy to welcome Charlotte Haymore, president and co-founder of the two-year-old Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC), to this year’s “Most Influential” listing.

Also on the loss column is Ron Melton, former executive vice president and CFO of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, who recently resigned his post with the CVB. “I have completed 10 years with the Bureau and believe the time is right for me and my family to look for new horizons,” he said.

And finally, William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), while included in this year’s “Most Influential” ranks, is retiring in January of 2005 after 10 years of dedicated service. He will be sorely missed.

As always, those listed here are to be commended for their achievements, their tenacity, and their determination to succeed in an industry that has been slow to embrace the concept of inclusiveness. Overcoming the challenges they’ve had to face in order to reach the top of their profession, they’ve earned the right to your respect, admiration and recognition. And most importantly, they deserve your consideration when it comes to booking business with them, for them or from them.

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