Patrick Kaler
President & CEO at Visit Buffalo, Buffalo Convention Center and Buffalo Sports Commission
- Role
- President & CEO at Visit Buffalo
- Location
- Buffalo, NY, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Patrick Kaler
As the President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, I oversee three tourism organizations: the destination marketing and management organization, the convention center, and the sports commission. I report to a 21-member board of directors and manage a workforce of over 150 employees and a combined budget of nearly $12 million. My mission is to promote and develop the Buffalo Niagara region as a premier destination for visitors, conventions, and events.With over 30 years of experience in senior leadership roles in the tourism industry, I have a proven track record of leading organizational change and driving key strategic and measurable performance. During my career, I have successfully worked in diverse and politically driven environments, ranging from urban to rural settings. I pride myself as a dynamic, charismatic, and influential leader, speaker, and writer with expertise in marketing communications, social networking, and hospitality. I am passionate about creating and marketing tourism products that showcase the unique assets and attractions of the destinations I serve.
Experience
President & CEO
Jan 2014 — Present · Buffalo/Niagara, NY, US
Serve as the chief executive officer of three tourism organizations: destination marketing organization, convention center and sports commission, under the auspices of Visit Buffalo. Reporting to a 21-member board of directors, while overseeing at total workforce of over 150 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees and combined budgets of nearly $18 million generated through Erie County bed tax, state grant funds, and convention center revenue. The Buffalo Niagara region is experiencing a tourism renaissance with over $5 billion currently invested in new tourism infrastructure, including over in new hotel accommodations, as well as waterfront and attraction development.
Education
Parkland College
Business
1985 — 1987
Western Illinois University
BS, Tourism
1987 — 1992
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MS, Tourism
2002 — 2004
Rantoul Township High School
High school diploma.
1981 — 1985
Skills
- Hospitality Industry
- Public Relations
- Media Relations
- Integrated Marketing
- Product Marketing
- Social Networking
- Social Media Marketing
- Leadership
- Tourism
- Public Policy
- Marketing Strategy
- Nonprofits
- Product Management
- Market Research
- International Marketing
- Budgeting
- Customer Service
- Advertising
- Public Speaking
- Resorts
- Event Management
- College Teaching
- Destination Branding
- Trade Shows
- Event Planning
- Strategy
- Product Development
- Non-Profits
- Press Releases
- Destination Marketing
- Marketing Communications
- Budgets
- Heritage Tourism
- Community Outreach
- Sustainable Tourism
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Cultural Heritage
- Social Media
- Management
- Hospitality
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