April 8 - Seminole Tribe of Florida

The Seminole Tribune 21 April 8, 2005Seminole Tribe of FloridaA New Guinea native embraces his new found friendship with Seminole Tribal citizen Herbert Jim.Tribe Takes Center Stage atInternational Travel TradeshowHerbert Rainy Jim attendsas cultural representativeBERLIN, GERMANY — Representativesfrom the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s FloridaSeminole Tourism attended the InternationalTourismus-Boruse (ITB), the world’s largest travelindustry tradeshow from March 10–15 in Berlin,Germany. International Tourismus-Boruse is Germanand translates to International Tourism Exchange inEnglish.Tribal representatives showcased the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Billie Swamp Safari, SeminoleOkalee Museum, Seminole Okalee Indian Village,Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, SeminoleParadise and the Immokalee Casino. This is the tenthyear in a row that Florida Seminole Tourism representativeshave attended this international traveltradeshow to attract more visitors.This is the tenth year in a row that FloridaSeminole Tourism representatives have attended thisinternational travel tradeshow.“Germany is one of our number one marketsfor visitors to the Seminole Tribe’s tourism venues,”said Tribal Marketing Director Lucy Evanicki.“The Tribe has an international following and attendingshows like this enables us to meet with tour operators,travel agents and media to help sell and promotethe Seminole Tribe’s cultural and attractiontourism products.”The ITB tradeshow attracts high-rankingtravel professionals from around the world includingtour operators, travel agents, media, representativesfrom attractions, hotels, countries, theme parks andSeminole Tribe of Florida(L-R) Governor Richard Mermejo of the Picurus Pueblo in NewMexico, Seminole Herbert Jim and Teresa and Melissa True from theSan Juan Pueblo in New Mexico enjoyed the Native American dinner.more and allows them to meet one-on-one to sell theirproducts and negotiate future business. With morethan 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries, ITBrepresents the full spectrum of global tourism.Herbert Rainey Jim from the TribalEducation department attended ITB as the SeminoleTribe’s cultural representative. While at the show, heinteracted and networked with other cultural liaisonsfrom many foreign locales such as the Far East,Africa and South America.Jim also met a Middle Eastern gentlemanwho made him a keepsake of his full name written inArabic. In addition, Jim autographed postcards forvisiting ITB attendees. The postcard depicted himmaking his way through the Everglades waters atBillie Swamp Safari.Seminole Tribe of FloridaHerbie Jim shows his name written in Arabic.On the back of this postcard were descriptionsof the Seminole tourist attractions, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Seminole Okalee Indian Village andMuseum and of course, Billie Swamp Safari. Thesepostcards, which doubled as cultural mementos, werealso intended to be promotional pieces that wouldentice attendees to make a stop at any of these Tribalvenues while vacationing in Florida.While at ITB, Florida Seminole Tourism representativesmet one-on-one with more than 45 touroperators, travel agents and media. The SeminoleTribe also sponsored the Second Annual NativeAmerican Dinner in conjunctionwith ITB. All Native American ITBparticipants were invited to attend,and the majority did; includingGovernor Richard Mermejo fromthe Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico,San Juan Pueblo Tribal representativesand ancient storytellersTheresa True, Melissa True and BoTaylor representing the CherokeeNation.The USA is confident 2005will prove to be one of its best yearsfor overseas tourists as the weakdollar helps to pull in record numbersof European holiday makers.Tourism bosses are in a bullishmood following a strong 2004 thatstates such as Florida believedmatched 2000–the year mostAmerican officials regard as the lasthigh-water mark of real growth.“Everyone thought 2005would be the year to catch up, but Ithink we got there in 2004,” saidVisit Florida UK and ScandinaviaDirector Colin Brodie. “That means2005 will be the best year ever forFlorida.”Even the hurricanes whichbattered the Sunshine State’s coastlinelast autumn have failed to deter travelers, accordingto Visit Florida, the state’s official travel planningwebsite.“The hurricane issue is a non-event. Onlyone customer has mentioned it at ITB,” said VisitFlorida’s Director of Continental Europe PhilipChryst. “The important things are price andvalue–Europeans are 32 percent richer in Floridabecause of the weak dollar. There is a pent-up desireto visit and people think the time is now. We are lookingat a boom year for the German market.”Portions of this article have been taken froman article that was featured in FVW International bySara Macefield.First Annual BC Gospel CelebrationSubmitted by Cindy MalinBIG CYPRESS — Join gospel music fansas they enjoy performances by the Crabb Family andCharles Johnson and the Revivers at the Big CypressGospel Celebration presented by the Seminole Tribeof Florida on April 16 at the Big Cypress RodeoArena located on the Big Cypress Seminole IndianReservation. Gates open at 10 a.m., concert begins at12 p.m.The first performer will be Nicole Niles, anational recording artist who has opened for ShaniaTwain, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and othersand has been writing Christian music for the pastthree years. Next will be the Andy Buster Band representingthe Miccosukee Tribe followed by the JonahCypress Band representing the Seminole Tribe ofFlorida.Charles Johnson and the Revivers will beperforming at 4 p.m. Formerly with the SensationalNightingales, Johnson has joined Maurice Morganand Daryl Richmond to form this nationally knowngospel band. He has also recorded his own CDs,made his own videos and has written an autobiographyto remind readers of the spiritual heritage of ourcountry.The final musical performance which isscheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. will be the CrabbFamily. From a church in rural Kentucky, the CrabbFamily has managed to break through musical barriersto reach people from all walks of life with themessage of the gospel. Their schedule leads themfrom the Grand Ole’ Opry to State Fairs to Christianfestivals. Although their roots are primarily SouthernGospel, the Crabb Family’s latest recording,“Driven,” features a variety of styles and genres.In addition to gospel music, Seminole arts,crafts and food will be available. There will also be achildren’s village with a bounce house, face paintingby clowns, free popcorn and snow cones.For further information, please call JoshJumper at (863) 983-8923 or (863) 902-3200.