LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has appointed Mario Thompson as chief sales officer (CSO).
Thompson joins the organization with more than 20 years of sales leadership experience at Hilton Hotels and Resorts and Marriott International, working across major U.S. markets. Most recently, he served as market director of sales and marketing for JW Marriott L.A. LIVE and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles.
As CSO, Thompson will oversee Los Angeles Tourism’s global sales and services strategy, focusing on attracting meetings, conventions, and significant events to hotels and venues throughout the region, including the Los Angeles Convention Center campus.
“After an extensive, national search conducted by Korn Ferry, we could not be more excited to welcome Mario to our executive team,” said Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism. “Having spent much of his career successfully representing destinations that compete directly with Los Angeles, Mario brings a valuable perspective on what sets our community apart, and I’m confident that he will leverage that insight to sharpen LA’s competitive positioning in the global meetings marketplace.”
Thompson’s appointment reflects Los Angeles Tourism’s continued focus on collaboration with industry stakeholders and efforts to strengthen the city’s position in the global meetings and events market. “It’s an honor to be joining Los Angeles Tourism at this exciting moment in time,” said Thompson. “Los Angeles is an unmatched destination for meetings and events, with its world-class venues and hotels and dynamic cultural landscape. I look forward to working with our citywide, hotel sales, and services teams and partners across the Los Angeles region to showcase everything our city has to offer and secure transformative events for the future.”
