SAN JOSE, Calif.
Team San Jose has named Karolyn Kirchgesler as its new CEO following a yearlong search process. Kirchgesler is an industry executive with 25 years of experience, including running a similar merged CVB-convention center model.
The Team San Jose Board of Directors unanimously approved Kirchgesler, who is currently President & CEO of Visit Saint Paul, in large part because she successfully engineered a merger between the former Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and RiverCentre Convention & Visitors Authority in Minnesota, and has run that combined entity successfully for nine years. Her unique experience there, which is similar to Team San Jose’s structure, made her the stand out in a very competitive search process, Mulcahy said.
Kirchgesler comes to San Jose with more than 25 years of industry experience and just completed a three-year term as board member for the leading convention and tourism industry association, Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). Prior to serving as leader of Visit Saint Paul, she held executive level roles with Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau (executive director), Sioux Falls Convention Center (director of Sales & Marketing) and Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau (executive director).
As CEO, Kirchgesler, who will start in late September, will lead sales, marketing, communications, and operations for Team San Jose, helping drive economic growth by attracting conventions, meetings, cultural events and tourism to the city. She will work closely with Team San Jose Chief Operating Officer Dave Costain, a 30-year hospitality industry veteran, Team San Jose’s Board of Directors and Executive Team, and City of San Jose Administration including the City Manager to continue the organization’s recent strong progress in business and economic development.
Team San Jose (TSJ) is an innovative partnership that unifies the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotels, arts, labor and venues in an effort to deliver an exceptional visitor experience. TSJ manages the San Jose Convention Center and Arts and Entertainment venues including the California Theatre, the Center for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater, Parkside Hall, San Jose Civic and South Hall.
