|
|
|
 |
ATA eNewsletter July 2009
Tourism Leader Highlight
ATA will also showcase the different tourism leaders from various areas of our great state. Similar to our Board Member Highlight, we want to bring out both the professional and personal side of some of our long-time tourism leaders. This month, we are proud to feature Kate Cavaliere Birchler, Senior Director of Marketing at Westcor in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kate Cavaliere Birchler has dedicated nearly 10 years to her two top passions: shopping and traveling. As a member of the marketing team for Westcor, she spent the last nine years leading the tourism department overseeing the development of the marketing initiatives for the portfolio’s shopping centers across the US. Recently she moved into a new role as the senior manager of marketing for Scottsdale Fashion Square and Biltmore Fashion Park while still serving as the company’s resource for tourism efforts. Kate created and initiated tourism programs that generated pre- and post-arrival awareness for visitors by forming joint ventures within the tourism industry as well as representing the shopping centers in various industry organizations. Kate is involved with the executive board of Shop America Alliance and Shop CA, and active member of Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Travel & Tourism Sector and International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). She is serving her second three-year term as a commissioner for the City of Scottsdale Tourism Development Commission and is chair of the Scottsdale Retail Advisory Board. She was recently elected to the Board for the Valley Hotel & Resort Association and also participates in the Arizona Tourism Alliance, Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kate is also involved in the community by serving on the auxiliary board of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. In 2005, Kate was named Tourism Person of the Year by Shop America Alliance, the travel and tourism industry's exclusive shopping association, representing over 200 of the top shopping and dining destinations, shopping centers, retail stores and outlets throughout the US. Kate is a newlywed, she and her husband enjoy traveling (they spent two weeks in Italy for their honeymoon) and are currently remodeling their new home.
Q: What inspires you about our industry? A: The tourism industry, especially in Arizona, is a tight-knit force – this entity unites to ensure its protection, provides the opportunity to impact our economy and better our state. The tourism industry is also a tight-knit force on a personal level – interact with anyone from within the industry and there’s someone who offers support, assistance and guidance – we’re all in this together and I think it’s very evident there’s a real bond. And this industry offers a dynamic, larger than life group of personalities – I’ve developed some of my closest friendships from this industry. Q: What is your favorite travel destination? A: It’s a tie: New York City and London – I love the energy and how the cities engage all of your senses. Q: What are your words to live by? A: Be true to yourself; stay positive and optimistic; seek balance; see the best in people; smile; and when in doubt, seek retail therapy! Q: If you could have lunch with anyone who would it be? A: Oprah for the pop culture fanatic in me; and Michelle Obama for understanding that balance of being a mother, wife and business woman. Q: What is the most important attribute of a leader in your opinion? A: To give credit where credit is due – recognition and praise are two of the most important elements for supporting your team.
|
||
 |
||||
 |
|
|
|
|
copyright © (2005) Arizona Tourism Alliance, all rights reserved.