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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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Gabriella Borges, Operations Coordinator, California Travel Association (CalTravel)
CalTravel is thrilled to welcome Gabriella Borges as its Operations Coordinator. As a graduate of the Experience Industry Management Department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Gabriella began her professional journey as Operations and Event Experience Manager for Karson Butler Events. She oversaw and aided in producing luxury events for social, corporate, and nonprofit clients both in California and on the East Coast. She joins CalTravel with an interest in putting her academic studies into practice and expanding her knowledge in other sectors of the experience industry. Her work ethic, experiences, and genuine spirit make her a valuable addition to the CalTravel team. She looks forward to continued growth within the organization and travel and tourism industry, but most importantly to connect with each of you, the valued members of CalTravel!
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Doug McClain, Senior Vice President of Destination Strategy, MMGY NextFactor
MMGY NextFactor has named Doug McClain as its new Senior Vice President of Destination Strategy. Doug has more than 28 years of marketing experience in the publishing, hospitality, and tourism industries. He previously served as Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for Newport Beach & Company where he oversaw all marketing, branding, media relations, advertising, digital marketing, travel trade, and research for the company’s five business units. Prior to that, he held marketing positions at Visit Tampa Bay, Visit Kansas City, Rand McNally & Co., Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. In his new position, he’ll join MMGY Next Factor’s team of experts in delivering insights and strategies to destinations across the globe.
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Kate Skidmore, Senior Director of Sales, ADARA
ADARA has hired Kate Skidmore as Senior Director of Sales. Kate joins ADARA with more than 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her journey in tourism began with seven years at San Diego Tourism Authority, where she developed her passion for the DMO world. Most recently, she served at Bandwango as the Executive Sales Director for the West/Mountain territory. Prior to that, Kate spent seven years with Destinations International (DI) as Senior Director of Membership engagement, working with 650+ DMOs. During her time with DI she earned her CDME - Certified Destination Management Executive, which focuses on helping industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment.
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Vanesa Zuzuárregui, Events Manager, Simpleview
Simpleview is thrilled to welcome Vanesa Zuzuárregui as its Events Manager. Vanesa has more than ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, including event planning, operations, and human resources. She is the lead planner for the annual Simpleview Summit, which will be held in Houston, Texas in 2023, and also oversees all trade show operations. Her passion for hospitality, tourism, strengthening relationships and partnerships, and her attention to detail make her a valuable asset to the Simpleview marketing team.
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Scott Gentner, Incoming President & CEO, Interim EVP & COO, PIER 39
PIER 39 has named Scott Gentner as its new President & CEO, effective January 1, 2023. In the meantime, Scott has assumed the interim role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In his previous role as Chief Financial Officer, he was responsible for all finance, accounting, risk management, and information technology, and has worked closely with operating departments throughout the organization. In his new role, Scott will be responsible for all of the PIER 39 company divisions and affiliated entities, including Blue & Gold Fleet, Moor+South Pier Management Company, Tandem Partnerships, and Bay Marina Management Inc, as well as the world-famous PIER 39 shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. He succeeds Taylor Safford, who he has worked closely with over the last ten years.
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Taylor Safford, Outgoing President & CEO, PIER 39
Taylor Safford has announced he will retire as President & CEO of PIER 39 in December, after more than a decade at the helm. Taylor began his career with PIER 39 in 1979. After rising to Controller of the company’s restaurant division in 1985, he became CFO at Blue & Gold Fleet in 1997 and was appointed President in 2006. In 2012, Safford was promoted to his current role of President & CEO at PIER 39. Under his leadership, PIER 39 welcomed over 15 million local, domestic, and international visitors per year and was ranked the Most Visited Attraction in San Francisco—a spot that it’s held since 2010. “Working to make The PIER the most memorable and fun attraction for both locals and visitors is the best career I could’ve imagined,” Taylor said in a press release on his retirement.
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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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