Source: Corporate Meetings & Incentives

In January 1, 2003 the Corporate Meetings & Incentives reported that "'I've seen a thirst for understanding of Islam and Middle Eastern cultures,' says Mike Hyter, president and CEO of J. Howard & Associates, Boston, a multicultural consulting unit of Provant Inc. 'Today, companies are asking themselves questions such as how to recognize Ramadan. This is something that no one considered before.' Companies are also realizing they can no longer lump people into descriptive blocks, such as Hispanic or Asian. 'Employees could be from Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico,' says Hyter, 'They may all be considered Hispanic, but they're all very different.' 'We've been Americacentric for a long time,' he adds. 'Now we have to look at issues like Cuban and Haitian refugees and the conflict in Venezuela and figure out how it fits into our business.'"