Black Meetings and Tourism magazine recently recognized Genyne Edwards, Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, as one of the most influential African Americans in the meeting and tourism industry.

In the October/November 2003 issue, Edwards was featured among the nation's top multicultural travel industry executives. In an editorial message, publisher Solomon J. Herbert championed achievements by Edwards and others, while urging for continued diversity education and training throughout the travel industry. The article also discussed the continued responsibility of the travel and hospitality industry to diversify their employment practices.

"It is significant to the state of Wisconsin that our travel and hospitality industry has been recognized for its multicultural marketing and appointment of African Americans in decision-making positions," Deputy Secretary Edwards said. "The travel and hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy and minorities have an opportunity to make an impact through their buying power and many niche entrepreneurial prospects."

Edwards was appointed deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in January 2003, where she provides organizational and strategic leadership to the department's marketing and communications professionals. Since her appointment Edwards has initiated several outreach programs to improve communications between department and industry partners statewide, and has been an advocate for an increased role for cultural and urban tourism in statewide marketing and promotional materials. She was recently named vice chair of the Great Lakes of North America, an international tourism marketing association.

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Media Contact: Lisa Marshall +1 608-267-3773 lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com