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Industry trailblazer Julie Coker makes the move to serve as president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions
On the morning of Oct. 22, the NYC Tourism + Conventions Board of Directors announced it had selected Julie Coker to step in as the organization’s president and CEO. Beginning on Dec. 9, 2024, she will step into the top executive position at the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and convention and visitors bureau (CVB) for the five boroughs of New York City.
Rising Through the Ranks
Coker currently serves as president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA). Under her leadership, SDTA consistently ranked as one of the top-performing US destinations. In 2023, it ranked third in the nation in hotel occupancy, at 73.5%, and in the same year, group and convention business surpassed 2019 levels as the tourism industry generated $14.3 billion in visitor spending. During her time at SDTA, tourism jobs returned to pre-pandemic levels with more than 200,000 employed, and the retention rate among SDTA members held at 93%. SDTA’s sales and marketing programs delivered a $30 to $1 return on investment—the highest in the organization’s history.
“Leading the San Diego Tourism Authority has been an incredible journey, and I’m immensely proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Coker in a note on SDTA letterhead. “Together with our Board of Directors, members and the local tourism community, we successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and have driven San Diego’s tourism recovery. This resilience and collaborative spirit have laid a strong foundation for my new chapter with New York City Tourism + Conventions. I’m eager to bring my passion for the tourism industry to New York City and look forward to building upon the remarkable work of the talented team in place, further enhancing the global appeal of one of the world’s most iconic cities.”
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Prior to her role at SDTA, Coker served as president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) during pivotal moments for the city’s travel and tourism markets, including the 2017 NFL Draft and the 2016 Democratic National Convention, which together brought an economic impact of $325 million. She earlier held the role of PHLCVB’s executive vice president, convention division. Before joining PHLCVB, she spent over two decades with Hyatt, where she rose through the ranks, from an assistant front office manager to a general manager.
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Service and Beyond
Earlier in her career, from January 2018 to 2020, Coker served as co-chair for the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business Coalition, as well as secretary-treasurer for International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Executive Committee. From 2016 to 2019, she co-chaired the Shared Spaces Initiative, a public-private work group that works to combat homelessness, with Philadelphia’s mayor.
In January 2023, Coker was appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, where she served with 31 other leaders from the domestic travel and tourism industry to advice the Secretary of Commerce on travel priorities. In addition, she serves on the executive boards of the U.S. Travel Association and Visit California. In addition, she serves as a board member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, the San Diego Lodging Association and Sharp Health Care.
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A Celebrated Professional
Coker is the recipient of numerous awards, including Smart Meetings’ very own Smart Woman in Meetings All-Time Hall of Fame, which she was inducted into in 2023.
In both 2012 and 2019, Coker was named among Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Distinction Honorees. She was honored as the 2017 United Negro College Fund Mayor’s Ball Honoree for Civic Leadership and, in the same year, named by Network Journal one of the 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business. In 2021, she was once again honored, this time as a Phenomenal Woman in Business in the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Phenomenal Woman series. In 2023, she was honored with the Fearless Award from the San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce.
“Julie is an extraordinary and highly respected leader in the travel industry on a national basis,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “Through her work in Philadelphia and San Diego, along with multi-constituent experience across municipal, state and federal entities, as well as industry organizations like USTA and TTAB, she is an exceptional choice as the new leader for NYC Tourism + Conventions. As someone who used to work with Julie and has known her for many years, I can say that NYC Tourism + Conventions is fortunate to have her advocating for the tourism economy and its many stakeholders. Her values and people skills will carry New York to higher heights of visitation and engagement.”
Coker steps into this new role as New York City expects major growth in the coming years. On pace to attract nearly 65 million visitors in 2024 and anticipating over 68 million in 2025—surpassing pre-pandemic levels—the city is preparing to host numerous world-class events, including America250 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
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