Spring 2015 (MESA, Ariz.) – Visit Mesa, the destination marketing arm for Mesa, Arizona, announced the hiring of Director of Travel Industry Sales Greg Allison. Allison comes to the organization after a ten-year career in hospitality and service in Alaska including positions with Holland America Line and Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We welcome Greg to our team and know that his innate talents will strengthen Visit Mesa's relationships with key tour operators and notable players in our industry,” said Visit Mesa Vice President, Sales & Marketing Kimberly Freer. “We've successfully established Mesa's unique brand, City Limitless®, within the industry and elevated our diverse offerings in the marketplace. People are taking notice and we are seeing a shift as more clients seek out the newest Southwest experiences. Now is the time for aggressive sales efforts and building a strong sales force.”

Allison is no stranger to the visitor industry and joins Visit Mesa after serving as Director of Tourism for the Explore Fairbanks where he was instrumental in securing foreign business from the European, Australian and Asian markets. Allison also served as President of the 1st Alaska Outdoor School focused on product development and one-day adventures. While in this role, Allison targeted receptive operators and represented the outfitter at key national travel trade and consumer shows.

One of the first roles Allison will take on at Visit Mesa is to organize a series of targeted sales missions for Mesa's partners to select cities where receptive tour operator clients are based. In addition to agent trainings on Mesa's diverse product offerings, these missions will share updates on Mesa's new visitor developments including new hotel product. Next month, Allison will lead the Visit Mesa delegation at U.S. Travel's IPW 2015 tradeshow held in Orlando. Visit Mesa will host several premier attractions and service providers at the event to showcase the depth of product offered in the region and increase Mesa's presence in international and domestic tour operator portfolios. Allison will also strengthen the region's visibility with motor coach operators throughout North America over the next twelve months.

A new role for this position will be product development and working with Mesa hoteliers and the city's collection of hospitality businesses to create fully-integrated vacation product for Visit Mesa's website. These themed, online packages will be marketed heavily to consumers through Visit Mesa's targeted direct marketing campaigns which are tailored to five core lifestyles including Active Family, Culture Seeker, Fresh Foodie and more. Package bookings will take place on the website, providing guests one-stop shopping and hassle-free travel planning.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Michelle Streeter, Director of Communications, Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-682-3638 Toll-free: 800-283-6372 x345 E-mail: Michelle@VisitMesa.com

About Visit Mesa: Visit Mesa is responsible for marketing Mesa, Arizona as a leading vacation, small meeting and sports travel destination to regional and national target audiences, including travel agents and group tour operators, meeting planners, leisure visitors and media.