Weaber to Take Reins of New Orleans CVB

Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB), announced today that Brad Weaber, CMP, a 25-year meeting industry veteran who has served as executive vice president of both SmithBucklin and Experient, will become the executive vice president (EVP) of the NOCVB. This is a newly created position, effective August 1, 2013.

Mr. Weaber's appointment is one part of a comprehensive strategic and tactical reorganization of the convention and meetings program of one of the most successful destinations in the U.S. for major business, incentive, corporate and association meetings of all sizes. The NOCVB is also engaged in a national search for a vice president of convention sales (VPCS) as part of the transition surrounding the summer 2013 retirement of 31-year veteran and New Orleans legend Nikki Nicholson Moon.

The new EVP position to be held by Mr. Weaber will focus on a new, enhanced strategic direction for New Orleans as a convention destination, partnering with Mr. Perry, the board of directors, and the new VPCS in re-engineering and enhancing the production and the value of the NOCVB in today's rapidly changing meeting environment. Mr. Weaber will lead a new positioning of the NOCVB as an enhanced partner to corporations and associations, providing new services, a re-imagined customer interface and guide the development of New Orleans as a national leader in CVB reinvention and relevance in the marketplace.

Mr. Weaber currently serves as executive vice president of SmithBucklin's Event Services unit. Prior to joining SmithBucklin in January 2009, Brad held numerous leadership positions during his 18-year tenure with Experient, Inc./Conferon, including serving as executive vice president and chief customer officer responsible for overseeing the sales and account management division. Previously, Mr. Weaber held a variety of hotel management positions with the Renaissance Hotel in Springfield, IL. 

In addition, he has served as a two-time seated president of the Capital Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). He served on the Board of Trustees for the PCMA Foundation, the Starwood Customer Advisory Board and Hilton Hotels Advisory Board. Mr. Weaber is currently a member of the Las Vegas Customer Forum Board, ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). He is a respected author and contributor to many industry publications and is a featured speaker and panelist for dozens of industry trade shows.

"Brad Weaber is one of the most respected meeting professionals in the nation and a true rainmaker in our industry. His innovative ideas, strategic thinking and invaluable breadth of customer and marketplace experience will make New Orleans an even more competitive destination for meetings and conventions and add enormous value for our clients," said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of NOCVB. "We have all had the pleasure of working with Mr. Weaber and are thrilled to have someone of his caliber, intellect and experience in execution join our team. We look forward to our partnership in reinventing the new NOCVB model for the rapidly evolving meetings market."

About the New Orleans CVB: The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Phoenix and five foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrated its 53rd anniversary in 2013. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.