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In Case You Missed It: PPP, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Update, News, People, Jobs

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DMOs scored a round two victory with the Payroll Protection Program of the Small Business Administration. The embattled massive Covid-19 relief legislation enacted in late December allows eligibility for PPP to DMOs in the 501(c)(6) category.

U.S. Travel Association will provide regular updates on their Travel Industry Relief Resources webpage. Get a summary in the link below from an earlier issue of The Travel Vertical.

Related: Finally. (It’s 5,593 Pages Long.)

Webinars for DMOs:

Destinations International and Civitas will have a webinar on PPP for DMOs on Jan. 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. PT. Key points: What is PPP Funding? Who is eligible? How does the application for PPP funding work? And, how to work with a local community bank for funding? Register here.

“Understanding and Accessing COVID-19 Relief for the Travel Industry” is a U.S. Travel Association webinar taking place on Jan. 7, 2021 at 12 p.m. ET. The government relations team will walk through the relief package and answer any questions about what is provided in the legislation, how to access relief and when funds will be made available. Register here.

It’s complicated. Travel Pulse has published a state-by-state Covid-19 travel restrictions as of January 2021…subject to change, of course. Check it out here.

U.S. Travel Association is offering “Let’s Go There” toolkits for National Plan for Vacation Day, on Jan. 26, 2021. The objective is to encourage Americans to start planning how to use time off in the year ahead while traveling safely. Get the toolkits on U.S. Travel Association’s website.

Sacramento International Airport

Destination Analysts‘ survey of American travelers during the first week of January shows the majority do not plan any travel during the first quarter of 2021. Of the 37.5% who do plan travel in the coming three months, 84.5% of these trips will be overnight trips, with over one-third staying with friends or relatives. Get the findings here.

TSA numbers indicate that 1.3 million-plus passengers traveled through the nation’s airports on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 — more than on any single day since March 15, 2020.

What’s Tier 5? It’s not good. With widespread areas, including London, already in Tier 4 since before Christmas, England, Scotland, and Wales have now gone into a full national lockdown expected to remain in place at least through the middle of February. People must leave home only for essential reasons. All schools, colleges move to remote learning and year-end exams are cancelled. Outdoor sports venues must close. International departures are now limited to those who have “a legally permitted reason,” such as work. 

Chancellor Angela Merkel has just announced that German nationwide Covid-19 lockdown is being extended at least until the end of January.

In Minnesota, a proposal to merge Visit Duluth with the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center has been shelved for now. This year, the 85-year-old DMO will continue with a reduced budget of $1.5 million in tourism tax funding from the city — $500,000 less than pre-Covid. Duluth’s mayor announced her intention to submit a request for proposals from organizations interested in marketing the city from January 2022. Visit Duluth’s executive director, Anna Tanski, expressed confidence in her organization’s track record.

In Virginia Beach, local news reports that city council members voted 8-3 to ask the general assembly to allow them to create a new hybrid public-private organization to handle the city’s tourism marketing efforts. Council members added a resolution to the upcoming agenda allowing for the creation of Virginia Beach Tourism Authority.

Brand USA is holding its largest-ever Global Marketplace for Canadian travel agents, “Focus On Canada,” on Jan 13-14, 2021. Intended to promote diverse U.S. destinations to our #1 source international market (21 million visitors in 2019), Brand USA president & CEO Chris Thompson said, “When it is safe to do so, travel will resume and we are excited for the day when we can welcome back our Canadian friends. Our industry remains resilient, and through events like, Focus On Canada we’re working together to build the future of tourism.”

With training camps in Florida and Arizona due to open in mid-February, the MLB has announced its intention to stick to the spring training schedule. Will there be a full season? Some say the key is the crowds and whether MLB owners want to play games in empty ballparks again as they did in 2020. 

The 63rd Grammy Awards are cancelled. Soaring coronavirus cases in Los Angeles have led organizers of this year’s event to postpone the music awards ceremony which was due to take place in Southern California on Jan. 31, 2021. The surging virus numbers have led the union representing 160,000 entertainment industry workers to call for a “temporary hold” in Los Angeles to shut down all film and television production until cases decline.

According to STR, the Florida cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg had a 51% hotel occupancy, highest among major U.S. destinations in 2020 through November. Phoenix was in second place at 50.3%, followed by San Diego (50.0%), Los Angeles (49.9%), and Norfolk/Virginia Beach (49.8%).

Residents of Los Angeles will be able to add proof of a Covid-19 vaccination to their smartphone’s Apple Wallet. LA County is partnering with software company Healthvana to begin offering the vaccination records to the Wallet app on iPhones or the competing Google platform.

Red Lion Hotels, a Denver-based company that focuses on the franchising, management and ownership of upscale, midscale and economy hotels, has agreed to a $90 million all-cash acquisition by Sonesta International. This is big news in the hotel world; the combined portfolio will have 1,200 properties.

Through mid-2020, the South has 10 of the top 15 fastest-growing large U.S. cities with a population of 50,000 or more. Frisco, Texas tops the list of the fastest-growing large cities with a growth rate of 71.1%, increasing its population by more than half since April 2010. Thirty miles north of downtown Austin, Leander, Texas has catapulted up the charts, growing 24 times faster than the U.S. average of 0.5%.

California’s famously beautiful Big Sur on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway is fed up with selfie tourism and poor behavior. Monterey County officials unanimously adopted a 120-page plan from the Community Association of Big Sur that outlines new restrictions and measures for controlling access by up to several millions of tourists. Read more about the destination management plans.

Now you can walk or bike from New York City to the Canadian border (it’s 750 miles) and from Albany to Buffalo, NY. Three years and $200 million later, the Empire State Trail is complete and officials estimate 8.6 million people will use at least parts of it every year.

