DMAI Board of Directors

Executive Committee

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J. Stephen Perry Chair 2010-11	President of the New Orleans Metropolitan CVB, J. Stephen Perry has been a member of DMAI since 2002. Before taking the lead of the NOMCVB, Perry served as Chief of Staff to Louisiana Governor Mike Foster, beginning in January 1996. He brings many years of legislative and executive branch service combined with non-profit, private sector business management, and sales and marketing experience to his position at the bureau. Stephen holds B.A. degrees in History and Russian Area Studies from LSU, with time at Moscow State University in the Soviet Union, an M.A. in Anthropology from LSU.  He also completed Senior Executives Program in State and Local Government offered by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Kevin Kane Chair-Elect 2010-11	Kevin Kane joined the Memphis CVB in 1991 as president and CEO after directing worldwide sales for Holiday Inns, Inc., then based in Memphis. Under his direction, the CVB expanded to include 3 new visitor centers as well as new sales offices in DC, Chicago, London, and Germany. Mr. Kane directed the first hard sell of Memphis music to attract visitors. The city’s music brand and iconic logo “Memphis – Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” was created and then reinforced with 2 different year-long campaigns: the “50 Years of Rock ‘N’ Roll” in 2004, and the “50 Years of Soul” in 2007.   A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Kane received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis.  He is a board member of the Travel Industry Association of America, Southeast Tourism Society, the Blues Foundation, Riverfront Development Corporation, Liberty Bowl Festival Association, NARAS, the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Mid South Fair, Memphis Zoological Society, Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum, and Beale Street Caravan. A former chairman of the Tennessee Association of CVBs and member of ASAE, he has been named Outstanding Young Tennessean (1993), Memphis Downtowner of the Decade (2001) and Communicator of the Year (2007) by the Memphis Public Relations Society of America.  An avid sports enthusiast, tennis player, and golfer, Kane is the proud father of three.
Greg Edwards Secretary/Treasurer 2010-11	Greg Edwards is the President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines CVB and has a member of DMAI since 1990. As a travel industry executive, Greg has led CVBs in Illinois, Kansas and Iowa. With nearly 30 years experience in the hospitality field, he has lead the destination marketing efforts in Des Moines for 10 years.  In addition, he spent 7 years as President/CEO of the Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4 years as both Interim President and Director of Marketing for the Overland Park (KS) Convention & Visitors Bureau and 7 years with Marriott Hotels both in Overland Park and Des Moines. He has been active within DMAI serving on the Branding and MINT Committees. Greg is the recipient of many awards, from Manager of the Year with Marriott Hotels to being recognized by his industry peers at the Upper Midwest CVB Conference with the Individual Professionalism Award.
Dan Fenton Immediate Past-Chair 2010-11	Recognized as one of the top 25 most influential people in the meetings industry by Meeting News, DMAI Chair Daniel Fenton has earned a national reputation as a tourism innovator through his role as CEO of Team San Jose – a partnership between the arts, hotel, labor and business communities that runs the convention center and cultural facilities and provides renowned seamless “one team” event service for meeting planners.  Over the past five years, the Team San Jose model has become a major economic driver in Silicon Valley, evolving into a US$20 million company with more than 300 employees. Fenton’s groundbreaking work in forging better relationships between DMOs and convention centers to better serve customers has received national attention, and was a subject in a recent DMAI White Paper. During his tenure as DMAI Chair Fenton is committed to pushing these issues to the national agenda.
