Cheryl Smith MA, HMCC

Cheryl Smith is the Specialty Markets Manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Through a variety of global business sales strategies, industry relations activities and strategic opportunities, Smith is responsible for marketing and promoting Las Vegas as a premier international health and wellness travel, cultural tourism and wedding and romance travel destination. She also oversees World Trade Center Las Vegas sales for the Las Vegas Convention Center. Prior to joining the LVCVA in 2012, Smith was the president and managing partner of Banyan Communications Group, LLC, a Las Vegas-based niche consulting firm specializing in health care, physician practice marketing, and strategic business development. Her 20-year background in the health care industry includes roles as the director of marketing and the system-wide media spokeswoman for HCA Sunrise Health System and the director of public relations and marketing for Good Shepherd Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital and Advocate Health Care, near Chicago. Cheryl has marketed numerous medical specialties including neuroscience, neurosurgery, neurology, orthopedic, cardiovascular, oncology, emergency and trauma, diagnostic imaging, ambulatory surgery, ophthalmology, rehabilitation, behavioral health, bariatric, obstetric, pediatric, outpatient and preventative health and wellness services. Cheryl holds a Masters in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications/Print Journalism from Western Illinois University. She is certified in Generational Communication, Healthcare Medical Meeting Compliance and is a published author and speaker. She serves on the boards of the Las Vegas Hospitality Association, Las Vegas HEALS and Family to Family Nevada, and is a member of the Las Vegas Spa Association and the past-chair of the Healthcare Special Interest Group of the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Marketing Association. She is currently a member of the MPI Medical Meeting Advisory Panel and sits on the Wellness Advisory Board of the Global Wellness Institute. Smith also has served on the boards of several local philanthropic organizations. In 2014, she was named one of Las Vegas’ “Women to Watch” by Vegas Inc.