Coker Leaves San Diego Tourism Authority for NYC

 

San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) President and CEO Julie Coker was hired to lead New York City Tourism + Conventions Board of Directors, effective December 9.

Coker, who has served in executive roles in the tourism and hospitality industries for more than three decades, including a leading the Philadelphia CVB, led SDTA since 2020.

“Julie is a respected industry expert and deeply experienced leader who will steward both NYC Tourism + Conventions and New York City’s $74 billion tourism economy,” said NYC Tourism + Conventions Board Chair and Shubert Organization EVP Charles Flateman in a statement announcing the hiring. “I want to thank Nancy Mammana, our CMO, for also serving as our Interim CEO for the past four months and paving the way for a seamless transition. I also want to thank the search committee—Emily Rafferty, Luis Miranda, Melba Wilson, John Calvelli, Dan Nadeau and Marlene Poynder—who diligently led our recruitment effort with a commitment to finding the best talent in the country. We are thrilled to have Julie on board.” 

Coker said she will look back fondly on her leadership role at the SDTA.

“Leading the San Diego Tourism Authority has been an incredible journey, and I'm immensely proud of what our team has accomplished,” Coker said in the statement. “Together with our Board of Directors, members and the local tourism community, we successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and have driven San Diego’s tourism recovery. This resilience and collaborative spirit have laid a strong foundation for my new chapter with New York City Tourism + Conventions. I’m eager to bring my passion for the tourism industry to New York City and look forward to building upon the remarkable work of the talented team in place, further enhancing the global appeal of one of the world’s most iconic cities.” 

According to the news release San Diego has ranked as one of the top-performing U.S. destinations during Coker’s tenure, ranking third in the nation in hotel occupancy at 73.5% in 2023, while the city’s groups and convention business surpassed 2019 levels and the tourism industry generated $14.3 billion in visitor spending.