Black Meetings & Tourism - NCBMP SELECTS HILINA D. AJAKAIYE AS CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Industry Briefs
NCBMP SELECTS HILINA D. AJAKAIYE AS CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), the leading organization for Black hospitality and tourism professionals in the meetings industry, announced recently the selection of Hilina D. Ajakaiye, MBA, CDME, as Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 2nd, 2025. This appointment marks a pivotal step in the organization's globally competitive evolution. In this newly created role, Ajakaiye will lead NCBMP's strategic transformation initiatives, focusing on operational scalability, revenue growth, and enhanced member value. "As we navigate the next chapter of growth in an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy, the need for strategic clarity and operational scalability has never been more critical. To compete at a global level, we must align the board's long-term vision with emerging technologies and internal infrastructure demands. Hilina's proven track record of transformative growth in the hospitality industry and her powerful voice for positive change makes her the ideal leader for this moment. This is a people-centered business. Hilina's knack for connection and emotional intelligence will strengthen meaningful collaborations across the entire meetings and events industry," said Jason Dunn, Sr., NCBMP CEO. Ajakaiye brings a dynamic combination of strategic innovation and community-driven leadership to NCBMP. During her five-year tenure as Executive Vice President at Meet Boston, she collaborated with key stakeholders across business, government, and community organizations to drive sustainable tourism growth and economic impact, contributing to over $22 billion in state revenue. Her leadership in launching TheBOS, Boston's first mobile visitor information center, and spearheading the "All Inclusive Boston" campaign, an award-winning initiative that reshaped the city's tourism brand, leading to a 400% increase in web traffic and 1.1 million social media impressions, demonstrated her ability to blend strategic vision with measurable impact. Under Ajakaiye's leadership, Meet Boston led innovative approaches to inclusive economic growth. She spearheaded comprehensive workforce development initiatives that created tailored training programs through the newly formed Partner Academy, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to build careers in hospitality and tourism. Simultaneously, her supplier diversity initiative expanded Meet Boston's network to intentionally include women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses, creating an accessible platform that enables industry partners to diversify their procurement processes. In 2023, Meet Boston transitioned from a traditional membership model to a partnership model under her direction, increasing inclusivity while driving a 25% boost in revenue. Ajakaiye also mobilized the Meet Boston Foundation to enhance community engagement and elevate the visitor experience through cultural tourism. "On behalf of the City of Boston, I am proud to see the addition of a local partner, friend, and community leader like Hilina Ajakaiye to the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals," said Segun Idowu, City of Boston Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion for Mayor Michelle Wu. "Hilina has been an incredible force for good on the ground in a changing Boston, and has been a key driver of the expansion of the city's image to be more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible. I know she will bring an extensive record of accomplishment to NCBMP, and we are certainly looking forward to continuing our deep partnership with her as we work together to bring more diverse events to this new majority city." Local business leaders have experienced firsthand the impact of Ajakaiye's community-centered approach. "When we first opened Park 54 in Hyde Park nearly three years ago, it was Hilina Ajakaiye who truly saw us. She believed in what we were building and used her relationships to make sure others saw us too," said Tasha Hull, owner of Park 54 Restaurant and Lounge in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. "Hilina helped us secure the exposure we needed and achieve our mission of creating a safe space for our community, and we're forever grateful." "Hilina is a bold visionary leader who makes strategic and conscientious effort to build capacity wherever she goes," said Conan Harris, CEO of Conan Harris & Associates, who partnered with Ajakaiye on Meet Boston's Workforce Development and Supplier Diversity initiatives. "Within the hospitality & tourism industry, Hilina has been deliberate with paving opportunities of access for workforce and business owners from women and communities of color throughout greater Boston. It was an honor to work alongside her at Meet Boston, and I look forward to continued work at the national level." This selection reflects NCBMP's commitment to visionary leadership at a transformative moment in the meetings and hospitality industry. As a first-generation Ethiopian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 1987, Ajakaiye brings a deeply personal understanding of how travel and tourism can break down barriers and create pathways to economic opportunity. Her leadership philosophy, rooted in innovation, collaboration, and community-driven economic development, exemplifies NCBMP's vision for an industry where access and opportunity enable sustainable, scalable growth.

