AZBEES_TOPTEN
AZBEES_finalist-2020

This Just In

Visit Seattle Appoints Its First Woman CEO

Marlene Goldman, Executive Editor
Tammy Blount-Canavan

SEATTLE — Visit Seattle recently named Tammy Blount-Canavan its new President and CEO, marking the first time in history the organization has appointed a woman to the position. Blount-Canavan replaced Tom Norwalk, who recently retired after leading Visit Seattle for more than 15 years.

“I am humbled to carry the honor of being the first woman to lead Visit Seattle and delighted to join a large cast of women in leadership in this amazing community,” Blount-Canavan said.

“I am so happy for Tammy, our Visit Seattle team and our incredible city,” Norwalk stated. “I have so enjoyed working with Tammy over the years — in forming the Washington Tourism Alliance or, on the streets of Shanghai, representing and promoting our region to key clients and media in China. I have witnessed firsthand that she knows and loves this city and region.”

Related: First Woman CEO Takes Helm at Choose Chicago

Blount-Canavan, originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, most recently served as Executive Vice President-Principal at Fired-Up! Culture, a business management consulting firm. She was also past chair of the DMO trade association Destinations International.

“I was excited to learn that Tammy Blount-Canavan has been chosen to succeed Tom Norwalk as the new President and CEO,” Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International, said in a statement. “Tammy is an experienced and passionate leader who is very familiar with the Seattle region and its many offerings for leisure visitors, meetings and conventions, and business travelers.”

Blount-Canavan served as President and CEO of the Tacoma Regional CVB from 2008 to 2012, and was President and CEO of the Monterey County CVB, for which she was awarded CEO of the Year.

She has received numerous accolades during her three decades in the industry, including earning recognition as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry, and twice as one of the top 25 Most Influential Women in the industry. She was named the 2019 recipient of Destination International’s Global Leadership Award, and was recognized as Community Leader of the Year, Sustainability Advocate for the California Travel Association and Leading for Positive Impact by the Canadian Impact Conference.

Reach Tammy Blount-Caravan at tcanavan@visitseattle.org

 

 

TSE Data Center