Tico Soto

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is pleased to announce the appointment of veteran tourism industry professional Tico Soto, CDME, as director of tourism. He returns to the CVB from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau where he was director of sales since 2005. Soto served as international sales manager for the New Orleans CVB from 2001 to 2005.

In his role as director of tourism, Soto will report to vice president of tourism Kim Priez and will be responsible for guiding the sales team in prospecting for new business, identifying emerging industry trends and opportunities, and working closely with the CVB’s international offices. He will also coordinate participation in trade shows and sales to domestic and international tour operators, travel agents, travel packagers, online travel agencies, and other leisure travel professionals.

“We’re very excited to welcome Tico back to New Orleans to work with our tourism sales department. His experience, energy, and knowledge of the market will be an invaluable asset to our team,” said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB. “As we seek to grow to 13.7 million visitors by 2018, Tico will play a key role in marketing our city and our members to the entire world.”

Soto recently completed coursework from Destination Marketing Association International to become a Certified Destination Marketing Executive. He is a past president of the Louisiana Society of Association Executives and a past member of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association board of directors.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.neworleanscvb.com
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