California Travel Association

Annabel Chang is Head of State Policy & Government Relations at Waymo, an autonomous driving technology company creating a new way forward in mobility. She previously served as the first Vice President at Alaska Airlines for the San Francisco Bay Area, where she shaped and executed strategic external relations, local government advocacy, and community relations efforts. Annabel also contributed to the policy landscape as Director of Public Policy for Lyft, working on initiatives related to the sharing economy, technology policy, and autonomous vehicles. Welcome to CalTravel, Annabel and the Waymo team! Check out more tourism career moves in the link below. https://bit.ly/3xPUIkv

This week marks the start of CalTravel’s new leadership term (2024-25), and we’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new Officers, Executive Committee Directors, At-Large Board Directors, and Committee Chairs. These influential voices of the travel and tourism industry will play a key role in shaping the future of our organization in FY 2025 and beyond. New Executive Commitee Director: - John M. Hutar from The San Francisco Peninsula New At-Large Board Directors: - Terence Concannon, CATP from Visit Santa Cruz County - Melody Corvalán from Belmont Park - Donna Kalez from Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching / Oceanside Adventures - Paige P. Viren from California State University, Monterey Bay New Committee Chairs: - Communications Chair - Julie Wright from (W)right On Communications, Inc. - Sustainability & Stewardship Chair: Paige P. Viren from California State University, Monterey Bay We're especially excited to work with our new Board Chair Cassandra Costello, EVP, Chief Policy & External Affairs Officer at San Francisco Travel Association. And a big thank you to our Immediate Past Chair Chuck Davison, CDME, CEO of Pure Navigation Strategies, for his service last term. We're grateful to have such dedicated Officers to help guide the important work that we do. Check out the full leadership slate in the link below. https://bit.ly/4cK0Olr

Asm. Matt Haney's AB 1775, which would legalize cannabis cafes in the state of California, has passed out of the Assembly and is now headed to the Senate. The bill would allow cannabis dispensaries to sell non-infused drinks and foods, while also providing a space for socialization, entertainment, and cannabis consumption. Asm. Haney says the bill would support local businesses and the economy in a multitude of ways. "We have downtown commercial districts that are struggling, we have a tourism industry that needs to come back post-pandemic. This is something that could draw people out, that can bring people to California, create jobs and revenue, that can support this legal industry and allow it to offer something that can compete with the illegal illicit market," said Asm. Haney. Read the full story in the link below. https://bit.ly/3XkxDkl

Tina Riley is the Corporate Director of Public Affairs for Wincome Hospitality and the Director of Sales and Marketing for The Anaheim Hotel. Wincome Hospitality is a division of Wincome USA, a privately-owned real estate investment, development, and management firm based in Anaheim. With nearly 40 years in the industry, the company is committed to elevating experiences through its core values: customer service, true partnerships with team members, and deep connections to the communities in which they do business. Wincome Hospitality’s portfolio includes hotel and office properties in Anaheim and Costa Mesa, and previously included assets in Texas and other regions of California. Welcome to CalTravel, Tina and the Wincome Hospitality team! Check out more tourism career moves in the link below. https://bit.ly/499Yp16

Visit Huntington Beach has hired Clara Tsang as its Vice President of Public Relations and Communications. She joins the VHB team with over thirteen years of global strategic communications experience in tourism and hospitality, including positions at the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board and the Citadel Outlets where she led communications and public relations efforts to drive visitation and business. She most recently worked as the Public Information Officer at the City of San Gabriel. VHB’s three-year strategic plan outlines initiatives to drive global brand awareness, and Clara’s experience leading public relations campaigns domestically and internationally will allow VHB to successfully connect with target audiences. Congratulations on your new position, Clara! Check out more tourism career moves in the link below. https://bit.ly/499Yp16

Yvonne Hendrix is the Executive Director at Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, an organization committed to meeting the needs of the community, with a dual concern for business and for quality of life. The Chamber’s mission is to enhance quality of life and the environment by promoting tourism and assisting local businesses to expand and prosper. It also functions as an advocate for Southern Humboldt at the county, state and federal levels. It serves businesses in the region by connecting them to area residents, visitors, and other businesses—supporting and enhancing both a vibrant local economy and healthy community. Welcome to CalTravel, Yvonne and the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce team! Check out more tourism career moves in the link below. https://bit.ly/499Yp16

AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home Memorial Day weekend. The total number of travelers is up 4% over last year and comes close matching 2005’s record of 44 million. The forecast projects 38.4 million people will travel by car—the highest number since AAA began tracking in 2000. Another 3.5 million people are expected to travel by air—up 4.8% over last year and 9% compared to 2019. The number of people expected to travel by buses, cruises, trains, and other modes of transportation is expected to reach 1.9 million—an increase of 5.6% compared to last year. “We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, SVP of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.” View the full Memorial Day travel forecast in the link below. https://bit.ly/3VaePmr

Devin McConnell has joined Visit California as its Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager. Prior to joining Visit California, Devin was the Sustainability and Climate Initiatives Manager at Sonoma County Tourism, where he worked to identify and highlight Sonoma County’s existing sustainable practices and advance sustainability and climate action within the local hospitality industry. In his new role, Devin will be tasked with promoting the relevance of California’s tourism industry and the development of new sustainable travel and destination management programs to ensure the longevity and preservation of the tourism industry, as well as California’s vital economic, environmental, and cultural resources. Congratulations on your new position, Devin! Check out more tourism career moves in the link below. https://bit.ly/499Yp16

This week, over 100 travel and tourism leaders from across California gathered in Sacramento for our Spring Board Meeting and Tourism Advocacy Day to meet with legislators, reinforce the importance of travel and tourism, and elevate our most pressing issues. A BIG thank you to everyone who joined us at the Capitol this week—we appreciate your support, enthusiasm, and dedication. This event is key to our mission of protecting and advancing the interests of our industry, and your participation allowed us to move the needle on our priorities for 2024 and beyond!

Yuliana Gonzalez is Executive Director at Visit Camarillo. Also known as the Camarillo Hotel & Tourism Association, Visit Camarillo is a Tourism Marketing District that allows local lodging businesses to promote tourism in an effort to increase overnight stays. Funded by a self-assessment, the Association is comprised of community leaders passionate about promoting and enhancing the lodging industry and Camarillo community. Named for its founding family of ranchers, Camarillo is steeped in small-town charm and rich agricultural history. It’s located just an hour north of Los Angeles along Highway 101. Welcome to CalTravel, Yuliana and the Visit Camarillo team! Check out more tourism career moves in the link below https://bit.ly/499Yp16