Beth Gendler, CMP, CDME, describes herself as enthusiastic, passionate and humorous. Learn more about her.
What I do: I manage a team of sales professionals responsible for bringing meetings/conventions, international travelers and sporting events to our destination. The business we bring has close to a $200 million economic impact on Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Our job is to promote Alabama’s beaches, to potential meeting planners, tour operators and event owners and then support them once they’ve chosen our destination.
How I got here: My background is in sales, and within those positions, I have been a director of sales at two hotels. Just prior to my position with Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, I managed a team of advertising sales professionals. I have been in my current role for more than 17 years, in which I developed the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission and our international sales and marketing efforts along with the meeting and convention side of our sales department.
My greatest career accomplishment: I was recognized as the Tourism Executive of the Year by the Alabama Department of Tourism in 2016. Also our Sports Commission be named Sports Tourism Organization of the Year by our national governing body, Sports ETA, in 2019
Specific improvement I’ve made: From a convention servicing side, over the last year we have added some valuable tools for our planners to help promote their meetings in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Our meeting planner toolkit is full of useful and complimentary items, such as customized save-the-dates and a banner ad package for planners to promote their meetings in multiple formats and capacities. There are also destination videos and promotional copy they can utilize to build attendance and interest in their upcoming meeting or convention.
What I am working on now: The international market is something new we have been focusing on and to see if take shape and grow is exciting and rewarding. I am honored to show tour operators, travel writers and influencers from around the world our beautiful destination.
What I do outside of work: I live on and around so many stunning waterways, so in my free time, I enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking or floating around soaking up the sun.
