IN BRIEF INDUSTRY PULSE
CHICAGO, IL — Lynn Osmond has been appointed CEO of Choose Chicago, effective May 9. Osmond, the first woman to helm the city’s tourism
Lynn Osmond agency, was most recently the President & CEO at the Chicago Architecture Center. “Lynn Osmond’s thorough experience leading the Chicago Architecture Center will be a great asset to Choose Chicago — and we’re proud she is the first woman to take on the job,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “As the city continues to see a rise in tourism, Osmond’s intimate knowledge of this city will ensure that we will continue to safely encourage and delight those who come to Chicago for work or play.” JACKSONVILLE, FL — Visit Jacksonville recently welcomed Laura Gonzalez, Lauren Hickox, Paloma Martin and Kelly Sanderson, CMP, to the sales, marketing and destination experience
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teams. Gonzalez, National Account Manager, was previously Director of Sales and Marketing at Tru by Hilton in Jacksonville. Hickox, Assistant Destination Experience Manager, was most recently an Events and Marketing Intern at the American Heart Association in Jacksonville. Martin, Destination Experience Manager, comes to the CVB from the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville-Riverfront, where she held the role of Event Manager. Sanderson, Convention Sales Marketing Manager, was previously the Destination Service Director for PRI Productions.
Meg Little Little joins ASM Global from Raycom Sports, where she spearheaded campaigns in partnership with global brands like Hyundai, Allstate, State Farm and Old Navy. LOUISVILLE, KY — Louisville welcomes Meeting Professional International’s (MPI) World Education Congress (WEC), June 10-12, 2025. It
will be Louisville’s first time as a host city for this major event, expected to draw 2,500 meeting planners and hospitality professionals to the Kentucky International Convention Center and other venues throughout the city. “We’re thrilled to bring WEC to Louisville for the first time,” says Annette Gregg, CMM, MBA, Senior Vice President of Experience for MPI. “From the Bourbon Trail to the iconic Churchill Downs, the destination has an exciting appeal for our participants. The downtown entertainment district is a perfect size for our conference and will create a great buzz for our offsite events.” Hosting WEC will result in an estimated immediate economic impact of over $2 million for the city.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Carl A. Thomas and Meg Little have joined
2022 WEB & AWARDS www.facilitiesonline.com
PRIME SITE AWARDS In our 29th Year
Carl A. Thomas ASM Global as Senior Vice President, Sales and Platform Development, and Vice President, Marketing Solutions, respectively. Thomas’s background includes senior positions with Universal Studios, Tickets.com and Hookit.
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FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2022 SPRING
