VCB/ Beach employees appointed to committees
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau is proud to announce that five employees have been appointed to Visit Florida’s industry committees. Two Fort Myers Beach business employees are also among County tourism partners to be named to serve on Visit Florida’s committees.
Tamara Pigott, executive director; Pamela Johnson, director of sales; Lee Rose, communications manager; Judi Durant, director of visitor services; and Erick Garnica, tourism sales manager, will each serve on committees related to their specific expertise. Visit Florida is the state’s official tourism marketing corporation.?
“The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau strives to be a leader in the tourism industry and we are proud to have our employees serve on the Visit Florida committees. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the field and a great example of the expertise our staff possesses,” said Tamara Pigott, VCB executive director.?
Pigott has been appointed to Visit Florida’s Advertising/Internet Committee. This committee provides feedback and counsel on matters related to Visit Florida’s efforts in advertising and direct marketing. Johnson will serve on the Sales Committee, which supplies guidance on matters related to the organization’s sales activities, including trade and consumer shows as well as tour operator, travel agent and meeting planner relationships. Rose has been appointed to the Communications Committee, which makes recommendations on Visit Florida’s public relations and communications activities. Durant will serve on the Visitor Services Committee, which is dedicated to guiding the marketing efforts of Visit Florida’s five official welcome centers and frontline operations. And, Garnica will serve on the International Committee. This committee provides consultation on international advertising, sales, public relations and promotions programs.
Several other Lee County tourism partners are also involved with the committees. Tony Lapi, chief executive officer of ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort on Captiva Island, will serve as the 2011-12 chairman of the Board on the Executive Committee. In this position, he heads the governing board for Visit Florida. Katja Kunz, regional travel industry sales manager for the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, will serve as a member of the International Committee; Lynda Phelps, owner of Upriver Campground Resort, will also serve on the International Committee; Susan Mayer, sales manager at Homewood Suites by Hilton Bonita Springs will serve on the Promotions Committee; and Jennifer Seaborn, director of sales and marketing at SunStream, Inc., will serve on the Sales Committee.?
Each specialized committee works closely with specific Visit Florida departments to provide recommendations and industry knowledge to the organization. The goals of the committees include: staying ahead of industry trends, acting as a sounding board for Visit Florida, helping disseminate information to the tourism industry and providing counsel for the organization. Committee positions are a one-year term and consist of Visit Florida board members and partners who have an interest or possess strong knowledge in each specific committee’s discipline or product segment.
The VCB would also like to announce another staff appointment. Nancy Hamilton, VCB communications director, has been appointed to the Communications Committee for the U.S. Travel Association. This committee unites leaders in the travel communications field to tackle issues facing the travel industry, as well as guide the programming and content for U.S. Travel’s signature events.