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B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9 CATCH DES MOINES NAMES TRINA FLACK AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO Longtime Sales Leader To Take The Helm As Organization Enters A New Era Of Tourism Growth Following a national search conducted by SearchWide Global, Catch Des Moines has announced that Trina Flack( has been selected as the organization's next President and CEO. Flack, a 17-year veter- an of the organization and current Vice President of Sales, will assume the role on August 1. She suc- ceeds longtime President and CEO Greg Edwards, who is retiring at the end of July after 25 years of dedicated service. "Selecting a suc- cessor to Greg Edwards was no small task, given the tremen- dous economic impact Catch Des Moines has on the entire metro," said Brian Mulcahy , chair of the Catch Des Moines Board of Directors. "After an extensive nationwide search, it became clear that Trina Flack was the ideal choice to lead the organization into its next chapter. Her deep-root- ed passion for promoting central Iowa's venues and visitor experiences will be a tremendous asset to all of our partner communities." Flack has played a pivotal role in Catch Des Moines' suc- cess, helping to secure major events that have brought mil- lions in economic impact and elevated the region's national profile. During her tenure, she has helped land events includ- ing the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (2016, 2019, 2023, and upcoming in 2028), the Dew Tour, IRONMAN North American Championship, and the National Speech and Debate Tournament. She also led the local planning efforts for the Iowa Caucus Consortium, hosting over 2,000 international media members. Flack's leadership extends beyond sales. She has been a leading advocate for legislative initiatives like the develop- ment of Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs), while actively volunteering on regional boards and commissions including the City of Ankeny's Planning and Zoning Commission and the Capital Crossroads Regional Council. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that has meant so much to me over the past 17 years," said Flack. "Catch Des Moines has built incredible momentum, and I'm excited to carry that forward with a team and community I deeply believe in. Greg's leadership not only elevated Greater Des Moines as a visitor destination, it inspired those of us lucky enough to work alongside him. I'm honored to continue that work and help shape what's next for our region." Flack steps into the role during a time of growth and momentum for Greater Des Moines' tourism economy, con- tinuing the legacy of Edwards, who spent the last quarter-cen- tury transforming Catch Des Moines into a dynamic and nationally recognized destination marketing organization. With record growth in events and the addition of game changing venues over the years like Wells Fargo Arena, the Hilton Des Moines Downtown, and MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, she is well-positioned to lead Catch Des Moines into its next chapter. facility through a period of transformational growth. During her time in Wilmington, Brady led the venue to its first-ever profit and achieved record-breaking revenues in 2023. "Fredia's reputation for driving sales performance, building high-performing teams, and strengthening industry partnerships makes her an ideal fit for this role," said Kelvin D. Moore, Senior Vice President for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and General Manager of the Savannah Convention Center. "Her familiarity with the market, our partners, and local leaders is the icing on the cake. We're thrilled to welcome her back at such a pivotal time for the Center and for Savannah as a destina- tion." As a member of the original opening team, Brady helped estab- lish the Center's presence in the market and played a key role in its early growth. Her return coincides with the Center's next chapter, following a major expansion and the early stages of planning for an adjacent headquarter hotel. "Returning to Savannah and to the Center I helped launch is a full-circle moment," said Brady. "I'm excited to rejoin this incredi- ble team and contribute to the continued momentum of both this facility and the city." Brady officially assumed her new role in June.