New Bureau President & CEO to Speak at Tourism Tuesday
LENOX — Lauri Klefos, president and CEO of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, will speak on “Berkshire Tourism: Challenges & Opportunities” on May 27 at the bureau’s monthly Tourism Tuesday noon luncheon at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club.Klefos joined the bureau on March 29 after serving as president and CEO of the Arizona Tourism Alliance, a Phoenix-based statewide tourism trade association. There she directed the planning and fundraising for the statewide annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism and the annual Tourism Unity Dinner. Klefos moved to Phoenix in 2004 to become director of tourism marketing for Moses Anshell Advertising, supervising the marketing campaign for the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Klefos was director of New Hampshire’s Division of Travel and Tourism Development from 1996 to 2004, where she managed a $5.4 million budget and provided leadership to secure additional funds through partnership programs. Under her direction, the state saw an 18% increase in visitor revenue while an online customer relationship marketing program she initiated led to a 23% reduction in operating costs and documented a 30% conversion rate.
New Hampshire’s ad campaign won numerous national awards for broadcast and print campaigns, printed publications and web solutions during Klefos’ tenure. She also directed and garnered support for a complete re-branding initiative for the state. Klefos was integral in the founding of a trade association to promote locally grown and made products and helped create a volunteer recruiting and training program for statewide information centers.
Members and non-members are invited to attend Tourism Tuesdays, which are held to provide educational industry information, foster networking opportunities and offer an introduction to the Bureau and its activities. Lunch is a buffet with dessert, and the cost is $18 for members and $22 for nonmembers. For a reservation or information, call (413) 743-4500, ext. 219, by May 21.