Michael D. Gehrisch President & CEO,  DMAI Ex-Officio	During his ten years as President & CEO of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), Michael D. Gehrisch has reenergized and positioned DMAI as one of the world’s leading hospitality associations. With Michael at the helm, the association repositioned itself in 2005 as Destination Marketing Association International (previously the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus), to enhance the relevancy and visibility of its members to individuals outside the industry. Michael led the industry’s historic Destination Marketing Accreditation Program initiative, which established a consistent standard for destination marketing operations, and which has accredited over 100 DMOs around the globe.   Michael also guided the Destination & Travel Foundation (the consolidated entity of the DMAI and U.S. Travel Foundations) through two major fundraising efforts, 2001’s Destination Ahead campaign, and the 2009 Destination Excellence campaign, raising over US$6 million for vital destination marketing research and resources.  His keen understanding of tools needed for DMO success led to the development of the groundbreaking 2008 Futures Study, which revealed key need areas facing the destination marketing industry which the Destination Excellence campaign seeks to answer through innovative tools and resources. Additionally, Mr. Gehrisch currently serves on boards for the Convention Industry Council, the U.S. Travel Association, and Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, with previous service on the American Society of Association Executives Board of Directors.  The proud recipient of the NYSAE Education & Research Foundation’s 2007 Vision Award, Michael has been named one of the “25 Most Influential Travel Executives” by Business Travel News and one of Tradeshow Week’s “100 Most Influential People in the Tradeshow Business” in 2006, and was ranked among the “Top 25 Most Influential People” in the meetings industry by Meetings News magazine in 2004.   Michael has more than 29 years experience in the hospitality industry, including working for 13 years as Executive Vice President for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) in Washington, DC. Earlier in his career, Gehrisch held management positions with Marriott and Hilton hotels.

  

Board of Directors

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Scott Beck Executive Committee Member 2009-12	Scott Beck is President/CEO of the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Prior to joining the Bureau, Scott was the General Manager of the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center hotel in 2001, and worked with the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee as a host hotel for AT&T and the European Broadcasting Company.  In addition to working as a host hotel, Scott Beck and his team were the official food and beverage provider for the now infamous Bud World Event that took place during the 2002 Winter Olympics at Gallivan Plaza. Prior to the Marriott City Center, Scott was the General Manager of the Cedar Breaks Lodge Hotel and Spa in Brian Head, Utah.  Prior to the Cedar Breaks Lodge Hotel and Spa, Scott spent nine years at Sundance Resort, initially as the Director of Food and Beverage and then as Director of Sales and Marketing. Scott began his hospitality management career with Gastronomy as part of the opening management team for the Baci Trattoria and Club Baci in Salt Lake City.  Scott is an active member of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors.  An active skier, biker, and Utah outdoor enthusiast, Scott married to Lesly Allen Beck and father to four daughters, Hannah, Miranda, Sophie, and Olivia.
Barry Biggar, CDME  2010-11	Barry Biggar is the President & CEO of Visit Fairfax.  Prior to his current position Barry was President & CEO of the Bryan-College Station, Texas CVB. Barry also served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Lexington, Kentucky CVB.     Biggar has been a member of DMAI since 1991 and during this time he has served on the DMAI Board of Directors, Chaired the Education Committee for three years, has served on numerous other committee’s and is currently the Chair of the DMAI Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). He holds the recognized certification of Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME).   Biggar holds a diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Hotel and Restaurant Management and attended the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.
Tammy Blount, FCDME 2010-13	Tammy Blount is the President & CEO of the Tacoma Regional CVB.  Tammy got  her start in tourism in the hotel industry in 1987.  In 1989 she began an 11 year journey with Tourism Vancouver and fell in love with the CVB business.  In 2001 she moved to Texas and led various sales and marketing teams there until March of 2007 when she returned to the Pacific Northwest.  In February of 2008 she joined the leadership team of TRCVB and has since led the organization’s growth in community recognition, and by this year’s end, a budget more than double what she found it. In the past two years Tammy has participated in various regional, statewide and national tourism initiatives.  Tammy is spearheading a four-county regional marketing initiative with the Puget Sound Regional Council's Prosperity Partnership.  She is Vice President of WSDMO (Washington Destination Marketing Organization Association) and an active advocate for tourism.  Tammy serves on the Greater Tacoma Convention Center Public Facilities District Board of Directors, the Pierce County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Board of the Chambers Creek Foundation. Tammy is an “FCDME” and serves on the Education and Advocacy Committees of DMAI as well as the DMAI-AFTA Task Force.
