TOURISM & ENTERTAINMENT
{ TOURISM }
DEBBIE JOHNSON Director Arizona Office of Tourism visitarizona.com
For more than 20 years, Johnson has championed the benefits of Arizona tourism to audiences ranging from U.S. Senators at the nation’s capital to hospitality students at local high schools. As director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, she plays an integral role in marketing Arizona to visitors around the world. Johnson’s passion for the value that tourism provides to Arizona through economic development, job creation and quality of life, drives her daily efforts. Professional accomplishment: “Being asked by Gov. Doug Ducey to lead our state’s tourism marketing agency is something I never imagined possible. It has been an incredible experience and I’m truly proud every single day to be part of the fantastic team here at the Arizona Office of Tourism.”
KIM SABOW
President and CEO Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association azlta.com
Sabow previously served as director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, led international affairs for Gov. Doug Ducey, served as assistant vice president of state relations for the University of Arizona, as well as serving in three previous gubernatorial administrations. Business advice: “Surround yourself with strong talent. Hire people smarter than you. Listen. Communicate. Take risks and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Never stop learning. It’s OK not to have all of the answers. Focus on collaboration and modernization. Most of all, be authentic and do what you love.” Surprising fact: “I have a passion for sports. I grew up playing competitive tennis and went to college on a tennis scholarship. My career goal at the time was to be a sports broadcaster.”
STEVE MOORE President and CEO Visit Phoenix visitphoenix.com
A 40-year veteran of the visitor industry, Moore helped secure state funding for the expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center and was inducted into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame in 2012. Business advice: “Have a thick skin and learn to love 60-hour work weeks.” Toughest challenge: “The hijacking of our state’s brand during the SB 1070 saga, including the boycott of travel to Arizona. We responded by initiating mass fly-ins of customers so they could see the REAL Arizona for themselves. Our work with the Real Arizona Coalition influenced the National Council of La Raza ... to lift its boycott of our state, sending the signal that illegal immigration is not just an Arizona issue but a national one, and making it easier for us to get back to the business of booking conventions.”
RACHEL SACCO
President and CEO Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau experiencescottsdale.com For 30 years, Sacco has played an integral role in Scottsdale’s tourism industry. She has been inducted into Scottsdale’s History Hall of Fame, ASU College of Public Programs’ Alumni Chapter Hall of Fame and Arizona Governor’s Tourism Hall of Fame. Superpower: “The superpower I would love to have and to bestow on everyone I meet is the ability to see the absolute best in every single person. I think the world would be a totally different place if we could look inside others and see those kernels of goodness.” Dream dinner: “I’m preparing to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim soon. With that in mind, I would love to spend time with Edward Abbey. We would sit at the bottom of the Canyon watching the Colorado River flow by over a cold beer. That’s probably all we’d need.”
LORRAINE ZOMOK
Manager Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau visitglendale.com Zomock is the manager for the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the first CVB in the West Valley, representing 14 communities. She currently serves on the state of Arizona’s Tourism Advisory Council. She is also active in several community boards and groups, including the Glendale Woman’s Club, the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors, the Glendale Historical Society, Rotary and the Arizona State University West Campus Community Board. Toughest challenge: “Developing a robust tourism program that showcased the entire West Valley was a challenge the Glendale team took on with pride, energy and passion. We are now celebrating our fifth year as the CVB representing all West Valley communities. We have facilitated huge increases in tourism growth in the region.”
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