The Travel Vertical

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People News and a ‘See Tomorrow’ Conversation With Simpleview & Guests

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Nick Cusick is now Events & Marketing Coordinator at Visit Cook County, Minnesota. Previously, he was with Visit Saint Paul, most recently as Marketing and Communications Director.

Rebecca Merry-Barrango is returning to Visit Napa Valley as Business Development and Sales Manager. She had previously worked with the DMO for eight years and was also formerly with San Diego Tourism Authority and United Airlines.

In Georgia, Marietta Visitors Bureau welcomes Mason Jordan as Marketing and PR Coordinator. He brings three years of project management as well as a degree in strategic communications from Oklahoma State University.

Maria Sheetz has taken on the role of Journera as Director of Sales, Tourism. She joins from Brand USA where since 2017 she had been Senior Director, Partner Engagement and Development. Her background also includes Amtrak and Choice Hotels.

Stefan Merkl has joined Go City as the new VP, Trade Sales, Americas. Recently re-branded from Leisure Pass Group, he had been working with the multi-attraction pass company on a contract basis for five years.

Kristin (Schaller) Thompson has joined the team at Zartico where she is now Product Education Manager. She joins from Awana, a child-focused global nonprofit.

Marcelo Miranda has joined the team at Summit One Vanderbilt in NYC in the role of Director Marketing Technology. He joins from Hudson Yards and previously was with Empire State Realty Trust.

Heather Jensen has been named Director of Communications at Nashville’s Music City Center. A former local television broadcaster, she joins from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

REGISTER

The pandemic has significantly accelerated the demand for improved digital tools across the industry. Facing reduced resources, progressive destination marketing organizations will want to explore the untapped capabilities of digital.

Whether it’s harnessing social and user-generated content (UGC) for campaigns or engaging stakeholders and amplifying their digital presence, the interconnectedness we have all come to expect has a considerable role in the future of tourism.

Join us for a look behind the curtain at what DMOs are doing to leverage their “e” capabilities and get some ideas for how to make digital work for you. 

Host: 
David Peacock, Senior Advisor to the Future Tourism Group, Simpleview

Panelists:
Leroy Bridges, VP Digital Communications, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Aaron Nissen, Director of Digital Marketing Strategy, Simpleview
Jason Swick, VP Strategy and Insights, Simpleview
Monty White, Director of Marketing, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau


Sponsored by

No Reciprocity. Key Events and the Latest Traveler Survey Findings on Recovery.

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USA Travel News

Notes from the in-person Brand USA Board Meeting last week in Denver

Traveler Sentiment Surveys

The fear of delta variant is impacting some travel plans, indicates findings in the most recent traveler surveys. Destination Analysts reports, “Optimism about the coronavirus situation in the U.S. has plummeted and regression in safety perceptions has caused Americans to feel we’ve lost ground on the progress made towards a return to normalcy.”

Negative associations with travel are on the rise again. When asked to give ONE WORD that best describes how they feel about travel right now, Americans’ top response was “exciting” the week of July 12th. Now, they mostly feel “good” about travel; however, the number of people citing “unsafe,” “nervous,” “worried,” or “anxious” is growing. Read Destination Analysts’ findings from the survey week of July 26, 2021 here.

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, a quarter are postponing travel because of the recent increased spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. With coronavirus case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths on the rise again, support among travelers for opening their communities to visitors also has dropped from a peak of 67% in early June to 57% today. And confidence in the safety of eating in local restaurants and shopping in local retail locations has suffered a similar decline, from three-fourths to only two-thirds of travelers.

“We may be approaching a new pandemic tipping point, in the battle between the more transmissible Delta variant and the power of vaccinations to prevent or at least lessen the impact of infections,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “Hopefully awareness of the potentially severe impact of this new variant will motivate unvaccinated Americans to protect themselves, their families and their communities by taking the shot.” Read more from Longwoods International’s latest survey here.

Watch for an upcoming episode of The Travel Vertical Podcast with Amir Eylon.

International Travel News

Canada Opening Inbound Travel — The Government of Canada has announced the next phase in easing border measures for fully vaccinated individuals. If they meet the entry criteria, fully vaccinated travelers will not have to quarantine upon arrival.

Canada will allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents from August 9, with plans to allow entry to fully vaccinated travelers from any country on September 7.

