Passing the Baton: People, Places, RFPs, Open Positions

PEOPLE

Camila Clark has been named Senior Vice President – Marketing & Communications at Visit Lauderdale. Her background includes executive roles in communications at Maryland Department of Commerce and Brand USA. Most recently, she was founder and chief experience officer at Monarch Media & Events in Baltimore.

Randy Fiveash, who retired in April following 13 years as director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, has been hired as the interim director of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He had moved to North Carolina when his wife Shari Fiveash, a consultant, accepted the position of president and CEO at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

Maureen Haley Thornton has been named as the new president & CEO at Visit Franklin, the DMO for Williamson County, Tennessee. She was most recently vice president of strategic tourism initiatives at Visit Houston. Selected following a nationwide search, her background includes a VP role working with DMOs at Development Counsellors Internationals and a previous position with Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Sheryl Lang has been named to lead Visit Greenville SC as president and CEO following a nationwide search. Lang leaves her job as chief strategy officer at The LJS Group, a hospitality consulting agency in Arlington, Virginia. She has extensive experience in the hotel industry in the greater New York area. 

Annette Pitts has been named Chief Executive of Experience Olympia & Beyond in Washington State. She had served as executive director of the Cascade Loop Association for 10 years.

Jay Robichaux has been appointed Executive Director at Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourism Commission. A native of the area, he joins from his own consulting business and 19 years’ service on the local school board.

Brandy Ream has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau / Visit French Lick West Baden in Indiana. A. native, she is returning to the area after 20 years in management and marketing at ski resorts across the country. 

Heather Daniel is set to move into the role of President & CEO at the newly formed DMO, Explore Newnan-Coweta, Inc. in Georgia. She currently president of the board of directors at Atlanta Metro Travel Association and is head of development at Atlanta-based Rhyme & Reason Design LLC.

Heather Brown moves from interim to permanent in her role as Executive Director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau in Missouri.

In Kansas, Jackson Tough joins historic Visit Fort Scott as Tourism Manager. He joins from his previous role as CEO / Executive Director at the nearby El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Missouri, for nine years.

Tyler Walsh has been promoted to Director, Marketing at Economic Development Winnipeg, which includes YES! Winnipeg and Tourism Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. He’s been with the organization for five years, joining as manager of digital and content marketing, following a career in news, sports, entertainment reporting, video production, and editing.

Ann Marie Maher, previously director of tourism at Visit Prince William, has been promoted to Acting Deputy Director for the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism – Prince William County Government, Virginia. Her DMO background includes Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board and Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. In addition, Dan Cook, previously marketing manager at Visit Prince William (formerly Prince William County/Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau), has been promoted to Acting Tourism Director for the department which also operates a 4,400+ acre park system comprised of 81 properties and 60+ miles of trails in Northern Virginia.

Emmanuelle Legault, formerly VP of Marketing & Strategy at Tourisme Montréal, has been appointed Président-Directeur Général (CEO) at Palais des Congrès de Montréal, the convention center. Her industry background also includes three years as a VP at Destination Canada.

In Oregon, Eli Matthews departs as Senior Vice President and interim director at Travel Medford. The former city councilor moves to a role as President and CEO of the Chamber of Medford & Jackson County.

Jim Mansfield has retired following two decades of service as Executive Director of the Muncie Visitors Bureau in Indiana. A nationwide search will be conducted later this year and the tourism commission expects to announce an interim executive director soon. Strategic planning consultants DMOproz has been engaged to conduct an organizational review of organization and develop a three-year strategic plan.

Jack Wert, Collier County’s longtime tourism director has announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, which he joined in 2002. Previously, he served as the CEO of Seminole County Visitor and Convention Bureau in Central Florida for more than a decade.

Oversight of the department will pass to Paul Beirnes, who joined the DMO eight months ago as deputy director.

Shaylee Taylor has joined Relic Advertising in Provo, Utah as Account Coordinator. She is “strategically strategic” and is obviously savvy about brand placement.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Destinations International named the organizations’s 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees and the Leadership Award recipient, Elliott L Ferguson, president & CEO, Destination DC. Also, (l to r) Larry Alexander, former president and CEO of Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau; Deb Archer, CDME, former president and CEO of Destination Madison; Wayne Chappell, former executive director of Baltimore Convention & Visitors Bureau, former president of Kansas City Convention & Visitors Bureau, and former chief operations officer and vice president of tradeshow relations of Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau; and posthumous recognition to Marion Frances Szurek, former executive director of San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau.

---

Wednesday, July 14  | 1 p.m. ET
Learning How to Differentiate for Relevance Using Public Data and Artificial Intelligence

It’s no secret that the ability to quickly turn data into decisions is what separates all successful companies from the rest. It’s also no secret that differentiation and relevance is what allows a Brand to stand out from its competition and capture people’s time, attention and money. This is especially true for the Tourism industry where competition is vast and the traveler is making decisions every day.

What may be a secret is that every DMO, regardless of existing data sources and infrastructure, can quickly harness this wisdom to stand out from competition and learn from the best brands in the world. We’ll walk through a few examples in the Tourism world. No technical or data knowledge required.

