Destination Coventry has appointed a new strategic board with strong private sector representation to drive growth in the city and wider region’s visitor economy.
The board will be chaired by Paul Michael, managing director at Coventry Building Society Arena. The appointment comes after 12 months of changes at Destination Coventry, including a new business model, partnership marketing approach and rebranded leisure and business tourism arms.
The organisation represents leisure tourism through Visit Coventry and business tourism across Coventry and Warwickshire via the recently relaunched Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau.
The 13-member board spans hospitality, events, cultural and night-time economy sectors. Hotel representation comes from Michael Lyons at Hotel Indigo Coventry and James Howard from Hampton by Hilton Nuneaton. Events specialists include Chris Hartley of Hartley Consulting and Events and Paul Bartlett of Warwick Conferences.
The creative sector is represented by Becky Rooney, founder of Film Friendly, and Jonathan Owen of Superstruct UK Festivals. Chris Mcturk, owner of 147 Nightclub in Coventry, brings night-time economy expertise.
Public sector members include Paula Deas from Coventry City Council, Jo Dobson from Coventry University Group, and Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. The board sits under the Chamber Group structure.
“Following a robust selection process, with some really strong applicants, we have built an in-depth board which will play a crucial role in positioning the city and wider region as a world-class destination for business and leisure tourism,” said Michael.
Becky Frall, head of tourism at West Midlands Growth Company, will support the board in an advisory role to maintain connections with the broader regional tourism sector.
Board members are appointed for three-year terms.