Leonard Hoops Named CEO of Indianapolis CVA

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. March 29, 2011

March 28, 2011 - Leonard Hoops, executive vice president and chief customer officer with the San Francisco Travel Association, has accepted a position as president and CEO with the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA).

Hoops' last day with San Francisco Travel will be May 26, following the conclusion of U.S. Travel's International Pow Wow 2011 event being hosted in San Francisco. He will begin his new post May 31, overseeing the ICVA's annual budget of $13 million and 59 full-time staff.

“I am very proud of Leonard and the work that he has been able to accomplish since he joined our team. His strategic thinking and energy will be missed,” said Joe D'Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel. “It's no surprise that when Indianapolis conducted a nationwide search and narrowed in on a small list of extremely qualified candidates, Leonard rose to the top.”

Michael Browning, chairman of the board of the ICVA, added, “Leonard's proven sales results, extensive marketing expertise, and strong convention industry knowledge make him the ideal person to take Indianapolis to the next level and capitalize on the city's new investments.”

Hoops has directed the sales, marketing and services efforts of San Francisco Travel's convention and tourism development divisions since 2006, with his team producing more than $1.5 billion annually in future convention and group travel business. He has been a key contributor to the establishment of the San Francisco Tourism Improvement District, significantly enhanced the organization's sales processes and business development strategy, generated new international travel-trade programs, overseen planning for Pow Wow 2011, and played an integral role in the renovation and future expansion of Moscone Center.

“Indianapolis is a rising convention and tourism destination with $3 billion of first-tier infrastructure coming on line in the last few years and I'm excited to be asked to lead the ICVA's efforts to bring more visitors - and visitor dollars - to the region,” said Hoops. “But you can't leave a city like San Francisco, and many wonderful colleagues and partners at San Francisco Travel, without mixed emotions. This is a magical place and Dorene, Cannon and I will be frequent visitors to see friends and family, and to just take in the sights, sounds and flavors of San Francisco. I'm sure we'll have Golden Gate Bridge withdrawals.”

Hoops added, “I'm appreciative of the tremendous production of my team, the mentoring and friendship of Joe D'Alessandro, and the lifelong relationships that my family and I have developed during our four and a half years here.”

Prior to his position at San Francisco Travel, Hoops had served as senior vice president & chief marketing officer for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, senior vice president of marketing for the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, and in various corporate communications roles for a $1 billion division of FMC Corp.

Hoops has been named one of the “25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing” by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Jose State University and a master's in business administration from Santa Clara University.

The San Francisco Travel Association is a private, not-for-profit organization that markets the city as a leisure, convention and business travel destination. With more than 1,500 members, San Francisco Travel is one of the largest membership-based tourism promotion agencies in the country. Tourism, San Francisco's largest industry, generates in excess of $8.3 billion annually for the local economy. The San Francisco Travel business offices are located at 201 Third St., Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103. San Francisco Travel also operates the Visitor Information Center at Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market Street at the corner of Powell and Market streets. For more information, call 415-974-6900 or visit www.sanfrancisco.travel.

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