Among the first to experience repeat Coronavirus fallout, the Honolulu Festival scheduled for March 12-14, is canceled for the second consecutive year. The event celebrating cultures across the Pacific Rim typically draws thousands of visitors to the Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, International Market Place, Waikiki Beach Walk and other locations. Meantime on the Big Island, Kilauea is having none of it; an eruption on Dec. 20 saw Paradise Helicopters’ business triple overnight.

David Jackson, CMP, HMCC, has joined KKD Tourism Advisors, a tourism consulting firm specializing in destination development, sports tourism and convention sales and marketing. He is Managing Partner based in Greater Philadelphia. Jackson was previously VP-sales at Pocono Mountains CVB and director of sales at Bucks County CVB.

Leslie Hooper has been named Chief People Officer at Entrada Insights. Currently based in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, she recently had a global people management role at Adara.

At Facebook, the advertising integrity chief has abruptly resigned. Rob Leathern had been in the role for four years after joining via the acquisition of a leading Facebook Ads API partner company. Referring to Facebook, Rob Leathern’s LinkedIn page says, “The team works to protect the people and businesses who use Facebook’s commercial products by enforcing its policies and preventing abuse. We built enhanced advertiser authenticity and transparency (e.g. Ad Library) for all ads across Facebook/Instagram including for ads about social issues, elections & politics.”

MMGY NextFactor has released an updated OrganizationNEXT Report. Takeaways include:

  • A new section on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion with commentary from industry leaders
  • An overview of how destination organizations are reimagining their roles and key performance indicators
  • Updated global rankings of strategic priorities relating to community building, customer engagement and organization sustainability

MMGY NextFactor says, “There are signs that the global visitor industry is moving in a positive direction as we head into 2021. We believe that OrganizationNEXT provides a high-level overview to inform how destination organizations can stay in front of these transformational times effectively…Almost all of the destination leaders we’ve engaged this year are focused on how their organization’s mandate and impact needs to evolve in 2021, both internally and within their communities.”

Greg Oates, SVP Innovation at MMGY NextFactor, says, “Launching a new report that explores equity, diversity and inclusion strategy in the visitor industry, post-George Floyd. Thank you Melissa Cherry, Elliott Ferguson, Julie Coker, Bennish Brown and Timothy P. Bush for your insight into how we can increase equitable opportunities in our organizations and the communities where we live and work.”

Download the report here.

NEW JOB LISTINGS

Director of Marketing — Washington Tourism Alliance (open to state residents through Jan. 27)

Senior Officer, Strategy Planning & Management, Division Office of the President — Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle (applications close Jan. 19)

Senior Content Marketing Manager — Epsilon, Chicago

Senior Project Manager / Business Analyst— Herschend Family Entertainment, Peachtree Corners, GA

Chief Brand Officer and Director of Marketing Communications — University of California-Office of the President, Oakland, CA

Vice President — See Source, Ogden, UT

Public Information & Marketing Program Manager — City of Austin, TX

Director, Regional Integrated Marketing — American Cancer Society, Dallas, TX

Integrated Digital Manager AND Visitor Experience & Programs Manager— Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, Alton, IL

LAST WEEK’S JOB LISTINGS

VP, Research & Market Analytics — Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

CEO — Grenada Tourism Authority

CEO — Moscow Chamber of Commerce, Idaho

CEO — Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, Ellijay, GA

Executive Director — Tucumcari/Quay Co. Chamber of Commerce, NM

Manager Marketing & Communications — Discover Albany, GA

Advertising & Promotions Sales Manager — Galveston Island, TX

VP, Marketing & Digital Strategy — Omni Hotels & Resorts, Dallas

Account Executive — MMGY Global, Shawnee KS

Events Producer — Skift (Remote)

Local Phoenix Expert — WishTrip

Digital Marketing Manager — Columbia Hospitality, Seattle

Customer Success Manager, West — Milestone Inc. (Remote)

Tourism Data Sales Associate — Idealab, Pasadena, CA

Head of FB App Brand & Strategic Marketing Insights — Facebook, San Francisco

Internal Communications Manager & Events Producer — Google, San Francisco

CHRISTMAS WEEK – JOB LISTINGS

Executive Director — Visit Estes Park, CO

Chief Marketing Officer — Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, SC

Chief Marketing Officer — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Sales & Services Manager — Destinations International, Remote

Chief Executive Officer — Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Lansing

President & CEO — Visit Orlando

President & CEO — Destination Madison

President — Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — VisitGreenvilleSC

Vice President of Marketing — Visit Florida, Tallahassee

Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer — San Francisco Travel Association

SVP, Multicultural & Community Development, Broward County — Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau

Director of Finance — West Virginia Tourism Office, Charleston

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer — Bermuda Tourist Authority, NYC

Director of Sales — Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, AR

Vice President, Sales AND Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy — Visit Corpus Christi

Deputy Director of Marketing — Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Director of Research & Market Intelligence AND Tourism Partnership Manager — Virginia Tourism Corp., Richmond

Business Analyst — Visit Grand Junction, CO

Senior Marketing & Communications Manager — City of South Padre Island, TX

PR & Communications Manager, Tourism Division — Collier County, Naples, FL

Public Relations Manager — Destination Cleveland

Finance & HR Manager AND PR & Communications Manager — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Marketing Manager — Tulsa Regional Tourism

Director, Sports Sales — Visit Mesa, AZ

Director of Tourism — Muskogee Tourism Authority, OK

Convention & Tourism Rep — Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

CVB Marketing Coordinator — Mesquite Convention & Visitor Bureau, TX

CVB Communications Coordinator AND CVB Director of Media Relations — City of Grapevine TX

