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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday August 4, 2004

LICVB & SC NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

Contact:  Kristen Matejka   
Director of Communications
LICVB&SC
631 951-3900

LONG ISLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND SPORTS COMMISSION NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

Former State Director of South Carolina Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism R. Moke McGowan Appointed Following National Search and Review of Over 100 Candidates

Hauppauge, NY-August 4, 2004-The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission formally announced the appointment of former Director of South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism R. Moke McGowan as its new President. Mr. McGowan was chosen following a national search and a review of over 100 candidates from around the country.

A great gratitude of thanks to the LICVB&SC search committee for their thoroughness and dedication throughout this process. The search for a new LICVB president drew a remarkable list of candidates with extraordinary experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. With Mr. McGowan’s credentials, it is certainly not hard to understand why he was the unanimous choice by our Search Committee, remarked Gloria Rocchio, Chairperson of the LICVB&SC.

With over thirty years of professional experience, R. Moke McGowan has proven expertise in tourism destination and product marketing and sales as well as an in-depth understanding of conventions, corporate meetings, incentives and domestic and international trade and leisure travel.

Mr. McGowan has the personal ability and the backing of the LICVB members to bring the organization to an entirely new level through marketing and technology efforts. The LICVB has many, many successful programs to build on and R. Moke McGowan can help us do that, added Ms. Rocchio.

R. Moke McGowan comes to the LICVB having served as principal of McGowan Consulting since 2003, where he provided strategic marketing and business consulting for tourism industry-related clients including Columbia Convention Authority and Travel Media Connection, Inc.

From 1997 to 2003 he was State Tourism Director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism where he was responsible for the marketing of the state’s $14.4 billion tourism industry, managing a staff of 70 and an annual operations and program budget of $12 million. Prior to that, from 1994 to 1997, he was principal of MC ï¾? Marketing Concepts, a consulting firm whose clients included Oregon Tourism Commission, Central Oregon Coast Association, Oregon Economic Development Department, Chinook Winds Gaming and Convention Center, Salem Convention and Visitors Bureau and Lincoln City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From 1991 to 1997 he was Director of Marketing for the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR, establishing a brand identity and image for the new $29 million aquatic-marine educational facility.

He served as Director of Marketing for PIER 39’s Blue & Gold Fleet, San Francisco, CA from 1984 to1991. He was Director of Marketing - Membership for the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1980 to 1984.

Mr. McGowan is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, and received the Certified Tourism Professional (CTP) from the National Tour Association in 1990.

The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (LICB &SC) was established in 1979 as a marketing arm for the destination’s nearly $5 billion travel and tourism industry. Based on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, the LICVB & SC contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting Long Island as a world-class destination for, and by attracting individuals, tours, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events, related activities and business to Long Island. For more information about Long Island, please contact the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission by calling 1-877-FUN-ON-LI or visit the web site at http://www.funonli.com.


 

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