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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Daniella 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.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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