ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - (July 15, 2014) - The Visit Albuquerque (Visit Albuquerque) announced that Jeff Poole has been hired as director of sales for the organization. In his new role, Poole will play a leadership role in managing a team of sales managers and support staff who together sell Albuquerque as a premier meetings, conventions and events destination. He will be dividing accounts in the Northeast and Washington, D.C. markets with Visit Albuquerque's associate director of sales.
For the last 10 years, Poole has owned and operated his own business, managing group sales accounts for five mid-size destinations. Prior to his most recent role, he held senior sales and marketing positions for several hotels and also represented the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board in the Washington, D.C. market.
"Jeff's experience within the industry, in addition to his outstanding relationships with key industry planners, will be a tremendous asset to Visit Albuquerque," said Rob Enriquez, vice president of convention sales, services and sports. "He has an excellent reputation within the industry, and we are proud to have him join our team."
"I'm particularly excited to sell Albuquerque to meeting planners because of all the momentum happening in the city right now," said Poole. "With the convention center renovation rapidly approaching completion, plus all the downtown revitalization projects in motion, now is the time for planners to be booking their meetings in the Southwest's premier destination."
Poole is an active member of several key industry organizations, including: Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Association of Meeting Professionals (AMPs) and Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP). He attended the University of Maryland and will relocate to Albuquerque from northern Virginia to begin working with Visit Albuquerque in early August.