P E O P L E

Deana Ivey is now President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

She’s replacing former president Butch Spyridon, who has been with the organization since 1991 and retains his title of Chief Executive Officer. The move is part of a restructuring of top leadership, according to a news release. Ivey, who has been with the organization since 1997, was previously Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer.

Scott Schult has joined Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp as the new Chief Marketing Officer.  He previously spent 12 years as the Executive VP of Marketing for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and nearly 10 years at St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

Additionally, four others in senior positions at Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. have been promoted as part of a restructuring of the leadership team. (pictured l. to r.) 

Andrea Arnold has risen from Senior Vice President, Public Affairs to Chief Public Affairs Officer; Adrienne Siemers from Senior Vice President, Sales to Chief Sales Officer; Marie Sueing from Senior Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, to Chief Diversity Officer; and Heather Middleton from Vice President, Public Relations to Senior Vice President, Marketing.

Angela Westerfield has been appointed as the new Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Visit Savannah. She was most recently with SeaWorld in Orlando and her involvement in tourism marketing includes serving on the Global Association for the Attractions Industry marketing committee and as a Visit Orlando marketing committee member.

After a “two-year career detour,” Mindy Shea Frazier reports that she is happy to be back in her role as Visit Savannah‘s Director of International Sales. She first joined the organization in 2006.

Martha J. Sheridan, president & CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, is now co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition. She takes over the co-chair position held by Fred Dixon, president & CEO of NYC & Company and joins co-chair Michael Masari, Chief Sales Officer of Caesars Entertainment.

Michael Martelon, President & CEO Telluride Tourism Board (Visit Telluride) is stepping down after 10+ years in the role. The announcement is reported to be connected to the board’s desire for a re-assessment of priorities. Martelon will continue to consult with the tourism board as it charts its new course.

Colette Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at Destination Cleveland which she joined in 2012, will become Chief Marketing Officer at the Cleveland Foundation from next month.

Jennifer Stilwell moves from Executive Vice President/Chief Strategic Officer at VisitGreenvilleSC to Vice President Marketing at Auro Hotels. She joined the DMO in 2016.

Cody Chomiak takes on a new role as Vice President of Marketing at Travel Manitoba, Canada. He was most recently with Bandwango as VP – Industry Engagement and was previously Director of Marketing at Tourism Winnipeg | Economic Development Winnipeg for 10+ years.

Jodi Westbury has joined Destination Greater Victoria as Vice President Marketing Communications. She was most recently Director, Marketing & Communications at Coast Hotels and was previously Director Marketing Services at Tourism Whistler in the lead up to/during the Olympics.

Sarah Jones Gillihan is the new Director-Communications, Community & Industry Relations at Visit Napa Valley in California. She joins from Benson Marketing, also in Napa, where she had been VP.

Mitchell Gauger is charged with keeping Indiana’s talented college grads in tourism-related roles Indiana. He is now Director of Graduate Retention at Indiana Destination Development Corporation.

Danny Guerrero has joined the 2022 Advisory Board of the Black Travel Alliance. He has recently been a Vice President at MMGY Global in Los Angeles and co-chair of its DEI Council. Guerrero’s background also includes executive roles at Development Counsellors International, Visit Newport Beach, West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board, and San Diego Tourism Authority.

Joni Buford has been named as the new Director of Tourism for Discover FoCo, the tourism umbrella under the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce in Forsyth County, Georgia. She has previously been Marketing and Events Manager for Visit Peachtree City (GA) and the PR/Communications Manager for Explore Houma (LA).

Michelle Davis has been appointed as the new Social Media Specialist at Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. She joins from a role as senior email marketing expert at CleanChoice Energy in Washington, D.C.

With two recent appointments, Visit Raleigh has now returned to being fully staffed. Carly Delengowski is the new Content Marketing Manager at Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and Veronica Thring is the new Manager, Public Relations and International Tourism.

