Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority Hires Industry Leader as New President

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12/21/2009

 

Winston-Salem, NC – Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has hired Richard Geiger as its new President. Geiger has extensive experience in growing all facets of the visitor industry, including cultural tourism, conventions, and sporting events, which are the key growth opportunities for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.
 
“Rich has extensive experience with national and international branding and positioning of communities and is seen as one of the top professionals in the industry,” said Roy Croop, chairman of the TDA. “We are fortunate to recruit someone with such extensive credentials, and we know this will accelerate the development of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County as a national destination.”
 
“I am excited about the potential to move Winston-Salem to the next level as a destination for meetings, conventions, and visitors,” Geiger said. “In previous positions, I have led the transformation of their markets, and Winston-Salem has exactly the assets it needs to become a well-known destination. It truly is a City of Arts and Innovation that can attract thousands of visitors each year.”
 
Geiger served from 1995 to this year as President of the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau. During his 14 years there he achieved a significant increase in convention bookings, successfully hosted amateur athletic events, and focused on cultural and heritage tourism.   Under his leadership, Buffalo exceeded the national average for hotel occupancy in 2008. 
 
He played a key role in Buffalo landing the 2011 annual meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. He was named Executive of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America Buffalo Niagara Chapter and one of Western New York’s 100 Most Influential People by Business First.
 
Previously, Geiger was the Director of Convention Sales and Marketing for Orlando CVB, and is credited with expanding its brand beyond tourism and securing national and international convention business.
 
Geiger will begin his new position on February 1, 2010.
 
For more information contact:
Roy Croop, Chair of Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority
336.725.3500
Roy.Croop@twincityquarter.com

 

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Winston-Salem is located in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean beaches. It is easily accessible by car via Interstate 40, Business Interstate 40, Interstate 77, Interstate 85 and U.S. Highway 52. Scheduled air service is available through Piedmont Triad International Airport just 20 minutes east of Winston-Salem. Accommodations range from bed and breakfasts to luxury hotel rooms. For more information on Winston-Salem, call toll free 866.728.4200; go to www.visitwinstonsalem.com; or stop by the Winston-Salem Visitor Center, 200 Brookstown Avenue in the historic Brookstown Mill area just south of downtown Winston-Salem.

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