Fran Bolson, CDME 2008-11	Fran Bolson,CDME recently served as the President/CEO of the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau.  Fran also served as President of the Lisle Convention and Visitors Bureau between 2001 and 2006.  Before joining the hospitality industry in 1996, Bolson spent several years as a retail executive for Sears Roebuck and as an adjunct faculty member of the College of DuPage where she taught business and information technology courses.  She holds a master’s degree in education and human resource development from the University of Illinois, an undergraduate degree from DePaul University, and earned her CDME certification in July 2001.             Fran Bolson serves on several industry organizations such as the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Chair of the Education Committee for DMAI, President of the Chicagoland Regional Tourism Development Office, and Treasurer of the Illinois Tourism Alliance.  She was also one of the contributing authors of the “Fundamentals of Destination Management and Marketing” book published by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association for DMAI.  She was a 2007 recipient of the Influential Women in Business Award, sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Mike Butts, CDME 2008-11	The executive director of Visit Charlotte since 2003, Mike Butts has been instrumental in not only the continuation of great success with the steadily growing regional destination of Charlotte, but in the formation of the new Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).  Visit Charlotte, the sales and marketing arm of CRVA, employs 40 with satellite offices in Washington, DC and Chicago.  Mike is President of the Destination Marketing Association of NC (DMANC) and currently serves on the board of directors of the NC Travel and Tourism Coalition and the NC Travel Industry Association.   Mike’s industry affiliations include the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the American Bus Association (ABA), Meeting Planners International (MPI), Green Meeting Alliance, Charlotte Green Team and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).  Mike also is a past board member of the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA).  He is a graduate of Ohio State University and also serves as the Chairman of the Tega Cay Baptist Church Deacon Board.
Tom Caradonio 2008-11	Tom Caradonio has been President & CEO of the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau since 1998, and a member of Destination Marketing since 1992.  Immediately prior to arriving in Northern Kentucky, Tom served as Executive Director & CEO of the El Paso Civic, Convention & Tourist Center.  He also has over 20 years in the hotel industry working for Hyatt, AMFAC Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotels as well as Sofitel.  Tom is Chairman of the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority, Past Chairman of the Kentucky Tourism Council and sits on the board of Southbank Partners, a community development organization.  He is an Ex Officio Board Member of both the Northern Kentucky Convention Center and the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau.   Tom is also an advisory board and board member of the NKY Chamber of Commerce and serves on advisory boards for the METS Center, the Bank of Kentucky NKU Arena, Ryder Cup 2008 and the 2010 World Equestrian Games.  Tom obtained his BBA from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with a specialization in Management and a minor in Marketing.  He also graduated from a general managers school offered by French Hospitality company ACCOR.
David DuBois, CMP, CAE 2008-11	David A. DuBois is the president and CEO of Forth Worth CVB, and has more than 28 years of executive management experience in the hospitality and meetings industries. DuBois is responsible for the strategic management and direction of CVB initiatives to promote the interest of the city of Fort Worth in the convention and tourism marketplaces.  In addition, he develops and maintains key relationships in the industry, as well as with local community leaders and media.   DuBois previously served as executive vice president for the MPI Foundation, and president/CEO of PCMA. A graduate of The School of Hotel Administration at Michigan State University, DuBois worked in sales and marketing at various Sheraton and Ritz-Carlton hotels between 1978 and 1990 before becoming senior vice president for PCMA in 1991. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for managing staff, multi-million dollar budgets and marketing initiatives.  His professional involvement includes membership in Society of Government Meeting Professionals, ASAE, PCMA, American Society of Association Management, MPI, and USA Hockey. DuBois also has worked with the CIC and is a CAE and CMP.
