about CLARA CARTER

President of The Multi-Cultural Conventions Service Network (MCCSN)

Clara Carter is an award-winning meeting and event professional with over 20 years’ experience. Ms. Carter is President and Founder of the Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network (MCCSN), Inc., a woman-owned DBE certified business that provides global meeting, event management, consulting, and third party hotel sourcing services to associations, corporations, and leisure travel clients. MCCSN produces the annual WITH National Conference and Awards Luncheon.

Ms. Carter is the creator of tourism and hospitality programs and events, that have generated millions of tourism dollars and fostered diversity and inclusion in the city of San Diego. She is the visionary founder of Women in Tourism and Hospitality International (WITH, Int’l),

a newly formed non-profit corporation that recognizes the contributions of women professionals at all stages of their careers who significantly impact the changing landscape of Tourism and Hospitality. WITH, Int’l provides highly regarded community programs to include scholarships, mentorship, educational programs and membership.

Ms. Carter’s recognitions include 2021 selection to the San Diego Black Pioneers Exhibition at San Diego History Museum; 2021 Clara Carter day named in her honor, by the San Diego Mayor and City Council (three previous honors, 2017, 2015 and 2007); 2020 Meetings Trendsetter by Meetings Today Magazine; 2019 Gender Equity Champion by California NOW; 2018 inclusion as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings Magazine and 2017 Changemaker by Meetings Net magazine.

Clara is a dedicated community leader, mentor, and volunteer. She serves as an instructor at San Diego State University for Extended Studies MEP; Advisory Board member for Rady Children’s Hospital (SECU chapter); Executive Advisory Board member for Mount Miguel High School’s Matador Business Academy; and Trustee Board member at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She is a devoted caregiver, wife, mother, and proud grandmother of her five “heartbeats”.