Michelle Vennard

Michele Vennard is currently the President and CEO of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau; she joined the Bureau in January of 1992. As the president she oversees and directs all bureau operations, which focus on promoting Albany as a convention, group tour and leisure travel destination. The Bureau is a 501-C6 corporation governed by its Board of Directors and serving more than 300 members.

Previously, in July of 1987, Ms. Vennard was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Development, NYS Department of Economic Development, Division of Tourism. Her responsibilities included the management of all operational and marketing functions related to tourism statewide. She oversaw active domestic and international tourism development and marketing programs all designed to increase tourism activity statewide.

Before joining the Department of Economic Development, Ms. Vennard was associated with New York State Destinations, a tourism destination marketing firm. She was also the first Director of Tourism for the Albany Convention Bureau from 1981 to 1983 and previous to that held various marketing positions including R.H. Macy's in both New York City and Albany. Ms. Vennard is a graduate of the Sage College of Albany.

Ms. Vennard has served on the Executive Committee and Board of the National Council of State Travel Directors and Travel Industry Association of America. She has also served as a member of TIA's Discover America Implementation Task Force and was a member of the U.S. Travel Data Center's industry review panel for the travel economic impact model. She is currently serving on an advisory committee that is evaluating brand effectiveness and impact of the I Love New York Campaign.

Locally, Ms. Vennard is a member of the Strategic Initiatives Committee of the Center for Economic Growth. She is a current member and past Chairperson of the Albany Local Development Corporation and past President of NYS Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. In 2005 she was appointed to serve on the Albany Convention Center Authority by Mayor Jennings. She serves on the board of the Palace Performing Arts Center in Albany . She is also Chairs the Board of Trustees of The Sage Colleges in Albany and Troy, and represents Colleges on the University Heights Assoc. Board of Directors.

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