Tourism is foundational to economic development and Diann has been involved in delivering strong results in tourism for more than 30 years. She has focused on destination marketing and management, public relations, elevating community profiles, securing designations, and delivering tourism education at all levels. Even though most of her experience is with larger organizations, Diann says her heart lies with rural communities where tourism can make a greater impact through economic development.
Again, as with all of our professionals, she has had a varied career, starting as the Executive Director of a combined Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau in a small town in Texas. From there, after serving as the Executive Director of the McKinney Convention and Visitors Bureau, she served for four years as the SVP of Member Services and Development for the Texas Travel Alliance, a 700+ member organization where she assisted with program development of the Texas Travel and Tourism College and Rural Tourism Workshops.
More recently, Diann served as Vice President of Discover San Angelo and President of Visit Tyler, where she oversaw Visitor Center operations, significant marketing and operations budgets and management of staff. In addition, in order to strengthen the marketing position of tourism, she secured multiple designations including Texas Music Friendly, Texas Film Friendly, #1 and #2 True Western Town in America for four years and the Visual Arts Capital of Texas
Diann then did one of the most unique things ever in the tourism industry. She drove the entire perimeter of Texas – to promote How Big Is Texas – collaborating with local leaders to identify and promote hidden gems and foster sustainable tourism growth in places where it is often challenging to come by. That adventure has extended into development of educational workshops, training, production of in-depth content and storytelling, to elevate and celebrate communities across the state.
Education
- Associate of Arts, Tyler Junior College
- Bachelor of Arts, Sam Houston State University
Memberships, Certifications, Recognition
- Certified Tourism Executive
- Texas Destination Marketer
- Member: Texas Travel Alliance Board
- Former Member: Texas Travel Alliance Executive Committee, Legislative Affairs Co-Chair
- Member: Tyler Junior College Alumni Board
- Former Member: Tyler Sister Cities Board
- Former Member: Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau Board
- Former Member: Texas Forts Trails Region Board
- Former Member: Dallas Fort Worth Area Tourism Council Board
- Former Member: Texas Lakes Trail Region Board
- Gene Phillips Hospitality Award – Texas Department of Transportation Travel Division
- Texas Highways Magazine – Friendliest Tour Guides in Texas Award
- Member: Sisters on the Fly