CONTACT: Michelle Rodriguez, Director of Communications
Visit Santa Barbara and Film Commission
805.966.9222 x112, [email protected]

KATHY JANEGA-DYKES ELECTED TO US TRAVEL ASSOCIATION BOARD
President and CEO of VSB to represent Santa Barbara in a National Forum

Santa Barbara, CA  (March 12, 2013) — Kathy Janega-Dykes, President and CEO of the Visit Santa Barbara & Film Commission, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association as a Director-at Large.  Janega-Dykes will begin her two-year term on the association board of directors in April.

The U.S. Travel Board of Directors is the overseeing and governing body of U.S. Travel, the nation’s top promotional and advocacy organization for the travel industry.  U.S. Travel leads and coordinates travel marketing programs that bring visitors to the U.S., including advertising, promotional efforts and the International Pow Wow (IPW), the pre-eminent international trade show.  The association is a strong advocate for the travel industry in the halls of Congress and also provides widely-respected economic data for its members.

“I am honored to be chosen to represent tourism in Santa Barbara on a national level,” said Janega-Dykes. “Through this appointment I will have the chance to collaborate with prominent members of the travel sector and develop new partnerships for the local hospitality industry.”

“U.S. Travel is fortunate to be served by a body whose experience broadly reflects America’s diverse travel interests,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “As the leader of a wonderfully distinct destination, Kathy brings a unique perspective to the U.S. Travel Board of Directors. We look forward to her contributions as we address a variety of critical issues such as visa reform and infrastructure that impact travel to and within our country.”

The full results of the 2013 member-wide vote are as follows:

Officers:

National Chair: Rossi Ralenkotter, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
(through June 12, 2013)

National Chair-Elect: Jim Abrahamson, Interstate Hotels and Resorts
(starting June 13, 2013)

First Vice Chair: Todd Davidson, Travel Oregon

Second Vice Chair: Mike Gallagher, CityPASS, Inc.

Treasurer: Kathleen Matthews, Marriott International

Secretary: Susan Whitaker, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

At-Large Directors Serving First Term (April 2013-2015):

Sean Bayliss                            GTA
Roger Brooks                           Destination Development International
Clay Gregory                            Visit Napa Valley
Andy Ingraham                         National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc.
Kathy Janega-Dykes                Visit Santa Barbara and Film Commission
Lynn Minges                             North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
Darienne Wilson-Mobley          Louisiana Travel Promotion Association
Jonathan Zuk                            Amadeo Travel Solutions

Re-Nominated At-Large Directors Serving Second Term (April 2013-2015):

Scott Beck                                Visit Salt Lake
Ralph Brennan                          The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
John Edman                              Explore Minnesota Tourism
Cathy Gonzales                        Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
Jay Karen                                 Professional Association of Innkeepers International
Harry Sladich                            Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Paige Williams                          The Chickasaw Nation

ABOUT THE U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $1.9 trillion in economic output and supports 14.4 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.

ABOUT SANTA BARBARA
Voted Best Getaway by L.A. Times Readers’ Choice Awards in 2012, Santa Barbara is located just 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco, on the Pacific coastline. Visitors can arrive via scenic Highway 101, Amtrak train or Greyhound bus or by flying into Santa Barbara Municipal Airport or Los Angeles International Airport. For travel and accommodation information and to request a free copy of the official Santa Barbara County Visitors Magazine, contact the Visit Santa Barbara and Film Commission at 800.676.1266, 805.966.9222, [email protected] or santabarbaraCA.com. Visitor information is also available at the Visitor Center, 1 Garden Street (at Cabrillo Boulevard).

MEDIA INFORMATION
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