COMMUNITY NEWS
NTA members are indicated in bold text . Do you have news you ’ d like to share with the NTA membership ? Please send it to Gabe Webb , Courier writer , at gabe . webb @ ntaservicesinc . com .
Chicago welcomes 55 million visitors in 2017
Chicago set a visitation record last year — 55 million — according to figures announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in January . The city saw a 2.5 percent increase in travelers from 2016 , which represents an additional 1.5 million people .
In 2012 , Chicago officials committed to attracting 55 million visitors by 2019 .
“ Our goal now will be to harness this momentum and continue to build upon it ,” said Desiree Rogers , board chair for Choose Chicago .
Las Vegas CVA appoints top executives
The Las Vegas CVA announced in January that Steven Hill is its new president and chief operating officer , Cathy Tull is chief marketing officer and Ed Finger is chief financial officer . The hiring and promotions are part of an organizational restructuring of the CVA ’ s executive offices .
“ In our continuing effort to maintain the LVCVA ’ s status as the premier destination marketing organization in the world , we established our new corporate structure to better reflect the resort industry and our hospitality partners in Southern Nevada ,” said CEO Rossi
Ralenkotter . “ With these final appointments to our executive suite , we are better positioned to move the organization forward and develop more of our key staff to further improve upon our efforts to attract more visitors to Las Vegas .” Hill comes to the CVA from his position as executive director of the Nevada Governor ’ s Office of Economic Development . He had held the position since 2011 , when Governor Brian Sandoval created the agency .
Tull had been the CVA ’ s senior vice president of marketing since 2009 , and she has been with the CVA since 2005 ,
originally hired as the vice president of strategic marketing .
Finger was promoted from his position as senior vice president of finance . His promotion comes after the departure of Rana Lacer , the organization ’ s first CFO . Finger joined the CVA in 2016 , following time as deputy county manager for Clark County , Nevada .
Portland Rose Festival promotes Ross
The Portland Rose Festival promoted Carol Ross to chief marketing and administrative officer . In her new position , Ross oversees brand management , advertising , promotions , media sponsorships and communications for the Oregon festival .
Ross has been with the Portland Rose Festival Foundation for more than 20 years . During her tenure , Ross ’ duties have included fundraising , sales , event management and business development . In that time , the event was recognized as the best festival in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association ( 2007 and 2011 ).
DuPage CVB hires sales manager
The DuPage CVB hired Naomi Rolfe as a new sales manager . Rolfe focuses on developing the Illinois-based CVB ’ s corporate business and securing new and recurring meetings and conventions .
“ Naomi is a solid complement to our sales team and will bring innovative ideas to help our team achieve continued success in attracting more meetings and convention business ,” said Justin Roach , the CVB ’ s director of sales .
Rolfe has more than 13 years of marketing and sales experience in the hospitality industry . Previously she worked for the Chicago Marriott Naperville and the Candlewood Suites Aurora-Naperville .
Crabb joins Greater Palm Springs CVB
Mark Crabb has been named vice president of convention sales and services for the Greater Palm Springs CVB . He joined the CVB from Sonoma County Tourism , where he served as chief sales officer .
“ With more than 25 years of tourism industry experience , both domestically and internationally , Mark will be able to share his vast knowledge and skills with our convention sales team , as well as our hospitality partners ,” said Scott White , president and CEO . “ We are excited to welcome Mark to our CVB family .”
Crabb also served as deputy director of the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Lee County VCB in Florida , and as the executive director of the Muncie / Delaware County CVB .
Poulter named CIO for Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Cruises hired Martha Poulter as the company ’ s new senior vice president and chief information officer . Poulter joins the cruise line after spending 13 years as the CIO of major corporations , such as Starwood Hotels .
“ She ’ ll bring that experience to bear on a full range of challenges here , including our plans to evolve the fleet ’ s IT infrastructure ,” said COO Adam Goldstein .
“ I am looking forward to the opportunity to join Royal Caribbean , a company that stands for excellence and innovation in the travel industry ,” said Poulter . “ Working with the IT team , I will help Royal Caribbean develop and support the technologies necessary for running a global business in a digital world .”
52 March 2018