Cooperative Marketing Program Coordinator — State of Missouri, Division of Tourism, Jefferson City

Conference Sales Director — Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Conference Center & Tourism Authority, GA 

Communications & Marketing Manager — Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, NY

PR/Content Marketing Manager — Visit Clarksville, TN

Manager, Paid Media — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL

Digital Marketing Manager — Visit Central Oregon, Sunriver, OR

Operations Manager — Explore Georgia, Atlanta

Communications Coordinator — San Diego Tourism Authority

Marketing Communications Specialist — City of Austin

Social Media Manager — Pinehurst, Southern Pines Aberdeen Area CVB, NC

Marketing Manager — Lake George Regional CVB, NY

Executive Director — Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce, WA

Business Services Manager — City of Richmond, VA, Department of Economic Development 

Marketing Manager AND Marketing Coordinator — Connect Travel, Greater Atlanta

Email Marketing & Automation Coordinator — MMGY Global, Overland Park, KS

Travel & Hospitality PR Account Director AND Account Executive, PR — MMGY NJF, NYC

Account Strategist — Madden Media, Tucson, AZ

Data Scientist AND Probability Statistician AND Data Engineer AND Data Advisor — Entrada Insights, Salt Lake City

Advertiser Marketing Specialist AND Creative Services Coordinator AND Product Manager — Simpleview, Tucson

Integrated Marketing Manager AND Programmatic Sales Director — Leaf Group , NYC / LA

Copywriter — Destination Counsellors International, NYC

Chief Experience Manager — Brightline Trains, Miami

Sr. Manager, Marketing / CBM Product Strategy — Universal Orlando Resort

Digital Marketing Director — Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Co., PA

Director of Tourism — Six Flags, Valencia, CA

Marketing Project Manager — The Mob Museum, Las Vegas

Director Sales & Marketing — Legends, Atlanta

Director of Sales & Marketing — Novotel Miami Brickell

VP of Marketing — OpenTable, San Francisco

Senior Strategist — The New York Times, NYC

Travel Editor — SFGate (San Francisco Chronicle)

Director of Marketing & Communications AND Email and Social Marketing Manager — Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Director, International Marketing — Warner Music Group, NYC

Digital Marketing Lead, Partnerships — Facebook, Menlo Park, CA

[new] Chief of Staff, Go-To-Market Strategic Operations — Google, San Francisco

Senior Marketing Manager (12 months) — The Presidio Trust, San Francisco

People, Places, Jobs…and Beer in Baltimore

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Al Hutchinson, president & CEO, Visit Baltimore

Budget cuts had forced Visit Baltimore to pause its Education and Training Foundation, threatening the Diversity Apprenticeship Program.

Now, Guinness Open Gate Brewery (the US-based home of blonde lager and a Maryland visitor experience since 2018) is making a one million dollar commitment to its home via the Guinness Gives Back Baltimore Community Fund that includes fully funding the DMO’s program for the next year, with plans to support it for five years.

Visit Baltimore will facilitate the end goal of creating 10 or more hospitality career pathways with a focus on Baltimore’s Black community.

The 600-hour paid apprenticeship aims at employment by Visit Baltimore or a partner organization by promoting career interest in the hospitality and craft beer industries among minority students. In a partnership with SearchWide Global, apprentices shadow at Visit Baltimore, Guinness Open Gate Brewery and another local tourism entity in a three-part immersive learning experience. Applications are currently open; eligible candidates must be 21 years of age or older. Read more here.

Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau has hired Jason Outman as its next president and CEO, effective mid-January 2021. Outman, who succeeds Jeff Seifried, comes from Experience Columbia SC which he joined in 2010, serving as executive director since 2014.

Discover Kalamazoo has appointed Jane Ghosh as president & CEO. A long-time Kalamazoo area resident, Ghosh comes from outside the industry. She brings three decades of experience leading marketing at Johnson & Johnson and The Kellogg Company and as GM manager and executive director at Ferrara Candy Company. Ghosh succeeds Greg Ayers, who resigned in April after 12 years at the helm.

Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau announced Candace Carr Strauss will join as president/CEO in February 2021. She is currently CEO of the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce & Visit Big Sky in Montana. She replaces Jennifer Wesselhoff who left for a similar role in Park City, Utah.

Paul Beirnes is the newly appointed deputy director of tourism for Naples, Marco Island and Everglades CVB. Beirnes joins the team at Florida’s Paradise Coast with over 30 years of destination marketing experience that includes leadership roles at the likes of Hilton Worldwide, Visit Orlando and Disney.

Heather Brown is named as the interim executive director of Lake of the Ozarks CVB. Following seven years with the DMO, she left the Missouri organization five years ago while serving as director of member services. Tim Jacobsen, former executive director, recently took a position with Fort Smith Advertising and Promotions Commission in Arkansas.

Technology and travel leader Scott Garner has been appointed chief revenue officer at Journera, the real-time data exchange platform for creating more seamless travel. He was most recently chief commercial officer at ADARA, and was previously in executive roles at United Airlines and Orbitz Worldwide. Read the announcement here.

At Expedia Group Media Solutions headquarters in Seattle, Wendy Olson Killion is promoted to Global Senior Vice President and General Manager. Her thoughts: “This next year will be focused on helping to reignite the spirit of travel and MeSo that 2020 has tried to stomp out.I look forward to continuing to push our platform to aid the industry and our partners into recovery. I will work to be a worthy leader of an amazing team who has pushed through and persevered.”

Eric J. Lund, former president & CEO of Visit Estes Park for 12 years, takes on a role as VP – tourism development at the historic Stanley Hotel of “The Shining” fame. Prior to his Colorado days, Lund was previously with San Diego Tourism Authority.

