PEOPLE

Industry veteran and local community leader Kathy Nelson will serve in an expanded role as the shared leader of Visit KC and the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation, where she has been President & CEO for 10 years. The new position is effective Jan. 1, 2022.

A native Kansas Citian, Nelson succeeds Jason Fulvi, who departed Visit KC in September to join Arrivalist as Chief Sales Officer. Randall Landes, the organization’s Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, has served as Interim President & CEO since September.

Aligned under this new shared leadership structure, the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC will continue to operate as individual entities, maintaining separate staffs, boards and missions, while Nelson will work to enhance alignment opportunities and long-range strategic partnerships to help propel both organizations. Nelson has served on the Visit KC Board of Directors in an ex-officio capacity since 2015.

J. Felipe Garcia, Interim President & CEO of Visit Tucson, has been chosen to lead the region’s destination marketing organization into its next chapter. He is an 18-year veteran of the DMO.

Garcia is replacing Brent DeRaad, who resigned in October to head the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau in Texas.

At New Orleans & Company, longtime President & CEO Stephen Perry has announced his retirement at the end of next year following two decades in the role. He will be succeeded by Walter J. Leger III, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the organization.

At NYC & Company, Janette Roush has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Marketing. She joined the DMO in 2018 as Managing Director, Marketing.

Chenelle McGee departs her role as President & CEO ShelbyKY Tourism & Convention Bureau (Louisville metro area) to join Kentucky Department of Tourism as a Supervisor.

Steven Clenney recently took on the position of Director at Visit Lake County in Florida. He had been serving as Interim Director since earlier this year and was previously serving as the DMO’s Manager of Sports Development.

Robin Prakash is now with Discover The Palm Beaches as Associate Vice President of Group Sales. He is a 22-year hospitality industry veteran who joins from the PGA National Resort & Spa.

Visit Salt Lake has named hospitality veteran Donna Rogers to be the DMO’s first Director of Convention Sales-West Coast Office. She is also a sustainability expert and the past president, education co-chair of the Society For Sustainable Events.

In Wyoming, Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board has appointed local marketing consultant Kathryn Brackenridge to serve as its Executive Director replacing Kate Sollitt who exits following a consultation period.

Beth Moats is the new Director of Marketing at Visit Greenville SC. Her private sector background involves executive roles in accounting, marketing and advertising.

Ann Marie Maher has departed as Director of Virginia’s Visit Prince William and Manassas, a position she held since 2010, followed by a restructuring role as Acting Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Her previous DMO roles include Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board and Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports welcomes Mike Bush as the new Director of Marketing and Communications. He has previously been a marketing executive with Seattle’s Museum of Flight and LeMay – America’s Car Museum on Tacoma.

Visit Greater Palm Springs has confirmed Kimber Foster as Director of Palm Springs Tourism. She joins from Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau in Texas, where she served as director of marketing and communications for the past five years.

Nate Swick has been promoted to Senior Communications Manager at Visit Indy, which he joined in 2016.

Laura Vanessa Gonzalez joins Visit Jacksonville as Account Manager-Sports Market. She bring experience from the private hotel and hospitality sector.

Katie Apfel has joined her hometown DMO, Discover Green Bay, as Digital Marketing Specialist. She has most recently been a self-employed business owner as a digital specialist.

Tessa Kalfell has been promoted to Regional Manager Client & Community Relations (Pacific and Rocky region) at Bandwango. She joined the company earlier this year as Client Success Manager following five years at Visit Seattle and had also been with Visit Spokane.

Patrick Smyton has joined Tourism Economics as Senior Client Manager. He had most recently been Senior Director of Convention Strategy at Visit Seattle.

Carrie Sagel Burns is the new Marketing Director at Arival. She brings 18 years of digital marketing experience as owner of Cre8ive Industries and co-founder & CEO/Chief Movie Buff, Atlanta Movie Tours for the past eight years.

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U.S. Travel Association Names Search Committee for the Next President & CEO — National Chair Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, has announced the nine board members that will work to identify the incoming leader of the organization. President & CEO Roger Dow will conclude his 17 years at the helm in July 2022.

