09 May 2013
PHILADELPHIA, PA……After a nationwide search, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) today announced Brian Said as the new executive director of the tourism division at the PHLCVB, responsible for increasing Philadelphia's presence as a global destination for international group and leisure travel as well as domestic group travel.
“Philadelphia's global appeal has grown significantly as a result of our international marketing efforts, moving from 21st (in 2000) to 12th (in 2011) most visited city in the U.S. by overseas travelers. Brian's vast hospitality marketing background, coupled with knowledge of the international community, will lead the way for continued growth for Philadelphia as a world-class destination” said Jack Ferguson, president and CEO, PHLCVB.
Brian will work with the PHLCVB team and its international representatives to promote Philadelphia to international markets, including the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, China and other emerging markets. He will also work to grow domestic group tour business nationally with key tour operators.
“I am beyond excited to join the PHLCVB team. Coming from San Diego, by way of Malta, I welcome the chance to explore Philadelphia and really delve into all of the fantastic assets the City has to offer to worldwide visitors” stated Said. “I look forward to leveraging my global experience to identify new and innovative ways for Philadelphia to appeal to international audiences.”
With a passion for the travel industry and more than 20 years of experience, Brian brings an understanding of all aspects of destination marketing, air service development, hotel operations, destination sales and marketing, and luxury branding (in both the U.S. and Europe) to the PHLCVB. He has cultivated valuable relationships with industry representatives, tour operators and travel outlets across the globe in his previous positions, and is also fluent in Maltese, Italian and English and has working knowledge of Spanish and German.
Brian has served the travel industry in both luxury and boutique brands, including Ritz-Carlton and JC resorts and most recently, as director of travel trade development at the San Diego Tourism Authority. Over the course of six years with San Diego, Brian built the tourism team from the ground-up to include five staff members, expanded the presence of San Diego at all major tradeshows and events, and partnered with Visit California to join forces on international efforts to secure improved visibility for the region.
Brian possesses a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Southern New Hampshire University as well as a Diploma in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Studies, Malta.
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Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.
The PHLCVB incorporates the short code PHL, an open source graphic identifier for the City of Philadelphia into the Convention & Visitors Bureau brand identity. The graphic identifier and other assets for use by public, private and non-profit organizations can be found at www.PHLpartners.com. To request a login, email phlpartners@discoverphl.com
Media Contact:
Crystal Hayes
215-636-3416
Crystal@discoverPHL.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Headshot available.
