The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the hiring of Joe Taylor as incoming Executive Director upon current Executive Director, Bob Warren’sretirement. An extensive nationwide search guided by an executive search firm and local committee was conducted.
“We are delighted that through the national search process we were able to find someone with JoeTaylor’s experience and tenure in the industry. The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau has successfully accomplished a significant number of new programs that have sparked vibrant industry growth and development. We are confident that Joe will bring the energy, skills and knowledge necessary to keep our positive momentum moving forward for years to come. We look forward to Joe leading our Team, with an anticipated start date of June 4, 2018â€, said John Chaszar, President of the Board of Commissioners and Selection Committee Chairman.
Taylor comes to Evansville from the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau where he has served as President/CEO from May 1998 to present. The Quad Cities CVB consists of Davenport/Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island/Moline, Illinois. During his tenure at the Quad Cities CVB, he was responsible for growing the two-state, multi-jurisdictional CVB with annual budget of $1.3 million and multiple offices serving metropolitan and rural areas with a regional population of 350,000. He is also noted for leading the accreditation of the Quad Cities CVB by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), and was among the first 40 CVB’s in the world to achieve accreditation in 2008. The accreditation continues to date.
In addition to the Quad Cities CVB accreditation, Taylor is recognized for having a history of hosting large scale events. As President/CEO of the Quad Cities CVB, he successfully secured the Women’sInternational Bowling Congress in 1998; the National Trails Symposium in 2006; and the Missouri ValleyConference women’s basketball tournament in 2016, 2017 and 2018, with 2019 added to the original
three-year contract. His success continues with obtaining the ending points of the Des Moines Register’sAnnual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) in 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2018. The RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest multi-day recreational bicycle touring event in the world, drawing riders from across the United States and many foreign countries.
Taylor’s knowledge of sporting events extends past hosting large scale events, as he has also overseen the operations of the Quad Cities Sports Commission for many years.
His extensive background in sporting events is complimented with an incredible knowledge of hosting meetings and conventions, the river boat cruise industry and partnering in riverfront development and gaming.
“I want to thank the commission and the many community leaders whom I met during the selection process for putting the destination marketing of Evansville in my handsâ€, said Taylor. “I am thrilled to be named Executive Director of the Evansville CVB as Evansville is a dynamic community that I am excited to use my skills and abilities to continue to grow the region on the strong foundation that is in place. Iwas particularly impressed with the community’s hospitality and leadership that demonstratedEvansville is a welcoming, thriving destination that wants to grow even more. Evansville is similar to the Quad Cities in many ways so my immediate plan is to listen and learn so I can hit the ground running in selling and marketing this fantastic destination.â€
