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The Orange County Tourism Council (the “OCTC” or the “Tourism Council”) promotes visitors to travel to ”The OC”. The OCTC represents a wide variety official tourism organizations including accommodations; arts & culture venues; attractions; chamber of commerce’s; convention & visitor bureaus; retail & shopping centers; restaurants; transportation providers, and visitor services. The Tourism Council is governed by a board of directors, a steering committee and committees representing marketing & branding, education and advocacy. The OCTC is funded by public/private partnerships with Orange County and its visitor serving industry stakeholders.

Orange County Tourism Council
California State University Fullerton
P.O. Box 6850, Fullerton, California 92834-6850
657-278-7491 / Fax: 657-378-7521
 

Mission:
The Orange County Tourism Council enhances and promotes The OC as one of the world’s premier travel destinations in order to increase travel-related revenues and tourism employment in Orange County.

Goals:

1. Market and Brand Orange County as a Premier Travel Destination

The primary goal of the OCTC is to market and brand Orange County (“The OC”) as a premier travel destination. By packaging collective strengths, the entire region becomes financially stronger and more attractive to the visitor in the process

2. Advocacy

Every one percent variation in visitor attendance can create or eliminate 1,500 jobs in Orange County. The OCTC seeks to leverage County and partner investments in tourism to increase travel related revenues and tourism employment in “The OC”.

3. Education

OCTC serves as an information resource for government and travel industry professionals by providing education and networking forums to stay current with global visitor travel trends.

 
 
March 4, 2010 press release (click here for details)

Chairman
Steve Bone*
 Huntington Beach Marketing & Visitors Bureau

Vice Chairman
Gary Sherwin*
Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau

Secretary
Pattie Davidson*
Pattie Davidson and Associates

Treasurer
Russ Kline*
American Express

Charles Ahlers* Anaheim/Orange County VCB
Bruce Baltin PKF Consulting
James Bermingham* Montage Resort & Spa
Judy Bijlani* Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau
Werner Escher* South Coast Plaza
Patrick Fearn Certified Folder Display Service
Matt Fertal City of Garden Grove
Gina Kerley OC: California’s Golf Coast
David Hosbein Westfield MainPlace
Jeff Levy* WHERE Magazine
Chris Lowe* Disneyland Resort
Michael Maxsenti* OC - The Place
tbd Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau
Diane Pritchett South Coast Metro Alliance
Karen Richesin San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce
J.D. Shafer Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort
Paul Sitkoff City of Orange
Christy Teague City of Dana Point
Jason Ushijima Fashion Island Merchants Association
Betsy Walsh SuperShuttle
Michele Wischmeyer* Knott’s Berry Farm
Jim Vanderpool Buena Park Conference & Visitors Bureau
 
Ex-officio Board Members
Bonnie Hall
Arts Consultant
Mark Denny Orange County Parks
Jany Lee Orange County Korean Festival Foundation
Carolyn McInerney County of Orange
Chip Monaco Orange County Board of Supervisors
Phil Tsunoda Orange County Board of Supervisors
Janice Arrington Orange County Film Commission
   
Staff
  
Anita Vanaman Executive Director executivedirector@VisitTheOC.com
 

*Steering Committee

Advocacy:
Chairman, Chris Lowe – Disneyland Resort

Oversees the following:

  • Government Relations
  • Public Relations
  • Speaker’s Bureau
  • Integrate USTA Tourism Week in Orange County

Education:
Co-Chairman, Charles Ahlers – Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau
Co-Chairman, Judy Bijlani – Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau

Oversee the following programs:

  • Tourism Conference
  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Job Opportunities in Tourism and Hospitality
  • OCTC Scholarships
  • Recognition Programs
  • Review of Curriculum in Educational Institutions
  • Service Training
Marketing/Branding
Co-Chairman, Jennifer McLaughlin - Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau
Co-Chairman, Donna Mulgrew - Huntington Beach Marketing & Visitors Bureau

Oversee the Annual Marketing Plan that includes the following:

  • Brand Stewardship
  • Joint Branding Agreements
  • Individual DMO Brand Development Programs
  • Gateway Signage
  • County-wide integrated way finding system on freeways/roads
  • Work with county government including JWA/OCTA and OC Parks
  • Rack Brochure
  • Website
  • Internet Marketing
  • Promotions
  • Social Media