With over 25 years of combined leadership, sales and destination marketing organization experience, John has represented Visit Huntington Beach, Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Long Beach Convention Center and Canadian Tourism Commission. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Visit Huntington Beach and is responsible for the leadership and development of the sales and service departments, annual budget management, strategic planning, benefits administration, product development, and staff hiring, development, and evaluation.
John has served as President of MPI Southern California Chapter, President of SITE Southern California Chapter, an MPI RISE Awards committee member for 6 years, and he is currently on the Meeting Professionals International Board of Directors in the role of Diversity & Inclusion for the association. He is a frequent speaker and an ongoing mentor to students of the hospitality industry at several Southern California universities.
He is a recent graduate at Cornell University completing an executive program in Diversity and Inclusion. John also holds the accreditations of CDME (Certified Destination Management Executive) and CMP (Certified Meeting Professional)
Greatest Career accomplishments:
Receiving MPI Tomorrow’s Leader International award in 2003 launched his passion to grow involvement and action among fellow colleagues in the Meeting & Event industry. Whether it be a meeting planner or supplier, his greatest accomplishment is the ability to connect people with others that result in collaborative thinking resulting in positive outcomes. John has used this engagement approach in various positions he has held with employers, industry board positions, community involvement and mentorship of others. This has become a recipe of success for him.