Cathy Ritter has left as director of the Colorado Office of Tourism, dismissed by a new director at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Pat Meyers took the action on his first day in office, reports indicate. Ritter is widely known for her efforts to develop partnerships around destination stewardship, one of the nation’s first such plans, aimed at educating travelers about respecting landscapes, wildlife and reducing environmental impact. Jill Corbin, who served as Ritter’s deputy director, will lead the agency in the interim. A search for a new director will begin soon, according to The Colorado Sun. Ritter was head of the Illinois tourism office before she was hired in Colorado in 2015.
Local news outlets are reporting that Hawaii Tourism Authority is once again at risk of losing funding due to an eleventh-hour maneuvering at the state legislature. HTA President & CEO John De Fries submitted testimony opposing the House Bill 862, which he stated, “Takes a sledgehammer to HTA and three of its four strategic pillars (Hawaiian culture, natural resources and community), just as we launch our tourism recovery strategies that will help our devastated economy heal from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Earlier this week, language was added to House Bill 862 that transformed it from a generally uncontroversial bill that reconfigured the state’s management of the aerospace industry into a widely unpopular measure that would, in the eyes of its opponents, significantly limit HTA’s ability to manage tourism statewide.” — West Hawaii Today
Nevertheless, despite those testifying and more than 200 pages in opposition, this bill substantially limiting HTA mandates and resources was passed out of two state senate committees last week. It now goes for a third reading and vote on the senate floor. In fiscal year 2020, HTA received only the first four months of its TAT distribution and cut its budget from $86 million to $41 million. HTA received more bad news Friday when the Senate passed its draft of the state budget, which included a budgetary reduction to $27.3 million for the agency.
Congrats to CEO Mo Parikh and the hardworking (but fun) team at Bandwango on a $3.1 million funding round. Read all about it in TechCrunch. Chuffed to say that Bandwango was once a “bright, shiny new object” on the eTourism Summit stage.) Go Mo!
O Canada! Did you know that the Government of Alberta has an Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction? His name is Grant Hunter (of course it is…) and he has introduced amendments to the Travel Alberta Act, expanding the agency’s mandate to that of a destination management organization. This will enable Travel Alberta to have a more active role working with communities, business and entrepreneurs to develop new tourism destinations, products and experiences.
Patrick Kaler, president & CEO at Visit Buffalo Niagara, has announced that the DMO (which includes the convention center and sports commission) is embarking on the creation of a 10-year Destination/Tourism Master Plan, working with advisors MMGY NextFactor.
Brand USA President & CEO Chris Thompson announced that United Stories, the consumer campaign that highlights authentic local experiences, won five awards from the American Advertising Federation. Top recognition went to “Discover Wyoming in Winter” featuring Brazilian travel influencer Catarino Mello (@professionaltraveler).
Houston-based entrepreneur Andrew Levy has launched Avelo, a new airline. From a hub at Hollywood Burbank Airport, 11 nonstop routes serve smaller airports in western U.S. cities such as Bozeman, MT; Grand Junction, CO; Santa Rosa, CA; and Ogden, UT, with fares starting at $19. The Avelo chairman & CEO was formerly EVP and CFO at United Airlines and also president of Allegiant Air.
ELMNTL, founded in 2016 to work with global brands and tourism boards, has been acquired by Iron Horse Venture Group. Co-founded by Marc Liu and headquartered in Denver with offices in Dallas and New York City, as well as overseas. The agency retains its name and Liu remains in his strategy/operations lead role, while also taking on an advisory role with Iron Horse on future acquisitions. eTourism Summit welcomes ELMNTL as a new sponsor.
Tripscout Co-founder and CEO Konrad Waliszewski has announced a seed+ funding round of $2.3 million for the fast-growing personalized AI-based travel recommendation platform. The app company also welcomes Dorth Raphaely as Chief Content & Marketing Officer.
After a two-decade tenure at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Global Head of Markets and Interim Chief Executive Petra Roach will become CEO at Granada Tourism Authority in June. At BTMI, Roach forged sports-related partnerships with the Brooklyn Nets NBA team and the Greenwich Polo Club. Cheryl Carter, UK/Ireland director, will act as head of global markets while the Barbados tourism board recruits a new chief executive.
Siobhan Kenney takes on a new role as Brand Communications and Stewardship Manager at Visit Truckee-Tahoe in California. She is a former National Park Service wilderness and interpretive park ranger in places such as Glacier National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Dave Parulo is departing as his role since 2010 as president of Meet Chicago Northwest to take on his new role as president & CEO of the Washington County Visitors Association in Beaverton, Oregon.
