International marketing association honors V.I. Tourism department employee
Published: January 16, 2012
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V.I. Deputy Tourism Commissioner Chantal Figueroa has been named one of the 2011 Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Board of Directors.
The honor is given to leaders in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries for measured accomplishments during the last year.
The 2011 recipients were judged by a panel of senior industry executives for their recent work. According to the association, the judging was based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation; cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns; triumph in challenging situations; and sales efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.
"The 'Top 25' is our who's who list of sales and marketing professionals that we celebrate each year as they are innovators and have produced strong results in their respective industries," Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International President and CEO Robert Gilbert said in a statement. "These professionals have succeeded in growing business for their own organizations and have continued to inspire and raise the bar for the rest of the hospitality industry."
In her role as deputy commissioner, Figueroa has oversight of the Department's marketing initiatives including advertising, public relations, film promotion and online marketing. A U.S. Virgin Islands native, Figueroa has held various positions within the V.I. Tourism Department since 1997. She started as director of meetings and conventions, moved to assistant director and director of marketing before assuming her current role. She holds a master's degree from New York University in the field of travel and tourism management.
Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty congratulated Figueroa.
"Chantal is an exceptional leader whose hard work and dedication to our tourism industry is evident by the many successful destination promotions and marketing campaigns she's led over the last several years. We are proud of her accomplishments and pleased she has been recognized by this distinguished international trade organization," Nicholson-Doty said.
"I am truly honored by this award and will continue to give my all to promote the U.S. Virgin Islands as a world-class destination with a special Caribbean charm," Figueroa said.
- Contact reporter Aldeth Lewin at 714-9111 or email alewin@dailynews.vi.
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