Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Taj Campton Place Hotel
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
As Bay Area locals, we’re well aware that recent events have given Oakland a black eye. But Alison Best, veteran destination marketer and President & CEO of Visit Oakland, has big plans to change Oakland’s image.
Join us in August as Alison discusses her marketing and public relations strategy for improving how people think about Oakland and promoting the city as a world-class travel destination.
Visit Oakland serves as the umbrella organization for all visitor-related travel to Oakland. It was founded in 1999 to market the city as a travel and meeting destination, build awareness, and stimulate hotel occupancy.
Tourism is a key economic driver for the city. Each year, the travel and tourism industry generates $1 billion, and the Transient Occupancy Taxes from visitors staying at hotels generates $12 million.
Best will discuss how Visit Oakland plans to capitalize on Oakland’s diverse population, hip arts scene, Mediterranean climate, world-class attractions, abundant parks and open spaces, vibrant waterfront and lakefront, historic architecture, palate-tempting restaurants, bustling nightlife, action-packed pro sports, and varied recreation options to convince people that the City is an exciting destination.
Long a center for international trade, Oakland is a major economic force in the Bay Area region, with the Port of Oakland ranking as the nation’s fourth busiest container port. The Oakland International Airport is served by 12 major domestic and international airlines.
Alison Best joined Visit Oakland as its President & CEO in September 2012. With more than five years of experience in executive positions at the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, including Senior Vice President of Business Development, Director of Sales, and Vice President of Sales and Services. Prior to this, Best, who is a Canadian native, held executive management positions with Tourism Whistler and Uniglobe Advance Travel. She attended the Canadian Tourism College in Vancouver, BC with a diploma in Tourism and Host Training and received her Sociology degree from the University of Victoria.
In addition to her experience in the travel and tourism industry, Best is also a Certified Destination Marketing Executive (CDME), considered to be the highest educational achievement in the hospitality industry. The CDME is intended for senior-level professionals and is held by less than 500 people worldwide. Best also serves on several Destination Management Association International (DMAI) boards, including the DMAI Foundation and Advocacy Committee.
To guarantee a seat you must make your reservation via Eventbrite, by midnight, Thursday, August 22 – or until limited reservation slots have been filled. Why? Once we place our final order with the hotel, the PRRT must pay for all reserved meals. So, do not delay. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated ONLY if requested ahead of time. No changes allowed except for health reasons. Reserve here.Effective July 2013 Lunch Reservations must be Prepaid
For faster luncheon check-in and to avoid the pain of collecting payment from no-shows, reservations for luncheons now must be pre-paid online via credit card. Beginning with the July 2013 meeting only reservations booked online will be accepted. Lunches for members are $39 plus processing fees and for non-members $49 plus processing fees. |