In Maryland, the Visit Frederick board of directors has announced the selection of Dave Ziedelis, GM of the Frederick Keys Baseball Club, as the organization’s new Executive Director. He has served on the board for 16 years and been a member of their executive committee for nearly all that time, including the current past-president.
James O’Donnell, EVP of Vail Resorts‘ hospitality, retail and real estate businesses, and a 19-year company veteran, will become president of the mountain division, leading operations for the Company’s 37 resorts as well as its real estate business. Longtime executive and ski industry pioneer Patricia Campbell moves into a senior advisory role.
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is expected to bring back an executive level position that will pay between $130,000 and $185,000 a year. Last week, the DMO’s compensation committee voted unanimously to return the position of VP-Guest Experience, now being considered by the board of directors. The position, reporting to COO Brian Yost who joined LVCVA in 2018, had been eliminated that year, but is now intended to work as the liaison for large conventions such as CES.
Las Vegas is planning a return of conventions and trade shows on June 8-10, 2021 when World of Concrete becomes the first major in-person show to use the Las Vegas Convention Center’s new West Hall.
Presenting two April webinars in the “See Tomorrow Conversation Series” from eTourism Summit 2021.
Moderator Matt Clement, Managing Partner at Madden Media, is joined by panelists Matt Borud, Marketing & Innovation Administrator, Idaho Department of Commerce; Kalene Griffith, President/CEO, Visit Bentonville; Brett Stawar, President & CEO, Visit Port Aransas to discuss:
Metrics Don’t Equal Strategy: The Rise of Destination Intelligence
April 14, 2021 | 1 pm ET
APRIL 14 
APRIL 28
C.A. Clark, VP Technology, Miles Partnership; Kim Palmer, Destination Optimization Program Director, Miles Partnership; and Nerissa Okiye, Tourism Director, Martin County Florida Office of Tourism & Marketing will discuss:
Recovery Requires More Than Marketing
April 28, 2021 | 1 pm ET
RFPs
Missouri Division of Tourism is seeking proposals on several research projects that will be conducted over the next four years. Closing date: 4/20/2021.
Travel Oregon is seeking contracted videographer(s) to capture broadcast-quality B-roll video across the state’s seven tourism regions for delivery May-July.
JOBS
President & CEO — Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
President & CEO — Visit Phoenix
President & CEO — Visit Franklin, TN
President & CEO — Visit San Antonio
President & CEO — Visit Greenville, SC
President & CEO — Explore Newnan-Coweta, Inc., GA
Chief Marketing Officer — Rhode Island Commerce Corp.
Sr. Vice President-Marketing — Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
VP-Marketing and Communications — Experience Rochester | Mayo Convention Center, MN
VP-Information Technology — Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
VP-Marketing — Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority
VP-Marketing AND VP-Sales — Visit Wichita
VP-Marketing — Visit Florida
Marketing Director AND Director of Business Development — Visit Napa Valley, CA
Director of Marketing — Discover Long Island, NY
Executive Director — Explore Utah Valley, Provo
Executive Director — Corpus Christi Sports Commission, TX
Executive Director — Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Wausau
Executive Director — eXplore Lawrence, KS
Executive Director — Douglas County Travel and Tourism, GA
Executive Director — Discover Dunwoody, GA
President & CEO — Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, WA
President & CEO — Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, AZ
President & CEO — Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, CO
President & CEO — Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, Americus, GA
President & CEO — Big Sky Chamber of Commerce & Visit Big Sky, MT
CEO — Experience Olympia & Beyond, WA
Director — Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
Executive Director — Park County Travel Council, Cody, WY
Executive Director — Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Conference Center & Tourism Authority, GA
Executive Director — Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, Washington, VA
Executive Director — Willamette Falls and Landings Heritage Area Coalition, Marylhurst, OR
Executive Director — Tulsa Community Foundation, OK
Executive Director-Downtown Odessa, Inc. — City of Odessa, TX
Executive Director — Madison Chamber of Commerce, CT
Executive Director — Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, LA
VP-Sales — Explore Asheville CVB, NC
Director of Sales & Marketing — Official ASM Global (Convention Center), Dayton, OH
Director of Finance & Administration — Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, MD
FInance & HR Manager AND PR & Communications Manager — Visit SLO CAL, CA
