Assistant Director Tammy Jeffries to be promoted into role

Raleigh, N.C. (June 3, 2021) – The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) today announced the retirement of Julie Brakenbury, CGSP®, Director of Destination Services for the bureau effective July 30, 2021. Tammy Jeffries, CGSP®, who is currently the Assistant Director of Destination Services will be promoted to Director of the department, replacing Brakenbury.

“When Julie joined our team, she completely shaped the Destination Services Department and her stellar work has been a big factor in the many awards Visit Raleigh has won over the years for excellence,” said Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Visit Raleigh. “She brought professionalism and passion to work every day with the commitment to ensure our clients and partners always received the best service possible.”

Brakenbury joined Visit Raleigh in 2007 to develop the services team, and under her leadership the bureau’s sales, sports and services teams have received multiple awards from the meetings and convention industry.

Her professional hospitality experience spans more than 20 years and includes hotel sales, destination marketing, group sales and now convention and visitor services. Prior to joining the Bureau in 2007, Brakenbury was the Association Sales Manager for the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club. Prior to that, she was the Director of Sales at Discover Durham and, before that, served as the Director of Sales for the Augusta Metropolitan CVB.

Although retiring from Visit Raleigh, Brakenbury is also President of the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) and will continue to lead the association in this role through the conclusion of her term in January 2022.

“Retiring from Visit Raleigh is both a happy and a sad occasion for me,” said Brakenbury. “It has been an honor to serve the destination and this organization. I am grateful to have had the opportunities that have come my way as a result of the role I’ve had here, and to have worked with such a stellar DMO. I’m proud to have been a part of a destination services team that has come to represent significant expertise in event servicing, as well as customer service excellence both regionally and nationally. As I move on to the next chapter in my life, I wish the entire staff of Visit Raleigh much success as they move on and lead the destination into the future.”

Jeffries has been with Visit Raleigh since 1997 and as the Director of Destination Services will now oversee convention, meetings, special event and sporting event services for everything from small groups to citywide events, as well as visitor services provided through Visit Raleigh’s official Visitor Information Center. She will also handle large corporate, SMERF, association, religious, international group tour and non-convention events, like the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass.

Jeffries also serves on the leadership group for ESPA, Meeting Professionals International Carolina’s Chapter (MPI-CC) and serves on the City of Raleigh Special Events Task Force.

Edwards added: “Tammy has been a valued and sensational employee for over 24 years working primarily in our services department. Her knowledge of the industry, the Greater Raleigh area, along with her love for the destination, puts her in a position to excel in her new role. We look forward to having her as our new Director of Destination Services.”

“As a direct result from my experience in the hospitality and service industry and with the supportive efforts of Visit Raleigh’s leadership team, I am excited to lead the Destination Services Department at the bureau with integrity and my personal commitment to be inclusive, influence and inspire,” said Jeffries.

She added: “I look forward to bringing forth more opportunities to educate the hospitality community on what we do and how we might serve them best. I also plan to focus on enhancing visitor experiences and bringing forth more collaboration between our peers in the industry, meeting and event planners, partners and community stakeholders, all with the end goal of encouraging repeat business and stimulating economic growth.”
 

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh), is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the economic position of and provide opportunity for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes nearly 18 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.9 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 28,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $284 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $727 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

Media Contact:
Scott Peacock, Visit Raleigh
Director of Public Relations
919.645.2676
speacock@visitraleigh.com 

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