San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau Adds New Vice-President of Sales to Oversee National Sales Team

Media Contact:
Hilary Townsend; 760-745-4747
htownsend@sandiegonorth.com
Amber Connor; 760-745-4748
aconnor@sandiegonorth.com

SAN DIEGO NORTH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ADDS NEW VICE-PRESIDENT OF SALES TO OVERSEE NATIONAL SALES TEAM

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (December 3, 2009) – The San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired hospitality industry veteran, Larry Kaufman, as vice president of sales. Bringing over 24 years of hospitality experience to his new position, Kaufman will be responsible for overseeing the Bureau’s seven-person national sales team based in Carmel Valley.

Kaufman, a 15-year San Diego resident, most recently worked for Noble House Hotels and Resorts in San Diego for six years as the area director of sales and marketing for the Paradise Point Resort & Spa, Hilton Mission Bay and Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs properties. Prior industry experience includes Starwood Hotels & Resorts as the area director of sales and marketing for 11 years, as well as, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

The national sales team, which has doubled in size over the last year and a half, markets the 2,000 square mile San Diego North resort region to meeting planners to assist in bringing groups, conferences and events to the region. With extensive hospitality experience, each team member is responsible for a designated niche market, identifying emerging markets and consistently creating a personalized and tailored experience for corporate, meeting and event planners.

Focusing on the San Diego North region, the Bureau’s sales department provides invaluable resources for meeting planners and hospitality venues; helping them save time and money through a complimentary, customized planning approach.

“Having worked for a variety of hotel properties throughout my career gives me a unique insight into how important the CVB’s role is in bringing group business into the San Diego North region,” said Kaufman. “We have the benefit of specializing in San Diego’s resort region and concentrating our efforts on the uniqueness of the brand and the variety of upscale amenities mixed with open spaces and natural beauty to deliver a preferred conference experience,” said Kaufman.

“Kaufman’s extensive hospitality experience, knowledge of emerging markets and leadership skills are the perfect mix as we continue to broaden our reach and market San Diego North as a preferred destination for small to medium sized group business,” said Cami Mattson, president and chief executive officer.

More information on the sales team and the San Diego North region can be found on the Bureau’s newly redesigned website: http://www.sandiegonorth.com/Meetings-Conferences. The website is a great tool for business professionals and leisure travelers in booking accommodations, building travel itineraries and learning more about the area.

For more information, please visit www.SanDiegoNorth.com. Contact Hilary Townsend (htownsend@sandiegonorth.com) at 760-745-4747, or Amber Connor (aconnor@sandiegonorth.com) at 760-745-4748 for media hosting opportunities, interview requests and high-resolution images.

About San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau
The San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau provides visitor information for the 2,000 square mile San Diego North region from La Jolla north to Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside to the inland, mountain and desert communities of Escondido, Julian and the Anza-Borrego Desert. For more information, visit www.SanDiegoNorth.com or call (800) 848-3336.