|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2004
CONTACT: Patrick Christofer Riley 212-690-5530
LA Black Business Expo and Trade Show and Souljourn Announce First Black Travel and Trade Show
NEW YORK, NY ― The Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show (LABBETS) and Souljourn, LLC have joined to host the first Black Travel and Trade show. This two-day expo will showcase destinations and corporations, and provide workshops and discussions by industry leaders regarding this untapped $35 billion market.
A recent report released by the Travel Industry Association indicates that African American travel consumers are at the forefront of the revival of this industry. TIA reports that nearly 80 million African Americans are taking trips annually. Moreover, African Americans travel more for conventions, conferences and special events than the general population; spending $500,000 to $1 million daily, yet no comprehensive, culturally relevant brand exists to meet their travel and tourism needs.
“The season has arrived for corporations and destinations seeking to market to this thriving yet untapped market,” states Patrick Christofer Riley, CEO & Editorial Director of Souljourn, LLC. “But most are unsure of how to position their brands.” Souljourn is the nation’s foremost provider of travel and local lifestyle information and services for individuals seeking Black culture and entertainment. Souljourn produces annual Souljourn Guides to Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. These digest-sized, 4-color, 96-page city guides provide the best of Black culture that a city (and places throughout the state) has to offer. One million copies are in circulation (250,000 copies of each Souljourn City Guide were printed). These guides are free to the public. The current four have been updated and there are new Souljourn City Guides for six additional cities: Miami, Detroit, Washington, DC, Dallas, San Francisco/Oakland and London. They will debut in Spring 2004.
“Not
only is this the season but the LA Black Business Expo and Trade Show is the
appropriate place for destinations and corporations seeking to showcase
their products,” states Harold Hambrick, executive director of the Expo.
Now in its 16th year, LABBETS has been a leader, serving as an
intermediary between corporations, Black-owned businesses and consumers.
According to a recent census bureau
report, the Los Angeles area is home to nearly a billion dollars in African
American business receipts. During itsthree day weekend run, the Expo
reaches more than 70,000 consumers and over
Headquartered in New York City, Souljourn, LLC is a multimedia holding company reaching a $35 billion untapped and thriving African-American travel and tourism market by providing timely and comprehensive content distribution, travel transactions and travel services. Employing a range of industry-leading strategic partnerships, RR Donnelley, Citysearch.com, city and state tourism bureaus, D.K. Shifflet, and Fodor’s, Souljourn serves as “A Beacon in the World of Travel.”
The partnership between Souljourn, LLC and LABBETS crystallized recently when Souljourn announced that Los Angeles (coinciding with the Expo) is the fourth and final stop on its recently launched national family vacation program “Take a Souljourn Across America.” “Take A Souljourn Across America,” is a multiple city tour organized around major cultural events and historic sites, which offers families, organizations and individuals the opportunity to reconnect with one another while rediscovering roots en route. Each stop on the Souljourn Across America is an affordable, memorable, and fun filled four-day and three-night excursion. The other Souljourn tour stops are Atlanta (July 15-18) to coincide with the National Black Arts Festival; New York City (August 12-15, 2004) for Harlem Week; and Chicago (September 1-6), for the Chicago Jazz Festival and the African Festival of the Arts. Souljourn Across America will expose travelers to a wide variety of historical, cultural, entertainment, dining and shopping options and will include scheduled family gatherings.
Whether your interest is in a fun and a meaningful tour experience or moving to a new promotional position in the travel-related industries, the Black Travel and Trade Expo is for you.
For more information visit www.souljournonline.com or visit www.expoupdate.com
|