Posted by Matt Swenson on 18 March 2026
eTourism Moves: New Hires & Promotions for March
Spring is in the air, and so are new opportunities for destination marketers and DMOs to thrive. Here is a list of the latest news from the eTourism world.
Becky Nave
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia Tourism Corporation has named Becky Nave as its new Vice President of Partnership Marketing. In this role, Nave will lead VTC’s cooperative marketing, industry grant programs, tourism product development, and strategic planning initiatives across the Commonwealth. She will also provide executive leadership to a statewide team focused on expanding tourism investment, fostering industry partnerships, and driving long-term economic impact for Virginia.
Nave most recently served as VTC’s director of destination development and advocacy and has served in various capacities on the Virginia Tourism Corporation team since 2016.
Leadership Experience: In addition to her work at VTC, Nave served as Mayor of the City of Bristol from 2024 to 2026, following her tenure as Vice Mayor and City Council member. Under her leadership, she helped manage a $150 million municipal budget and supported transformative economic development initiatives, including the $500 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the opening of the city’s first new public school in 50 years.
What They’re Saying: Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, raved about Nave: “She has a proven ability to align strategy, advocacy, and investment to strengthen Virginia’s tourism economy, and we are confident she will continue to elevate our statewide impact in this important leadership role.”
Marcie Blackstone
U.S. Travel Association
Marcie Blackstone has joined the U.S. Travel Association as senior director of event marketing. Blackstone is well-versed in the hospitality industry, having served in various roles at Marriott International, culminating as global director of change management and communications. She spent the last year in the HR Marketing department at Freddie Mac.
“Events are where stories come to life, and this is an incredible opportunity to elevate how our industry shows up and leads,” she said in a LinkedIn post announcing the move.
Visit Cheyenne
There's a lot of news out of Visit Cheyenne, a destination that embraces the Old West in Wyoming. At the top of the list is that Jim Walter has been named president and CEO, following a national search of more than 250 candidates. Walter had been interim leader since late last year. He is no stranger to the destination, having worked his way up from director of convention sales starting in 2013. “I’m honored to continue leading Visit Cheyenne and building on the strong foundation already in place,” Walter said. “Cheyenne has an authentic story to tell, and our job is to make sure the right people hear it and come experience it.”
Meanwhile, Lisa Maney has been promoted to director of convention sales, and Amber Bruner Trevizo has been promoted to director of visitor experience.
Dan Cook
Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dan Cook is the new vice president of marketing and sales at The Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, a DMO covering two of Georgia’s most popular beach destinations: St. Simon’s Island and Jekyll Island. Cook arrives from another seaside destination: Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County in Maryland, where he was senior director of marketing and brand management. Previously, he was also director of tourism for the Prince William County Office of Tourism in Northern Virginia.
Andrew Schmidt
Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau
President & CEO Andrew Schmidt has announced his retirement from The Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he provided 32 years of exemplary service to the North Carolina destination and tourism industry. Schmidt assumed the chief executive role 11 years ago and also served as President of the North Carolina Travel Industry Association from 2021 to 2023. His last day is June 30. There is an ongoing search for a new president and CEO.
Visit McKinney
Tony Adamo is bringing his blend of creative marketing, communications expertise, and deep municipal tourism experience to his new role of sales manager at Visit McKinney, just north of Dallas. He was previously a communications and media specialist for the city. He also has marketing experience at the Grapevine CVB and Garland CVB.
IHG Hotels and Resorts
Atlanta-based John Clopton has been promoted to vice president of marketing at IHG Hotels and Resorts. He’s been with the hotel brand since late 2020, and most recently served as head of global omnichannel marketing. His prior experience includes lengthy stints at Delta and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Barnsley Resort
Richard Pauley has joined Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Ga., as director of sales and marketing, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. A strategic and data-driven executive who spent more than a decade in Chattanooga, Pauley has a proven track record in driving sales, marketing initiatives, and team performance.
Does your organization have any personnel news to share with the eTourism industry? Send leads to matthew.swenson@informa.com.
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