Black Meetings & Tourism - Industry Briefs

Industry Briefs
	THE REAL MEETING IS AFTER THE MEETING In Dallas, creativity is the main event. And it all starts with the beating heart of downtown: Dallas’ nationally-ranked Arts District. This walkable artistic hub didn’t get named #1 by USA Today two ... read more
	PROMOTER SCORES (NPS). ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY INSIGHTS FROM MPI, WELLNESS-FOCUSED HEADLINE: WELLNESS ISN’T JUST GOOD FOR THE BODY AND MIND—IT’S GOOD FOR BUSINESS At Caesars Entertainment, wellness isn’t just a trend—it’s a core value that has shaped our culture for years. Long before wellness became a buzzword, we were already integrating it into our teams and ... read more
	DR. DEBONAIR OATES-PRIMUS NAMED NEW CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE JACOB K. JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER The New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC) announced recently that Dr. Debonair Oates-Primus has joined the leadership team at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center as the new Chief ... read more
	BALTIMORE TO HOST NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PROFESSIONALS 2030 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Visit Baltimore , the official destination sales and marketing organization for Baltimore City, and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) announced that Baltimore will be the h ... read more
	VICTORIA HAWKINS PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT AT EXPLORE GWINNETT Explore Gwinnett , the destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County, recently announced the promotion of Victoria Hawkins to vice president of marketing and destination development. Hawkins ... read more
	JOHN ONEY NAMED NEW DESTINATION DAYTON® PRESIDENT & CEO “It is with great excitement that the Board of Trustees announces the appointment of John Oney as our new President & CEO of Destination Dayton®, states Board Chair Scott DeBolt. “The board is thr ... read more
	BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL POLICY ALLIANCE, AND THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF MAYORS, LAUNCHES BLACK AMERICA 250 NATIONAL CAMPAIGN Los Angeles, California - Black Meetings & Tourism (BM&T), the National Policy Alliance (NPA) and the World Conference of Mayors (WCM), proudly introduces Black America 250 , a national media ... read more
	BLUE LAGOON ISLAND ENHANCES GUEST EXPERIENCE WITH SUSTAINABLE ADULTS-ONLY BEACH AREA Blue Lagoon Island, the iconic private island destination just minutes from Nassau, will be opening a newly renovated and expanded Adults-Only Beach designed with sustainability at its core. The exclu ... read more
	DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL CONVENES 2026 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT, UNVEILS DESTINATION REPUTATION STUDY Destinations International (DI) , the world’s largest and most respected association for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, convened marketing and co ... read more
	JESSICA BARNES NEW SALES MANAGER FOR ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has hired Jessica Barnes as the new National Sales Manager. In this role, she focuses on attracting new organizations and businesses to the ... read more
	IN TAMPA BAY, EVERY MEETING IS A BIG EVENT What makes Tampa Bay the perfect place for meetings of all sizes? Simply ask meeting professionals who’ve experienced the destination firsthand. Stacey Shafer, Vice President of Community Engagement a ... read more
	SYLVIA ELAINE DUNHAM THOMAS GETS HER WINGS Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Sylvia Elaine Dunham Thomas will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, 4:00PM at the Murray Brothers Funeral Home Cascade Chapel 1199 Utoy Springs Road SW Atlanta, ... read more
	ACCESS FORWARD: A GLOBAL TOURISM INITIATIVE The Impact Collaborative is proud to introduce ACCESS FORWARD: A Global Tourism Initiative—a student‑powered, youth‑led innovation network and community‑driven platform for destinations and hospitalit ... read more
	MICHELLE CLARK HELPS PROMOTE LOUISVILLE AS TOP MEETINGS DESTINATION Louisville’s momentum is on the rise, and I’m proud to share why this city is such a convenient and authentic destination for your next event. As Louisville Tourism’s National Sales Manager, I’ve had ... read more
	NATIONAL POLICY ALLIANCE AND BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM LAUNCH 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK AMERICA CELEBRATION IN 2026 The National Policy Alliance (NPA), co-founded by ‘Mayor’ Johnny Ford, Tuskegee, Alabama, is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with Black Meetings & Tourism (BM&T), headquartered in ... read more
	HOLLAND AMERICA LINE INTRODUCES NEW REGIONAL DISHES AND ISLAND-INSPIRED COCKTAILS FOR UPCOMING CARIBBEAN CRUISE SEASON Holland America Line is turning every bite and sip into a tropical escape this Caribbean cruise season with new dishes and cocktails celebrating the region’s vibrant local flavors. Launching on board ... read more
	CHOOSE CHICAGO APPOINTS HOSPITALITY LEADER SHAKARA SHELTON AS VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Choose Chicago , the city’s official destination marketing organization, recently named Shakara Shelton as the Vice President of Sales. Shelton brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership in s ... read more
	MAZAGAN BEACH & GOLF RESORT LAUNCHES “SEASIDE SERENITY” Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort announces the launch of Seaside Serenity, a seasonal offer inviting guests to experience Morocco’s Atlantic coastline through a balance of relaxation, wellness, and out ... read more
	JW MARRIOTT CLEARWATER BEACH RESORT & SPA BOLSTERS EXECUTIVE TEAM WITH THREE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa , the premier luxury destination on the Gulf Coast, is pleased to announce the appointment of three industry veterans to its executive leadership team. Wi ... read more
	ASAE’S 2026 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FORUM TO MEET IN OTTAWA, CANADA’S CAPITAL Ottawa Tourism will host ASAE’s 2026 Executive Leadership Forum (ELF) in Canada’s capital from June 28 to 30, 2026. The program will bring together approximately 100 to 150 association CEOs and senior ... read more