Julie Coker Named CEO and President of NYC Tourism + Conventions

October 23, 2024

Industry veteran to take the helm of New York City’s $74 billion tourism and meetings industry.

Julie Coker, known for her decades of leadership in the travel and hospitality industry, will be leaving her position as as the President and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) to take the helm as President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions on December 9.

Coker began her hospitality career at Hyatt, where she rose through the ranks in a variety of positions for 21 years. Subsequently, she served as the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) where she oversaw the 2017 NFL Draft and the 2016 Democratic National Convention, which had a combined economic impact of $325 million for Philadelphia. Prior to that, she was PHLCVB’s Executive Vice President, Convention Division. Her numerous board positions include serving on the Board of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). In January 2023 she was appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, joining 31 other leaders from the domestic travel and tourism industry in providing advice to the Secretary of Commerce on travel priorities.

Under Coker’s tenure, San Diego has ranked as one of the top-performing U.S. destinations: third in the nation in hotel occupancy in 2023, with the city’s groups and convention business surpassing 2019 levels. “Leading the San Diego Tourism Authority has been an incredible journey, and I’m immensely proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Coker in a press statement. “Together with our Board of Directors, members and the local  tourism community, we successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and have driven San Diego’s tourism recovery. This resilience and collaborative spirit have laid a strong foundation for my new chapter with New York City Tourism + Conventions. I’m eager to bring my passion for the tourism industry to New York City and look forward to building upon the remarkable work of the talented team in place, further enhancing the global appeal of one of the world’s most iconic cities.”

Among many accolades from travel and hospitality industry execs, Hyatt Hotels Corporation President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian cited Coker as “an extraordinary and highly respected leader in the travel industry. . . and an exceptional choice as the new leader for NYC Tourism + Conventions.” Said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, “I’ve worked with Julie on U.S. Travel’s executive board and have seen her ability to navigate complex issues, coalesce disparate communities and lead the industry to a better place. We congratulate her on this appointment in NYC.”