People News: Tourism Vancouver’s New CEO, Plus More New Hires and Promotions  

May 21, 2020

Recent job reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics are dismal, yet the good news is that some companies within the events industry are still making hires and promotions. Check out the latest news from this month.

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Royce Chwin was appointed president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver on May 15, following the 117-year-old organization’s extensive global search to fill this role. He was most recently CEO of Travel Alberta, and has also held roles with Destination Canada and Starbucks

“Royce’s unique understanding of the tourism industry and proven track record of leading passionate and effective teams will position Tourism Vancouver to be a leader in the years ahead,” said Robyn McVicker, the organization’s board chair. “I know that Royce will play an invaluable role as we rebuild after this time of enormous impact to reposition Vancouver as a vibrant destination on the international stage.”

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UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has hired Mina El Fazazi as head of global marketing and communications. She brings 15 years of experience within the exhibition industry to her new role, which will entail marketing and promoting UFI’s products and services for its members and the industry as a whole.

“We are delighted to welcome a senior industry professional like Mina to join the UFI Team,” said Sonia Thomas, UFI’s director of operations. “We are confident that Mina, with her very solid marketing and communications experience in the exhibition industry, will contribute to our mission to serve both our members and the industry.”

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DaniellaDaniella Middleton has been promoted to senior vice president of tourism for Development Counsellors International (DCI), a tourism and marketing economic development agency based in New York. In her new position, she’ll be stepping into tourism strategy, focused on unifying DCI’s Tourism Practice research, public relations, digital marketing, travel trade marketing and business events.

"Daniella has been integral to the success of some of the tourism world’s more creative activations throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Karyl Leigh Barnes, president of DCI’s Tourism Practice. “Because of her intuition and ideation, we have seen destinations transform from devastated to recovery in record time. In the wake of COVID-19, this skill will be more necessary than ever before.”

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The Specialty Food Association’s board of directors this week announced the appointment of Bill Lynch as the organization’s interim president. Lynch, who has more than 20 years of experience with the association and previously served as vice president of engagement and experience, will take over leadership as current president Phil Kafarakis’s contract expires.

"The Specialty Food Association has undergone a significant transformation over the past few years, and we sincerely thank Phil for his leadership and guidance in pioneering programs that will have a lasting impact on the SFA and its over 4,000 Members,” said Becky Renfro Borbolla, SFA’s board co-chair. “We intend to build on these initiatives to continue the advancement of the association for years to come.”

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Hague Convention Bureau in the Netherlands has hired two new international sales managers to focus on the city’s specialist markets, including new energy, impact economy, IT and tech, and cybersecurity. Jeanine Dupigny will focus on MICE acquisitions in the new energy and impact economy sectors, utilizing her expertise in the industrial development, petrochemical and tourism sectors; and Nadir Aboutaleb, who was most recently with RAI Amsterdam convention center, will focus on developing special events in the IT and tech and cybersecurity sectors.

“Despite challenges facing our industry, there has never been a more important time to develop new relationships and promote destinations to key sectors in creative and personal ways,” said Bas Schot, head of the convention bureau. “Jeanine and Nadir are both specialists in their chosen fields, and I look forward to the impact they will have on The Hague Convention Bureau going forward.”

Have People news to share? Send an email to kogletree@tsnn.com for a chance to be featured next month. 

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Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.