INFORMATIONAL REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on Chief Executive Officer Search for the New Destination Marketing Organization [Council Pillar: Promote and Enhance Economic and Housing Development]
Report
BACKGROUND
On November 12, 2019, staff provided Council with an update on the formation of the new Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) entity (RTC 19-1257). Council directed staff to report back in 90 days to provide an update on recruitment efforts for a DMO Chief Executive Officer.
DISCUSSION
Throughout the DMO formation process, there has been a focus on developing new convention and meeting business opportunities for the Santa Clara Convention Center. The City, consultant Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Spectra, and the Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District (TID) Advisory Board have been working on developing key priorities, including an updated booking strategy, that would best meet the long-term goals of the new DMO. Being mindful of these efforts, the DMO looks to recruit the best CEO candidate to lead the organization and implement its newly established mission and vision.
Mission: To promote, and drive economic impact to, Santa Clara as the Silicon Valley destination of choice for meetings, business and leisure travel.
Vision: To be a world class destination for innovation, collaboration and exchange of ideas in Silicon Valley.
Since November 2019, the CEO recruitment announcement and brochure were approved and finalized by the DMO Board of Directors (Attachment 1). JLL began researching potential candidates in early January focusing on individuals with the most applicable background and who have experience overseeing successful sales teams. JLL has since engaged SearchWide Global, a full-service executive recruitment firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, association, and venue management industries. The position was posted by SearchWide on January 30, 2020 and will remain open until filled.
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