SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY, Nev. — James P. Evans, chief executive officer of the Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP), and Stephen J. Cloobeck, chairman of the CTP board, will speak at the Nevada Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Nov. 29-30 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Evans, the former chief executive officer of Jenny Craig and of Best Western International, has been at the helm of the CTP — the national agency charged with attracting international tourists to the United States — since May. In November, the CTP plans to present its brand for the United States at the World Travel Market — the leading global event for the travel industry — in London.
Cloobeck, chairman and chief executive officer of Diamond Resorts International, was one of 11 travel industry leaders appointed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary to the CTP board of directors in September 2010 — the only Nevadan in the group. Cloobeck subsequently was elected by his peers to serve as chair of the CTP board in November 2010.
“We are honored and pleased that Mr. Evans and Mr. Cloobeck have accepted our invitation to speak at the Governor’s Conference,” Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, chairman of the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) said. “We are thrilled to have a Nevadan leading the Corporation for Travel Promotion, and our delegates will greatly benefit from hearing what the CTP is doing to advance the travel industry internationally.”
The annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, organized by NCOT, offers industry professionals the opportunity to meet with top names in the business and learn about new initiatives, among other benefits. More than 250 hoteliers, tour operators and others involved in Nevada tourism are expected to gather for this event.
“This is an exceptional opportunity to learn how the CTP plans to brand the United States internationally,” Larry Friedman, NCOT interim director, said. “It’s a chance to learn how the CTP’s work will impact Nevada tourism — the state’s No. 1 economic engine.”
Other issues to be covered at the conference include the economy, social media, health and wellness tourism and the state’s new brand.
In addition, conference attendees will hear from Billy Vassiliadis, chief executive officer and principal at R&R Partners; Jeff Thredgold, president of Thredgold Economic Associates; William Bakker, chief strategist at Think! Social Media; and other industry luminaries.
Register for the Governor’s Conference on Tourism at governorsconference.org, or register by phone at 775-784-4046 or 1-800-233-8928. To get the latest conference news and updates, like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NVGovConference.