Chelsea McCready departs her role as VP-Research & Market Analysis at Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. after more than a decade. She joins CoStar Group/STR as director of hospitality market analytics, Southeast.

Deb Hickok, president and CEO of Explore Fairbanks, is stepping down in June 2021 following 20 years in the job. Prior to joining Explore Fairbanks, Hickok served at the Bucks County CVB, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce/Division of Tourism.

From U.S. Travel Association: “Congrats to our own President and CEO, Roger Dow, and EVP of Public Affairs and Policy, Tori Barnes, for being recognized by @thehill for your relentless efforts amid this incredibly challenging year. It has never been more important for the travel industry’s voice to be heard.”

Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, has been appointed Vice Chair of the U.S. Travel & Tourism Advisory Board for a two-year term. The 27-member group currently chaired by Kurt Ekert, president & CEO of CWT (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel), is the advisory body to the secretary of commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The deputy assistant secretary for travel and tourism serves as the board’s executive director. Other DMO members are: Liz Fitzsimmons, managing director, Maryland Office of Tourism and Film; David Gilbert, president & CEO, Destination Cleveland and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission; Debbie Johnson, director, Arizona Office of Tourism.

The U.S. Travel Association has named Richard Peterson, president & CEO of U.S. Cultural & Heritage Marketing Council to the National Council of Attractions and Experiences (NCAE) Board of Advisors. Peterson is also currently serving as director-at-large at U.S. Travel Association.

Brand USA has announced two new members and one reappointed member of the 2021 board of directors.

  • Noel Irwin Hentschel, chairman and CEO, American Tours International, LLC (reappointed, representing the travel distribution sector)
  • Kristen Esposito, principal, Esposito Global Partners (newly appointed, representing the small business/retail sector)
  • Keiko Matsudo Orrall, executive director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (newly appointed, representing one of two seats for an official of a state tourism office)

Brand USA Board Chair: Kyle Edmiston, president & CEO, Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

Brand USA Vice Chairs: Paul Brown, co-founder & CEO of Inspire Brands and Mark Hoplamazian, president & CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Treasurer: Alice Norsworthy, chief marketing officer, Universal Parks & Resorts

Additional Members: Todd Davidson, CEO, Travel Oregon; Dean Kantaras, owner and managing attorney, K. Dean Kantaras, P.A.; Donald Moore, Sr. VP of business rental sales & global corporate accounts, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.; Tom O’Toole, associate dean for executive education and clinical professor of marketing, Northwestern University.

In Memoriam: Marion “Butch” Fox, president/CEO at Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development, Tourism and Chamber of Commerce since 2007. She had worked in the industry for 30+ years serving at several CVBs, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Economic Development, and most recently had been active with Louisiana Travel Association and Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus.

In Memoriam: Charlotte Bell, CEO, Tourism Association of Canada since 2015, based in Ottawa.

Sacramento, Calif.-based advertising agency Mering has agreed to be acquired by Columbus, Ohio-based ad agency TSY (The Shipyard) Enterprises Inc. Mering clients include Visit California; San Diego Tourism Authority; KSL Resorts; Monarch Beach Resort; Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Merlin Entertainments, (Legoland); Wine Institute; California Grown; and Visit Napa Valley. >> Open positions are: Designer in Columbus, Ohio and Sr. Copywriter in Newport Beach, CA.

JOBS

President & CEO — Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Lansing (new, deadline 1/15/2021)

VP Marketing — Visit Florida, Tallahassee (new)

President & CEO — Visit Orlando

President & CEO — Destination B.C., Vancouver

President & CEO — Destination Madison

President — Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — Visit Greenville SC

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer — Bermuda Tourism Authority, NYC

Sr. VP, Multicultural & Community Development — Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Director of Sales — Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

Public Relations Manager — Destination Cleveland

CEO, Lake Superior Community Partnership, Marquette, MI

Director of Research & Market Intelligence AND Tourism Partnership Manager — Virginia Tourism Corporation, Richmond

Marketing Manager — Tulsa Regional Tourism

PR & Communications Manager AND Finance & HR Manager — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Deputy Director of Marketing — Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Communications & Marketing Manager — Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, NY

User Experience Designer — NYC & Company

Business Analyst — Visit Grand Junction, CO

Manager, Paid Media — Discover The Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL

Content Coordinator — Visit Philadelphia

CVB Communications Coordinator — City of Grapevine, TX

CVB Sales Consultant — City of Plano, TX

CVB Marketing Specialist — Geary County, Junction City, KS

Executive Director — Douglas County Travel & Tourism, GA

Executive Director — Visit St. Mary’s, Leonardtown, MD

Convention & Tourism Rep — Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism Director — Muskogee Tourism Authority, OK

Marketing Coordinator, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, CA

Marketing Coordinator — Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, NY

Sr. Media Analyst — Net Conversion, Orlando

Product Manager AND Production Coordinator — Simpleview, Tucson

VP – Global Field Marketing — Hard Rock International, Davie, FL

VP Sales & Marketing — The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO

Sr. VP Customer Marketing — Ontrak, Inc., NYC

Director of Partner Services — Huddle Up Group, Phoenix

Program Development Manager — Panorama Travel Solutions (a Wyndham Destinations Company), NYC

Chief Experience Officer — Brightline Trains, Miami

Sr. Communication & Marketing Rep, Aviation — Port of Oakland, CA

Director of Tourism — Six Flags, Valencia, CA

Director Sales & Marketing — Legends (Illuminarium Experience), Atlanta

Marketing Manager — Legends (Sky View Observatory), Seattle

Digital Marketing Manager — SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, Los Angeles

Vice President, Marketing Social Media — Audible, Newark, NJ

Content Marketing Manager — Cuvée, Denver

Marketing Automation Manager, Corporate — Hornblower Cruises, NYC

Director of Marketing — TurnKey Vacation Rentals, Angel Fire, NM

Copywriter — Development Counsellors International, NYC

Director, LATAM Field Marketing — Twilio, Remote USA

Content Business Development Manager — Twitter, San Francisco

Digital Marketing Lead, Partnerships — Facebook, San Francisco

NYC-based Peloton plans to add 1,600 employees across member support, sales, people, field operations, and other corporate functions, from business leaders to managers in Plano, TX, quadrupling its footprint at that location.

