For Immediate Release

	November 18, 2004 JOHN CRUMP PASSES NCBMP TORCH On November 19, 2004, John Crump, JD, CMP, CAE will step down as Chairman of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and become Chairman Emeritus. Crump became Chairman of NCBMP in 1993 and has held the post for eleven consecutive years. During his tenure, NCBMP has moved to new heights. NCBMP is recognized as the leading source for information and the development of blacks in the hospitality industry. Crump is lauded for his leadership and vision on the NCBMP Board. Crump's widespread popularity and recognition in the hospitality industry for tough dealing and genuine friendships has made him an asset to NCBMP. NCBMP has grown over 100 percent, while its corporate support and budget continues to increase as well. "Our importance in the industry cannot be overstated," says Crump. In 2003, the income for travel and tourism in the United States was between $97.1 billion and $108.7 billion. Although down since September 11, 2001, these figures show the economic impact of the meeting planning industry. According to a Report on the Lodging Industry, by the NAACP, the African American travel market is the fastest growing segment of the industry, rising 16% over the recent two year period, compared to only 1% growth in the general market. NCBMP has embraced the challenge of facilitating the careers of today's African American meeting planners and ensuring the existence of the next generation. It is an aggressive vehicle upon which many in the industry rely for growth, contacts and commitments. Over the years, the number of black Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP) has increased leading to more continuing education involvement by NCBMP. "This is an important change that reflects how we are proactively embracing the needs of our constituents and clients," says Crump. "The great challenge planners and managers will face is staying abreast of and coping with the shifting economic factors and new cost variables as the industry struggles to rebound from economic losses suffered in recent years. Changing technologies, such as cell phones, fax machines, email and the internet have adversely affected or shifted revenue centers. This was compounded by the September 11 event that sent the industry into a downturn from which it is only recently emerging". For nearly a decade, Crump has consistently been recognized in trade publications among the Top Most Influential Persons in the Industry. He was featured in several publications, including on the May 1992 cover story of Meeting and Conventions Magazine, entitled "Racism -Lets Face It" and on the January 2001 cover story of Successful Meetings Magazine, entitled "Holding Court". In 1997, Meeting News listed him as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Persons in the Industry. Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine presented Crump its 2002 Apex Award for Distinguished Service in Furthering the Education of Professionals in the Meeting and Hospitality Industry. He received the 2004 "Man of the Year" Award from the National Federation of Black Women Business Owners. He is actively involved in many meeting planning and association management organizations, including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as former Vice Chair, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Convention Industry Council (CIC), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) Industry Advisory Council. He has serves on the Intercontinental Hotels Group and Holiday Inn Meeting Planners Advisory Board. Crump is currently the Executive Director of the National Bar Association, the nation's oldest and largest organization of lawyers of color. He is recognized by the National Bar Association and legal community as well. Among numerous awards, he was recently honored for 20 years of distinguished service to the NBA with a Distinguished Executive Director Award and $100,000 donation made to the National Bar Association in his honor from attorney Willie Gary of Florida. In August 2004, he received the NBA Presidential Award for his visionary development and administration of the award-winning NBA Crump Law Camp for high school students. The Camp is named in his honor.