Nora Thomas joins ADARA as a Senior Account Executive – Tourism. She departs as Manager, National Councils/Industry Relations & ESTO at U.S. Travel Association, which she joined six years ago.

Sylvia Weiler has joined Tripadvisor as Vice President, SMB Sales (Hotels & Restaurants). Her previous executive roles include Airbnb, Sojern, and Travelocity. Sylvia is a former valued member of the Advisory Board at eTourism Summit.

Melissa Luebbe joins the team at Zartico as Chief Engagement Officer. She joins from O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul working on the Illinois Office of Tourism Account and had previously been Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Meredith Corporation.

Siobhan Chrétien joins Development Counsellors International as Director, Tourism. Based in Vancouver, her DMO background includes a decade in executive roles at Destination Canada.

Joy Lacana, based in London, has become part of the growing team at Near as European Director of Tourism Sales. She joins from AVIAREPS UK.

Heather Molina, a marketing strategist with almost two decades of experience, joins the team at Madden Media as a Managing Media Director. She was most recently with Red Door Interactive.  

Liz Bowling has re-joined The Abbi Agency in a new role as Vice President of Public Relations. She spent three-plus years as Director of Global Communications & Public Relations at North Lake Tahoe Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Antisha Gaitan fills the role as the new Art Director at MMGY Global based in the Kansas City metro area.

Stephanie Arbetter joins Marriott International as Senior Manager of Social & Content Marketing, Premium Brands. Her past experience includes marketing and communications roles with Hilton, Streetsense, and Brand USA.

Michael Frazier has been appointed as Chief Communications Officer for America250, the nation’s anniversary in 2026  led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. He had been Executive Vice President / Deputy Director of External Affairs at The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which he joined in 2009. He serves on the board at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

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R F P s

New — The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is seeking an Advertising Partner to develop travel safely advertising campaigns and messaging for Alaska’s statewide destination marketing program: Travel Alaska. Advertising tactics include using radio, television, digital, printed collateral, and social media for statewide and/or specific destination marketing and advertising campaigns, positioning Alaska as a premier destination of choice among Alaska’s target audiences.

New — The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is seeking a Public and Media Relations Partner to develop travel safely public and media relations for Alaska’s statewide destination marketing program: Travel Alaska. Tactics include media assistance, press trips, media outreach, and social media, positioning Alaska as a premier destination of choice among Alaska’s target audiences.

New — The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is seeking a Partner skilled in research to determine Alaska visitor profiles, economic impact, and travel motivations.

MORE INFO: Click here for a link to the RFPs on the ATIA website and timetables / deadlines.

ABOUT: The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the leading statewide non-profit membership association for Alaska’s tourism industry and the statewide trade association for travel and tourism in Alaska. ATIA is also the long-time manager of Alaska’s destination marketing program: Travel Alaska. With over 600 tourism business members and partners, ATIA is the leading voice for Alaska travel and tourism and also promotes Alaska as a top visitor destination. ATIA is the respected voice for the growth of Alaska’s travel industry, while remaining attentive to care for the environment, recognition of cultures and Alaska’s unique quality of life.

• Discover Puerto Rico – U.S. Hispanic and Puerto Rican Diaspora Travelers
  The Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico (“DPR”) seeks a research vendor to evaluate the potential for U.S. Hispanic travelers to Puerto Rico. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks research firms capable of determining the viability of travel to Puerto Rico by high income U.S. Hispanics, including Puerto Rican diaspora, evaluating what messages about the destination most resonate with travelers and understanding the perception of Puerto Rico. The ideal firm will be knowledgeable about the travel industry. (click here for file / closes 1/22/22)
  
• Discover Puerto Rico – Black Travel to Puerto Rico
  The Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico (“DPR”) seeks a research vendor to evaluate the potential for black travelers to Puerto Rico. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks research firms capable of determining the viability of travel to Puerto Rico by high income African Americans, evaluating what messages about the destination most resonate with black travelers and understanding the perception of Puerto Rico. The ideal firm will be knowledgeable about the travel industry. (click here for file / closes 1/22/22)

For Immediate Release: December 30, 2021

HONOLULU—The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) issued a request for proposals in October for a contractor to provide tourism destination brand marketing and management services for the United States, Hawaii’s largest market of visitors, commencing January 1, 2022. At the end of a months-long process, an initial award was rescinded in December by DBEDT Director Mike McCartney, who as the head of the purchasing agency oversees all procurement.