Industry Briefs

NCBMP SELECTS HILINA D. AJAKAIYE AS CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), the leading organization for Black hospitality and tourism professionals in the meetings industry, announced recently the selection of Hilina D. Ajakaiye, MBA, CDME, as Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 2nd, 2025. This appointment marks a pivotal step in the organization's globally competitive evolution. In this newly created role, Ajakaiye will lead NCBMP's strategic transformation initiatives, focusing on operational scalability, revenue growth, and enhanced member value.

"As we navigate the next chapter of growth in an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy, the need for strategic clarity and operational scalability has never been more critical. To compete at a global level, we must align the board's long-term vision with emerging technologies and internal infrastructure demands. Hilina's proven track record of transformative growth in the hospitality industry and her powerful voice for positive change makes her the ideal leader for this moment. This is a people-centered business. Hilina's knack for connection and emotional intelligence will strengthen meaningful collaborations across the entire meetings and events industry," said Jason Dunn, Sr., NCBMP CEO.

Ajakaiye brings a dynamic combination of strategic innovation and community-driven leadership to NCBMP. During her five-year tenure as Executive Vice President at Meet Boston, she collaborated with key stakeholders across business, government, and community organizations to drive sustainable tourism growth and economic impact, contributing to over $22 billion in state revenue. Her leadership in launching TheBOS, Boston's first mobile visitor information center, and spearheading the "All Inclusive Boston" campaign, an award-winning initiative that reshaped the city's tourism brand, leading to a 400% increase in web traffic and 1.1 million social media impressions, demonstrated her ability to blend strategic vision with measurable impact.

Under Ajakaiye's leadership, Meet Boston led innovative approaches to inclusive economic growth. She spearheaded comprehensive workforce development initiatives that created tailored training programs through the newly formed Partner Academy, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to build careers in hospitality and tourism. Simultaneously, her supplier diversity initiative expanded Meet Boston's network to intentionally include women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses, creating an accessible platform that enables industry partners to diversify their procurement processes.

In 2023, Meet Boston transitioned from a traditional membership model to a partnership model under her direction, increasing inclusivity while driving a 25% boost in revenue. Ajakaiye also mobilized the Meet Boston Foundation to enhance community engagement and elevate the visitor experience through cultural tourism.

"On behalf of the City of Boston, I am proud to see the addition of a local partner, friend, and community leader like Hilina Ajakaiye to the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals," said Segun Idowu, City of Boston Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion for Mayor Michelle Wu. "Hilina has been an incredible force for good on the ground in a changing Boston, and has been a key driver of the expansion of the city's image to be more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible. I know she will bring an extensive record of accomplishment to NCBMP, and we are certainly looking forward to continuing our deep partnership with her as we work together to bring more diverse events to this new majority city."

Local business leaders have experienced firsthand the impact of Ajakaiye's community-centered approach. "When we first opened Park 54 in Hyde Park nearly three years ago, it was Hilina Ajakaiye who truly saw us. She believed in what we were building and used her relationships to make sure others saw us too," said Tasha Hull, owner of Park 54 Restaurant and Lounge in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. "Hilina helped us secure the exposure we needed and achieve our mission of creating a safe space for our community, and we're forever grateful."

"Hilina is a bold visionary leader who makes strategic and conscientious effort to build capacity wherever she goes," said Conan Harris, CEO of Conan Harris & Associates, who partnered with Ajakaiye on Meet Boston's Workforce Development and Supplier Diversity initiatives. "Within the hospitality & tourism industry, Hilina has been deliberate with paving opportunities of access for workforce and business owners from women and communities of color throughout greater Boston. It was an honor to work alongside her at Meet Boston, and I look forward to continued work at the national level."

This selection reflects NCBMP's commitment to visionary leadership at a transformative moment in the meetings and hospitality industry. As a first-generation Ethiopian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 1987, Ajakaiye brings a deeply personal understanding of how travel and tourism can break down barriers and create pathways to economic opportunity. Her leadership philosophy, rooted in innovation, collaboration, and community-driven economic development, exemplifies NCBMP's vision for an industry where access and opportunity enable sustainable, scalable growth.