Chantel Ross Francois: A Beacon for Black Canadian Women Entrepreneurs and Catalyst for US-Canada Partnerships
Chantel Ross Francois, President of the East Point Convention & Visitors Bureau (EPCVB)
Chantel Ross Francois, President of the East Point Convention & Visitors Bureau (EPCVB) in Metro Atlanta, is a Black Canadian woman with a Caribbean heritage leading the EPCVB delegation of business, cultural, and political leaders from East Point, Georgia. She is a sponsor of Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers in the 2023 Toronto Caribbean Carnival. She has always appreciated the cultural value of the parade and carnival celebrations as well as the value and economic impact on the travel and tourism industry that benefits Toronto, the province of Ontario, Canada, and beyond. In her new role, she will tap into the experience economy connecting the United States and Canada.
Francois is a trailblazer and pioneer, being the only African American in the Tourism industry to head two Metro Atlanta cities in Georgia in an executive position as President of East Point Convention & Visitors Bureau and Executive Director of the City of South Fulton Convention & Visitors Bureau. Francois was personally recruited by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and the Ministry of Tourism to market the twin islands and to lead the special events, marketing, and promotional sales efforts for its inaugural and ongoing Delta nonstop service to Atlanta. She has also partnered with other Caribbean Tourist Boards, including St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, and Jamaica, in achieving their Tourism Sales objectives through strategic promotions and special events. She was responsible for the implementation of the Trinidad and Tobago Convention Bureau, where she served as Head of the Convention Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism for the Twin Isles. She is also the Founder / President of the Metro Atlanta Caribbean Chamber of Commerce Inc., along with founding partners Metro Atlanta Transit Authority (MARTA) and Air Jamaica. In this position, Francois hosted and worked with prime ministers and heads of state from around the world to promote economic and domestic development between Metro Atlanta and the Caribbean Nations. She displayed her meeting planning skills working with the United States Secret Service on high-profile visits of world leaders to Atlanta. Other international project highlights include her involvement in the Fifth Summit of the Americas attended by President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other heads of state, as well as her contribution to the Commonwealth Heads of State Conference (CHOGM), hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and attended by Heads of the Commonwealth member states in Trinidad and Tobago.
She has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and recognitions. These accolades include the YWCA Women of the Year, a spot on the Atlanta Business League Top 100 Women list, recognition among the Looking Ahead 100 Most Influential Women in Atlanta, the 100 Most Influential Caribbean people in Atlanta and most recently the APEX award for distinguished service in Tourism. Francois's commitment to fostering US-Canada ties extends beyond her involvement in the 2023 Toronto Caribbean Carnival, which she views as a golden opportunity for increased visibility and cross-promotion.
The City of East Point signature, "Wednesday Wind Down" music series hosted by Auntie Jillian, a Canadian influencer and TV personality and ambassador to East Point, aims to further economic collaborations between the two cities and provides a gateway for successful cross-border entrepreneurial collaborations in the arts and culture sector. Francois has facilitated success stories such as that of a Canadian entrepreneur who runs a 100% natural coconut water business. By providing a platform at events like her "Wednesday Wind Down," she has created opportunities for entrepreneurs to expand their reach and secure contracts, driving economic returns to the economy of both regions.
Her ultimate goal is to position EPCVB as a strategic destination with unmatched opportunities for business and leisure travelers alike. "The City of East Point is well positioned to become recognized as a renowned choice of “Where The World Meets" for meetings and leisure travel in the South. We want to capitalize on the City's rich cultural history, location, and accessibility. Just 8 miles to downtown Atlanta, our hotels have immediate access to several major expressways and less than 10 minutes to the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International,” said Ross Francois.
Being a Canadian of Caribbean descent has created a unique mindset and skillset that can drive economic growth for both Canada and the US. Chantel Ross Francois, with her diverse portfolio and unwavering commitment, exemplifies the power and potential of Black Canadian entrepreneurs. Her dedication to promoting economic and cultural exchanges between the US and Canada is an inspiration, making her a key figure in strengthening international relations. Her story underscores the importance of perseverance, innovation, and strategic partnerships in building a successful career while contributing significantly to community development and international collaborations.