Leading meetings and events industry diversity, equity and inclusion leader Jason Dunn Sr. was named to lead the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) as executive director.
The non-profit organization was founded in 1983 and has a mission to educate and empower Black hospitality professionals and others who are proponents of equity and support or work in the Black meetings and events industry segment.
“We’re elated to announce Jason Dunn Sr., as our national executive director,” said NCBMP Board Chairman Kevin Richardson in announcing the appointment. “Knowing that the authenticity of Jason’s leadership, the passion in which he builds his relationships, and his ability to move the moral consciousness of all around him, aligns with our founders’ vison and truly makes him the best person for the job. We are now better positioned to compete, educate and highlight the impact of our business as we approach our 40th anniversary. We are excited about Jason leading the way.”
[Related: NCBMP Chair Jason Dunn Fights for Equality in the Meetings Industry and Beyond]
Dunn joins NCBMP from his position as vice president of Visit Cincy, which he is departing to lead NCBMP, and is the first Black vice president in the DMO’s 77-year history. An 18-year tourism industry veteran, at Visit Cincy Dunn led initiatives that positioned Cincinnati as a top destination choice for diverse conventions, having hosted 21 of the top 25 diverse organizations during his tenure, according to NCBMP.
Due to the work of Dunn and his team at Visit Cincy, the city is set to welcome its largest convention in 18 years, the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s 52nd Quadrennial Session in 2024.
“Visit Cincy has truly prepared me for the power/influence of this industry,” Dunn said in the announcement. “At the same time, NCBMP has paved the way for me to live up to its creed. Strategic partnerships rooted in authenticity, substance and friendship will be key in leading the hospitality industry. NCBMP has a rich history of being at the forefront and we seek to make our founders proud and work closely with our Board of Directors to ensure we are positioned to compete.”
[Related: 20 Meetings Trendsetters Who Stepped Up When Their Industry Needed Them Most]
Dunn’s Major Accomplishments
Other major accomplishments during Dunn’s tenure at Visit Cincy include forming key strategic partnerships that empowered the local community via tourism, including the DMO’s Vibe Cincinnati platform and activations such as The Cincinnati Moon Festival, Cincy Soul’s ‘The Black Taste,’ The Cincinnati Music Festival’s Vibe Night, The Un-Told Speaker Series, Cincinnati Pride’s Speaker Series, the Cincinnati International Jazz Festival, the Cincinnati Rhythm by COMPASS and Cincy Sabrosso.
Dunn also led the development of the Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership program, an initiative that works to increase skilled and diverse talent in the hospitality sector by implementing innovative curriculum into Cincinnati Public Schools systems as well as with Cincinnati-based colleges and hospitality businesses.
[Related: Black Destination Leaders Answer ‘5 Questions About Race’ in Powerful Video]
Dunn fostered partnerships that have helped transform the travel and tourism industry’s DEI efforts and challenged the status quo through data, leading MMGY’s Global Black Travel Study; The Events Industry Council’s Global Equity Study; the Annual State of Black Tourism Summit; The Cincinnati Music Festival’s Economic Impact Study; The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber’s Black Business Economic Impact Study; Visit Cincy’s Black Leisure Travelers Destination Marketing Study; and originated the idea to create the DMO Assessment tool led by Destination International.
This information is based on a press release from National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.
Read about more recent moves and appointments in the hospitality industry.