Kenneth J. Fischang, CHME, CMP 2009-12	Kenneth J. Fischang, CHME, CMP, is President/CEO for the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, providing the leadership to promote Sonoma Country as America's premier wine, spa and coastal destination and increase demand for full and limited service hotels, bed and breakfasts/inns, vacation home rentals and campground accommodations. Under Ken’s leadership the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau was the first DMO to adopt as Business Improvement Area (BIA) to help fund the majority of the bureau’s marketing efforts. Ken has served additional leadership roles for industry organizations including the PCMA Southern Pacific Chapter Board of Directors, MPI Chicago Area Chapter, the St. Louis Society of Association Executives and the Association Forum of Chicagoland.  Ken has a Bachelor of Science Degree, School of Consumer and Family Sciences, Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management, Minor in Spanish, Purdue University, May 1982, University-Industry Cooperative Education Program in Consumer and Family Sciences Diploma Certified Hospitality Sales Marketing Executive Hospitality, Sales and Marketing Association International March 1994, Certified Meeting Professional Convention Industry Council, January 1998.
Al Hutchinson 2008-11	As Vice President of Convention Sales & Marketing for the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Al Hutchinson oversees the responsibility of generating direct spending revenue to the City of Virginia Beach by bringing meetings, conventions, professional tradeshows and sports-related events to the City. Through his vision, professionalism, and highly regarded reputation, Hutchinson has opened the City’s door to distinguished opportunities and numerous accolades. A member of DMAI since 2003, Hutchinson is an active industry leader locally and nationally having served on numerous committees and boards to include: American Society of Association Executives Industry Partners Alliance; Meeting Professionals International Multicultural Initiative Committee and the Urban League of Hampton Roads Board of Directors.   In addition, Hutchinson has been a long-time member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, ASAE, PCMA and IAEE. Al holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Joseph Marinelli 2009-12	Joseph “Joe” Marinelli has served in the role of President of the Savannah Area CVB since January, 2007.  Prior, Joe was the Senior Vice President at Experience Columbus.  A DMAI member since 1998, Joe currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Savannah Chamber, Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, Savannah Music Festival, Georgia Association of CVBs, and the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia.  Industry affiliations include the ASAE, PCMA, Religious Convention Management Association, Southeast Tourism Society and the Georgia Society of Association Executives. In his 10 years in leading the Columbus sales, services, tourism and membership departments, the organization recorded all-time highs for sales production and membership revenues.  Since joining his new team, Savannah has achieved record numbers for visitation, visitor spending and hotel/motel tax collections.  He has also led expansion efforts into the UK market and is responsible for the creation of a multi-state “regional marketing alliance” involving DMOs in Charleston, Hilton Head, Savannah, Brunswick/St. Simons Island, and Amelia Island. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Joe is married and has an eight-year old son.
Raymond Kim 2010-13	Raymond Kim is currently a member of Advisory Board for the President of Korea. He is Secretary General of Greater Busan CVB and has been with the bureau since 2005 and DMAI Global Committee member. With experiencing of working as a consultant for the promotion of cities in China and Japan in addition to South Korea, he was also a war-correspondent for Reporters Without Borders from 1994 to 2004. He was Deputy Director of the Treasury, Seoul Foreign Correspondent club from 2000 to 2001. He was a Peace Planning Commissioner, UNESCO in 2000. He passed the Post-Graduate Diplomat Courses, United Nation in 1987. He is a graduate of Institut d'Etudes des Relations Internationales de Paris in 1988.
