Description

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Accelerating Our Brand and Competing in Today’s Global Marketplace featuring Dave Herrell, President & CEO of Visit Quad Cities and the QC Sports Commission.

As the region’s official destination management organization (DMO), Visit Quad Cities is charged with driving economic development and growth opportunities through tourism. Dave Herrell leads the vision, strategy and day-to-day operations of the non-profit, community-based organization. Hear first-hand Herrell's vision for the Quad Cities and ways we can build on our region's brand and compete in today's global marketplace.

About the speaker:
Dave serves as the President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities and the QC Sports Commission. Visit Quad Cities is the region’s official destination management organization (DMO) charged with driving economic development and growth opportunities through tourism. Herrell leads the vision, strategy and day-to-day operations of the non-profit, community-based organization. The Visit Quad Cities team is responsible for sales & visitor experience; brand marketing, engagement & PR; and destination development of the QC. 
 
A proven executive with more than twenty years of experience, Herrell has a background in destination and brand marketing, administration, operations, strategic planning, business development, fundraising, communications and non-profit management.
 
Prior to joining Visit Quad Cities, Herrell led the City of Jacksonville’s Office of Sports & Entertainment as their Sports & Entertainment Officer. He was responsible for Sports, the Office of Special Events, the Film & Television Office and the city’s public access venues. A Mayoral appointee, he served as the city’s senior level director within the sports, entertainment and facility space. Herrell led the operation of annual signature events such as the Florida-Georgia Game, Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the Sea & Sky Airshow to name a few. He further managed the City’s Sports & Entertainment Complex Capital Maintenance Fund and was a principal on the $90MM TIAA Bank Field stadium renovation project which included the creation of Daily’s Place (outdoor amphitheater and Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice facility).  
 
Herrell has held leadership positions with the Arizona Sports Foundation, the Nashville Sports Council and Music City Bowl, Inc. Throughout his career, he has been involved with hundreds of projects that have yielded more than $800MM in direct economic impact. He further served on the team that created Nashville’s post-season collegiate Bowl game, the Music City Bowl. He was involved with a $292MM NFL relocation (Tennessee Titans) and an NHL conditional expansion franchise bid (Nashville Predators).
 
Active in the community where he lives, Herrell served on the Board of Directors for the JAXSPORTS Council, Board of Governors for the JAX Chamber and as a Board Member of Visit Jacksonville. He also served on the Economic Development Committee for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he is a Leadership Middle Tennessee graduate and was recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader Award Winner by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. He has been a guest lecturer and presenter at several universities and civic organizations during his career. 
 
A native of St. Louis and a graduate of the University of Missouri, he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication. He and his wife Connie and their two kids recently relocated to the Quad Cities area from Ponte Vedra, FL.
 
Favorite thing about the Quad Cities: Best pizza on the planet
Favorite quote: “Dream big. Take action.”
Favorite vacation spot (outside of the QC, of course): Anywhere in Australia


If you need any special requirements to attend this meeting please contact  Marcy Hyder at [email protected]
 
If you are not a current Quad Cities Chamber member and are interested in attending this event, please contact Marcy Hyder at (563)823-2690.

​Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be received at least 72 hours in advance in order to receive a registration refund. You may transfer your registration to another person within your company at no additional cost.