The Board of Directors of VISIT PHILADELPHIA® today announced that following an extensive national search, Jeff Guaracino, current president and CEO of Welcome America, Inc., has been selected to lead VISIT PHILADELPHIA and its talented staff as president and CEO beginning on October 29, 2018.

Guaracino has been part of VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s growth since its early days. He joined the organization in September 2001 and spent more than a decade in leadership roles. In 2012, he left to serve as chief strategy and communications officer for the Atlantic City Alliance (ACA), a New Jersey-based destination marketing organization and later became that organization’s executive director. In 2016, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney recruited Guaracino to serve as president and CEO of Welcome America, Inc., a non-profit organization in a public-private partnership with Philadelphia to produce citywide events.

“After an extensive search that identified top-tier national candidates, Jeff was the unanimous choice of our search committee,” said Manuel N. Stamatakis, chair of VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s Board of Directors. “With more than 20 years of national and international tourism industry experience, a proven track record and deep Philadelphia roots, Jeff is uniquely qualified for this position. He has built a remarkable career in destination marketing, and we are confident that Jeff’s leadership will further elevate Philadelphia’s stature for both U.S. and global audiences.”

“Jeff is passionate about Philadelphia, and I’m confident in his expertise to become the president and CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA,” said Mayor Kenney. “This new role is a natural expansion of his longstanding enthusiasm for Philadelphia and will enable him to leverage his expertise to drive tourism to our great city.”

SOURCE VISIT PHILADELPHIA