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JOBS

President & CEO — Visit Seattle, WA (new)

President & CEO — Visit Rapid City, SD (new)

President & CEO — Visit Fort Wayne, IN

CEO / Executive Vice President — Visit Santa Cruz, CA

Executive Director — Visit Dana Point, CA

Executive Director — North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, MA

Executive Director — Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, NY

Executive Director AND Director of Communications & Engagement AND Director of Sales — Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau d.b.a. Coastal Mississippi, Biloxi, MS

Executive Director — Provincetown Business Guild, MA

Chief Brand & Marketing Officer — Visit Salt Lake, UT

Chief Marketing Officer — Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, CA

Chief Financial Officer — Visit Cincinnati USA (new)

Chief Financial Officer — Visit Colorado Springs, CO

Chief Diversity Officer AND Manager of Meetings & Events — Destinations International

General Manager — Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN

Vice President Communications & Marketing — Visit Savannah, GA

Vice President Marketing & Communications AND Member Experience Manager AND Administrative Coordinator Commercial Strategy — Visit Greenville, SC

Vice President / Director of Community Engagement & Advocacy — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Vice President of Engagement & Inclusion — Experience Grand Rapids, MI 

Vice President Meeting Sales & Services — Visit Fort Worth, TX

Vice President Tourism AND Director Digital Marketing AND Executive Assistant Conventions — Visit Denver, CO

Vice President of Sales — Visit Greater Palm Springs, CA

Vice President — Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, TX

Vice President of Meeting Sales & Services AND Senior Manager of PR & Content Strategy AND Senior Manager of Sports Marketing AND Sports Events Coordinator — Visit Fort Worth, TX

Senior Vice President of People & Culture AND Vice President of IT AND Senior Director of Marketing Analytics AND Senior Diversity Recruiter AND People & Culture Business Partner AND Senior Graphic & Motion Designer AND Financial Analyst — Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

Vice President of Operations AND Director of Human Resources AND Manager of Human Resources — Team San Jose, CA

Director of Marketing — Visit Oakland, CA

Marketing Director — Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, AR

Director of Marketing & Communications AND Director Convention Development AND Sports Sales Manager AND Sponsorship Manager — Destination El Paso / Visit El Paso, TX

Director of Marketing & Communications — Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, MD

Director of Marketing & Communications AND Marketing Coordinator AND Executive Assistant AND Senior Sales Manager — Visit Austin, TX

Director of Public Relations — Visit Tampa Bay, FL (new)

Director of Communications AND Director of Event Management AND Event Coordinator/Event Manager AND Corporate Sales Manager — Explore St. Louis

Director of Events, Tradeshow & Strategic Sales Partnership AND Associate Executive of Group Sales — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL

Director Tacoma Venue & Events — City of Tacoma, WA

Director of Convention Sales AND Digital Marketing Manager AND Convention Services Manager — Destination DC, Wash., DC

Director of Convention Sales — Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, NC

Senior B2B Marketing Manager AND Senior Director of Product Management AND Senior Copy Director AND eMail Marketing & Personalization Specialist AND Convention Development Coordinator (new) AND UX Design Lead (new) — NYC & Company

Director of Sales — Discover Dunwoody, GA

Senior Manager Marketing Programs — Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, Alberta

National Account Director Chicago & Midwest AND Senior Director Convention Strategy — Visit Seattle

National Account Executive (Wash., DC base) AND Administrative Coordinator — Visit Milwaukee, WI

National Account Executive — Visit Houston, TX

Director of National Accounts — Visit Spokane, WA

Marketing & Events Director — Destination Sturgeon Bay, WI

Director of Sales AND Office Manager — Visit Huntington Beach, CA

National Sales Accounts & Strategic Initiatives Director AND Executive Assistant & Office Services Coordinator — Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Senior Sales Manager — Visit San Antonio 

Sales Manager — Visit Fort Collins, CO

Senior Research Manager AND Marketing & PR Coordinator — Sonoma County Tourism, CA (new)

Director of Research & Market Intelligence — Visit Albuquerque, NM

Data Scientist AND Business Analyst — Visit Grand Junction, CO

Destination Development Manager — Washington Tourism Alliance – State of Washington, Seattle (new)

Content & Brand Manager — Experience Olympia & Beyond, WA

Business Development Manager — Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, PA