Karolyn Kirchgesler 2010-13	Karolyn Kirchgesler is the President & CEO of the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention & Visitors Authority.  She came to Saint Paul in December 2004 to serve as President of the Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Under her leadership the Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Bureau consolidated with the Saint Paul RiverCentre Authority, the organization who was responsible for management oversight of the convention center.  The mission of the Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority is to generate economic growth for Saint Paul by effectively marketing the RiverCentre campus, Saint Paul and the region as a preferred convention and tourism destination. Prior to coming to Saint Paul, Ms. Kirchgesler served as the Executive Director of the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau in New Haven, Connecticut (1997-2004), an organization that represented and marketed 19 municipalities in Connecticut.  Prior to her time in New Haven she served as the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Originally from the Midwest, she started her career in the convention and visitor industry in 1986 when she went to work for the Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Ms. Kirchgesler is an ex-officio board member of Capital City Partnership, whose membership is made up of 52 of the metropolitan area’s largest corporations.  In addition, she also serves on the membership committee of DMAI and is a member of Midwest Society of Association Executives, Minnesota Association of CVBs, Professional Convention Management Association, and American Society of Association Executives.
Dale Lockett 2010-13	Dale Lockett became President/CEO of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) in January 2004. During his tenure in Albuquerque the destination enjoyed four years of record breaking lodgers tax revenues (prior to the recession), a turnaround in convention bookings and completed its first Destination Master Plan - a strategic plan focusing on the needs of the destination for infrastructure, product development, service and marketing.  In addition to overseeing the ACVB, Dale also serves on numerous boards and committees to further tourism and convention development. Another achievement in regards to the ACVB has been the transformation of the CVB into a true destination marketing organization (DMO).  Using the findings and recommendations of DMAI’s Future’s Study (a study undertaken by DMAI Foundation Board under Dale’s leadership at the time), the ACVB has significantly increased emphasis on marketing of the destination impacting staffing, strategic positioning and focus of the ACVB.  This has resulted in significant brand strengthening resulting in increased market share for all travel segments.  A 30-year veteran of the convention and visitor industry, Dale joined the ACVB from the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau where he served as Assistant Executive Director from 2000-2003 and interim Executive Director from 2003-2004. Prior to assuming his post in San Antonio, he was the president and chief executive officer at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau.  A native of Houston, Lockett spent several years with the El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission.  He also held positions as director of operations for the United States Youth Soccer Association; senior director of Optimist International; and executive director of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce.  Dale holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from West Texas A&M University, and earned a Certified Tour Professional designation from the National Tour Association.
Ellen Oppenheim 2008-11	Ellen Oppenheim is the President/CEO of the RSCVA. Prior to accepting this position, Ellen was the Deputy Chief of Neighborhood and Customer Services for the City of San Diego. Previous to serving as the Deputy Chief, she also held the positions Deputy City Manager and Director of Park and Recreation for the City of San Diego. From 1999 to 2002, Ellen was the General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. From 1996 until 1999 she served as Vice President/General Manager for GES Exposition Services managing the Northern California office based in south San Francisco. Ellen was Director of Conventions, Cultural and Visitor Services for the City of San Jose from 1990 to 1996. Other top level posts include the position of Associate Dean of Students at Stanford University in the eighties. She is a proven CEO/COO/General Manager with government, corporate and university experience. Ellen has a B.A. in Psychology and M.B.A. in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ellen has managed and marketed a wide variety of facilities, programs and services.
John Rolfe 2010-13	John Rolfe is a native Kansan, born and raised in Wichita.  Since October 2001, he has served as President & CEO of Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Before joining the GWCVB he was Vice President of Economic Development for the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and served as Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for five years.  His experience also includes more than twelve years in the hospitality industry, serving as Director of Finance and Administration at both the Wichita and San Jose (CA) Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Mr. Rolfe is a graduate of Wichita State University, holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is involved with various civic organizations.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission, the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, Travel Industry Association of Kansas (Immediate Past President), Governor’s Council on Travel & Tourism, and Wichita Collegiate School.  John also serves on the Mayor’s Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee.