New: People Profiles, eTourism Summit On-Demand, Movers & Shakers, Job Listings

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We hope you like People Profiles, a new feature in The Travel Vertical, inspired by readers sharing remarkable personal stories. Who do you know within the eTourism Community of DMOs, attractions, and vendors with a story that belongs here? Introducing Richard and Kathryn to kick it off.

Profile #1: Richard Gray

Richard Gray, SVP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Visit Lauderdale, has been recognized as an innovator and named among the 100 most influential LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. by Out Magazine’s 2020 Out100.

Under Richard Gray’s direction, Visit Lauderdale launched the groundbreaking ‘Celebrate You’ campaign, a global first. Richard believes this the best campaign to date and underscores Greater Fort Lauderdale’s diversity and as a destination where all people are welcomed, regardless of religion, gender, gender expression, body size, race or disability. The historic campaign includes trans, drag, lesbian, gay, non-binary, disabled, straight and minorities in a very non-resort way.

As part of this campaign, Gray added black and brown to the Pride colors to show Greater Fort Lauderdale’s commitment and belief in black and brown people — the first DMO to add these colors to its flag.

“I am beyond honored and humbled to be part of Out100. I will use this recognition to continue my endeavors to push the envelope and use my global platform to educate and better the world. After all, I do believe we are all here to leave the world better than we found it.” — Richard Gray

Profile #2: Kathryn Shea Duncan

(photo: James Billeaudeau for The New York Times)

A chance encounter with a writer covering Louisiana festivals last year led to a profile piece published by The New York Times titled, “How Do You Advertise a Town Ravaged By Hurricanes?” featuring Kathryn Shea Duncan, Media/Public Relations Manager at Visit Lake Charles.

Kathryn explains how the human interest coverage occurred. “She wanted to do a human-interest story on the hurricanes, which is where I come in.

She said she was impressed with my dedication towards our area despite the pandemic and two hurricanes we’ve faced in the last 7 months. The angle of the young professional hadn’t been told, so it was the perfect chance to tell that side of our story. And a story of hope and resilience!”

“So many additional PR opportunities have come out of the story so that we can continue to tell our rebuild and resiliency story. We are rebuilding bigger and better than we were before! Which is why we need young professionals, the dreamers and doers to stay and make that change even better.” — Kathryn Shea Duncan, 24

Read the NYT article here.

Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles, is the new chair of the Brand USA Board of Directors for 2021. The other officers voted in are Paul Brown, CEO of Inspire Brands; Mark Hoplamazian, CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Alice Norsworthy, EVP of Marketing for Universal Parks & Resorts.

“Our international inbound visitation has gone from over 78 million visitors to almost nothing. As we enter 2021, the presence and marketing efforts of Brand USA across all continents will be more important than ever in restarting visitation into the United States. I look forward to working with my fellow board members, CEO Chris Thompson, the team at Brand USA, and partners around the globe to maximize the efforts and effect of Brand USA.”

Keith Backsen has become the chief sales & services officer at Destinations International, overseeing the membership and partnership departments. Previously executive director of Visit Omaha, Backsen had previously worked with DMOs in Portland, Dallas, Chicago and Spokane; he starts his new job on Jan. 1.

Timothy Jacobsen, executive director of Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau for 14 years, will take on a new position as executive director at Fort Smith Advertising & Promotion Commission in Arkansas. In July 2020, Claude Legris retired from the post and a national search was undertaken.

Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge has promoted Debora Wright as VP- Sales and Marketing. She has been with the organization, formerly known as Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, since 1993. 

Ann Hutchinson, EVP, has been named as the new president & CEO at Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce effective Jan. 1, 2021 with the retirement of David May. She is a 17-year veteran of the organization with 1,200 members, one of Colorado’s largest chambers of commerce.

Anthony Mancuso is the new director of convention sales & development at Destination El Paso. His previous DMO experience includes Visit Oakland, San Francisco Travel and San Diego Tourism.

At Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism in Alabama, longtime founder and leader Herb Malone will retire in 2021 following 32 years of service. Following a national search, he’ll turn the reins over to 18-year veteran Beth Gendler, VP Sales.

Adam Stoker has become president/CEO of Relic Advertising + EKR. He says, “After watching and admiring EKR for years, I’m proud to announce that we have acquired EKR. This will add a full web dev, strategic services, and a group of incredibly talented people to our team.” Adam invites direct messages regarding new positions at the agency.

Kari Tarnowski has joined American Queen Steamboat Company as senior vice president of marketing. She previously served as vice president of marketing for Crystal Cruises. The company is part of Hornblower Group.

BuzzFeed is acquiring HuffPost as part of a larger deal with Verizon Media Group. BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti co-founded the The Huffington Post in 2005, it was acquired by Verizon in 2015, and will now become the property of its former rival. CNN reports, “Media companies increasingly have to compete for advertising dollars against tech giants like Google and Facebook. That’s led to a rash of deals, including Vox Media’s acquisition of New York Media and Vice Media’s takeover of Refinery29.”

Skift has hired Edward “Ned” Russell from The Points Guy as an airlines reporter.

