Visit Orlando hired Las Vegas meetings veteran Lisa Messina as its new chief sales officer. She will begin her new role August 19.
Messina had been serving as chief sales officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) since September 2022, but her tenure in the city of Las Vegas has lasted much longer. Messina held a number of positions, including senior vice president of sales for Ceasars Entertainment, leading revenue strategy for the meetings and conventions segment.
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Prior to Ceasars, Messina held numerous sales leadership roles during her 16 years with Hilton Worldwide and served as the chief marketing officer for ConferenceDirect, a full-service global meetings solution company.
“Lisa Messina is a powerhouse in the meetings and conventions industry, has a tremendous reputation and a diverse hospitality background,” Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando said in a press release. “Her rich experience in leading high-performing teams, focus on driving results, passion for the industry and alignment with our company culture are exactly what our organization and destination need right now for this critical role.”
In her new role at Visit Orlando, Messina will oversee several departments, including the meeting and convention sales team, travel industry sales, membership and support services.
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“What drew me to Orlando is the outstanding leadership at Visit Orlando, the vibrant organizational culture and the incredible product that constantly grows and evolves each year,” Messina said. “I look forward to getting to know the team, members and community partners who make this such a remarkable destination, and to reconnecting and serving clients on behalf of this outstanding organization.”
Messina has received a host of prestigious awards and served on key industry boards throughout her career. In 2023, she was named one of MPI’s 50 Most Influential Meeting Professionals and has also served on CVENT’s advisory board, HSMAI’s advisory board and the executive board of the American Heart Association Southern Nevada. Messina also currently serves on the MPI’s International Board of Directors.
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