Brand Marketing Coordinator AND Digital Communications Coordinator — San Diego Tourism Authority

Senior Manager Social Media — Visit Florida

Social Media Manager AND Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Manager AND
Advertising Marketing Manager— Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, FL

Manager Tourism Marketing AND Manager Sports Tourism — Visit Lake County, FL (new)

Marketing Manager — Destination Gettysburg, PA (new)

Marketing Manager — Visit Natchez, MS

Marketing Manager — Park County Travel Council, Cody, WY

Manager Marketing & Communications — Visit Kitsap, Silverdale, WA

Strategic Marketing Manager — Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, FL (new)

Marketing Manager — Visit Lake Geneva, WI 

Public Relations Manager — Experience Columbus, OH 

Content and Brand Manager – Experience Olympia & Beyond, WA

Marketing Convention Specialist AND Convention Services Manager AND Sales Coordinator — Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority

Social Media Marketing Specialist AND Manager Visitors Center AND Human Resources Manager — Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Marketing Coordinator — City of Ocean City, MD

Events & Community Engagement Manager AND Graphic Designer/Brand Manager — Visit Stockton, CA

Communications Coordinator — Experience Scottsdale, AZ 

Communications & Events Coordinator — Visit Indy, IN

Community Engagement Officer — Indiana Destination Development Corporation

Website and Database Manager — Kansas Tourism

Content Manager — West Virginia Department of Tourism

Content Editor — Travel Oregon

Content Manager — Destination Cleveland, OH (new)

Creative Lead & Marketing Strategist — Visit Wabash County, IN

Sports Tourism Manager — Billings Chamber of Commerce, MT

Sports Tourism Manager — Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands, OH

Sales Relationship Manager AND Marketing Specialist — Destination Toledo, OH

Sales Manager — Visit Fort Collins, CO 

Membership Manager — Discover Valdez, AK 

Sales Manager — Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, IL 

Destination Services & Sports Associate — Meet Minneapolis, MN

Program Manager — Discover Pacific Beach, CA (new)

Visit California: (Sacramento)

• Associate Vice President-Global Brand Advertising
• Manager of International Marketing (x2)
• Content Producer – Social Media & Community
• Brand Marketing Manager – Global Media
• Media Relations Coordinator (new)
• IT Solutions Architect (new)
• Brand Marketing Coordinator
• Marketing Assistant
• Brand Budget Manager
• Client Relations Director / Liaison – Central Coast

Cooperative Marketing Programs Coordinator — Missouri Tourism

Marketing & Communications Specialist — Texas Economic Development

Cooperative Advertising Specialist — Travel Texas 

Trade & Media Specialist — Arizona Office of Tourism 

Marketing & Communications Specialist — Bi-State Development – GatewayArch.com, St. Louis, MO

Economic & Community Development Agent — State of Connecticut

Economic Development Specialist — Campbell County, VA

Corporate Sales Manager — Explore St. Louis, MO

Sales Manager Tourist Development — State of Tennessee

Client Services Coordinator — Choose Chicago, IL

Marketing Coordinator — Visit Austin 

Sales Site Coordinator AND Sales Coordinator — Visit Dallas, TX

Ad Trafficker AND Marketing Coordinator — Visit Denver, CO

Sales Coordinator — Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

Digital Marketing/Program Manager — Discover Siskiyou, CA

Destination Districts Manager, Planning Office — City of Tulsa, OK 

Sales Coordinator AND Front Desk Coordinator — Visit Tampa Bay, FL

Industry Marketing Coordinator — Montana Department of Commerce

Destinations Service Specialist — Visit Kalamazoo, MI

Communications Manager — City of Pleasanton, CA

Economic Development Specialist — City of Arlington, TX

Tourism Regional Projects Coordinator — Snohomish County, WA

CVB Marketing Projects Coordinator — City of Grapevine, TX

Tourism Coordinator — City of Brownsville, TX

Marketing Assistant — Town of Taos, NM

Digital Sales & Marketing Specialist — Olympic Regional Development Authority, Lake Placid, NY

Marketing & Communications Assistant — Chicago Loop Alliance, IL

Mulltimedia Communications Coordinator — San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, CA

