VISIT PHILADELPHIA President and CEO Jeff Guaracino Passes Away
January 6, 2022
On Dec. 28, Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA, passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 48 years old.
A Philadelphia native and passionate tourism leader, Guaracino served two stints at VISIT PHILADELPHIA, first as director of communications and vice president of communications from 2001 to 2012, and then as president and CEO in 2018.
According to VISIT PHILADELPHIA officials, under Guaracino’s leadership, VISIT PHILADELPHIA continued driving leisure tourism throughout the pandemic with omni-channel marketing efforts. These included Philly Live Weekends, a collaboration with NBC Philadelphia; Love + Grit, a Philly podcast focused on telling authentic and diverse Philadelphia stories; a black- and brown-owned business initiative that culminated in City Council declaring each Friday in December “Shop Black Business Friday;” and marketing campaigns ranging from Our Turn to Tourist, which drove regional spending at the height of the lockdown, to Pack Light. Plan Big. For Philly., which promoted visitation as the city and region reopened.
“Jeff was a beloved family member, partner and friend, as well as a passionate leader, avid traveler, celebrated author, teacher, mentor and role model,” said Manny Stamatakis, chairman of the board of VISIT PHILADELPHIA, in a statement. “His fun spirit and strong sense of self were with him until the end.”
Guaracino began his marketing career at KYW-TV and CBS Radio and then worked as director of communications for The Franklin Institute.
Before taking the helm of Philly’s official tourism marketing agency, he served as CEO of Wawa Welcome America, a nonprofit organization that produces Philly’s Juneteenth and Fourth of July festivals, and prior to that, as executive director of the Atlantic City Alliance.
Boasting a 20-year track record of success in tourism and organizational management, Guaracino sat on the board of directors for a host of leading national and local organizations, including the U.S. Travel Association; Global Philadelphia Association; Independence Visitor Center Corporation; Philadelphia International Airport; Welcome America, Inc.; Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau; Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund; and Temple University STHM Board of Visitors.
In 2020, he was named vice chair of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s Regional Tourism, Arts and Cultural Recovery committee.
A leader in the LGBTQ community, Guaracino somehow found time in his busy schedule to author two books about gay and lesbian travel marketing: 2007’s Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide to Marketing and 2017’s Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality: A Guide for Business Practice.
Additionally, he penned a travel column for the Philadelphia Gay News and helped found the Philadelphia chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.
“The VISIT PHILADELPHIA team is committed to carrying on the work that meant so much to Jeff—promoting the Philadelphia region as a must-visit travel destination,” Stamatakis added.
An interim successor has not yet been named.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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