A regional account executive joined the convention sales team in the Chicago satellite office at Visit Tampa Bay, which leads the city’s effort of economic development through tourism.
Bringing over 20 years of sales experience in the hospitality industry, Karen Johnston will be focusing on selling and representing Tampa Bay as a convention and meetings destination to the Midwest and West Coast markets.
Most recently working as director of association sales for Choose Chicago, the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Johnston’s success has been attributed to her industry expertise, passion and in-depth relationships in the Chicago area and beyond with associations in the medical, business, insurance, telecommunications and utilities markets.
Prior to Choose Chicago, Johnston worked for 16 years as director of national accounts in Global Sales for Marriott International where she was responsible for leading and assisting the hotels in achieving top line revenues through proactive and strategic selling.
Johnston earned her bachelor’s from Virginia Tech with a degree in Marketing Management. Her industry involvements include Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), where she has served on various committees for over 15 years; American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); and the Association Forum of Chicagoland.
