Black Meetings & Tourism - GREATER NEWARK CVB SUSPENDS OPERATIONS

Industry Briefs
GREATER NEWARK CVB SUSPENDS OPERATIONS
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken another victim, recently forcing the Greater Newark Convention & Visitor’s Bureau to temporarily suspend operations. Karin Aaron, one of the hospitality industry’s brightest stars, spent her last day as president/CEO of the GNCVB on April 30. In parting, the 35-year industry veteran, one of only 12 African-Americans heading up CVBs in the nation, stated “The Newark market took a beating and unfortunately our funding model (hotel occ) creates a massive financial shortfall for the organization.” In an emotional letter to her bureau colleagues, industry partners and local elected officials, Aaron wrote: “I hope all is well and you are staying safe during this time. It is with a heartfelt sorrow that I advised you of my departure from Newark as President & CEO of the Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau. It has been a pleasure working with you and I am excited about the relationships we have formed over the last 3½ years. As an advocate for partnerships, I firmly believe that we could not have accomplished what we’ve done without your participation. So, please know that I am eternally grateful.” Aaron and her GNCVB team did indeed accomplish much during her tenure as head of the bureau, including opening Newark’s first official Visitor Information Center, producing Newark’s first official Visitor Information Guide, and launching the city’s first destination videos, to name but a few. Most importantly, under Aaron’s leadership at the CVB, Newark achieved record hotel occupancy and ADR for the last three years in a row. Te rest of the GNCVB team is currently working from home, eager to relaunch bureau office operations when appropriate. Aaron is currently exploring opportunities to continue in the industry at an executive level position once the pandemic passes and travel returns. If you are interested in contacting Aaron she can be reached at karin.aaron@yahoo.com , or on her cell at (973) 902-6351.

Industry Briefs

GREATER NEWARK CVB SUSPENDS OPERATIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken another victim, recently forcing the Greater Newark Convention & Visitor’s Bureau to temporarily suspend operations.

Karin Aaron, one of the hospitality industry’s brightest stars, spent her last day as president/CEO of the GNCVB on April 30. In parting, the 35-year industry veteran, one of only 12 African-Americans heading up CVBs in the nation, stated “The Newark market took a beating and unfortunately our funding model (hotel occ) creates a massive financial shortfall for the organization.”

In an emotional letter to her bureau colleagues, industry partners and local elected officials, Aaron wrote:

“I hope all is well and you are staying safe during this time. It is with a heartfelt sorrow that I advised you of my departure from Newark as President & CEO of the Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau. It has been a pleasure working with you and I am excited about the relationships we have formed over the last 3½ years. As an advocate for partnerships, I firmly believe that we could not have accomplished what we’ve done without your participation. So, please know that I am eternally grateful.”

Aaron and her GNCVB team did indeed accomplish much during her tenure as head of the bureau, including opening Newark’s first official Visitor Information Center, producing Newark’s first official Visitor Information Guide, and launching the city’s first destination videos, to name but a few. Most importantly, under Aaron’s leadership at the CVB, Newark achieved record hotel occupancy and ADR for the last three years in a row.

Te rest of the GNCVB team is currently working from home, eager to relaunch bureau office operations when appropriate.

Aaron is currently exploring opportunities to continue in the industry at an executive level position once the pandemic passes and travel returns. If you are interested in contacting Aaron she can be reached at karin.aaron@yahoo.com , or on her cell at (973) 902-6351.