Black Meetings and Tourism

September / October 2020

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B M & T ••• September/October 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 11 BUSH ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAUS Timothy Bush, President & CEO of the Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Tourism was installed as Chairman of the Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (LACVB)Board of Directors during the association's meeting in Charenton. "I am honored to be serving LACVB and the statewide convention and visitor industry," said Bush. This organization plays an important role in connecting travel industry organizations throughout the state and helping them work together to attract convention and tourism business. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to keep the momentum going." New officers installed include the following: Arlene Gould, with the Natchitoches Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, as vice chairman; Stacy Brown, with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau as treasurer; Carla Tate, with the Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, as secretary; and Eric Edwards, with the Livingston Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, as immediate past chairman. "We are thrilled that our members have selected a slate of industry leaders from throughout the state to lead this organization as we work to position the convention and visitor industry as an important economic driver and provide members opportunities to market their communities as travel destinations," said Jill Kidder, LACVB president and CEO. Burt is responsible for spearheading the efforts of a newly created sales department who will be accountable for short term sales and event revenue while assisting in servicing, negotiating and contracting clients. He is also responsible for building a new marketing and positioning strategy of the Center and will work in conjunction with the Meet AC Sales Team to build more demand and events that will utilize the facility. "Meet AC is delighted to hear that Ronnie Burt will be join- ing the Spectra Team," said Meet AC's Sandi Harvey, Vice President of Sales. "He is a NJ native and has always kept his eye on the pulse of Atlantic City. He will be a true asset to the sales effort." Burt has over 20 years of experience in the convention, meeting, and hospitality industry. He started his career in Atlantic City, working in Casino Promotions, VIP Services at Caesars Hotel and Casino before becoming a National Sales Manager with the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. He has since worked at the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association as Vice President of Convention Sales and Services, Destination DC as Vice President of Sales and Services, the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Services. Most recently he served as the President and CEO of Visit KC. During his tenure in Kansas City, Burt's proven leadership style strategically implemented key changes to the sales function, sales administration and strategic sales solicitation. This aggressive focus on performance, accountability and building high performing culture was a huge success and benefit. While at the helm in Kansas City the sales team con- secutively exceeded goals and set new benchmarks for per- formance. Burt spearheaded a very effective sales & marketing strat- egy driving occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) to the highest levels over a 10-year period as well as increasing visitation to over 25 million visitors and $5.1 billion in economic impact. Burt's vision and leadership shifting the marketing strate- gy, platform and messaging generated the organizations highest return on advertising effectiveness. Burt's collabora- tive style formed the Kansas City Hospitality Alliance, a coali- tion of six local tourism organizations. "We're excited to have Ronnie Burt head up the new sales and marketing efforts in Atlantic City," Joyce Leveston, Spectra's Senior Vice President, Convention Centers, said. "His decades of experience in the convention industry, exceptional relationships throughout the country, and famil- iarity with the local market set the bar high to move the nee- dle forward in Atlantic City and for Spectra. His top-tier sales experience will help change how the industry experiences the city and the region, both now and into the future. We look forward to welcoming him as a leader."

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