Straight Talk: Brad Dean, President and CEO, Discover Puerto Rico

January 14, 2022

If anyone knows a thing or two about navigating through disruptive times, it’s Brad Dean. In 2018, he was tapped to helm Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s first-ever destination marketing organization, following a series of natural and public health disasters, including Zika virus and hurricanes Irma and Maria. 

Coming onboard the year after Hurricane Maria pummeled the island—along with its tourism industryDean quickly assembled a stellar team of more than 50 people at Discover Puerto Rico, leading them in a remarkable period of recovery and growth that boosted tourism 45% in the first 18 months and achieved record-level revenue. 

Today, as he leads the island’s charge to emerge from another crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, Dean is doing so with as much passion and success as he has throughout his career, including a record-breaking 2021 for visitor arrivals and being named 2021 State Tourism Director of the Year by U.S. Travel Association

I’m passionate about our work because travel is much more than just a sector of our economy that creates jobs and generates tax revenues,” he said. “Travel is a transformative tool that shapes people in their communities, nurtures progress for a better future and changes lives each day.”

Dean added, “This is especially true when hosting meetings and events in unique places that leave a mark on your soul, and often introduce attendees to a destination for the first time and enhance a group’s ability to bond and connect.”

Dean said he considers it a privilege to lead a team that puts their all into ensuring that the transformative power of the industry comes to life every day.

“I’m continually inspired knowing that when we do our jobs well and keep the magic of our destination at the center of our focus, our island and its people benefit along with those visiting,” he said.

TSNN had a chance to sit down with Dean and get his thoughts on the challenges and silver linings of the pandemic, how the industry and the destination will change moving forward and what he has learned most over the past two years.  

What is the biggest change your organization has had to navigate during this challenging time?

The pace of business and transactions has certainly changed and our responsiveness in that compressed booking cycle. It’s made us more cognizant of the role that we can play in helping make certain that professional planners have everything they need to not only plan but execute events, and it’s drawn us closer to our clients. That started with the very first thing we did in the pandemic, which was sending out Puerto Rican coffee packages to event professionals. If they’re stuck at home, they may as well enjoy good coffee. Being at home was also forcing conversations that we hadn't had the opportunity to have, and it really made us reassess from a destination standpoint. 

This massive amount of disruption and the change we've been facing has forced us as an organization to determine how best we can meet the needs of planners. It's elevating our service and our responsiveness, and it's also challenging us to think outside the traditional bounds that we've operated by. We always knew the relationship with event professionals was important, but I think we're more appreciative now of the role that we play in helping make sure our partners are successful.

How do you think the industry will be the most changed moving out of the pandemic?

We're certainly going to be far more resilient, and we must be adaptable, especially in this segment of business. Those who are just clinging to what we were doing pre-pandemic, hoping to get back, are going to be frustrated and disappointed continuously. I think the pace and scope of change is going to force all of us to continue to be very adaptable. 

The other thing, and I'm an optimist on this, is that I think it's given us a greater appreciation for the importance of face-to-face meetings, but also the responsibility we as suppliers have in managing the intersection between public health and travel. Pre-pandemic, that was not a top-of-mind consideration. Now, every conversation we're having is about what we can do to make certain that we're protecting and providing for the safety of our residents and visitors. It's not like we ignored it before, but I think it's been elevated. 

Lastly, so much of what we used to measure success by was scalability—number of rooms on peak, maxing out the convention center, etc. While those metrics are still relevant, today, I’m sensing more with partners on the island and colleagues in the industry that we’re more focused than ever before on exceeding the expectations of event planners and their clients, making sure that we're well positioned to manage their health and safety, and delivering on the experience they need to bring them back. It’s unfortunate that it took a pandemic for us to appreciate the sheer importance of being face to face and the impact of meetings and conventions, and what that means not just from an economic stance but as a transformative tool, but we can learn from it and build on that.

How do you think Puerto Rico as a destination has changed because of the pandemic, and how will it continue to change moving forward? 

Of course, in Puerto Rico, we had the benefit of this massive investment from the federal government and the private sector after Hurricane Maria, so we're really a new destination with a lot of properties that have recently been rebuilt, renovated or repurposed. But beyond that, the pandemic has drawn the tourism industry, particularly the hotel community, closer together than ever before. We saw that after Hurricane Maria, and we're seeing it again now. It's created a sense of unity, which I believe is the foundation for our resiliency. 

There's also a greater appreciation for the importance of accessibility to Puerto Rico. Historically, most people who traveled to Puerto Rico were based on the East Coast, but now, we’re starting to see more groups from the Midwest and the West, and we’ve expanded our relationship with the airlines, which is crucial. This unity is so important because together is the only way we will get out of this and attract more groups and larger groups for the long-term.

What have you learned most about yourself during the pandemic?

While virtual meetings and digital connections have been essential, I’ve frequently been reminded that many of those have been sustained because of the personal relationships that began face to face. It’s helped me realize the importance of those face-to-face relationships we built before. 

What kind of self-care has been key for your mental health during the past two years and why?  

Working from home more than ever, I’ve been able to spend more time with my family, and that’s been a strength. I’ve also been able to intentionally reach out to my team much more, and that's allowed me to get to know them on a different level outside the workspace. So being able to be with my family and friends, maintaining regular routines and exercise, and having those interpersonal connections with co-workers has been refreshing and inspiring.

Where is the first place you want to travel when the world fully opens again?

While we’re fortunate to travel to so many places as part of this industry, there are two states I haven’t visited, Alaska and Hawaii, so one of those. Also, one of the greatest trips that our family ever took was to the Holy Land. It was such a great experience, and we've always said we want to go back. With the constraints on travel, it’s reinforced in me that it’s time to cash in on this bucket-list trip, so I look forward to returning to Israel at some point.

 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. 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As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.