Register Here

Panelists: 
Maurizio Boano, Director of Business Analytics, CRANT
Michael Wise, Director of Data Science, CRANT
Sponsored by:

---

eTSY AWARDS

Submit Your Entry Today

---

RFPs

Nevada Division of Tourism plans to award a $600K two-year PR contract to attract visitors from Mexico, Central and South America in coordination with tourism partners in Las Vegas, Reno, Virginia City, Elko and Lake Tahoe. The firm will organize FAM trips for tour operators, participate in trade shows in Latin American markets, provide media outreach communications to keep the state “on top of journalists’ minds.” The selected firm will also engage consumers and travel trade. Applications are due July 6, 2021.

---

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is seeking proposals from integrated marketing agencies interested in becoming marketing agency of record. Proposers shall submit an electronic PDF version of their proposal to WEDC’s VP of marketing and brand strategy, Scott Champion, at scott.champion@wedc.org no later than July 9, 2021 at 4 p.m. CT.

---

“Following the tragic death of Andrew Brown Jr and our community’s immediate and unexpected thrust into the national media spotlight, we acknowledge that we need some help. And while tourism may not be the primary focus of the tragedy and ensuing events, we cannot move forward until we learn more. Therefore, Visit Elizabeth City is seeking proposals from qualified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultants to provide a DEI community assessment and develop an action plan that will guide VEC in developing, planning and implementing programs and messaging to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the tourism space and more.” — Corrina Ruffieux, CDME, Executive Director, Visit Elizabeth City, NC. RFP details here: https://visitelizabethcity.com/About/RFP. The deadline for submissions is July 19, 2021.

---

Seeking tourism & marketing services consultant for the City of Shelbyville, TN. Consultants may request consideration by submitting a letter of interest along with qualifications to Mrs. Lori Saddler, Purchasing Agent, 201 North Spring Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160. All letters of interest and qualifications must be received on or before 11:00 a.m. CST, Friday, 2 July 2021. 

---

JOBS

President & CEO — GSBA (formerly Greater Seattle Business Association, North America’s largest LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce)

President & CEO — Oklahoma State Fair, Inc.

President & CEO — Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — Visit Carlsbad, CA

President & CEO — Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau, CA

Executive Director — Sioux City Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, IA

Executive Director — Visit Yuma, AZ

Executive Director AND Conference Sales Director — Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority, GA

Director — Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau, FL

Executive Director — Skagit Tourism Bureau, WA

Executive Director — Corpus Christi Sports Commission, TX

Executive Director — Destination Sturgeon Bay, WI

Executive Director — Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Albion, IN

Executive Director — Copperas Cover Chamber & Visitors Bureau, TX

President & CEO — Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce, AR

President & CEO — Ardmore Chamber of Commerce/Ardmore Development Authority/Ardmore Tourism Authority, OK

Executive Director — Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, AZ

Vice President Marketing — Visit Florida

Chief Sales Officer AND National Sales Director-Citywide Accounts AND Director of IT — San Diego Tourism Authority

Chief Sales Officer — Visit Pittsburgh

Senior Vice President of Multicultural and Community Development AND Senior Manager-Global Trade AND Senior Destination Services Manager — Visit Lauderdale / Broward County, FL

Senior Vice President Convention Development — Visit Louisville

Vice President Marketing AND Vice President Sales — Visit Wichita

Vice President-Diversity, Equity, Inclusion — Travel Portland, OR

Vice President of Digital Marketing & Communications — Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, WI

Chief of Staff to the CMO AND Social Media Manager AND Senior Manager-SEO AND Email Marketing & Personalization Specialist AND Coordinator, Global Communications — NYC & Company

Vice President of IT AND Vice President of Customer Safety AND Senior Director of Transportation AND People & Culture Representative AND Advertising Manager — Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

Senior Vice President — Travel Medford, OR

VP Marketing AND VP Member Services — Park City Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau, UT

Director — Visit Lake County, FL

Director of Sales and Partnership Management — Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce/Visitor & Convention Bureau, SC

Director of Marketing — Experience Olympia & Beyond, WA

Director of Tourism — Amarillo Convention & Visitors Bureau, TX

Director of Digital Marketing — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL

Director of Research & Market Intelligence — Visit Albuquerque

Director-Insights & Analytics AND IT Support Specialist — Destination Cleveland

Business Intelligence Manager — Visit Buffalo Niagara, NY

Director of Business Development — Visit Napa Valley, CA

Finance & HR Director — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Senior Manager-Sport & Culture AND Senior Manager-Communications — Visit Calgary, Alberta

Director of Sports Tourism Sales — Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, IA

Sports & Events Sales Manager — Travel Salem, OR

Sports & Events Manager — City of Broussard, LA

Director of Marketing — Visit Walla Walla, WA

Marketing Manager AND Social Media Marketing Coordinator AND Sales & Destination Services Assistant AND HR Generalist — Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

Social Media Manager — Choose Chicago

Marketing & Communications Manager — Visit Mobile, AL

Public Relations Manager — Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

Director of Tourism AND Partnership Coordinator— Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, CA