Welcome Center Manager — Colorado Office of Tourism, Fruita

Visitor Services Coordinator — Visit Mason City, IA

Marketing Administrator — Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, DE

Group Development Coordinator Specialist — Visit Orlando, FL

Administrative Coordinator — Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, FL

Customer Service Rep – Visit Tucson, AZ

Marketing & Promotions Manager — Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Naples, FL

Marketing Coordinator — Visit Loudon, VA

Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator — Visit Indian River County, Vero Beach, FL (new)

Guest Experience Specialist — Visit Napa Valley, CA

Web Development, Graphic & Content Specialist — Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office, UT

Web Manager — Massachusetts Marketing Partnership – Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism 

Website & Database Manager — Kansas Department of Commerce

IT Web Manager — Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau / BrandywineValley.com, PA (new)

Digital Campaign Manager AND Public Relations Manager — Tourism New Zealand, Santa Monica, CA

Partner Marketing Specialist — Tourism Australia, Los Angeles (new)

Director of Tourism AND Destination Marketing Manager AND Special Events Coordinator — Manitowoc Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, WI (new)

Coordinator Travel Media Communications — Destination British Columbia, Canada (new)

Senior Director Government Relations (new) AND Manager National Councils AND Manager Grassroots & PAC AND Manager Meetings & Exhibitions AND Member Services AND Senior Designer AND Staff Accountant — U.S. Travel Association, Wash., DC

Senior Manager Media Planning AND Senior Manager Digital Analytics — Brand USA, Wash., DC

Manager of Meetings & Events — Destinations International, Wash., DC

Senior Associate Ad Operations AND Brand Strategist AND Art Director Social Media AND Associate Media Director AND Media Manager AND Senior Associate Ad Operations AND Senior Copywriter AND Copywriter AND Marketing Performance Analyst AND Senior Account Executive AND Account Executive AND Account Executive PR (NYC, LA and KC) — MMGY Global, Kansas City metro

Global Senior Director of Business Development Media Solutions, Lodging — Expedia Group, Seattle

VP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion AND Director of eCommerce & Digital Strategy AND Creative Director AND Account Manager Hospitality AND Content Manager AND Facebook Ads Manager AND Advertising & Data Manager AND Paid Media Analyst AND Interactive Producer AND Graphic Designer AND Account Coordinators AND Senior Developer — Miles Partnership

Marketing Manager AND Client Success Specialist AND Community Relations Specialist AND Customer Services Representatives — Bandwango, remote

EVP Engineering AND Data Engineer AND Product Manager AND Implementation Specialist AND Data Analyst — Zartico, remote

Managing Digital Media Director — Madden Media

Social Media Specialist AND Digital Media Analyst AND Associate Project Manager AND Marketing Automation Specialist AND SEO Analyst — Simpleview, remote

Paid Media Performance Manager — Development Counsellors International

Senior Marketing Strategist AND Ad Operations Specialist AND Marketing Strategist AND Marketing Coordinator AND Paid Search Specialist AND Copywriter — VI Marketing and Branding

Account Manager — Tripadvisor, remote

Business Development Representative — CrowdRiff, Toronto

Senior Account Manager — Datafy, South Ogden, UT

Senior Digital Marketing Strategist — Streetsense

Social Media Specialist — Sparkloft Media, Atlanta

Senior Account Manager AND Project Manager AND Paid Media Coordinator — Native Digital, Kansas City

CEO — North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, CA

Creator Initiatives & Platform Marketing Lead — TikTok, NYC

Vice President, People and Culture AND Director of Digital Marketing – Goway, Toronto

Senior Marketing Director — LEGOLAND California Resort

Marketing & Communications Manager — San Francisco Giants, CA

Director of Cruise & Maritime Marketing — Port of Seattle, WA

Senior Marketing Manager — Merlin Entertainments, Carlsbad, CA

Marketing Manager — The Field Museum, Chicago

Manager Group Sales — Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles, CA

Head of Communications — Peek, remote

Integrated Marketing Manager — Hornblower Group, NYC

Marketing Content Manager — National Harbor, MD

Marketing Coordinator — National Tour Association

Marketing Assistant — North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro