HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 10-2003 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.
To:
From:
Subject:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~} ~
City Manager ~'
DIRECTOR OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Date: January 14, 2003
This Letter to the Commission is to inform you of a recent appointment I have made in the
Administration. Donna Shaw will be joining the City of Miami Beach as the Director of
Tourism and Cultural Development beginning in early February, 2003.
As you will recall, back in June of 2001 when I implemented phase one of the
Administration's reorganization, I envisioned creating four consolidated new depadments.
The Public Works and Operations, Capital Improvement Program Office and Neighborhood
Services Department have already been created and are up and running. The final one is
the Department of Tourism and Cultural Development whose mission it will be to further
develop the City's focus on tourism and culture.
The Department will include the Arts, Culture and Entertainment Division (which includes
Special Events, Film and Print, and Art in Public Places); the Cultural Arts Council; the
Convention Center and Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts; the Tourism,
Convention and Protocol Office; and will serve as the liaison to the Bass Museum of Art
and the Visitors and Convention Authority (VCA). Donna will report to Christina Cuervo
and work closely with us to develop and implement an overall, comprehensive plan for
tourism and cultural affairs on Miami Beach and will also be working closely with the
Greater Miami Conventions and Visitors Bureau and the Performing Arts Center in Miami.
Donna comes to Miami Beach with more than twenty-five years of experience in the
tourism and cultural arts, most notably as the Director of Tourism & Film for the State of
Illinois Department of Commerce & Community Affairs, where she worked from 1991 to
1999. In this position, she managed one of the largest tourism budgets in the nation,
created Illinois' first long range strategic tourism development plan, developed a
performance-based business plan that dramatically increased the economic impact of the
tourism industry in Illinois, and created the State's first heritage/cultural tourism economic
development model uniting over 1,000 community stakeholders, eight State agencies and
created seven heritage development areas. While the Director of Tourism & Film, Donna
was awarded the American Marketing Associations Golden Effie Award three times for
having led the most effective travel advertising campaign and served on the Board of
Directors of the USA National Tourism Organization, the USA Marketing Council, the
Association of Travel Marketing Executives, the Travel Industry Association of America,
and the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism Implementation Board.
Donna has also worked for a number of marketing and advertising companies, including
her most recent position with the Custom Marketing Group (CMG), where she served as
Vice President for Business Development & Corporate Communications; previously for
Bozell Advertising Worldwide where she served as Vice President Account Manager for the
Illinois State Lottery; and also for Zechman & Associates Advertising Agency where she
served as Vice President Account Supervisor for the Illinois Bureau of Tourism Account. In
addition, Donna has worked as an Assistant General Manager and the Director of Sales
and Marketing for several hotel properties and as the Director of Public Affairs for the
WMAQ Radio (a National Broadcasting Company) in Chicago.
A national search was conducted for the City by Executive Performance Search. Several
hundred candidates applied for the position and the top seven candidates were invited for
interviews that were conducted by a panel consisting of representatives from staff and
relevant stakeholders who made a recommendation to me. After meeting with Donna and
speaking to several people that she has worked for and with, I knew that she was the best
and most qualified candidate for this important position.
Please join me in welcoming Donna to our team. I am sure that you will find her to be
highly qualified and professional. I have attached a copy of her resume for your
information as well as a copy of the position description for the Director of Tourism and
Cultural Development.
Should you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG\CMC\ri
Electronic copy: Executive Staff and Management Team
Attachments
F:/cmgr/all/LTC03/DonnaShaw.doc
Donna Shaw
PROFILE
Innovative, achievement-focused leader with 20 years of experience in tourism/hospitality industry
management. Strong analytical skills coupled with core qualifications in integrated marketing and
innovative business practices backed by dynamic communication skills. Established reputation as a
leader and motivator in both centralized and decentralized business cultures. Proven ability to mobilize
resources to produce high quality and results oriented programs.
CORE
DISCIPLINES
Strategic planning
Market analysis & branding
Differentiable product development
Creative & resourceful problem solving
Public speaking
Cultural/heritage tourism development
Customer/constituency development
Technology integration
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Custom Marketing Group
Vice President Business Development & Corporate Communications
1999-Present
Recruited to design and implement USA travel industry branding campaign for Europe.
· Model design produced multi million-dollar public/private sector partnership marketing campaign for
consumer & trade.
· USA travel industry spokesperson throughout U.K. and Germany
· Facilitated successful adoption of international model by Travel Industry Association of
America's "SeeAmerica" U.K. campaign.
Illinois Department of Commerce & Community Affairs 1991 - 1999
Director of Tourism & Film
· Managed largest tourism budget in the nation
· Developed performance-based business plan that increased economic impact of'industry by 50.7% and
budget growth 52%
· Created state's first long range strategic tourism development plan
· Restructured statewide public and private sector industry organizations and associations to maximize
resources for long-range growth.
· Designed grant programs for dynamic government/private sector partnerships
· Lead nation in development of technology initiatives to link buyers to sellers
· Created industry's first heritage/cultural tourism economic development model uniting over 1, 000
community stakeholders; eight state agencies and creating seven heritage development areas.
· Created industry's first private sector grant partnership for securing Meetings and Conventions & Sports
Events.
· Developed first multi-cultural marketing brands
· Developed, positioned and implemented state's first research agenda collaborating with the University of
Illinois to provide actionable data for short and long-term business decisions.
Donna Shaw, Page 2
Performance Measures (Director of Tourism & Film)
· Increased economic impact of industry by 51% ranking 5~ in America
· Increased
· Increased
· Increased
Increased
· Increased
international growth 38% ranking 6th in America
number of jobs directly supported by industry 18%
number of state counties with more than $100 million in domestic travel related expenditures 89%
hotel/motel occupation tax receipts 62.5%
leisure trips to state 20%
Increased consumer inquiries 237%
Three time recipient of American Marketing Associations Golden Effie for most effective travel advertising
Boards and Commissions (Director of Tourism & Film) · White House Conference on Travel & Tourism Implementation Board of 39 members
· USA National Tourism Organization Board of Directors
· USA Marketing Council
· Travel Industry Association of America Executive Committee
· Association of Travel Marketing Executives Board of Directors
Bozell Advertising Worldwide, Chicago
Vice President Account Manager, Illinois State Lottery Account
· Developed, positioned and introduced nation's first lottery TV game show
· Developed multi game strategies to increase sales 30%
· Launched private sector promotional partnerships to increase sales and open unique
distribution channels.
1988 - 1991
Zechman & Associates Advertising Agency, Chicago
Vice President Account Supervisor, Illinois Bureau of Tourism Account · Award winning multi-brand campaigns
· Developed statewide industry network for product development
· Integrated public and private sector interests to build industry relationships
· Served as liaison between Office of Tourism and private sector
1985 - 1988
Introduced business practices and policies for statewide performance based marketing effort
Recipient of industry's "Tourism Person of the Year" award
Midland Hotel, Chicago
Assistant General Manager
1978-1985
Designed and orchestrated turnaround plan for independent Chicago property
Developed and implemented $3 million hotel renovation
Spearheaded new business development plan to brand hotel as corporate headquarters of
financial district Fortune 100 companies.
Launched nation's first use of in-room computer terminals garnering global press coverage.
National instructor/public speaker on subject of "Successful innovations in Hotel Marketing."
Executive House Hotel, Chicago
Director Sales & Marketing
1974-1978
National Broadcasting Company -WMAQ RADIO 1966 - 1974
Director of Public Affairs; Editorial Director; Director of Promotions; Assistant to the Vice President
and General Manager.
EDUCATION
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois School of Communications, Bachelor of Science Degree.
2
Director of Tourism and Cultural Development
City of Miami Beach
The Position
The Director of Tourism and Cultural Development is a new and unique position responsible for attracting tourists,
promoting culture in the Cit3~ of Miami Beach, and ensuring that cultural events enhance tourism. The Director of Tourism
and Cultural Development is a Department head in the Ci~ of ~fiami Beach. The Director will work closely with the City
Manager and the City Commission of IXfiami Beach and with the City's hotels, restaurants, and arts and cultural
organizations.
The City of Miami Beach
The CiD' of Nfiami Beach is a dazzling beach community of 90,000 residents. The City has an annual budget of
approximately $300 million, with a general fund of $165 million. Over $30 million of this budget is derived from bed and
restaurant taxes. With seven miles of beaches, three golf courses, 20 parks, Lincoln Road Mall, and South Beach/Ocean
Drive, over 40% of visitors to Greater Nhami stay on ~fiami Beach. Hotel, restaurant entertainment, performing arts and
retail sales amount to over $2.5 bilhon, lYfiami Beach is home to the Art Deco Hotels of South Beach/Ocean Drive and to
an increasing number of world class hotels. It is also home to the Bass Museum of Art, the Wolfsonian Museum, the Ziff
Museum, the New \Vorld Symphony, and the 3,fiami Ciw Ballet. The Director of Tourism and Cultural Development will
be responsible for the coordination of seven offices within the Department. More importantly, this position will require
interaction with hundreds of organizations in the entertainment, cultural and tourism business within the Greater I~fiaxm
area, the tri-county area, the state, and the country.
Responsibilities of the Director of Tourism and Cultural Development
Pr/maD, responsibilities to be performed by the Director of Tourism and Cultural Development include:
· Maintaining direct supervision of staff responsible for the Office of Arts, Entertainment and Culture, the Cultural Arts
Council, the Bass Museum, the Jackie Gleason Theatre, the Visitors and Convention Authority, the lx, fiarm Beach
Convention Center, and the Tourism, Convention, and Protocol Offices
· Working closely with the City's Offices of Economic Development and Grants Management
· Developing and maintaining on an annual basis a comprehensive strategic plan for enhanced tourism, cultural affairs,
and entertainment in Miami Beach
Developing an integrated budget for the Department which further enhances its missions and directives
Working closely with the City Manager to develop and implement the overall plan for tourism and cultural affairs on
~Miami Beach
· \Vorking closely with staff at the Greater I¥fiami Convention and Visitors Bureau
· Working closely with the Performing Arts Center of IX, fiami
Essential Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree in public affairs, business, administration, arts management, or another appropriate field
· At least seven years of progressively responsible related experience
· A minimum of three years experience in tourism, tourism development and/or arts and culture development
· Demonstrated networking skills
· Excellent oral and written communication skills
· Experience with Strategic Planning in a collaborative environment
City of Miami Beach Page 1
Desirable Qualifications
· Strong experience working within a municipal government
· Experience in non-profit management
· Experience in event management and planning
· Experience in Marketing and/or Public Relations
· Grant writing
· Experience in sales and event or product promotion
Knowledge
· Knowledge of the tourism industry
· Knowledge of the cultural arts
· Knowledge of public accounting and budgeting
· Knowledge of the economics of tourism and the arts
Skills and Abilities
· Abihty to lead a large and diverse group of professionals and volunteers within a murficipal government
· Ability to market hotels, restaurants, and other tourist deslmations
· Ability to attract people to participate in cultural events
· Ability to establish strong working relationships with officials and professional staff of zXfiami-Dade County, the City
of ~fiami, and other municipalities
· Ability to work with pubhc relations firms and the media
· Ability to effectively evaluate programs in the City of l\fiami Beach and in the cultural organizations that receive grants
from the City
Personal Characteristics
· Creative, enthusiastic and a team player
· High enerD,, dynamic, and visionary
· Passionate about and a strong advocate for the arts
· Quick learner
· Persistent and able to see projects through to completion
Compensation
Compensation: Commensurate in the neighborhood of $90,000-$95,000 plus benefits
Timetable: Position now available (9/16/02)
City of Mi,ml Beach Page 2