Cocktails & Conversation w/ Visit San Antonio CEO Marc Anderson

623 Hemisfair Boulevard,San Antonio TX 78205

15 March, 2023

Description

**EARLY-BIRD TICKETS ARE ONLY $15 UNTIL MARCH 6TH** March Conversation San Antonio's tourism and hospitality industries suffered significant setbacks due to the 2020 pandemic. How have both industries rebounded in the two years since, and what future challenges and opportunities can the industry expect over the next decade? Join us on Wednesday, March 15th at Box Street Social at Hemisfair Park for networking and conversation with Marc Anderson, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio. Meet your fellow San Antonio business owners and professionals from Downtown and beyond, learn more about Downtown's evolving tourism industry, and enjoy craft cocktails from Box Street Social. Your ticket includes one cocktail and open seating for our conversation with Marc Anderson. Run of Show 4:30pm: Cocktail Reception and Networking5:30pm: Moderated discussion with Marc Anderson, President & CEO of Visit San Antonio6:00pm: Question and Answer with Marc Anderson----- About Marc Anderson As President and CEO of Visit San Antonio, Marc Anderson is a leading figure in San Antonio’s $15.2 billion hospitality industry, the third-largest business sector in the community. San Antonio ranks as the top tourism destination in Texas, attracting more than 40 million visitors in 2019. Anderson has nearly three decades of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, including work in global sales, marketing, public relations and e-commerce. He joined Visit San Antonio in May 2021 with a vision to expand San Antonio’s national and international status. Within his first year, Anderson implemented a new strategic plan with a short-term focus on driving new targets and tactics. Under his leadership, Destination Sales has secured a record number of short-term leads and events helping the revival of the meetings industry in San Antonio faster than forecasted. The launch of a leisure marketing campaign, Si San Antonio, kept the Alamo City at the forefront during a tough pandemic period. Anderson believes in the power of media and restructured the communications department to add a first-ever VP-level position and national PR agency, which yielded strong coverage, including stories in top-tier outlets, including The New York Times and Conde Nast Traveler. With a resolute vision for San Antonio to be a leading global destination, Anderson led his team in developing a global development plan which laid the foundation for the city’s first European representation launching in 2022, and goals to expand to various Asian and additional international growth markets within the next six years. He also restructured Visit San Antonio’s membership program and upgraded River Walk events to a more immersive experience for the local community and visitors. Anderson is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, securing a DEI firm to assist leadership and staff to better serve San Antonio’s diverse cultures. Before Visit San Antonio, Anderson was Chief Operating Officer for Choose Chicago, overseeing sales and marketing for the City of Chicago and McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. He made an immediate impact, increasing the city’s short-term business and led the rebuilding of Chicago’s hospitality industry by designing and implementing a tactical COVID-19 Recovery Plan that included dynamic sales, marketing and media relations initiatives. Anderson, a graduate of Drake University, has extensive international experience, promoting the United States and developing new territories with influential relationships in Canada, China and the Middle East. Prior to Choose Chicago, Anderson was the Regional Director of Marketing for The Peninsula Hotels, for which he oversaw the regional sales, marketing, public relations and e-commerce office for all the company’s business development in the Midwest and Canada. Anderson is currently on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the United States Travel Association (USTA), an Executive Committee Member of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, co-Chair of the USTA CEO Roundtable and is a member of Destination International’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He was named one of the “Top 100: Influential Professionals to Watch in 2022” by the Austin Business Journal. In September 2018 and October 2019, he was named one of the Top 500 Leaders in the Events Industry/Top 20 DMO Leaders in North America. Anderson has completed Executive Edge programs with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Anderson and his wife, Brooke, are parents to college-age daughters, Avery and Lily. ----- About Center City Network Center City Network supports Downtown San Antonio's economic development by providing networking and education opportunities to the area's business owners, business professionals, residents, students, and advocates. Whether you live, work, or play downtown or beyond, you are welcome to join us for insightful discussions and networking in a casual setting. Our events are all-inclusive and celebrate innovation and progress in our urban center. For more information visit www.centercitysanantonio.com