Huntington Beach, Calif.— June 29, 2021 — Visit Huntington Beach (VHB), the official destination marketing organization of Huntington Beach - Surf City USA®, announces the promotion of Brittany Tesmer to digital marketing manager and a redefined role for Sophia Valdivia to senior manager of business development. In addition, VHB welcomes Jeff Campana, Gerald Fuentes, Kevin Keller, Denice Yeager as part-time and part-time seasonal visitor experience specialists (VES).

Valdivia joined VHB in 2015 and has played a key role in reshaping the travel trade and film department. Over the years, she has successfully built destination awareness in the domestic and international travel trade markets, identified optimal filming opportunities for Huntington Beach, and managed the organization’s creative and graphic services. As she transitions into her redefined role as senior manager of business development, she will be responsible for promoting Surf City USA as an overnight destination to tour operators, travel wholesalers/resellers, and travel agents across the U.S. and key international markets, as well as develop industry-leading tourism programs that meet and exceed VHB’s business objectives and revenue goals.

Tesmer has been instrumental in growing Huntington Beach’s online presence through the Surf City USA website, blog, and social media since joining VHB in 2017. Previously, as the content marketing manager, she used her knowledge and experience to secure VHB’s official Instagram verification, grow audiences to over 345,000 followers across all social media platforms, produce the yearly Huntington Beach visitor guide, and average over 2.5 million page views to SurfCityUSA.com annually. As the digital marketing manager, she will continue leading VHB’s social media channels and website, with an expanded role collaborating on VHB’s leisure marketing campaigns and programs, including SEO/SEM, negotiating and managing digital advertising programs, and analyzing performance metrics.

“The team closely examined the anticipated department needs as we come out of the pandemic and adjustments were made accordingly to set up VHB’s marketing and business development programs for success,” said Omark Holmes, chief marketing officer. “I am excited for what lies ahead for Sophia and Brittany and I look forward to seeing them shine in their updated roles.”

The VES staff are responsible for bringing the Surf City USA brand promise to life by creating a positive and memorable experience for guests and residents of Huntington Beach. As part of the visitor and partner services department, the staff will be providing in-person customer service at the visitor information kiosk at the Huntington Beach Pier, the VHB office welcome center, and temporary visitor information booths at Huntington Beach events, group meetings and activations. Campana, Fuentes, Keller and Yeager bring their collective experiences in tourism hospitality, knowledge of the Southern California area, and friendly positive disposition to the VES role.

“After a 14-month visitor services closure, we’re excited to bring back Jeff, Denice, and Kevin in the new position of visitor experience specialist. All are previous VHB staff and have a wealth of visitor knowledge about Huntington Beach and the surrounding areas. Jerry is a new addition who brings extensive travel experience and a foodie’s love of travel to the team,” said Nicole Llido, director of information technology and visitor & partner services. “The focus of this new VES position is to provide customized recommendations to help visitors and residents discover all there is to do, eat, and experience in Huntington Beach. Not only will they be at the Visitor Information Kiosk at the Pier and our Welcome Center in Downtown HB, but they will also be at events throughout the city, including a summer weekend pop-up at Bella Terra. We look forward to the travel industry’s recovery and welcoming visitors back to Surf City USA.”

About Visit Huntington Beach

Visit Huntington Beach is the official destination marketing organization of Huntington Beach, Surf City USA®. One of Southern California’s premier coastal destinations, Huntington Beach is the ideal location for a California family vacation, active outdoor adventure trip or relaxing weekend getaway. With 10 miles of wide-open beaches, Huntington Beach is a destination of choice for vacationers and business travelers alike. To plan your Surf City USA® vacation, or learn more about Huntington Beach, visit www.surfcityusa.com, call 1-800-729-6232, or view the complimentary digital Visitors Guide.

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Surf City USA® is a registered mark of Visit Huntington Beach