(Gulf Shores)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – “After growing up close to the California coast, spending time promoting Hawaii, Florida, and Arizona resorts and leading the marketing for beaches from Delaware to Florida, I am convinced that you will not find a better beach destination than the product that we promote along the Alabama Gulf Coast,” said Joanie Flynn, who became the vice president of marketing for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB) effective March 19, 2012.

This leisure subject matter expert has 20+ years of hotel and vacation rental marketing experience and has played an instrumental role in destination marketing at the international, national and regional levels with an emphasis on beach resorts the last 15 years.

“Throughout the years, I have broadened my skill set by gathering experience with meeting/convention sales support, public relations and internet marketing plus served on a few CVB committees and formative association board positions too,” Flynn added.

Prior to joining the CVB, Flynn served as the vice president of marketing and sales at Professional Hospitality Resources, Inc. Based in Virginia Beach, VA, this company is a timeshare resort, hotel and restaurant development/management firm. Other past positions include executive level marketing roles at Gaylord Hotels, ResortQuest and Hilton Hotels Corporation. She has also worked at Four Seasons Hotels in Newport Beach, Calif., and L’Ermitage Hotel Group in Los Angeles.

Fluent in French, she holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of California Santa Barbara, a MBA in marketing from UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management and attended Université de Bordeaux for a year as part of the University of California’s Education Abroad Program.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Joanie to our team and to our CVB family,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of the CVB. “Her wealth of marketing knowledge and enthusiasm for our beach will be great assets as she leads our destination promotion to the next level.”

Flynn and her husband will be relocating to the area soon from the Nashville, Tenn. area. The couple’s two children are recent graduates of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and are starting their own careers but are already planning their first of many visits to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB) and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission (GSOBSC) are proud to announce the additions of Ashley Wilson and Michelle Sandell to the team.

Wilson, who will be serving as the Sales Manager for the CVB, is a native of Robertsdale, Alabama. After graduating from Robertsdale High School, she earned a Communication degree from the University of Alabama. Wilson resides in Summerdale with her husband, Jason and dog, Conner.

Meanwhile, the sports commission welcomed its second event coordinator with Sandell’s arrival. A native and current resident of Magnolia Springs, she has two children - Kristian and Devan and three dogs - Bentley, Gracie and Aubie. She is a graduate of Robertsdale High School and most recently worked at Covey Communications as a Marketing Consultant for Condo Owner Magazine.

“We are thrilled to have these two outstanding ladies join our team,” said Beth Gendler, vice-president of sales for both the CVB and Sports Commission. “They will be a huge asset as we continue to grow both our convention and sports markets.”

For more information the CVB’s sales department or the sports commission, go to www.gulfshores.com or www.gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com, respectively.

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – According to data released today by Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB), Alabama’s beaches set a new spring record that surpassed the previous benchmark year of 2007. More than $64.9 million was spent in lodging rentals for spring 2011 (March – May), which is 12.7 percent higher than spring 2007 ($57.6 million). Incidentally, May 2011 finished 22.2 percent ahead of 2007. When comparing year-to-date figures, the area is currently 14 percent above the same period for 2007.

“These lodging figures show that the area is continuing to recover in a strong manner as lodging revenue is the best indicator of tourism growth,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of the CVB. “To have figures that are outpacing our previous banner year speaks volume for the area’s resiliency, the loyalty of our consumer base and the synergistic effort of our entire tourism and hospitality industry.”

Gross retail sales for spring 2011 finished at $167.7 million.

These lodging and retail figures contribute to the income of more than 40,000 Baldwin County residents, who are employed in travel-related jobs.

June lodging and retail tax figures are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

6/7/2011

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach tourism – which serves as the area’s official convention and visitors bureau – is proud to announce the promotion of Beth Gendler to vice-president of sales for the organization’s convention sales and sports commission departments.

“Beth has lead our team’s sales efforts as the director of sales for eight successful years,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “During her tenure, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of small conventions brought to the area. Her team has aggressively sought new opportunities while strengthening the existing ties. In addition, she had lead the development of our Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. Since 2006, we have seen unprecedented growth in the sports travel market.”

For more information the CVB’s group sales department or the sports commission, visit www.gulfshores.com or www.gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com, respectively.