Martha Sheridan, CMP 2008-11	Martha Sheridan is president and CEO of the Providence Warwick CVB and holds nearly 20 years of industry experience. In her role she leads an organization whose mission is to create vibrant growth for the local hospitality economy by promoting, developing, and expanding a united visitor industry.  She oversees all day to day operations at the PWCVB, leading a staff of 19 destination sales and marketing professionals.  Prior to her current position she served as Vice President of Sales at the Newport County CVB. In taking her role as president and CEO of the PWCVB in 2006, Sheridan marked her return to the organization as she spent much of the 1990’s at the PWCVB in a variety of roles.   Sheridan currently serves on the Providence Arts Investment Task Force, the board of the RI Hospitality and Tourism Association Education Foundation and the board of the MPI New England Chapter (MPINE). She has held a variety of leadership roles with the New England Society of CVBs, including a two-year term as the organization’s president. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and lives in Kingston with her husband, Arthur and three children.
Jeffrey Vasser, CHA  Executive Committee Member 2009-12	Jeffrey Vasser was named President of the Atlantic City CVA in April 2002.  Prior to joining the Authority, he held positions with major hospitality companies including Choice Hotels International, Laventhol & Horwath and Four Seasons Hotels.  Jeff also served as Chief Financial Officer for Cipriani International, SA, in New York City and was a Senior Consultant for the Public Sector/Gaming and Entertainment Group for Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group. Jeff is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, receiving a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Casino Management.  He holds a Master of Public Administration from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University with a concentration in Public Finance.  He has earned the Certified Hotel Administrator designation issued by the AHLA. Jeff presently serves on the following boards: Bacharach Hospital Foundation; the Greater Atlantic City Chamber; TIA, and the Linwood Planning Board.  From 2003-2006 he was a trustee on the DMAI Foundation Board.  Jeff is a native of the Atlantic City area and resides in Linwood with his wife Angie and sons Carson and Zachary.
Charles-Eric Vilain XIIII 2009-10	Charles-Eric Vilain XIIII has more than 20 years experience in the meetings industry. He has been working as destination marketeer for more than 16 years, first for the Brussels Convention Bureau (Belgium) and now as Managing Director of the Lille Convention Bureau (France). Today he’s the Chair of the DMAI European Advisory Council and has been the first European CVB to obtain the DMAP Accreditation. He’s a regular speaker on various destination marketing subjects and is an official MPI speaker on CSR.
Scott White 2010-13	Since October 2006, Scott White has served as the Executive Director of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau (SACVB), where he oversees the promotion of San Antonio’s $11 billion visitor industry, with a $19 million budget and more than 80 employees.  The CVB is responsible for convention and group visitor sales, public relations, film location marketing, and leisure visitor marketing.  The state’s top tourism destination, San Antonio welcomes more than 25 million visitors a year and boasts a hospitality industry that is among the city’s largest economic generators. White previously served as the Executive Vice President of the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, where his accomplishments included the successful bid for Super Bowl XLII in 2008.  Having hosted the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Phoenix, White was instrumental in bringing the series to San Antonio in 2008 with the largest inaugural race in RnR history.  With more than 20 years of hospitality and destination marketing experience, White serves on several industry boards including the U. S. Travel Association, Texas Travel Industry Association and the U.S. Council for MPI Foundation.   A Certified Hospitality Sales Professional, is active in numerous industry organizations including of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE).
Carl Wilgus 2010-13	Carl Wilgus has held the position of President/CEO at the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, a four county DMO located in Northeast Pennsylvania since November of 2007.  In addition, he actively participates as a member for the Marketing Committee for the Monroe County United Way, is an Ambassador for the Pocono Medical Center, and is a member of the Advisor Board to East Stroudsburg Universities School of Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Management Program. Prior  to his relocation to the Pocono Mountains Carl was the Director of Tourism for the State of Idaho, a position he held for twenty years.  In 2005 he was names State Tourism Director of the Year by the National Council of State Tourism Directors.  He moved the state’s top tourism position in the spring of 1987 after having spent thirteen years in Sun Valley, Idaho working in various capacities for the Sun Valley Company as a ski instructor, winter sales manager, public relations manager, and marketing director.