Freelancer Ruthy Muñoz, a former National Association of Black Journalists Fellow with Reuters, is a new Skift contributor also focused on airlines.

J Public Relations, a hospitality/travel/destination specialist agency with offices in NYC, London, San Diego, and Los Angeles, is expanding into new offices in Toronto and Nashville, helmed by Kristin Moller, Senior VP, and Heidi Baldwin Doak, Senior Director.

In Memoriam: Justin Page, Director of Sales at Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau since 2015 has passed away at the age of 40. Several years ago, he had also been with Destination DC.

In Memoriam: Massimo Loquenzi, Master Consulting, the Italian-based public relations firm for many DMOs over the years: San Francisco, Oakland, Mammoth Lakes, West Hollywood, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Brandywine Valley & Valley Forge plus Amtrak and U.S. Travel Association.

In case you missed it, appreciating presentations from awesome speakers. Watch on-demand videos from Week Two at eTourism Summit in October, featuring conversations with people you know:

  • Shannon Lowery, Visit Savannah
  • Liz Mabe, Discover Puerto Rico
  • Brian Wagner , Tennessee Travel
  • Lauren Seidl, Travel Wyoming
  • Jim Johnson, VDX.TV
  • Elan Cole, NYC & Company
  • Nancy Mammana, NYC & Company
  • Leroy Bridges, Visit St Pete Clearwater
  • Melissa Gogel, Visit Phgoenix
  • Jeff Robinson, Visit Indy
  • Matt Clement, Madden Media
  • Ali Daniels, Visit Seattle
  • Matt Borud, Idaho Commerce/Tourism
  • Alison Schult, Mile Marker 630/Visit North Carolina
  • Adam Stoker, Relic Advertising
  • Valerie Bradley, Visit Macon
  • Ed Harris, Discover Lancaster
  • Matt Hansen, Expedia Group Media Solutions

????Did you know? “123456” is (still) the most commonly used password of 2020.

President & CEO — Visit Orlando

President — Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — Destination Madison

President & CEO AND Manager, Brand Engagement — Destination B.C., Vancouver, British Columbia

President & CEO — Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

President & CEO — Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce


Executive Director — Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, MD


Chief Sales & Marketing Officer — Bermuda Tourism Authority, NY, NY

EVP & Chief Sales Officer — San Francisco Travel Association

Director of Research & Market Intelligence — Virginia Tourism Corporation

Chief Digital Officer — State of North Carolina – Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Raleigh

V.P. of Finance AND Public Relations Manager — Destination Cleveland

Executive Director — Visit St. Mary’s, MD

Deputy Director of Marketing — Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners, Fort Walton, FL

General Manager — TCF Center/ASM Global, Detroit

Director of Sales & Marketing — Greater Columbus Convention Center, OH

Vice President of Sales AND Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy — Visit Corpus Christi, TX

Director of Sales — Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, AR

Project Manager Destination Management — Visit SLOCAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Manager, Social Media AND Specialist, Marketing — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL

Communications Coordinator — San Diego Tourism

Marketing Coordinator — Visit Santa Monica, CA

Social Media Manager — Hocking Hills Tourism Association, OH

Small Meetings & Events Sales Manager — River Parishes Tourist Commission, LaPlace, LA

Destination Travel Network Leads Distribution Specialist AND Destination Travel Network Account Associate — Simpleview, Tucson

Partner Success Associate — Expedia Group, Dallas

Senior Director of Marketing — Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

Director of Tourism — Six Flags, Santa Clarita, CA

Director of Marketing — BART, Oakland, CA

VP Sales & Marketing — The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

VP Sales & Marketing — Lark Hotels, Remote

Director of Sales & Marketing — Aman, NYC

Director of Sales & Marketing — Hard Rock International, NYC

Director Product Marketing — SEVENROOMS, NYC

Digital & Social Media Coordinator — Xtreme Action Park Marketing, Fort Lauderdale

Any open positions you’d like to share with the eTourism Community?

Jim Marini, VP Strategic Partnerships at Yankee Leisure Group, Inc., says: “If you know anyone who is looking to get back into travel and has experience in sales and/or service…HIRING!!!” (Remote means in the USA.)

Prediction: We’re Going to See a Flood of Marketing Predictions for 2021 & More News

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December normally delivers all those trend prediction articles. One thing is for sure…there’s going to be more of them than ever. Brace yourself, because one of the first predictions is *more email* Aargh.

Expect More eMail

The 2021 predictions have begun.

Your inbox is going to grow in 2021, says Forrester Research…by a lot. A new report indicates that marketing message volume will increase by 40% next year as brands try to develop direct relationships with customers, hold onto customers, and drive purchases—especially in the wake of Google’s third-party cookie moves and Apple’s planned changes. Read “Predictions 2021: B2C Marketing.”

Right Now, We’re Limping

“And we can’t bring back America until we get business travel, meetings and events and international travel [going]. Right now, we’re limping on leisure travel, which is good but not great. But we need the other three pieces, and I think he can help us there.” — Roger Dow

Travel Weekly interviewed U.S. Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow on whether the new Biden Administration will be good for the travel and tourism industry.

In a word, “Yes.” Roger also explains the concept of a tax credit for travel; liability protection for corporate travel; rapid, reliable, affordable Covid testing; opening borders; a stimulus package for DMOs and more. Read the conversation “On the Record” here.

In the latest weekly survey, Longwoods International reports 53% are not planning any travel during the holiday season, up from 48% a month ago.

Brand USA Says Bye-Bye to WTM and ITB

During Brand USA’s recent Travel Week Europe, a B2B event conducted online, Tom Garzilli, CMO, said it is likely to withdraw for good from participation in the World Travel Market in London and ITB in Berlin.


