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Celebrating Tourism Careers
Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures!
Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry.
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Chris Heywood, SVP, Global Communications, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has hired Chris Heywood as SVP of Global Communications, effective November 2. He most recently served as EVP of Global Communications at NYC & Company, where he played an instrumental role in campaigns to help tourism in New York City recover from the pandemic. In his new role, Chris will lead global comms for the organization, including domestic PR, international PR, and corporate comms. He is focused on elevating the city as a premier convention and meetings market, as well as promoting The Grand LA complex, a $1 billion, 15-years-in-the-making, two-tower mix of retail, a hotel, and luxury residences. This will be his second stint at the organization, where he served as Manager of Corporate Communications for eight years earlier in his career.
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Ashley Johnson, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Newport Beach & Company
Newport Beach & Company has appointed Ashley Johnson as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Ashley joins the organization with 16 years of marketing and communications experience in the hospitality industry. She most recently served as President & CEO of Visit Laguna Beach, where she oversaw operations, marketing, media relations, community relations, advocacy, staff management, and the official visitors center. In her new role, Ashley is taking the helm of the marketing department as the new architect of its storytelling, advertising, communications, social media, content, digital, creative, business intelligence, and community relations. Her mission is to continue sparking global passion for Newport Beach, bringing the global jetsetter to its shores which drives revenue to all corners of the destination.
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Julie Madsen, Communications & PR Coordinator, Visit Ventura
Visit Ventura has hired Julie Madsen as Communications and PR Coordinator. Julie is a University of California, Berkeley graduate with an honors B.A. in Media Studies. She is also a Ventura native, making her a perfect fit for Visit Ventura’s Communications and PR Coordinator position. She has an extensive journalism background and sometimes seems to think faster than she can write. In her new position, Julie is responsible for writing blogs, press releases, newsletters, and website copy, as well as organizing visits for journalists and influencers—all with the intent of shedding a positive tourism light on Ventura. She is excited to do all things writing, but most of all, she is thrilled to share with others why Ventura and its people are so special.
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Ted Molter, Senior Business Development Director, Connect&Go
Connect&Go has appointed Ted Molter as Senior Business Development Director. He brings more than 30 years of experience in zoos, aquariums, and the attractions industry. Most recently, Ted served as a consultant collaborator after his roles as Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Marketing for San Diego Zoo Global (now San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance), where he served for a combined 22 years. During his tenure, he led the marketing team through a successful re-structuring, as well as an organization-wide re-brand. Connect&GO serves water parks, zoos, aquariums, and attractions around the world with integrated technology solutions. Ted brings an incredible amount of passion and expertise in helping zoos and aquariums grow their revenue, and he will be a huge asset to the team as they continue their expansion into the U.S. and beyond.
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Kelly Powers, Vice President, Development & Strategic Partnerships, Bay Area Council
Bay Area Council has appointed Kelly Powers as Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships. Kelly previously spent the past ten years of her career with the Hotel Council of San Francisco, where she rose to the level of Director. She joins Bay Area Council with a decade of experience in driving revenue growth to non-profit organizations. The Bay Area Council is a business association in San Francisco, founded in 1945, and dedicated to economic development in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her new position, Kelly will help execute the Council’s vision to make the Bay Area the best place to live and work. More than 330 of the largest employers in the region are members of the Council and are committed to working with public and community leaders to keep the Bay Area the most innovative, globally competitive, inclusive, and sustainable region in the world.
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Alex Stall, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Visit Dana Point
Alex Stall has been named the new Sales & Marketing Coordinator for Visit Dana Point. Alex recently received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boise State University in Environmental Studies. Visit Dana Point is excited for the fresh ideas and passion Alex will bring to the team in telling the authentic Dana Point story and promoting it as a premier coastal destination.
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Rory Davis, Director, Global Partnerships, San Francisco Travel Association
San Francisco Travel Association has promoted Rory Davis to Director of Global Partnerships. Rory has been an integral part of the SF Travel team since his arrival in 2019. His leadership, creativity, initiative, and passion for San Francisco has positioned the region as a top sports and entertainment destination. He has formed partnerships with and helped secure and facilitate signature events such as the PGA Championship, FIFA World Cup, SailGP, NCAA Tournament, and League of Legends. He also spearheaded the creation of the California Sports Coalition with his counterparts in sports development throughout the state. He looks forward to continuing to contribute to his beloved hometown of San Francisco.
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Greg Long, Chief Operating Officer, Travel North Tahoe Nevada
Travel North Tahoe Nevada, formerly Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, has appointed Greg Long as its new Chief Operating Officer. As a multi-decade resident of North Lake Tahoe, Greg has more than 25 years of tourism experience in Lake Tahoe. For the past five years, he served as the organization’s Operations & Finance Director, playing an integral role in guiding the tourism bureau through the pandemic and bringing the rebrand to fruition. In his new role, he is responsible for managing the day-to-day business operations of the organization and associated personnel, as well as assisting the CEO to attain goals and objectives of the organization.
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Lindsey Stevens, Vice President, Marketing Communications, Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau has promoted Lindsey Stevens to VP of Marketing Communications. She previously served as Director of Marketing Communications. In her new role, Lindsey’s responsibilities include the rollout and execution of the CVB’s recently released Strategic Roadmap, a plan to make Monterey County more competitive as a destination over the next decade. In addition to elevated marketing responsibilities, she will also take on a broader view of the organization as part of the Executive Leadership Team, working closely with team members on topics related to team culture, performance, and leadership, as well as an expanded role in working with key stakeholders and strategic partners. Lindsey is the recipient of CalTravel’s 2022 Rising Star Award, which recognizes young professionals who demonstrate the skills, talents, attitude, and initiative that are the hallmarks of a rising star.
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Know someone looking for a fresh start? Check out our Tourism Career Opportunities page! This job board serves to connect employers with talented, qualified travel and tourism professionals looking for new opportunities to succeed.
Is your organization hiring? If so, please send us your open positions! We will help you get the word out to our ever-growing network of travel and tourism leaders across the state (at no cost!). To submit an open position, please reach out to gabriella@caltravel.org.
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If you know about about any retirements, promotions, new hires, or other career moves, or if you have any news of your own, please let us know for an upcoming newsletter. Please send news to me at tricia@caltravel.org.
Thanks,
Tricia Alvernaz
Director of Operations
tricia@caltravel.org
408-904-8474
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