IAVM Member Carol Wallace Named to U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board

COPPELL, Texas, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson conducted a swearing-in ceremony on January 19 and met with 32 newly appointed members of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB). Among the new members is Carol Wallace, President and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Past Chairman.

"This Board represents the eyes and ears of our nation's travel and tourism industry and I am committed to working with each of the esteemed members to bring more visitors to the United States," Bryson said.

"I'm honored to lend my expertise to help strengthen the international travel and tourism market, a sector so vital to the national economy," said Wallace. "In San Diego, tourism is also the lifeblood of our local economy and our region's third leading industry. I'm excited about working with my fellow board members to expand and create new opportunities to grow the industry and to help position the U.S. as a preeminent destination for international visitors."

Wallace, well-known throughout the venue management industry and the national and international convention and meeting industry, has led the San Diego Convention Center Corporation since 1991. Since then, the 2.6 million-square foot facility has become one of the top rated facilities in the world and one of San Diego's strongest assets, generating $1.6 billion in economic impact last year and supporting 12,500 jobs region wide.

In Wallace's 30-year career, she has earned a reputation as a top industry executive working for the Dallas Convention Center as well as the Colorado Convention Center. In San Diego, she played a pivotal leadership role convincing key constituents to expand the San Diego Convention Center, resulting in an expansion opening in 2001. The expansion has exceeded all expectations, and she is currently working with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and community stakeholders on efforts to expand once again.

"Carol's expertise and insight have served IAVM well throughout the years. Her experience in both domestic and international travel and tourism are invaluable to our organization," said Vicki Hawarden, CMP, IAVM President & CEO.

"Carol was nominated by the IAVM to represent the industry; and we are pleased with her appointment to this prestigious board," said Randy Brown, CFE, IAVM Chairman.

Specific to the international community, Wallace serves as the North American representative on the board of directors for AIPC (International Association of Congress Centres), the industry association for professional convention and exhibition center managers world-wide, with representation from more than 53 different countries. She is also on the Professional Convention Management Association's (PCMA) Education Foundation board of trustees.

Wallace will serve a two-year term on the Board. The previous Board delivered significant policy recommendations regarding travel facilitation, travel promotion, and data and research. The board will consider ways to execute President Barack Obama's announcement of a National Travel & Tourism Strategy and corresponding Executive Order to bolster tourism. The Board, first created in 2003 by then Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, provides stakeholder feedback on the challenges being faced by the U.S. travel and tourism industry, as well as ideas for what the federal government can do to help strengthen this important sector.

Wallace said her areas of focus will be the use of tourism as an economic development tool; outreach and advocacy; and job creation and training for the travel and tourism industry.

The International Association of Venue Managers is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of venues. Members of the association manage venues such as amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, conference and convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts centers, stadiums and university complexes; or provide products, services or attractions to support the industry. IAVM has more than 3,500 members worldwide. More information is available at www.IAVM.org.

Contact: Kris Williams, CAE
(972) 906-7441

SOURCE International Association of Venue Managers