Black Meetings & Tourism - VISIT ALEXANDRIA ANNOUNCES JUAN CARLOS RIVERA AS DIRECTOR OF SALES

Industry Briefs
VISIT ALEXANDRIA ANNOUNCES JUAN CARLOS RIVERA AS DIRECTOR OF SALES
Visit Alexandria , the official destination marketing and management organization for Alexandria, Virginia, today announced that Juan Carlos Rivera is joining the organization’s leadership team as Director of Sales. In this role, he will lead sales strategies, build relationships with member businesses and industry stakeholders, while positioning Alexandria as a top destination for meetings and group travel across key markets. Juan Carlos brings an extensive career spanning more than 20 years in hospitality and sales leadership, both at internationally recognized hotel chains and independently owned hotels in diverse and critically acclaimed markets, including Virginia, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Before joining Visit Alexandria, he served as Opening Director of Sales and Marketing at AC Hotel by Marriott Arlington National Landing, the largest AC Hotel by Marriott in North America, where he led commercial strategy and guided high-performing sales teams. “We are excited to welcome Juan Carlos to Visit Alexandria,” said Todd O’Leary, President & CEO of Visit Alexandria. “His collaborative leadership style and more than two decades of hospitality and sales experience make him exceptionally well suited to lead our destination sales team at this pivotal moment. As we prepare to expand our focus on meetings and group business, Juan Carlos is the ideal person to help position Alexandria as a premier destination for these key market segments.” “I am beyond thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter with Visit Alexandria,” said Juan Carlos Rivera. “I'm honored to join an organization that plays such an important role in supporting the city's hospitality industry. I look forward to building meaningful partnerships, attracting new meetings and events, and helping create opportunities that benefit our entire community.” With Alexandria in the national spotlight, meeting and event planners choose the destination for its accessible location and wealth of unique venues and accommodations. Juan Carlos’ strategic mindset and authenticity make him a standout leader who will champion our sales team throughout the hospitality and tourism industry while fostering a culture built on creativity, teamwork and joy. Visit our meetings and groups page to learn more about how to connect with the rest of our expert sales team. ABOUT VISIT ALEXANDRIA AND ALEXANDRIA, VA Visit Alexandria is the nonprofit destination marketing and management organization for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Voted a Travel + Leisure Top 10 Best City in the U.S. 2026 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2025, Alexandria is a welcoming escape on the Potomac River, just minutes from Washington, D.C. Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel. Visitors can immerse themselves in Alexandria’s history, from the Founding Fathers to Black Americans who shaped the U.S. Stroll Old Town’s King Street, lined with 200+ local restaurants and shops and enjoy intimate historic museums and new waterfront experiences.

Industry Briefs

VISIT ALEXANDRIA ANNOUNCES JUAN CARLOS RIVERA AS DIRECTOR OF SALES

Visit Alexandria , the official destination marketing and management organization for Alexandria, Virginia, today announced that Juan Carlos Rivera is joining the organization’s leadership team as Director of Sales. In this role, he will lead sales strategies, build relationships with member businesses and industry stakeholders, while positioning Alexandria as a top destination for meetings and group travel across key markets.

Juan Carlos brings an extensive career spanning more than 20 years in hospitality and sales leadership, both at internationally recognized hotel chains and independently owned hotels in diverse and critically acclaimed markets, including Virginia, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Before joining Visit Alexandria, he served as Opening Director of Sales and Marketing at AC Hotel by Marriott Arlington National Landing, the largest AC Hotel by Marriott in North America, where he led commercial strategy and guided high-performing sales teams.

“We are excited to welcome Juan Carlos to Visit Alexandria,” said Todd O’Leary, President & CEO of Visit Alexandria. “His collaborative leadership style and more than two decades of hospitality and sales experience make him exceptionally well suited to lead our destination sales team at this pivotal moment. As we prepare to expand our focus on meetings and group business, Juan Carlos is the ideal person to help position Alexandria as a premier destination for these key market segments.”

“I am beyond thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter with Visit Alexandria,” said Juan Carlos Rivera. “I'm honored to join an organization that plays such an important role in supporting the city's hospitality industry. I look forward to building meaningful partnerships, attracting new meetings and events, and helping create opportunities that benefit our entire community.”

With Alexandria in the national spotlight, meeting and event planners choose the destination for its accessible location and wealth of unique venues and accommodations. Juan Carlos’ strategic mindset and authenticity make him a standout leader who will champion our sales team throughout the hospitality and tourism industry while fostering a culture built on creativity, teamwork and joy.

Visit our meetings and groups page to learn more about how to connect with the rest of our expert sales team.

ABOUT VISIT ALEXANDRIA AND ALEXANDRIA, VA

Visit Alexandria is the nonprofit destination marketing and management organization for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Voted a Travel + Leisure Top 10 Best City in the U.S. 2026 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2025, Alexandria is a welcoming escape on the Potomac River, just minutes from Washington, D.C. Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel. Visitors can immerse themselves in Alexandria’s history, from the Founding Fathers to Black Americans who shaped the U.S. Stroll Old Town’s King Street, lined with 200+ local restaurants and shops and enjoy intimate historic museums and new waterfront experiences.