“The Continental U.S. is the largest source of visitors to Hawaii, which makes the effective management of this market one of our most important efforts to bolster our state’s economy,” said Director McCartney. “We determined that the solicitation did not provide for consideration of all factors of significance to the agency, therefore it is in the best interest of the State of Hawai‘i to rescind the offer and re-solicit the RFP. We are re-starting the process to find a definitive winning proposal to move forward in the best interest of the State of Hawaii.”

Hawaii is represented in key markets around the world by contractors overseen by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. To ensure continuity of marketing and management services in the U.S. market, the agency’s current contract with the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau will be extended for up to six months as proposals are received, reviewed, and a contract awarded and negotiated. A new request for proposals will be issued in the coming weeks.

# # #

Media Contacts: Charlene Chan Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism 808-824-0134 dbedt.hawaii.gov

T. Ilihia Gionson Hawaii Tourism Authority hawaiitourismauthority.org

J O B S

President & CEO — Visit Seattle, WA

President & CEO — Visit Rapid City, SD

President & CEO — Visit Fort Wayne, IN (filled, see update 2/26/22)

Director — South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, TX (new)

Director AND Manager Tourism Marketing — Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Groveland, FL (new)

Executive Director — Visit Dana Point, CA

Executive Director — Discover New England, Portsmouth, NH

Executive Director — Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, MA

Executive Director (filled, see update 1/26/22) — Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau d.b.a. Coastal Mississippi, Biloxi, MS

Executive Director — Corpus Christi Sports Commission, TX

Executive Director — North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, MA (closes 1/31/22)

Executive Director — Jackson County Board of County Commissioners, FL (closes 1/26/22)

Executive Director — HospitalityTN, Nashville

Executive Director — Arts Missoula, MT

Director — Oklahoma City Adventure District, OK

General Manager — Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN

Chief Financial Officer AND National Sales Accounts & Strategic Initiatives Director AND Executive Assistant & Office Services Coordinator — Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, OH

Chief Diversity Officer AND Manager of Meetings & Events — Destinations International, Wash., DC

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

Senior Vice President People & Culture AND Senior Director Marketing Analytics — Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, NV

Vice President — Equity, Diversity & Inclusion — Meet Minneapolis, MN (new)

Vice President of Tourism AND Director Digital Marketing AND Partner Ad Trafficker — Visit Denver, CO

Vice President — Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, TX

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

Vice President Sales AND Destination Experience Manager AND Small Meetings Manager AND Communications Coordinator AND Convention Sales Coordinator — Visit Greater Palm Springs, CA

Director of Marketing — Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, MA (new)

Director of Marketing AND Sales Manager (new) — Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, AR

Director of Marketing — Visit Oakland, CA

Director of Marketing & Communications — Visit El Paso, TX

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

Director of Communications — Visit Detroit, MI (new)

Director of Research & Market Intelligence AND Executive Assistant to the President & CEO AND Graphic Design Manager AND Content Specialist — Visit Albuquerque, NM

Senior Copy Director AND Integrated Project Manager AND Coordinator Member Programs & Services AND UX Design Lead — NYC & Company

Director of Partnership Development AND Digital Content Manager — Visit Wichita, KS

Marketing & Events Director — Destination Sturgeon Bay, WI

Venues & Events Director — City of Tacoma, WA

National Account Executive (Wash., DC-based) AND Social Media Coordinator AND Administrative Coordinator — Visit Milwaukee, WI

