Susan Wilcox

Vice President of Communications
California Travel and Tourism Commission
(916) 319-5412
www.visitcalifornia.com

In July 2000, Susan Wilcox became the first Chief Deputy Director of the industry-led California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), a nonprofit organization created to market California as a desirable travel destination and to increase the Golden State's share of tourism-related revenues. Susan is responsible for overseeing CTTC's communications and industry relation needs to support the multitude of programs developed through the Commission, and serves as a spokesperson for California's $96.7 billion tourism industry. CTTC's strategy has been to act as a catalyst to leverage resources available for common marketing goals. Cooperative funding has been developed from private and other governmental sources in every major category of California Tourism's program. This unique public/private partnership has not only allowed California Tourism to retain a competitive edge in the global marketplace, but has been the key to creating the most progressive marketing program in the nation.

In late 2006, Susan's diverse responsibilities were streamlined to oversee the Operations and Industry Relations functions as the organization grew to a $50 million budget level. Most recently, Susan has been named to the position of Vice President of Communications at CTTC. In this role, she directs CTTC's media and industry relations and communications efforts, as well as continuing to support the Rural Tourism Program and acting as Co-Chair of the California Cultural and Heritage Tourism Council.

Prior to her role at CTTC, Susan served the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency as the Marketing Director in the Office of Marketing and Communications. In that capacity, she put together the first cooperative advertising campaign for the economic development community and brought together state economic development and tourism partners to create the $1.3 million "Taste of California" events touring the globe with the IMAX film Adventures in Wild California.

Susan is a native Californian who has enjoyed a wide-ranging career in California state government.