JEFFERSON CITY, Mo - Marci Bennett, who has served 16 years as the executive director of the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, was elected chair of the Missouri Tourism Commission at the group’s meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Bennett has been a member of the Tourism Commission since 2007, but her work in the travel and hospitality industry dates to 1979. During her career, Bennett has served in a variety of leadership roles, and she’s currently the executive director of the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, a position she’s held since 1999.
“I’m kind of shocked,” said Bennett, who succeeds Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder as the Commission’s chair. “But I guarantee I will do everything I can to ensure the continued success of the tourism industry’s positive economic impact in generating needed tax funds for the State of Missouri so that they can invest those funds into the much-needed state programs, especially during these difficult budget years.”
Bennett also said she’s looking forward to working with Katie Steele Danner, who was appointed Tuesday as the new director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.
“I think Katie and I will be a great team,” said Bennett. “With Katie … along with the Tourism Commission and the Division staff, we have the experience to continue the dynamic work already put in place by the Commission and the industry.”
Bennett, whose term on the Commission expires in 2011, served as president of Image Associates, an independent marketing and consulting firm with offices in Detroit, Mich., and St. Joseph; the director of sales and marketing with Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Mich.; and the vice president of sales and marketing with the Capital Funding Hotel Group, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. She also worked as the director of sales and marketing for the Columbia-Mo., based First Hospitality Group, which managed Ramada properties in Columbia and Jefferson City; with Columbia’s Tiger Hotel, where she served as assistant general manager; and with Hospitality Foods Inc., where she served as assistant general manager and regional general manager.
Bennett, 49, was nominated to serve as chair by fellow Commission member Rep. Maynard Wallace, R-Thornfield. Scott Hovis, who was appointed to the Tourism Commission earlier this year, was elected to serve as the Commission’s vice-chair.
Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Director of Communications
Missouri Division of Tourism
573-522-5501
Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov |