Press Releases

01/12/2010

  Ferguson Re-Elected Chairman of Temecula Valley CVB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Temecula, Calif. - Denis Ferguson, who helped spearhead a major tourism branding effort in 2008 and the launching of our new destination website http://www.visittemecula.org/ , was re-elected chairman of the board of directors in 2010 for the Temecula Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Joining him on the executive board of directors is John Kelliher (The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle), 1^st vice chairman, Cherise Manning (A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure), 2^nd vice chairman; Katherine Bailey (Bailey's Wine Country Escape), treasurer and Terri Delhamer (Keyways Vineyard & Winery), secretary.

"Although each one of these individuals either owns their own business or is employed by others, they work together as volunteers for the betterment of our community and enhancing the Temecula Valley's reputation as a premiere tourist destination," said Kimberly Adams, president and chief executive officer of the Temecula Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Additional elected and appointed directors to the CVB board include: Marlene Altieri (Fairfield Inn & Suites), Melody Brunsting (Melody's Ad Works), Craig Clark (Pechanga Resort & Casino), Jason Curl (Temecula Creek Inn), Tom DeMott (Embassy Suites Hotel Temecula Wine Country), Melina Ferraez (Promenade Mall Temecula), Darleen Henderson (Hampton Inn  & Suites), Steve Mallory (Pechanga Resort & Casino), Carlos Palma (Palomar Inn Hotel), Craig Puma (The Bank - Mexican Restaurant), Mario Robles-Richmond (Triple R Sports), Joy Sarolia (Quality Inn), Bill Seltzer (Temecula Valley Golf School), Jan Smith (Inland Management Group)  and Bill Wilson (Wilson Creek Winery).

Tourism continues to be a significant contributor to the local economy. A study conducted by Dean Runyan & Associates estimated that visitor spending in the Temecula Valley in 2007 reached $604.7 million, a 10.5 percent increase from 2006. Tourism-related employment in 2007 reached 6,620 workers, up 2.6 percent from 2006 and 21.8 percent from 2000.  Tourism-related spending in 2007 resulted in $23.6 million in taxes to local and state coffers, up 9.6 percent from a year ago and 16.6 percent from 2000, according to the report.

The Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, formed five years ago, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate economic growth and tourism by promoting the Temecula Valley as a premiere destination to meeting planners, tour operators and leisure travelers. The bureau is the first in Inland Southern California to use marketing assessment fees rather than taxpayer money to market the region.