Visit Tucson CEO leaving for Texas, search begins for replacement

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Posted on Oct 21, 2021 at 11:21 am

TucsonSentinel.com

Brent DeRaad, President and CEO of Visit Tucson for the past nine years, today announced his resignation to become head of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau in Texas.

DeRaad will remain in office until November 26th. Visit Tucson’s board of directors has started the search for DeRaad’s successor.

“I would like to thank Brent for his many contributions to Visit Tucson,” said John Denker, chairman of the Visit Tucson board, in a press release. “Under his leadership, Visit Tucson has expanded recreational, meeting and sports travel to our area by embracing and promoting what makes Tucson unique.

“We also appreciate his deep involvement with several Tucson nonprofits and his leadership role in Arizona tourism. We wish him every success in Arlington. “

During his tenure as director of the Tucson Tourism Group, DeRaad held executive positions for the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association and the Destination Marketing Association of the West (DMA West). He also served on the board of directors of the Arizona Bowl College Football Bowl Game and the Tucson Conquistadores, which host the city’s annual PGA TOUR Champions event. He is also a member of the Arizona Governor’s Tourism Advisory Council.

During DeRaad’s tenure, Visit Tucson was able to increase bed tax revenues, develop a 10-year tourism master plan, take advantage of the first American UNESCO City of Gastronomy, help restart Tucson’s film industry, and face the many challenges of the world Mastering pandemic era, the group said.

Visit Tucson’s board of directors has appointed Felipe Garcia as the organization’s interim president. Garcia has been with Visit Tucson for 17 years, including the last nine as Executive Vice President of the company.

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