Obama names CVB heads to Tourism Advisory Board

The Obama Administration selected CEO’s from two major destinations to serve on the U.S Travel and Tourism Advisory Board in February 2010. Steve Perry, president of the New Orleans CVB, and Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Association, will join 27 other hospitality CEOs on the board. Both will offer recommendations and expertise to the president on all travel industry matters, including air transportation, homeland security, visa issues, tourism marketing, business travel, meetings and conventions and more.

“New Orleans has never before had this kind of representation at the top of all major national tourism and travel organizations,” says Steve Pettus, New Orleans CVB chair. “We are extremely proud of Stephen for successfully leading the revival of tourism in its most difficult time during Katrina and a national recession and now representing our destination on the international scene. His volunteer service on these three prominent boards will bring tremendous value to New Orleans’ tourism industry, now and future.”

Perry also sits on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association and Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), which recently named him its new board chair, effective this summer.