Note: All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry Covid-19 molecular test result. Read the full announcement here. There is also a requirements checklist that involves providing proof of vaccination in ArriveCan — the government portal to submit vaccine information.

Five additional Canadian airports will re-open to receive international passengers from Aug. 9, 2021.

  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport
  • Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
  • Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
  • Edmonton International Airport

U.S. Extends Canadian and Mexican Border Closings Through August 21 — The Department of Homeland Security posted the 30-day extension prohibiting non-essential travel from our North American neighbors.

The U.S. State Department has Raised the U.K. to Level 4 — “Do Not Travel” status, the highest warning. This comes after President Joe Biden last week suggested that travel between the U.S. and the U.K. was close to reopening and promised an update on talks “within the next several days,” which has not happened.

BBC.com screenshot

Half of Australians Are In Lockdown Again — The stay-at-home order are in effect at least through July 30.

Fast Breaking Cruise News

Canada will lift its cruise ship ban as of Nov. 1, 2021, basically meaning there will be a full 2022 cruise season for Alaska, New England, and other North American coastal departure cities and ports of call.

In home port Seattle, Holland America Line kicked off its Alaska season with Nieuw Amsterdam and Princess Cruises with Majestic Princess, both of which set sail this past week. Each of the Carnival Cruise lines will operate 10 cruises from Seattle through September. A company press release indicates that each ship visit directly contributes more than $364,000 to the local economy in provisioning (fuel, food, flowers, piano tuning, supplies), port taxes, and spending during a full season, according to a press release.

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas shifted its departure port from Vancouver to Seattle to circumvent the cruise ban, setting sail for a seven-night voyage to Alaska on July 19.

In Florida, the ongoing dispute against the CDC’s Conditional Sailing Order hit a major new development. After the state appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit Court reversed its decision against Florida. Therefore, sailings get a green light.

Disney Cruise Line will resume sailing from Florida on the Disney Dream beginning Aug. 9, 2021. While Disney will not be requiring proof of vaccination for its sailings out of Florida, non-vaccinated passengers will take a pre-embarkation PCR test and a $65 antigen test at the port, at their personal expense, reports Cruise Industry News.

this is cool —>>> www.cruisehive.com/cruise-ship-tracker

Meantime, Disney is seeking to base a cruise ship year-round in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, according to documentation from a June 15 meeting of the Broward County Commission, reports Travel Weekly.

Did we mention? In Venice, Italy, the fragile environment wins in a long-time debate: Cruise ships are banned from the Grand Canal starting Aug. 1, 2021.

October 2019: Dwarfing the Piazza San Marco, Venice

People & Places, Including a New Tourism Director in Colorado

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Roger Dow, President & CEO at U.S. Travel Association, has announced his retirement in July 2022 following 17 years of service.

Dow has guided U.S. Travel and the broader industry through periods of remarkable growth—marked by 10 consecutive years of expansion from 2009 to 2019—followed by enormous pandemic challenges beginning in 2020.

Dow is credited with leading the legislation that created Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization, and developing policies and programs that enabled domestic and international inbound travel to thrive by ensuring an understanding of travel and tourism as a linchpin of the American economy.

In the coming months, the U.S. Travel National Chair Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, will name a representative search committee so the organization’s board can begin “a transparent and inclusive process to identify the association’s next top leader.” To read the press release, visit www.ustravel.org.

Announcing: Connect 2021 in Tampa on Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

A moderated conversation with former First Lady Michelle Obama. (Sponsored by Visit Milwaukee, Detroit Metro CVB, Meet Minneapolis, Discover Puerto Rico)

Timothy Wolfe is the new Colorado Tourism Director. A veteran of the state tourism interests, Wolfe was a hotel executive who served on Visit Denver’s board of directors, as board chairman for Colorado Tourism Office, and chaired Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association board. Wolfe replaces Cathy Ritter, who was ousted from her six-year position in April by Pat Meyers, Colorado’s new director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

In a restructuring to support the goal of Mālama Kuʻu Home (caring for my beloved home), two executives are promoted at Hawaii Tourism Authority. Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā has been promoted to chief brand officer and Caroline Anderson has been promoted to director of planning. 

In Wisconsin, Destination Sturgeon Bay (Door County) has appointed a native, Cameryn Ehlers-Kwaterski, as its next Executive Director. She will join from Visit Rome, where she has served as Executive Director for three years and was recognized by the Governor’s Rising Star Award.

