Media Contact: Tim Smith
[email protected]
1.425.577.4499
Destinations International Announces Lauren Shoaf Pace as Vice President of Marketing
Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2024) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), is pleased to announce that Lauren Shoaf Pace has joined the association as Vice President of Marketing.
Pace joins DI from Travel Show Marketing Group, where she served as Vice President of Global Development, creating and executing comprehensive global marketing strategies to drive awareness, engagement and revenue growth for the company’s portfolio. Previously, during a career spanning nearly 20 years in the travel and tourism industry, Pace worked in destination organizations at both the state and local level.
During more than a decade at Visit Florida, Pace held positions including Sales Representative, Marketing & Event Planner and Director of Global Marketing and Trade. In the latter role, she was responsible for strategy development, planning, budgeting, execution, management and measurement of all traditional trade efforts, trade and consumer advertising and co-op development for 12 global markets. She oversaw management and execution of more than 65 VISIT FLORIDA Signature Events, trainings, familiarization tours, leadership visits and tradeshows annually. At the local level, Pace served as Marketing Communications Director for Visit Tallahassee, managing all public relations, social media, promotions and cooperative advertising efforts, as well as leading marketing planning and strategy.
As Vice President of Marketing at Destinations International, Pace will be responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all the association’s marketing initiatives. She will oversee the planning, coordination and execution of marketing strategies to ensure the timely and effective delivery of campaigns and projects, as well as advise and facilitate engagement opportunities for partners and members, promote DI products, tools and resources. Pace will report to Chief Operating Officer Gretchen Hall and work closely with Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications, to position DI as an industry thought leader across the globe.
Pace resides in Tallahassee, Florida, where she long has been active in civic organizations including the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, Tallahassee Auburn Club, the Junior League of Tallahassee and CHOOSE Tallahassee. She currently serves on the board of the Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI), a local organization committed to positive placemaking and community collaboration in Tallahassee, and as a committee chair for the Gilchrist Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
“Lauren is a deeply experienced marketing professional and proven leader in our industry, and I am delighted to have her join our exceptional and growing team at Destinations International,” said Hall. “Lauren’s depth and breadth of knowledge about the destination marketing industry and her hands-on experience leading innovative marketing initiatives will enhance the work of DI to support our members and the industry.”
“I’m excited to be joining Destinations International at a time of tremendous growth and opportunity for the association,” Pace said. “Having spent the majority of my career on the DMO side, I’m eager to transfer and apply that foundational knowledge more broadly across the industry to help DI’s members around the world promote their destinations as great places to visit, work and live.”
Pace joins Destinations International following an extensive search led by SearchWide Global, a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management, experiential marketing, sports and entertainment industries.
###
About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
About the Author
Tim Smith has 20+ years of strategic communications experience spanning roles in government, industry, agency and association settings. Most recently, he led corporate communications for Delaware North, a global leader in travel, hospitality and entertainment. Previously, he was Managing Director – West Coast at APCO Worldwide and Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Edelman, providing clients with senior communications and public affairs counsel. He has lived and worked outside the United States for more than a decade, including as a U.S. diplomat tasked with promoting trade and investment.
As Vice President of Communications, Tim is responsible for development and execution of strategic communications to support the association’s mission, enhance and elevate brand, and strengthen impact. He serves as primary contact for media and manages communication with global stakeholders, including association leaders, members, policymakers, media, academia, tourism industry and staff.
Tim is active in civic and professional organizations and has served on the boards of the Public Affairs Council, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and PRSA Puget Sound, among others. He has three grown children and currently resides with his wife outside of Buffalo, New York.