The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) has announced that its president and CEO Julie Coker will be leaving her role to become the president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. Coker will remain in her role at SDTA until 6 December, 2024.
Coker started at SDTA in June 2020 and led the organisation to record-breaking economic figures in 2023, including $14.3bn in visitor spending. Under her leadership, San Diego placed third in the nation in hotel occupancy (73.5%) in 2023. That year, the city’s groups and convention business fully rebounded, surpassing 2019 levels.Throughout her tenure, SDTA recorded a member-retention rate of above 90%.
SDTA’s Board of Directors will form a search committee to begin the process of identifying and selecting a new president and CEO.
SDTA’s Board chair Shawn Dixon said: “Under her leadership, we laid a strong foundation for growth, rebuilding travel confidence, attracting visitors, and supporting local businesses. Julie has been a true champion of SDTA’s work and a wonderful ambassador of San Diego’s tourism industry. We will miss her energy, humor and dedication, and wish her success at New York City Tourism + Conventions.”
A 30-year travel and tourism industry veteran, Coker has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion. Major SDTA initiatives in this field she has led include: the launch of the award-winning Tourism Accelerator programme and the appointment of the organisation’s first director of DEI and community engagement.
Coker holds several executive board positions, serving on the US Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, US Travel Association, Visit California and San Diego-based organisations. Her leadership has garnered numerous accolades, including the Pioneer Award from the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals and induction into the Smart Women in Meetings All-Time Hall of Fame.
In 2016, she made history as the first African American female president and CEO to lead a major conventions and visitors bureau in the top 50 US markets when she assumed the role at Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. Coker also spent more than 20 years with Hyatt Hotels, where she held general manager positions for properties in Philadelphia, Chicago and Oakbrook, Illinois.
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