TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Selected by a panel of senior industry executives, David Downing was honored by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) as a HSMAI Top 25: Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization for 2018 during a reception and gala in New York City.
Every year, 25 of the hotel and travel industry's best and brightest are selected to the HSMAI Top 25 for demonstrating innovative thinking and exceptional results in the preceding 18 months. Downing is most recognizable for leading Visit St Pete Clearwater (VSPC) into record territory as President & CEO before leaving earlier this month to assume an equity position in a private sector hospitality development enterprise.
During Downing's tenure at VSPC, the Tourist Development Tax ("Bed Tax") in Pinellas County grew by 78% percent, reaching nearly $60 million in 2018 - which translates to $1 billion in rooms sales - putting Pinellas among the highest grossing tourism destinations in Florida. His team's marketing and media efforts are credited with incremental visitation generating more than $52M in spending that would not have occurred without the VSPC marketing and media efforts.
"Being recognized as a Top 25 Marketing Mind by such a prestigious organization like HSMAI, is truly a career highlight. This incredible team has been working hard for the last twelve years to attract visitors to our vibrant destination and our efforts are paying off for all of the residents of Pinellas County, particularly the 104,000 directly employed by the local tourism industry," says Downing.
Under Dowing's leadership, VSPC was also honored with a separate award at the event for their campaign titled "Beaches of Orlando", which highlights the proximity of America's Best Beaches to one of the worlds top tourism destinations.
For a complete list of the HSMAI Top 25, please visit https://www.hsmai.org/News/PRDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=46170.
For a complete list of HSMAI Adrian Award Winners, please visit https://www.hsmai.org/News/PRDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=47305.
About David Downing
David Downing was the President & CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, which is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Pinellas County, the most popular destination on America's Gulf Coast. Downing oversaw some 50 full-time in-house staff, along with international sales and PR representation in the United Kingdom, Central Europe, Latin America, and China and an annual operating budget of more than $39 million. He has helped lead Visit St. Pete/Clearwater into record-breaking Tourist Development Tax collections. He is a member of the U.S. Travel Association's Board of Directors. Before joining Visit St. Pete/Clearwater in 2007, he worked in tourism marketing and publishing in New York City for more than a decade, first with Fodor's/Random House and then at Zagat Survey. He holds a Masters Degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Certified Destination Marketing Executive (CDME) certification from Destination Marketing Association International (now known as Destinations International).
Contact: David Downing
Phone: (917) 528-8956
Email: downingNYC(at)gmail(dot)com
SOURCE David Downing
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