Joe D’Alessandro Honored by Destinations International

Destinations International honored Joe D’Alessandro, President & CEO of San Francisco Travel, with the organization’s 2020 Destination Organization Leadership Award. The Destination Organization Leadership Award was created in 2017 and is amongst the association’s most prestigious honors, recognizing those outstanding individuals who, through their exceptional work and achievements, have made a significant contribution to the destination marketing industry and a profound difference in the communities they serve. Since taking the position as President & CEO in 2006, D’Alessandro has driven San Francisco Travel to adopt the San Francisco ethos of community, innovation, openness and change as its core business values. The organization has embraced an award-winning comprehensive digital marketing strategy that makes the most of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. It has forged partnerships with and between hotels, attractions, and neighboring destinations to maximize both the visitor experience and organizational goals. Among his many achievements is the development of the San Francisco Tourism Improvement District, which created a unique and sustainable funding structure that has become a national model for tourism promotion. He led the massive renovation and expansion efforts of the Moscone Center, one of the most in-demand convention centers in the nation. And the organization has rebranded and refocused, charting an ambitious strategic course that includes focused efforts in destination management, sustainability, economic development and public policy.