NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR REGIONAL TOURISM OFFICE
Green Bay, Wis.
June 13, 2002

The Green Bay Area Visitor & Convention Bureau and Packer Country Regional Tourism Office is proud toannounce the hiring of an Executive Director.

Kari Sliva comes to Packer Country from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Sliva was hired following a nationwide search. As Vice President of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, Sliva directed all activities of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Council Bluffs is among the top 20 gaming destinations in the country, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually to three casino resorts.

During her nine years at Council Bluffs, she transformed a fledgling CVB into a highly respected, top-producing bureau within the state of Iowa. The city was named Iowa's Tourism Community of the Year in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001. She also initiated the "Iowa's Leading Edge" marketing campaign for Council Bluffs, which won best-in-the-state awards for web site and Visitor Guide.

Sliva has served as President of the Western Iowa Tourism Region and Chairman of the Nebraska/Iowa Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Coordinating Council. As Vice Chairman of the Loess Hills Alliance, she worked with the National Park Service and other partners in seven counties on marketing initiatives which led to the development of a National Scenic Byway.

"Kari brings to our region vast experience in tourism marketing and sales, developing new revenue sources, and gaming partnerships along with the entrepreneurial skills to take our regional tourism efforts to the next level," said Tim Quigley, Green Bay Area Visitor & Convention Bureau Board of Directors and Search Committee Chairperson.

"I'm thrilled to join the Green Bay VCB team," Sliva said. "I literally fell in love with the area during my visit. I had an opportunity to tour the new Resch Center and saw the tremendous progress on Lambeau Field. In addition, the lakeshore communities add a special charm to the region. There is a solid foundation on which to grow tourism here, and the enthusiasm for the community is contagious," she said.

Kari Sliva officially joins the Green Bay Area Visitor & Convention Bureau and Packer Country Regional Tourism Office on Monday, July 8.

CONTACTS:

Brenda Krainik
Marketing Director
Phone: 920/405-1176
E-mail

Tim Quigley
Board Chair
Packer Country VCB
Phone: 920/336-6123
Email