Director Marketing-Canada — German National Tourist Office, Toronto
Director Tourism Investment (closing 4/14) AND Specialist-Media Relations & Consumer Marketing (closing 4/20) AND Specialist-Stakeholder Engagement (closing 4/16) — Travel Alberta
Public Relations Manager — Visit California
Director of Communications — Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Director of Brand Marketing /Content Development — Sonoma County Tourism, CA
Director of Marketing and Public Relations — Visit Beloit, WI
Director, Content Strategy — Choose Chicago
Director of Market Experiences — Visit Halifax
Manager of Video & Digital Marketing — Think Iowa City, IA
Senior Director-Membership Engagement — Destinations International
Management and Program Analyst — U.S. Department of the Interior, Wash., D.C. (or remote)
Director of Marketing & Communications — North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Shreveport, LA
Director of Marketing & PR — Visit Beloit, WI
Director of Marketing & Communications — Golden Isles CVB, San Simons Island, GA
Marketing Project Manager — Travel Portland, OR
Marketing Manager — Visit Macon, GA
Marketing Manager — Visit Tri-Cities, Kennewick, WA
Marketing Manager — Visit Yuma, AZ
Deputy Director of Marketing — Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL
Advertising Sales & Membership Development Manager — Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Research Manager — Experience Kissimmee, FL
Business Analyst — Visit Grand Junction, CO
Research & Analytics Manager — Visit Corpus Christi, TX
Research & Analytics Manager — Visit Valley Forge, PA
Strategic Communications Writer — Dept. of Transportation | State of Georgia
Director of Digital Marketing AND Digital Content Producer AND Domestic Marketing Manager AND Research Specialist — Georgia Department of Economic Development–Tourism
Digital Content Manager — Maryland Department of Commerce-Division of Marketing, Tourism, and the Arts
Digital Marketing Storyteller — Visit Quad Cities, Moline, IL
Communications Manager — Downtown Long Beach Alliance, CA
Content Marketing Writer AND Creative Producer AND Multimedia Designer — Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Marketing/Sales Manger — Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Senior Leisure Marketing Manager AND Senior CRM & Digital Marketing Manager — Experience Columbus, OH
Director of Sales & Marketing — Official ASM Global (Convention Center), Columbus, OH
Social Media & Content Associate AND Digital & Creative Associate AND Partner Relations Manager — Visit Pensacola, FL
Sports & Events Sales Manager — Travel Salem, OR
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Manager — Visit Natchez, MS
Communications Coordinator — Downtown Raleigh Alliance, NC
Digital Content Marketing Coordinator — Wild Horse Pass Development Authority, Chandler, AZ
Economic Development Tourism Manager — City of Danville, VA
Sales Manager-SMERF — City of McKinney, TX
Marketing Manager — City of Pearland, TX
Historic Preservation Coordinator — Commonwealth of Kentucky
Executive Director — Pleasanton Downtown Association, CA
Destination Services Manager — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL
Event Services Manager — Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, ND
Grants Coordinator — Travel Oregon
Business Development Coordinator — Visit Visalia, CA
Tourism & Economic Initiatives Coordinator — City of Prescott, AZ
Tourism & Marketing Events Coordinator — City of Katy, TX
Chief Sales Officer — Arrivalist, NYC or Naples, FL
Email Marketing & Automation Campaign Manager — MMGY Global, Overland Park, KS
Account Director — Miles Partnership, Remote
Manager of Customer Success AND Product Marketing Manager — CrowdRiff, Toronto
Content Manager AND Digital Content Editor — Simpleview, Tucson
Community Outreach Manager — Bandwango, (remote)
Social Media Manager AND CRM Manager — Summit One Vanderbilt, NYC
Managing Director, Paid Media — VMLY&R, Kansas City
Account Executive — The Brandman Agency, Los Angeles
Account Supervisor PR-Travel & Hospitality — MMGY/NJR, NYC
Director-Social Media (x4) AND Account Exec. PR-Hotel & Travel (x4) — Bread & Butter, Austin | Dallas| LA | San Diego | NYC
Travel Editor (project-based) — BuzzFeed, Los Angeles
Director of Partnership Development — HuddleUp Group, Remote
Sr. Destination Manager — Get Your Guide, NYC
Sr. VP-Marketing Channels & Optimization — Marriott International, Bethesda, MD
Area Director of Marketing AND Director of Hybrid Events (remote) — Pacific Hospitality Group, Napa, CA
Marketing Manager — Sunriver Resort, OR
Chief Commercial Officer — Camelback Resort, PA
Brand Marketing Manager — River Park Square, Spokane, WA
Destination Management-Sr. Project Manager — Silversea Cruises, Miami
Director of Digital Marketing — SpeedVegas, Las Vegas
Global Brand Marketing & Social Media Director — Groupon, Chicago
Marketing Manager-Platform Partnerships — Facebook, Menlo Park, CA
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