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The MACVB has appointed its new officers for the 2017 calendar. The newly elected officers are:

• President: Jack Schripsema (Lansing)
• Past President: Linda Freybler (Calhoun County)
• Vice President: Linda Hoath (Sault Ste. Marie)
• Secretary: Chris Rowley (Mount Pleasant)
• Treasurer: Bob Lukens (Muskegon)
• Members at Large: Tim Hygh (Mackinac Island)
• Amanda Wilkin (Charlevoix)

MACVB is made up of the 46 member convention and visitor bureaus all throughout Michigan.

Sam Toscano, CMP, has recently been appointed to sales manager for 1000 Island Harbor Hotel in Clayton, N.Y.

“Since opening a little more than two years ago, 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, and consequently the destination, have seen a steady upsurge in visitors, conferences and weddings,” says Todd Buchko, general manager. “We’re thrilled to have Sam on our team to help manage the number of growing opportunities, and seek out more prospects that benefit both the hotel and community at large.”

OMGOC, a marketing campaign launched by Orange County, California Destination Marketing Organizations, is targeting San Francisco’s market to bring more tourism to Orange County.

This is their first campaign and it uses several digital ad banners and videos to showcase all the region has to offer. It also challenges Northern Californians about what they really know about Orange County.

The goal is to show that there is more to Orange County than meets the eye. The campaign was created by marketing agency, Greehaus, and will run through Dec. 10.

These interviews are part of a series that highlights new hires within the industry. Have you recently started a new role or do you know someone who has? Submit your ideas to brittany.trevick@tigeroak.com.

Sarah Winters was recently hired as the leisure sales director for the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

Center City Philadelphia is experience a stellar 2015 with its leisure tourism occupancy.

The first six months of the year, hotels have sold 416,000 room nights for leisure travelers—a 3.8 percent from the first half of 2014. And with the pope’s visit in September on the horizon, the area will hopefully result in a leisurely record year.

New Jersey beaches have received much praise this year—Keansburg, N.J., is the latest town to be honored.

REALTOR Magazine—the official magazine of the National Association of Realtors—recently released their “Cheapest Beach Towns in America, list and placed Keansburg as No. 8, with a median list price for beachfront property of $140,000. The magazine looked at areas with a population of at least 1,000 to come up with their top 10 list.

Cvent has created a separate region for Lehigh Valley on their website dedicated to event and meeting planners. The change signals big things for the area.

Prior to being listed as its own area, Lehigh Valley was lumped in the Philadelphia region, resulting in confusion and missed opportunities. The creation will help local properties, business and companies gain a dramatic increase in their exposure to planners.