Senior Director of Convention Strategy AND National Account Director-Chicago & Midwest AND Senior Coordinator Convention Sales & Services — Visit Seattle, WA

Director of Sales AND Marketing Coordinator AND Social & Digital Media Specialist — City of Ocean City, MD

Director of Events, Tradeshow & Strategic Sales Partnerships AND Sales Manager AND Account Executive AND
Sales Specialist — Discover The Palm Beaches, FL

Director, Tourism Insights AND Manager Global Communications AND Social Media Manager AND Coordinator Marketing — Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, CA

Marketing Manager — City of San Jose, CA

Public Relations Manager AND Senior Research Manager AND Marketing & PR Coordinator — Sonoma County Tourism, CA

Marketing Project Manager AND Marketing Manager AND Communications Manager — Visit Dallas, TX

Digital Marketing Manager AND International Media Relations Manager AND International Sales Manager — Destination DC, Wash., DC

Associate Vice President-Global Brand Advertising AND Brand Marketing Manager-Global Media AND Manager of International Marketing (x2) AND Brand Marketing Coordinator AND Media Relations Coordinator AND IT Solutions Architect AND Marketing Assistant AND Brand Budget Manager AND Client Relations Director / Liaison – Central Coast — Visit California

Partner Engagement Manager AND HR Manager — Visit SLO CAL, San Luis Obispo, CA

Marketing Communications Manager AND Group Development Account Representative AND Member Development Consultant AND Travel Industry Sales Representative-Global AND Corporate Communications Representative AND Membership Representative AND Group Development Specialist AND International Marketing Representative AND Sales Assistant — Visit Orlando, FL

Social Media Manager — Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, FL

Senior Manager Social Media — Visit Florida

Media Relations Specialist — Experience Kissimmee, FL (new)

Tourism Data Specialist — Visit NC / Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

Multi-media Editor — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development 

Senior Manager Event Marketing AND Managing Editor ILOVENY.com — Empire State Development, NY (new)

Research Analyst — Georgia Department of Economic Development (new)

Social Media Coordinator — West Virginia Department of Tourism (new)

Sales Manager AND Technical Project Manager (new) — Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Cooperative Marketing Program Coordinator — Missouri Division of Tourism

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

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

Digital Marketing Content Specialist — Visit Chattanooga, TN

Marketing Manager — Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, WI (new)

Marketing & Events Director — Destination Sturgeon Bay, WI

Media & Content Strategist — Visit Syracuse, NY 

Group Sales Manager — Visit Aurora, CO

Business Analyst AND Data Scientist — Visit Grand Junction, CO

Content Manager — Visit Santa Barbara, CA

Content Manager — Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, PA (new)

Digital Content Coordinator — Visit Mobile, AL

Marketing Coordinator — Destination Madison, WI

Marketing Coordinator — Visit Camarillo, Greater Los Angeles, CA

Sales & Marketing Coordinator — Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, WI

Communications Coordinator — Seward Chamber of Commerce, AK

Tourism & Culture Assistant Director — City of Miami Beach, FL

Digital Marketing & Visitor Relations Specialist — Discover Long Island, NY

Destination Development Specialist — Travel Salem, OR

Content Director — Great Falls Montana Tourism (new)

Destination Experience Coordinator — Visit Jacksonville, FL (new)

Digital Tourism Marketing Coordinator — Visit Big Sky, MT (new)

Digital Content Creator — Greater Oklahoma City Chamber (new)

Social Media & Digital Specialist — St. Tammany Parish Tourist & Convention Commission, LA

Sales Director Citywide Conventions — Visit Houston, TX (new)

Director of National Accounts (Mid-Atlantic) — Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, TN

Convention Sales Director — Visit Knoxville, TN

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

Convention Center Sales Manager — Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier Tourism & Sports, WA (new)

Senior Sales Manager AND Convention Sales Coordinator AND Executive Assistant — Visit Austin, TX

