ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (Thursday, August 11, 2016) Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine has selected Jim Wood, president and CEO for Meet AC and the Atlantic City Sports Commission to receive the BM&T annual APEX Distinguished Service Award, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavor that have positively impacted the travel industry.

The 2016 BM&T APEX Distinguished Service Awards were presented at a gala dinner event during the International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show on July 30th at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami, FL.

“Jim continues to lead the Meet AC team in a progressive direction for the meetings and convention industry. His display of connections, collaboration and strategic skills has brought meetings and conventions in Atlantic City to the next level,” said Jeff Albrecht, Meet AC Board Chairman and general manager, Sheraton, Atlantic City.

To be considered for a BM&T APEX Award, a candidate’s record of service 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.

“Wood was selected for an APEX Award because of his passion and commitment to the meetings and convention industry, where he has helped lead Meet AC in exceeding its goals and also by attracting more diverse meetings and conventions to Atlantic City,” stated Solomon Herbert, publisher/editor-in-chief of Black Meetings & Tourism.

Other 2016 Award Recipients Include:

  • Hon. Edmund Bartlett, M.P., Minister of Tourism, Jamaica ministry of Tourism

  • Ana Aponte-Curtis, Chairperson NCBMP

  • Jason Dunn, VP of Multicultural & Community Development, Cincinnati USA

  • Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line

  • Treva Marshall, President & CEO of TJM Communications, Inc.

  • Hon. Johnny Ford, Mayor, Tuskegee AL

  • John Best, Founder & President of Capitol Entertainment Services, Inc.

  • Elaine Williams Pinder, MBE, CEO and president of Gilgan Group

     

    Previous Apex Award recipients include Arnold Donald, President/CEO of Carnival Corp., Rita D. McClenny, President/CEO of Virginia Tourism Corp., Julie Coker, SVP for Philadelphia CVB, Elliott Ferguson, President/CEO of Destination DC, Gary C. Sain, President/CEO Orlando/Orange County CVB, and William Norman, President/CEO of TIA, to name a few.

    About Black Meetings & Tourism Publishing since 1994, BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM is the exclusive, African-American owned, awarding-winning, international, trade publication for and about the $56+ Billion plus African-American meetings, incentives, leisure and group travel market.

    About Meet AC Meet AC, Inc. was officially formed as a 501(c)(6) organization on June 23, 2014. Prior to its formation, the Meetings and Convention sales and marketing group was operating under the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Meet AC, a tourism economic development agency, will focus on three primary objectives: sales, marketing and services.

    For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.meetac.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MeetAtlanticCity and Twitter at @Meet_AC.
     

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    Media Contacts:
    Jessica Merrill
    609-449-7147
    jmerrill@meetac.com

    Solomon Herbert
    (818) 709-0646
    Tourisman@aol.com