People Profile
Milton Howery III, newly promoted to Vice President of Marketing at Memphis Tourism writes, “While in college at The University of Memphis 16 years ago, I randomly walked into the Memphis Visitors Center on Elvis Presley Blvd., looking for a part-time job to support myself through college.
I had no clue that one decision would kick off a 16-year career in tourism. I love the work that we do at Memphis Tourism, and I’m excited about being able to continue that in a different capacity.”
Over the last five years, Milton has championed Memphis across the globe in his role as Public Relations Director for Memphis Tourism. Now he’s bringing over a decade of tourism experience as well as his creativity and passion for promoting Memphis as a premiere destination in his new leadership role.
Wit Tuttell, Director of Visit North Carolina, has been named national State Tourism Director of the Year for 2022.
In a press release, U.S. Travel Association writes, “After pivoting to promote more contactless travel experiences at the height of the pandemic, Tuttell shifted the organization back to more active travel promotion in spring 2021 with a new multichannel brand campaign, Get Back to a Better Place. Third-party research determined a staggering 32:1 return in state and local taxes generated per dollar of media investment. Visit NC reports the campaign strengthened the state’s market share, helping it remain one of the top 5 most-visited states in 2021.”
John Lambeth, Founder & CEO of Civitas, is our guest on The Travel Vertical Podcast to talk about $$$.
For nearly 30 years, he’s been leading the TID effort, a tourism investment district funding model that continues to gain popularity with destinations.
Click for (almost) everything you always wanted to know about TIDs — Episode #34, which goes live on Wed., Aug. 10 at 7 a.m.
Brittney Gray has been appointed as the new Executive Director at Marietta Visitors Bureau. She joins from Georgia Department of Economic Development where she was most recently Director of Tourism Department Marketing, having been with Explore Georgia since 2005.
Heather Bagshaw joins the team at Destination Niagara USA as the new Vice President of Marketing. She had been Director of Tourism at Greene County in Catskill, New York.
DeShawn Hewgley has been promoted to Director of Visitor Experience at Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. She joined the DMO in 2017.
In Florida, Space Coast Office of Tourism welcomes John Giantonio (left) as the new Deputy Director. Most recently, he was Interim Director and Director of Sports and Events at Visit Casper, Wyoming.
Space Coast Office of Tourism has also welcomed a new Sports Coordinator, Terry Parks (right). He joins from Brevard County Parks and Recreation.
Sylvia Longmire is the new travel/tourism ambassador for Seminole County Tourism in Florida. She will be working with the DMO to promote accessibility.
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau recently promoted Lindsey Raimondi to Public Relations Manager. Previously an intern, she re-joined the DMO in 2019 following roles with the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Aquarium.
Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the promotions of Kim Kislowski (left) to Vice President of Marketing and Mary Patchin (right) to Vice President of Sales.
Kislowski joined the DMO in 1990 and Patchin joined in 1999.
Travel Portland welcomes Paola Santiago Del Castillo as the new Content Manager. Her background includes roles in social media and communications with Travel Ohio and Friends of Puerto Rico.
Trevor Chauvin is the newest member of staff at NYC & Company. He joins as Integrated Project Manager and is no longer #OPENTOWORK.
Visit Indy welcomes Liza Girton as the new Service Coordinator at Visit Indy. She joins with a background in hospitality marketing and event planning.
Kelly Blecke (left) has joined San Francisco Travel as Director, Citywide Accounts. She previously spent two years as Senior Director National Accounts at Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Karen Dunn (right) joined San Francisco Travel as Senior Manager Convention Sales-Northeast Region. Most recently, she was Northeast Director of Business Development-Corporate Market for Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
In San Francisco, Kenneth Bukowski has been appointed as Director of the Convention Facilities Department at the Moscone Center. He has served as Deputy Director at the City Administrator’s Office since 2012.
Jason Ward is now Assistant Director of Sales at the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Once again proudly representing the Greater Boston area as a world class meeting destination,” Ward returns to the role he held in 2009-2011.
Ketchum has promoted Bettina Garibaldi to Executive Vice President. She is a 14-year veteran at the public relations agency and will continue as Managing Director of the firm’s Travel, Hospitality & Leisure sector.
Nina Rossello has joined Allen & Gerritsen as Senior Vice President of Strategy. She comes to the ad agency from Visit Philadelphia where she was Vice President of Brand Strategy.
Melissa Conley is Content Manager at Miles Partnership. She joins from Arkansas Tourism where she was Digital Content Coordinator since 2017.
Meghan Gearino has started this week with Madden Media as PR Strategist. She joins following six years at Visit Richmond, most recently as Travel Media Manager for the DMO.
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