Bart Blaisdell has been named as Senior Vice President-Finance & Operations at Visit Salt Lake. A Utah native, he joins from a previous role as CFO at Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines.

Karen Kuhl, Executive Director, Tour Cayuga County in New York’s Finger Lake Region, is our latest guest on The Travel Vertical Podcast in conversation with Adam Stoker and Laurie Jo Miller Farr. Karen discusses the destination’s special attribute as the longtime home of Harriet Tubman and how smaller DMOs can promote authentic qualities that distinguish them.

Take a listen here: https://bit.ly/3zLB7xt

A familiar face has rejoined San Francisco Travel. Beth Melanson is welcomed back as Senior Manager Convention Sales covering the Southeast and Southwest regions. 

In Northern California, Redding Chamber of Commerce announced it has hired Danny Orloff as tourism marketing director of Visit Redding, a new position. He joins from outside the travel industry.

Joshua Lambert joins Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau as Social Media Specialist. His previous DMO experience includes five years in marketing roles at The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

Anastasia Straley has a new role as Social Media Content Specialist at Delta Air Lines. She has previously handled social media at San Francisco Travel Association, Choose Chicago, and Visit St. Paul.

In Ohio, Katie Thompson joins Visit Dublin as Marketing Coordinator. She’s a recent grad from Kent State University where she was involved in previously PR Comms and interned in PR at Destination Grandview.

Emily Bates has joined the New Mexico Tourism Department as tourism development coordinator. She had previously been in tourism promotion for a DMO in Bordeaux, France.

In Sarasota, Florida, Nicole Brownell has joined Paradise Advertising & Marketing as VP-Digital Marketing. Her past experience includes Miles Partnership and the Regional Office of Sustainability, a DMO in Lake Placid, New York.

Joe Tropia has joined Legends / One World Observatory in NYC as Tourism & Trade Manager. His background includes attractions such as Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, National Geographic Encounter, Blue Man Group, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Destination Canada has announced that Meaghan Ferrigno is appointed to be the new Chief Data and Analytics Officer. She joins from the health sector.

22 Destinations Receive DMAP Designation

The Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) from Destinations International recognizes a destination organization’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting industry standard for performance and accountability. It requires successful compliance with a number of mandatory and voluntary standards across performance areas related to the management and marketing of destination organizations including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research. The full active list of over 200 accredited destinations is found here. Announced for 2021:

Newly Accredited:

  • Chattanooga Tourism Co. (with distinction)     
  • Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody     
  • Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
  • Ottawa Tourism (with distinction)
  • Southern Delaware Tourism, Convention & Visitors Bureau of Sussex County         
  • Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island     
  • Visit Beloit    
  • Visit Corpus Christi 
  • Visit Elizabeth City  
  • Visit Stillwater         

4-Year Renewals:

  • Experience Kissimmee     
  • Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau   
  • Meet Minneapolis
  • Memphis Tourism
  • Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Tabasco Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Visit Knoxville
  • Visit Norfolk

8-Year Reaccreditation:

  • Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau     
  • New Orleans & Company
  • Visit Orlando
  • Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 

REGISTER HERE

What makes a great travel story? From Uber Eats to Twitter Fleets, Spotify to TikTok, and of course, Instagram Stories and Reels, the story format has captivated consumers and marketers alike. 

What makes a travel story memorable, engaging, and actionable? Should you use photos, videos, or both? And, most importantly, how can you make the most of the story format to attract interested travelers to your destination? 

115 DMO Jobs & 2 RFPs

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Director of Tourism — State of Connecticut Economic & Community Development

Director — Colorado Tourism Office

President & CEO — Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — Visit Carlsbad, CA

President & CEO — Destination Door County, WI

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

Executive Director — Experience Grants Pass, OR

Executive Director — Top of West Virginia Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Executive Director — Skagit Tourism Bureau, WA

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

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

CEO — Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, CA

Director — Visit Lake County, FL

Vice President-Diversity, Equity, Inclusion AND Public Relations Manager — Travel Portland, OR

Vice President of Marketing — Visit Wichita, KS

Senior Vice President — Travel Medford, OR

Director-Media Relations Americas AND Director-Business Development & Convention Sales AND Social Media Manager — Choose Chicago

Director of Communications & Marketing — Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, IA

Director of Finance & Administration — Visit Estes Park, CO

Director of Market Strategy — Visit San Antonio

Senior Vice President Convention Development — Visit Louisville

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

Director of Research & Market Intelligence — Visit Albuquerque, NM

Vice President-Marketing & Communications (Regional Tourism) — Tulsa Regional Chamber, OK

