Philadelphia, PA...February 17, 2015...The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) today announced the hiring of Tim Haggerty as its Vice President of Sales. Haggerty, working alongside the Senior Vice President of Sales, will assist with the overall sales strategy for the PHLCVB and managing of the day-to-day operations of both the citywide convention sales and hotel convention sales team. After a long and highly regarded career in the hospitality industry, Haggerty brings great familiarity of the market to his new position. His experience includes exceptional client relation skills, great team leadership abilities and a strong love for the city of Philadelphia. He will begin his new role in February.

“Tim is a welcome addition to the PHLCVB team and his proven leadership will help take our sales efforts to the next level,” said Jack Ferguson, President and CEO of the PHLCVB. “His knowledge of the industry and unparalleled customer service skills will not only be a great contribution to our organization but also to Philadelphia, as we continue the momentum developed over the past year to draw even more meetings and conventions to the city.”

“Tim's intimate familiarity with the largest hotel in our city and state, his familiarity with our city and how it works, and most of all his close relationships with so many of our customers make him a game-changing asset to PHLCVB,” said Greg Stafford, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association President. “Furthermore, he is a leader and a magnet for and developer of talent, continuously making those around him better. I couldn't be happier for Tim, the PHLCVB, and Philadelphia.”

A 27-year veteran of Marriott Hotels, Haggerty most recently worked as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, helping to increase occupancy over 75 percent for the first time in the hotel's 20-year existence. Under his leadership, they also received the 2003 Sales Team of the Year award for the Eastern Region and the 2006 Sales Team of the Year award for Marriott International, North American Hotels.

“It is so exciting to be in a position in your hometown where you get a chance to positively influence the over 50,000 people employed in the hospitality industry,” stated Haggerty. “Together we will keep talking about all the great things Philadelphia has to offer and work hard to convince more customers why it makes sense for them to bring their meetings to our city.”

Haggerty began his career in the restaurant business before joining Marriott in 1988 at the Seaview Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in New Jersey. He then joined the pre-opening sales team at the Philadelphia Marriott downtown in 1993, two years prior to the hotel's opening. He returned to Seaview in 1999, then in 2001 came back to the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown where he stayed until ending his 27+ year Marriott career.

Born and raised in nearby Bucks County, Tim and his wife Janice reside in Sewell, NJ and have two daughters, Emily and Sarah. He is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association and Meeting Planners International.

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Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.

The PHLCVB incorporates the short code PHL, an open source graphic identifier for the City of Philadelphia into the Convention & Visitors Bureau brand identity. The graphic identifier and other assets for use by public, private and non-profit organizations can be found at www.PHLpartners.com. To request a login, email phlpartners@discoverphl.com