Jameson Named Fort Worth CVB President, CEO; Wooden Named to Head Los Angeles Bureau
January 2, 2013
Robert "Bob" Jameson has been named the new president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Ernest (Ernie) Wooden, Jr., has been named president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism).
Jameson will be replacing David Dubois, who ran the Fort Worth bureau for five years and now is president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
Jameson takes office effective Jan. 19.
"We conducted an extensive national search through an executive placement firm, bringing qualified candidates from across the country in to meet with our search committee,” said Gary Brinkley, chairman of the FWCVB board and general manager of Stockyards Station. “It was important for us to review a significant talent pool and choose the right candidate for our CEO.”
As president and CEO, Jameson will be responsible for the strategic development of FWCVB initiatives, including meeting and convention business, tourism development and destination promotion, according to bureau officials.
The FWCVB’s mission is to promote Fort Worth as a premier meetings and leisure destination, enriching and broadening hospitality income and quality of life.
Jameson will resign as general manager of the Worthington Renaissance Hotel, which has been managed by Marriott International since 1999.
During his 27 years in the Fort Worth hotel industry, he has twice served as Chairman of the Board of the FWCVB and has been on many volunteer boards in service to Fort Worth.
"I’m thrilled to continue my association with the FWCVB, and take it to an exciting new level as president and CEO,” Jameson said. “The work we do on behalf of our world-class city is critically important to our growth and prosperity.”
Wooden spent more than a decade in senior leadership positions in both global brand management and operations with Hilton Hotels Corporation.
As executive vice president, Global Brand Management for Hilton, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., he led all worldwide branding initiatives for the well-known hotel corporation, working with 3,000 properties in 80 countries.
Currently, he is the CEO of Creative Consulting, a hotel consulting practice providing hotel operation, valuation and brand selection and analysis services.
Prior to forming the consulting practice, he was executive vice president and senior managing director at Alagem Capital Group, a privately owned, diversified investment group, where he was responsible for identifying and exploring potential international hospitality investments.
“Tourism is a cornerstone of the City’s bright future given the many exciting developments on the horizon," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
He added, "Ernie has the industry experience and knowledge to help us grow our convention and tourism business - ensuring Los Angeles is a leading destination of choice for visitors from around the world for years to come.”
Last year, Los Angeles welcomed a record 40.4 million visitors from around the globe, making it one of the most visited destinations in the U.S. and with the second highest share of overseas visitors to the U.S. (13.1 percent).
LA Tourism expects to set another visitation record in 2012, with projected visitation exceeding 41.3 million.
Partner Voices
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