Chuck Davison, the new president & CEO of Visit San Luis Obispo County.
Chuck Davison leads countywide destination marketing organization
The Visit San Luis Obispo County Board of Directors recently hired a new president and CEO, Chuck Davison. The board reported that Davison replaces Stacie Jacob who has served in the role for the past four years and has decided to pursue her entrepreneurship drive focusing her full attention on her business, Solterra Strategies. Davison begins his new position on May 1.
Davison brings with him 25 years of career experience in travel, tourism, hospitality, lodging and management expertise from managing hotels and working in the gaming industry in Las Vegas, to a career at Expedia where he led the opening of the new local expert division across North America, to his experience in managing an international non-profit organization.
“Davison reached out to me several years ago inquiring about tourism in San Luis Obispo County,” said Chairman of Visit San Luis Obispo County and CEO of Martin Resorts Noreen Martin. “He was seeking career opportunities in our destination as it was the place he wanted to call home. His credentials, and will to succeed are the perfect fit for the organization as the next chapter begins for both Davison and Visit San Luis Obispo County.”
Davison’s vision for San Luis Obispo County tourism, along with his knowledge of the tourism industry, places him in the leadership role on the cusp of the county beginning its first countywide Tourism Marketing District (TMD).
“Our number one priority is seeing the formation of the TMD through to completion. The commencement of the TMD gives the unique mix of lodging constituents: hotels, motels, B&Bs, vacation rentals and RV Parks a countywide marketing voice to strengthen the destination’s brand and position the industry for future success,” said Davison. “I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with all our partners as we complete the TMD and move ahead to our first year marketing initiatives.”
Davison has been working alongside Visit SLO County as a contractor in the role of senior director through his consulting business, Pure Navigation, since August 2014. He said that his focus has been centered on: group sales and business development, TMD support and outreach, development of marketing priorities, strengthening strategic partnerships and providing strategic direction for Sunset Savor the Central Coast.
Davison outlines his first year priorities to include: increasing awareness, developing baseline consumer research, building a successful team and creating additional demand during off-peak periods.
