Press Release 01.22.07

CONTACT:
Kristin Zern
Association of Travel Marketing Executives
212/765-0625

kzern@atme.org

For Immediate Release

January 22, 2007

Contact: Danielle Courtenay, APR
407-354-5586/media@orlandocvb.com

Gary C. Sain Named President of the
Orlando/Orange County Convention
& Visitors Bureau, Inc.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Gary C. Sain has been named the new president of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) replacing Bill Peeper, who retired at the end of 2006. Sain was selected as the result of a thorough national search lead by Orlando CVB Chairman Mark McHugh and will begin in his new position in February 2007.

Sain comes to the Orlando CVB from the highly regarded hospitality advertising and public relations firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell in Orlando where he was the chief marketing officer and a partner responsible for the overall marketing and sales efforts of the firm including agency branding, communications and strategic partner development. Sain has a varied portfolio of experience including holding positions as executive vice president of sales and marketing for GES Exposition Services; senior vice president of sales, marketing and passenger services for Premier Cruise Line; assistant vice president of sales for Hyatt Hotels Corporation; and corporate vice president sales/marketing for the Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Washington, D.C. and New York and the Whitehall/Tremont Hotels in Chicago. He also served as the opening director of marketing for the Stouffer Hotels in Chicago and Atlanta

“Gary was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee, said Mark McHugh, chairman of the Orlando CVB Board of Directors. “With his strong background in marketing, dynamic leadership, and respect within the hospitality industry and Orlando region, we felt he was the perfect choice to lead the Orlando CVB as it enters into an exciting time period.”

Nationally known for his expertise in branding, Sain successfully positioned Premier Cruise Line’s “Big Red Boat” as one of the most recognizable brands in the cruise industry. He was voted a member of Travel Agent magazine’s “Winners Circle” for two years in a row. He is also the recipient of numerous professional designations including Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) and Certified Travel Marketing Executive (CTME). Gary is a frequent speaker at travel industry symposia, and has contributed numerous articles on marketing and advertising practice to both consumer and trade publications.

Sain received a B.S. degree with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing from Davis and Elkins College. His professional affiliations include The Travel Institute, American Society of Travel Agents, Association of Travel Marketing Executives, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, Meeting Professionals International, National Business Travel Association, National Tour Association, and the Skal Club of Orlando. He is a past executive committee member of CLIA, past board member of HSMAI, and past president of three HSMAI chapters. He currently serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the Association of Travel Marketing Executives.

The Orlando CVB is the sales and marketing agency responsible for positioning Orlando as the destination of choice for leisure and meetings business for the economic benefit of the Orlando region.
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