Sales Manager — Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL

Sales Manager — Official ASM Global, Toledo, OH

Marketing Communications Manager — Explore Gwinnett, GA (new)

Tourism Marketing Manager — Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, WI (new)

Convention Sales Manager — Visit Visalia, CA (new)

Promotions Manager — MIDFLORIDA Event Center, Port St. Lucie, FL

Marketing Coordinator AND Guest Experience Specialist — Visit Napa Valley, CA

Sports / Reunions Coordinator — Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB, NY

Sales Administrative Assistant — Meet Minneapolis, MN (new)

Bilingual Housing and Call Center Information Specialist — Visit Baltimore, MD

Visitor Information Specialist — Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau, OH (new)

Director of Special Events — Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, TX

Director of Conventions & Tourism — Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, NM

Director of Marketing & PR — Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, CA (new)

Digital Marketing Manager — German National Tourist Office, NYC

Senior Manager Marketing & Leisure Trade — Singapore Tourism Board, San Francisco, CA

Digital Marketing Coordinator — Tourism New Zealand, Santa Monica, CA

Manager of Membership Development — Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Dallas

Media Planner AND Facebook Ads Manager AND Interactive Producer AND Account Coordinator-Sarasota AND Account Coordinator-FL AND Account Coordinator-Lakewood, CO AND Media Coordinator Paid Media Coordinator AND Advertising & Data Manager AND Content Manager AND Senior Developer — Miles Partnership, remote

Senior Account Executive AND Account Supervisor AND Account Executive AND Account Coordinator x2, (NYC)
Account Executive AND Account Coordinator, (LA) AND Account Coordinator (Austin) AND Account Coordinator (Kansas City) — MMGY NJF

Tourism PR Account Manager (NYC) AND Paid Digital Media Manager AND Marketing Specialist Creative Services — Development Counsellors International

Director of Data Partnerships AND Customer Success Manager AND Senior Content Writer-Video AND Product Marketing Writer — Placer.ai, remote US

Account Supervisor — ELMNTL, Dallas, TX

Operations Analyst — CrowdRiff, Toronto

Senior Digital Marketing Strategist — Streetsense, remote

SEO Analyst AND SEO Specialist AND Associate Project Manager AND CMS Project Manager AND SEO Sitemap Analyst AND Account Associate AND Talent Development Specialist — Simpleview, remote

Director of Marketing AND Director Analytics AND Manager Analytics AND Product Manager Data Products & Insights — Journera, Chicago / remote

Senior Manager Destination Marketing — Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, GA

VP Marketing (Tampa) AND Integrated Marketing Manager (PHL) — SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Social Media & Content Specialist — Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL

Manager Marketing Analytics & Optimization — Disney Parks, Experiences & Products — Celebration, FL

Director of Marketing — Union Square Events, NYC

Director International Marketing — Princess Cruises, Santa Clarita, CA

Senior Marketing Manager — Merlin Entertainments, Carlsbad, CA

Integrated Marketing Manager — City Experiences, NYC

Marketing Project Specialist — San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, CA

Tourism Account Executive — Mall of America, Bloomington, MN

Communications Manager — North Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island 

Marketing Lead — ExperienceFirst, remote

Senior eMail Marketing Manager — City Experiences, NYC

Account Executive Travel / Lifestyle PR — FINN Partners, NYC

Public Relations Account Manager — Diamond Public Relations, Miami

Account Director Tourism — Paradise Advertising & Marketing, remote

Public Relations Specialist — RVShare

Marketing Coordinator — National Tour Association

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

Assistant Sales Manager — The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, NYC

Director of Digital Marketing AND Marketing Manager — Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum, Nashville, TN

Marketing Director — Lookout Mountain, TN

Trip Manager-Land & Sea Operations — The Walt Disney Company, Celebration, FL

Account Manager Digital Ad Sales — Google (Food, Beverage, Restaurant), Chicago