Vice President-Diversity, Equity, Inclusion AND Public Relations Manager — Travel Portland, OR

Vice President Member Services AND Membership Development Manager AND International Marketing & Communications Specialist — Park City Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau, UT

Vice President of Information Technology AND Advertising Manager AND Convention Services Manager AND National Sales Manager — Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority 

Chief Sales Officer — San Diego Tourism Authority

Chief Sales Officer — Visit Pittsburgh

National Account Executive — Visit Houston

Director-Citywide Convention Sales Midwest — San Francisco Travel Association, Chicago

Senior Content Producer AND Director of Creative Services AND Trade Shows & Events Coordinator — Visit Orlando

Content & Community Manager — Travel Oregon

Creative Content Manager — Meet Chicago Northwest, IL

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

Global Tourism Sales Manager AND Senior National Accounts Director (Chicago)— Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Communications Specialist — Travel Texas

Director of Technology & Business Intelligence AND Corporate Communications Manager AND Marketing Manager-Meetings & Conventions — Visit Baltimore

Director-Integrated Marketing & Communications — Experience Columbus, OH

Director of Insights & Analytics — Destination Cleveland, OH

Manager-Research & Performance — Travel Alberta, Calgary

Market Insights Analyst — Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Honolulu

Marketing & Communications Manager AND Sales & Marketing Manager — Visit Frederick, MD

Communications Manager — Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, AZ

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

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

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

Marketing Manager — Visit Fort Collins, CO

Marketing Manager — Destination Granby, CO

Director of Palm Springs Tourism — Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau

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

Director of Marketing — Experience Olympia & Beyond, WA

Director Digital Marketing — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL

Director of Market Strategy — Visit San Antonio, TX

Director of Finance & Administration — Visit Estes Park, CO

Senior B2B Marketing Manager AND Email Marketing & Personalization Specialist AND Coordinator Tourism Development AND Coordinator Global Communications AND Coordinator Member Programs & Services — NYC & Company

Advertising Manager — Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

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

Public Relations Manager — Visit North Carolina

B2B Digital Content Manager AND Client Relations Director-Central Coast (contract role) AND Finance Admin AND Assistant Controller — Visit California

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

Brand Marketing Manager AND PR & Communications Manager — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Media Relations Manager — Discover Long Island, NY

Cultural Tourism Programs Manager — Visit Denver, CO

Marketing & Communications Manager — Visit Mobile, AL

Social Media Manager AND Destination Service Associate AND Visitor Services Supervisor AND National Account Executive AND Sales Account Executive — Meet Minneapolis

Marketing & Events Coordinator — Visit Rochester, NY

Marketing Coordinator — Florida’s Sports Coast

Content Manager — Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, NC

Content Manager — Washington Tourism Alliance, WA

Graphic Designer & Digital Content Creator — Indiana Destination Development Corporation

Data & Systems Specialist — Sonoma County Tourism, CA

Group Sales Manager — Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau, CO

Business Analyst — Visit Grand Junction, CO

Emarketing Specialist — Tour Cayuga County, NY

Sales and Services Assistant — Traverse City Tourism, MI 

Senior Director Membership Engagement — Destinations International

Sr. Manager, Human Resources — Brand USA

Advocacy Manager — World Travel & Tourism Council (right to work in U.K.)

Business Development Executive — Tourism New Zealand, Santa Monica, CA

Digital Marketing Manager — Searchwide Global, St. Paul, MN

Research Analyst — Longwoods International, Columbus, OH

Social & Content Marketing Coordinator — ITI Digital, remote

President & CEO — Oklahoma State Fair

Director of Growth — Tempest, Philadelphia, PA

Marketing Manager AND Product Marketing Manager— Simpleview

Business Events Sales Executive — Development Counsellors International

RFPs

flickr.com/photos/91261194@N06/49723501786

Travel Alberta — Research and Analytic Consulting Services (closing 7/23/2021)

Visit Elizabeth City, NC — “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. RFP details here: https://visitelizabethcity.com/About/RFP. The deadline for submissions is July 19, 2021

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

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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.

  • Elliott L. Ferguson
  • Larry Alexander
  • Deb Archer
  • Wayne Chappell
  • Marion Frances Szurek

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

Staff

Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Editor
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