November has subsided, an organiser said yesterday.

And the Department of Tourism has signed on as a $100,000 sponsor of the World Conference of Mayors 1998 Annual Convention which is set to be held in Bermuda from November 15 to 20.

African American Global Trade and Tourism Council president and WCOM organiser Bonnie Marshall told The Royal Gazette that she encountered a great deal of scepticism locally when she first approached organisations about the event.

"I feel like I met a lot of brick walls in the beginning,'' she said. "It may have been the cultural differences or the way we do business in the States versus the way it is done in Bermuda.

"It was a struggle but it was almost like a bittersweet situation. For every door we went up against we met someone else who was positive and excited and anxious. That is what kept me going.'' Ms Marshall was on Island yesterday with WCOM founder and director general Johnny Ford and WCOM first vice-president Francis Bertrand, the Mayor of Point Fortin in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ms Marshall said it was probably hard for locals to believe that she was serious when she spoke of the interest the annual convention would attract overseas.

"Some people may not have been supportive in the beginning because they did not understand. I was a representative saying all this big stuff and they didn't know me.

"If we had started a lot earlier and if we had brought the mayors in right away then we would have been able to do this a lot differently and would not have run across as many obstacles.'' Once the Bermuda Industrial Union got involved, things changed, said Ms Marshall, as the organisation was familiar with the WCOM.

"When we came to them they already knew who we were. The energy picked right up. I am eager and anxious to move forward.

"In November you can expect between 1,500 and 3,000 people to come to the Island. Bermuda will be on the world stage.'' The Southampton Princess and the Elbow Beach Hotel have signed on with the event.

The Elbow Beach has been designated the convention's official hotel in that all the mayors, congressmen and dignitaries will be invited to stay there while the meetings will be held at the Southampton Princess which will also provide accommodation.

She also said CNN and other members of the international media would descend upon the Island for the event.

And Ms Marshall said the convention would also provide star-studded entertainment with Jennifer Holliday, Melba Moore and the Manhattans making possible appearances.

Meanwhile Mr. Ford noted that not only mayors would be invited to attend the event. Other elected officials would be invited as well as political, business and education leaders.

And he stressed: "While we are proud of our African American heritage, this conference is for all races, colours and creeds. It is open to everyone, just like Bermuda.'' Tourism Minister David Dodwell said his department had signed a contract to become a title sponsor for the event.

He said the convention provided the opportunity to welcome many people to the Island's shores and would allow Bermudians to interact with these people.

He noted: "This goes way beyond benefits for tourism.'' BRAINSTORMING -- World Conference of Mayors founder and director general Johnny Ford shares ideas with Tourism Minister David Dodwell.