“Big global trade shows like WTM and ITB for US tourism are just not as efficient and not as necessary,” said Garzilli. “A lot of money gets spent on those things that we would like to see spent in the market, with tour operators, with consumers, driving business.” Like many of its private sector partners, Brand USA has suffered from a decline in funding levels.

Dining In Is Out

Chicago re-enters lockdown with a new “stay-at-home” advisory. With indoor dining allowed only at tables within 8′ of an open window, it’s an unsustainable strategy as temperatures drop. San Francisco, Baltimore, and New York City are among major cities tightening up Covid-19 dining restrictions once again. New Mexico and Oregon permit restaurant takeout and delivery only.

GrubHub and The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund has launched a $2 million Restaurant Winterization Grant program for independent restaurants in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago. The initiative will provide $10,000 for eligible restaurants with five or fewer locations which apply by Nov. 21, 2020. Read more here.

Entertainment Information

Ticketmaster is working on a plan that uses smart phones to verify whether customers have been vaccinated or tested for Covid, according to Billboard. The process would involve fans using the Ticketmaster app in partnership with medical information firms and vaccine and testing distributors. Fans would be required to either verify their vaccination status or prove they have tested negative for coronavirus within 72 hours prior to a concert date.  

Name That Park

Home to four national parks and 42 state parks, Colorado wants help from the public to nominate a location and a name for a new state park to meet demand for outdoor spaces. “Our outdoor state parks, along with other public lands in Colorado, continue to see record visitation,” said Dan Prenzlow, director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Nominations must meet certain criteria, which can be viewed in detail here.

Fancy moving and taking your job with you? If you’re a remote worker looking for a fresh start, Northwest Arkansas will pay you $10,000 to relocate there — and they’ll throw a free mountain bike into the deal. Similar to initiatives in Kansas, Vermont, Maine and Oklahoma, Arkansas is looking to boost its economy and reverse falling population trends by paying remote workers to move there. The Life Works Here initiative from Northwest Arkansas Council will give you $10,000 if you relocate. To qualify, you must be a non-Arkansas US resident at least 24 years old and be fully employed. You also must sign a rental lease or purchase a house. 

California Coronavirus Clamp Down and West Coast Worries

Some 94% of California’s population of nearly 40 million is moving back to the most restrictive level of Covid-19 guidelines due to a rapid uptick in cases, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday.

Disneyland and California Adventure are expected to stay closed through “at least the end of the first fiscal quarter,” Christine McCarthy, Disney’s senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, said on the company’s 4th Q. earnings call last week. That means March 31, 2021. California won’t allow theme parks to reopen until the county in which they’re located reaches yellow tier, the least restrictive of the state’s reopening guidelines. Even then, theme parks can only reopen at 25% capacity under the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

The governors of California, Oregon and Washington issued a joint coronavirus travel advisory on Friday urging people arriving to any of the three states to self-quarantine for 14 days. The West Coast states also advised people to avoid non-essential out-of-state travel.

Keeping Quiet in Vancouver

Destination B.C. has pressed pause, suspending all paid advertising and marketing for two weeks through Nov. 23. The Vancouver-based DMO said it hopes the decision to temporarily cease marketing the province will prevent the need for further travel restrictions. Destination B.C. added travel alert banners detailing the health order to its website and suggested all partner organizations and businesses should include messaging that B.C. residents should avoid non-essential travel to from and within Metro Vancouver.

Atlas Obscura Partnering with Nissan


The first installment of Rogue Routes, a five-part series of drive-in shows at unique locations around the country, kicked off this past weekend. Auto Mode was held in a field in Alliance, Nebraska, using Carhenge, the incredible art installation, as the backdrop.

The program was hosted by AO co-founder and USA Memory Champion Josh Foer, featuring a presentation by groundbreaking mixed media artist Swoon, followed by a rock concert by the genre-bending LA band Chicano Batman. Ariel Azoff, Head of Partnerships at Atlas Obscura says, “Rogue Routes is designed to be a way for people to experience wonder together, safely, at a time when we are forced to be distant from one another. It’s a program designed for the age of COVID-19, not in spite of it, because these days, having shared experiences is more meaningful than ever before.”

“Everyone Wants to Be in Their Mother’s Arms”

That’s quite a tagline for an airline. Remember now-bankrupt WOW Air? Turn that logo upside down and you get MOM Air. A new Icelandic airline looking to launch in March 2021 is all about Covid-free flights and a double-pronged mission: super-cheap flights for consumers and gender equality for staff. MOM Air says, “All in-flight services will be optional. Whether it’s food, reading material on board, charging for electronics, nets, luggage space, toilet paper, hand soap, choice of seats…” Routes are planned to connect Reykjavik to the USA (NYC, Boston, Wash., D.C), Toronto and European capitals.

The website reads like a joke.

Initial media reaction is that the whole thing is a marketing ploy. What do you think? An invitation-only press conference is planned for Nov. 18 following cancellation of an earlier one. (Clearly, they need help with the English-language website copy.)

Gone: Gemütlichkeit and Glühwein  

Despite being outdoor events, Europe’s famous traditional Christmas markets are being cancelled country-by-county. Among them, Germany‘s Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, dating back to 1628, was canceled for the first time since World War II. Austria has recently seen a sharp increase in new daily cases of coronavirus and the country is extending its complete lockdown through at least December 6. Meanwhile, 360tourist.net is doing virtual visits like this one of Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market in Berlin.

Covid Mixed Signals: News, People, Jobs (and a Clever Off-Topic Ad)

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U.S. Travel Association has moved IPW 2021 from its normal May timing to Sept. 18-22, 2021 at Las Vegas Convention Center. “This decision gives attendees time to make plans to join us for our live, in-person event,” the association tweeted last week.

