Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/572452
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) President and CEO (William D. Talbert, III, CDME announced recently that the GMCVB has hired Connie Kinnard to be the organization's V. P. of Multicultural Tourism. Kinnard will begin her tenure at the GMCVB on June 1, 2015. A national search firm was engaged to conduct a search for top candidates to spearhead the newly created department dedicated to the GMCVB's evolving efforts to raise awareness of the destination's vibrant multicultural community. "We were delighted with the number of highly qualified applicants received locally and from across the country for this critical position at the GMCVB," said Carole Ann Taylor, GMCVB Executive Committee member, who served on the screening committee. Ultimately, Kinnard's 20 years of experience and success specializing in multicultural tourism made her the standout professional for the GMCVB position and the recommendation of the committee. "It is a pleasure to welcome Connie to the GMCVB Team," says Talbert. "We are looking forward to introducing her to our local industry and com- munity partners. The knowledge, experience and enthusiasm she brings to her new position at the GMCVB will take our multicultural tourism efforts to a new level." Prior to joining the GMCVB, Kinnard held the position of senior V.P. of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation. She has been with the Nashville organization since 1996, when she started in Convention Sales and was subsequently promoted to vice president of Multicultural Sales & Development. She holds a Masters of Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Tennessee State University. KKinnard is an active member of numerous industry organizations such as the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals, the Urban League and NAACP. N E W S M A K E R S B M & T ••• May/June 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 David Whitaker, a destination marketing leader with a wealth of experience spanning the past 25 years, will become Brand USA's chief marketing officer in May. Whitaker brings significant destination marketing expertise to his new position after eight years as president and CEO of Tourism Toronto and 17 years at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, most recently as its executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Reporting directly to Brand USA President and CEO Christopher L. Thompson, Whitaker will direct the develop- ment and implementation of the Brand USA strategic marketing plan, including brand management, consumer market- ing, trade outreach, research and cooperative marketing programs and platforms. He also will have lead oversight responsibility to ensure Brand USA achieves year-over-year revenue targets. In April 2007, Whitaker headed up Tourism Toronto and was instrumental in reinvigorating the greater metropolitan area as an exciting leisure and business travel destination. By 2014, Tourism Toronto experienced its fourth consecutive year of growth in visitors from the United States and the high- est number of overseas visitors in its history. In 2014, visitation reached a record 14.3 million overnight visitors who spent $6.9 billion. "We look forward to welcoming David to the Brand USA team this May and to benefiting from his experience and expertise as a destination mar- keting leader," said Thompson. "Under David's leadership, both Toronto and Miami realized year-over-year increases in domestic and international vis- itation for two of North America's largest cities, and we are fortunate to have him as we take the next step in Brand USA's evolution as the nation's destination marketing organization." "I could not be more thrilled to join the dynamic team at Brand USA," Whitaker said. "Having a chance to help represent our country and assist in inviting the world to visit the USA is both an honor and a privilege." GREATER MIAMI CVB HIRES CONNIE KINNARD AS VICE PRESIDENT MULTICULTURAL TOURISM BRAND USA APPOINTS NEW CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER