Visit Phoenix Grows its Convention Sales Team with New Hires

Visit Phoenix has added a trio of directors to bolster its sales and services presence in key convention markets.

Heather Trent and Tom Michalisko join Visit Phoenix’s sales team as directors of national accounts. Trent is based in Austin TX and will handle convention business in the Texas and Southern California markets, while Michalisko will oversee citywide sales efforts in Washington D.C.

Visit Phoenix also has hired Rich Cerino as its director of convention services. He will oversee the department that serves as a liaison between meeting planners and both the downtown and resort hospitality community.

Cerino boasts more than 30 years of hospitality and travel experience. He formerly served as the citywide account director for the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, which he helped open in 2008. Cerino is a member of the Professional Conference Management Association (PCMA) and the Association Forum of Chicago.

Trent brings 15 years of hospitality sales experience to her new role at Visit Phoenix. She recently served as a global account executive at ConferenceDirect, where she executed site selection and contract negotiations. Trent previously held convention bureau sales positions in Washington D.C., representing Chicago, Denver and Indianapolis. She has been an active member of PCMA, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Destination Management Association International (DMAI) and the Texas Society of Association Executives.

Michalisko has more than 20 years experience in the hospitality and meetings industry. He spent the past 10 years as a strategic account manager at Experient. Prior to that he worked for 12 years in hotel sales and operations. Michalisko has held the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation for more than 10 years.

Visit Phoenix is a not-for-profit organization that markets Greater Phoenix as a travel and meetings destination, and serves as the primary booking agent for the Phoenix Convention Center.