Since Oct. 1, 2020, Las Vegas has permitted gatherings up to 1,000 people, as long as guidelines are followed, including that a venue must separate attendees into separate rooms of no more than 250 individuals.

Governor says…

New York City & New York State: What does confusing look like?

“On Sunday afternoon, faced with a new wave of infections in his virus-battered city, Mayor Bill de Blasio made a sobering decision to ask the state to roll back openings of businesses in virus hot spots in Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, pending approval from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. But on Monday, Mr. Cuomo, Mr. de Blasio’s longtime foil, refused to give it.” — The New York Times.

Mayor says…

Gov. Andrew Cuomo did announce that New York City will move ahead with new restrictions following Covid-19 surges in nine clusters. In addition to school closings, restaurants will be limited to takeout and delivery, and houses of worship will be exempt.

The State of Hawaii is re-thinking its long-awaited October 15 opening one island at a time right up to the deadline. Different rules for different islands will be confusing for visitors, however, Oahu will re-open per the governor’s schedule. The latest overnight news confirms that Hawaii Mayor Kim (the Big Island) will still require a 14-day quarantine for visitors. Other Neighbor Islands—Kauai, and Maui (which includes Molokai and Lanai)— are also said to be looking at opting out of the state’s pre-test travel program starting October 15. The all-important industry has a new CEO at Hawaii Tourism Authority, where John De Fries is working with another challenge…a much smaller FY budget of about $48 million dollars compared to last year at $86 million.

Airbnb and Brand USA have expanded their partnership of virtual experiences in the USA. These Online Experiences are hosted by five storytellers from United Stories, a Brand USA campaign launched in early 2019. This is how the new landing page appears in one overseas market—the U.K.

American Airlines and United Airlines moved forward with a combined 32,000 furloughs and layoffs on October 1 following the expiration of the $25 billion federal Payroll Support Program. Hawaiian Airlines furloughed 466; Alaska 327.

On Oct. 1, Tampa was set to become the first U.S. airport to make Covid-19 tests available to all ticketed passengers. But for now, the program is only a 31-day pilot: a rapid antigen test for $57 or the more accurate, but slower result, polymerase chain reaction test for $125. Miami International plans to make rapid testing available to all passengers by November.

Where is business booming? At the coronavirus cruise ship graveyard. At a seaside dock near Izmir, Turkey, decommissioned luxury cruise ships are being broken up for scrap metal, including RCCL’s Monarch and Sovereign of the Seas, and Carnival Fantasy, which was refurbished just last year.

French authorities placed the Paris region on maximum virus alert on Monday, banning festive gatherings and requiring all bars to close (but allowing restaurants to remain open), as Covid infections increased rapidly. 

Eric Yuan. No surprise who heads up TIME magazine’s “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” for 2020. “Zoom is the defining company of the pandemic.”

Clever billboard. As seen on LinkedIn: An orthodontist nails it. Is this the best pandemic ad of 2020? And without a mention of “unprecedented times…”

After a nationwide search, Spartanburg, S.C. has named a new tourism leader. Timothy Bush, president and CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, will take over the position at OneSpartanburg, Inc. The newly named entity combines functions of the chamber of commerce, convention & visitors bureau, and the Economic Futures Group. Bush has held leadership roles at Macon-Bibb Convention & Visitors Bureau in Georgia, and Louisiana’s Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau and Beauregard Tourist Commission.

Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility, has announced that John Morris (left) is the new editor of TravelAbility Insider. John, who is a power wheelchair user and founder of WheelchairTravel.org, has been a prominent advocate for travel accessibility. He is a triple amputee following a 2012 car accident who, prior to COVID-19, traveled more than 300 days per year. A shoutout to Denise Brodey, a Forbes contributor who successfully built the newsletter, which enjoys a 43% open rate, to more than to 3,100 readers.

TravelAbility Summit will take place virtually every Tuesday from November 10 to December 8, via programming from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT, followed by 30-minutes of networking time. Click for more details.

“As part of a company-wide effort to enhance the customer experience,” Simpleview has announced that Greg Evans is promoted from VP Sales & Account Services to Chief Revenue Officer. 

Also at Simpleview, 10-year veteran Scott Stanislav was promoted to director of customer experience from senior director of account services. Last week, we reported on Greg Bates‘ promotion to VP Global Sales.

Vincenzo Vitale has joined the client success team Bandwango. Most recently, he had been an account executive at Simpleview for two years.

Cheryl Hargrove has left her position as director of industry & partner relations at Explore Georgia at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. She had worked for Georgia tourism for more than six years. Previously, she held positions at National Geographic Society and Travel South USA. Hargrove International, a PR consulting concern, will be a full-time interest.

Jennifer Diaz-Alzuri has left the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau after 13 years as VP-Communications. She has opened JDA Communications based out of Greenville-Spartanburg, SC.

Liz Gilbert departs Spirit/Entertainment/Hornblower Cruises & Events following a 20-year career at the company, most recently as senior director of national sales based in Chicago.

Job listings

President & CEO — Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — Destination Madison

President & CEO — Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

President & CEO — Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Chief Executive Officer — Destination Caldwell (ID)

CEO — Lake Superior Community Partnership, Marquette, MI

VP-Marketing — Simpleview

Acct. Associate, Business Development — PCMA (Chicago)

National Sales Manager — Visit Mobile

Director of Community Engagement & Advocacy — Visit SLO

Project Mgr., Destination Management — Visit SLO

Director of PR & Social Media — Discover the Palm Beaches

In California, Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau is searching for a director of marketing communications.

An outdoor activity destination about 40 miles north of Houston, Conroe Convention & Visitors Bureau is hiring a group sales manager.

Staff

Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Editor
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