Marketing Manager AND Communications Specialist — Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau, CA

Director of Communications AND Travel Specialist — Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, CA

Communications Director — Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Bureau, KY

Marketing Manager — Visit Tri-Cities, WA

Manager of Visitor Experience — San Francisco Travel Association

Managing Director of Marketing & Sales — Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, TX

Deputy Director of Marketing — Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL

Director of Digital Strategy & Online Marketing — Visit Lake Charles, LA

Group Business Development Manager AND Data & Systems Specialist — Sonoma County Tourism , CA

National Sales Manager — Visit Norfolk, VA

National Account Executive — Meet Minneapolis, MN

Director of Sales — Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau

Sales Manager — Experience Sioux Falls, SD

Convention Sales Manager — Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, LA

Meetings & Conventions Marketing Manager AND Leisure Communications Manager — Visit Milwaukee

Director, Integrated Marketing & Communications AND Director, Marketing (Sports, Meetings & Conventions) AND Director, Diversity & Inclusion Programs AND Sales Assistant AND Communications Specialist AND DestinationSpecialist, Meetings & Conventions — Experience Columbus, OH

Content & Engagement Manager AND Convention Services Director AND Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinator — Cincinnati USA

Sales Manager — Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau, OH

B2B Digital Content Manager — Visit California

Social Media Producer — Visit Lodi, CA

Social Media & Website Manager — Discover Monroe-West Monroe, LA

Manager of Video & Digital Marketing — Think Iowa City

Social Media Content Manager — Visit Greenville, SC

Marketing & Communications Manager — Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, MA

Marketing Manager — Visit Kankakee County, IL

Communications Manager & Visitor Center Manager — Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau< AZ

Marketing & Communications Manager — Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, MA

Digital Projects & Content Specialist — Georgia Dept. of Economic Development

Digital Content Manager — San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention & Visitors, CA

Digital Content Marketing Coordinator — Wild Horse Pass Development Authority, Chandler, AZ

Digital Advertising Specialist — Springfield, Missouri, Convention & Visitors Bureau

Marketing Communications Coordinator — Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, NV

Advertising Project Manager — Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (temporary/longterm)

Site Services Manager — Discover Puerto Rico, San Juan

Research Analyst AND Public Relations Manager AND Public Relations Coordinator AND Group Sales & Services Coordinator AND Administrative Assistant — Explore Asheville, NC

Economic Impact Analyst AND Destination Services Coordinator AND Convention Sales Coordinator AND Administration Manager AND Group Sales & Services Coordinator — Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, NC

Tourism & Events Coordinator — Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, NC

Event Specialist — Visit Elizabeth City, NC

Sales Specialist — Emerald Coast Convention Center/Okaloosa County, FL

Director of Sales — Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix

Sales Manager — Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau,  Bloomington, IL 

Sales Manager — Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau, CA

Digital Media, PR & Events Specialist — Visit Concord, CA

Accounting Specialist — Team San Jose, CA

Hospitality Sales Executive — Visit Modesto, CA

Digital Marketing Coordinator — Mammoth Lakes Tourism/Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, CA

Executive Assistant — Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, IL

Economic Development Manager — Weakley County, Martin, TN
 
Marketing Business Development Manager — Watertown Convention & Visitors Bureau, SD 

Tourism & Marketing Assistant — City of Katy, TX

Tourism Coordinator Group Sales — City of Georgetown, TX

Tourism Project Coordinator for Development — Visit Long Beach Peninsula/Pacific County, Washington

Visitor Center Coordinator — Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Roanoke Rapids, VA

Marketing Specialist — Destination Greater Victoria (Canadian right-to-work)

Marketing Specialist — Tourism Vancouver, B.C.

Business Analyst — Visit Grand Junction, CO

Tourism Industry Analyst — Reno Sparks Convention & Visitors Bureau, NV

Executive Meetings Manager AND Executive Assistant-Conventions— Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, CO

Group Sales Manager — Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau, CO

Sales Coordinator — Visit Durango, CO

Destination Services Manager — Visit Aurora, CO

Manager, Industry Communications — U.S. Travel Association, Wash., D.C.

Senior Director-Membership Engagement — Destinations International

Digital Marketing Executive — Tourism New Zealand, Santa Monica, CA

Director Hotel Relations & Services — Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston

Director of Convention & Entertainment Facilities — City of Kansas City, MO

Event Manager — City of Little Rock, AR

General Manager — Official ASM T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO

General Manager — Official ASM Global, Shreveport, LA

Convention Sales Marketing Manager — ASM Global, El Paso, TX

Senior Events Manager — Official ASM Global, Hampton, VA

Event Manager — ASM Global, Palm Springs, CA

Chief Sales Officer — Arrivalist

Senior Social Media Manager AND Social Community Manager AND Media Manager AND Media Buyer AND Account Executive PR-NYC AND Director of Public Relations-London AND Project Coordinator-Canada — MMGY Global

Staff Development Specialist AND Sales Manager-Phoenix — Simpleview, Tucson

Sales Executive Business Events — Development Counsellors International, NYC

Manager of eMail Marketing & CRM — SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, NYC