wacvb 2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Jennifer Wesselhoff, CDME President & CEO Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau

PRESIDENT-ELECT Bill Malone President & CEO Park City Chamber/Bureau

SECRETARY-TREASURER Wes Rhea Executive Director Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau

PAST PRESIDENT Kathy Smits Vice President, International Tourism Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

DIRECTORS Tracy Farhad Executive Director Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau

Anne Jenkins Senior Vice President Travel Medford

Jim Kissinger Vice President, Convention Sales Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau

Jim Luttjohann Executive Director Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau

Aaron McCreight, CDME CEO Casper Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

John Reyes, CMP Executive Vice President & Chief Customer Oficer San Francisco Travel Association

Sara Toliver President & CEO Ogden/Weber Convention & Visitors Bureau

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Teresa Stephenson

Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) 950 Glenn Drive, Suite 150 Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 443-9012 • Fax (916) 932-2209 info@wacvb.com or info@wacvb.travel wacvb.com wacvb.travel westerndestinations.travel thewest.travel

Jennifer Wesselhoff, CDME WACVB Board President President & CEO, Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau

We are living in a remarkable era of com- munication and technology. Now more than ever, access to global information provides us with the tools we need to educate our- selves to become industry experts, review competitive landscapes, access studies and research that provide the backbone for strategies, Skype with our international coun- terparts, and, cost-effectively, conduct busi- ness around the globe. The sky is the limit! In our exhilarating and sometimes frenetic age of information and access, to be able to say that “one thing” in particular is of utmost importance can be challenging. But being able to pinpoint what’s most important is the foundation for smart decision-making. In this special section about the West, a number of WACVB-member executives weigh in on their “one thing” by answering the following ques- tions. What they have to say will surely be insightful.

• What is the one thing meeting planners should know about your destination?

• What is the one thing a meeting attendee shouldn’t miss doing or seeing while in your destination?

• What is the one thing you hear meeting planners say they care most about?

86 PCMA CONVENE MARCH 2013

• What is the one thing you think will change with regard to meetings this year?

• What is the one thing that’s changed most in the meetings industry in the last five years?

• What is the one thing you like best about your job/this industry?

Today’s meeting professionals and asso-

ciation executives have many avenues to explore when it comes to gathering informa- tion to plan their event. But one thing that you can count on is that our DMO members will make your job of finding the perfect location for your next meeting an easier one. WACVB members will assist with marketing toolkits, attendance-building e-strategies, online meeting/event planning guides, housing services, green/sustainable tips, and more. As in years past, this special section of

Western Destinations serves as a useful resource that will allow you to contact mem- bers of WACVB. Our DMO members are here to support your meetings, trade shows, con- ventions, and events. And, their “one thing” will illustrate their knowledge and passion for the industry — providing the best possible experience for you and for your attendees.

PCMA.ORG The West The One Thing We Have in Common

PREVIOUS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: ASPEN CHAMBER RESORT ASSN. , JEREMY SWANSON; CENTRAL OREGON VISITORS ASSN; LAKE HAVASU CITY CVB; GREATER PALM SPRINGS CVB; PISMO BEACH CVB; VENTURA CVB, STEVE MUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; VISALIA CVB, PETER AMEND