GRCVB sales team adds two new staff, redeploys markets to achieve Destination 2028 Plan

Raleigh, N.C. (Jan. 7, 2020) – The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) announces an expansion of its meetings and convention sales efforts with the addition of two sales managers and a redeployment of markets. The changes come as a result of the recommendations within the Destination 2028 Plan; the comprehensive, long-range strategic destination plan for all of Wake County which was adopted in 2018. The plan’s goal is to grow tourism across Wake County to more than 21 million visitors annually by 2028.

Visit Raleigh hired Marc Dooner as a National Sales Manager. Dooner brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the sales team. He will be assisting planners from Conn., Del., Maine, Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Pa., R.I. and Vt., who represent any vertical market (excluding fraternal, multicultural) and who will be using any meeting space in the Raleigh area.

 Dooner comes to Visit Raleigh with a diverse background having most recently been the Sales Manager for the 21c Museum Hotel in Durham, N.C. He was also previously a National Sales Manager for Discover Durham and has worked at several full-service hotel and resort properties over his career as well. Marc grew up in Pennsylvania but has called North Carolina home for 20 years now. He began in his role on December 16, 2019.

Visit Raleigh has also hired Kathryn Hollomon as a Sales Manager. Hollomon brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience to the sales team. She will be assisting planners from N.C. and S.C., who represent any vertical market (excluding fraternal, multicultural) and who will be using meeting space other than the Raleigh Convention Center.

Hollomon comes to Visit Raleigh having most recently been a Sales Manager for CMC Hotels. Prior to that she was in sales for The Mayton Inn and also has extensive experience in the restaurant industry. Hollomon was born and raised in Raleigh, N.C., and holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began in her role on December 30, 2019.

Visit Raleigh also announces the promotion of Nicole Keshler to National Sales Manager. Keshler has been with the sales team for 10 years and in her new role will now be assisting planners from N.C. and S.C., who represent any vertical market (excluding corporate, fraternal, multicultural) and who will be exclusively using the Raleigh Convention Center. She will also be assisting planners from Ala., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Miss. and Tenn., who represent any vertical market (excluding corporate, fraternal, multicultural) and who will be using any meeting space in the Raleigh area.

In an effort to more strategically align sales staff with key industry clusters and markets of interest, Associate Director of Sales Stephen Jackson, CMP, will now be assisting planners from D.C., Md., Va. and Texas, who represent any vertical market and who will be using any meeting space in the Raleigh area. He will also be assisting planners who represents fraternal and multicultural organizations. Additionally, Director of Sales Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE, will now be assisting planners from N.C. and S.C., Ala., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Miss. and Tenn., who represent corporate organizations (excluding faith-based, fraternal, multicultural) and who will be using the Raleigh Convention Center only.

“Our team is charged with prioritizing business for the Raleigh Convention Center along with an increased business development focus on all of our Meeting Districts,” said Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE, Director of Sales for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh). “Thus, with the implementation of the Destination 2028 Plan now underway, this is the perfect time to expand and realign our sales team to ensure we’re achieving the recommendations within the plan. We are all excited to be a part of the catalyst for growth within Wake County as an exciting and dynamic meeting market.”

A complete listing of the Visit Raleigh sales team members, including the markets they serve, can be found here.
 

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh), is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the economic position of and provide opportunity for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes nearly 17 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.7 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 27,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $268 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $700 in taxes annually. VisitRaleigh.com.

Media Contact:
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh)
Scott Peacock, Director of Public Relations
919.645.2676
speacock@visitRaleigh.com 

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