In this issue: KBC’s new MD, WTM & The Keys new campaign!
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CHRIS WOODBRIDGE-COX APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR AT KBC!
Yes, big changes are afoot at KBC Towers! After twenty years developing and running the business, I’ve decided it’s time take a step back and pass on the baton of day-to-day business. I’m not completely heading off into the great blue yonder – you can’t get rid of me that easily! – but I feel ready to take some time for myself and my family and get a new injection of energy, inspiration and contacts into the team.
That “injection” is Chris Woodbridge-Cox, a name that will be familiar to many in the travel industry through his previous positions at, amongst others, Club Med, Virgin and Unijet, where we first worked together in the mid-1990s. Most recently he has been Managing Director at ski specialist tour operator Peak Retreats.
So Chris (pictured below) is our new MD – and he’s delighted and excited to be joining KBC, where we have, over the past 20 years, rightly earned our reputation as the leading travel PR and representation company in the North America sector. Chris knows he is inheriting a strong, experienced and well respected team. He’s looking forward to continuing the great work achieved to date and spearheading our development into additional sectors of the travel industry.
Lisa Cooper remains as Representation & Sales Director and David Ezra as PR Director: both of them love their current roles and did not want to take on being MD, in case you’re wondering! Account teams will not change and it will certainly be business as usual.
If you’d like to make contact with Chris, he would love to hear from you. His email is chris.woodbridgecox@kbc-pr.com.
Kate.
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WTM COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR …..
…. which is something of a relief, as so much work goes into making it a productive and successful event for all our clients attending. That said, this year we have fewer clients taking booths, as more and more invest funds instead into sales and media missions.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly WTM seems to come round each year, but maybe that’s just because I’m getting older! It’s always a great time to see friends and contacts, catch up on news and meet interesting new people and I don’t think that will ever change.
As always, the KBC team will be out in force – Lisa, David, Della Tully, Louise Pepper, Lily Skitt (née Davis), Hayley Musson and Fay Tate will all be at the show at various points – so do look out for them on the following client stands:
Destination British Columbia – NA400
Travel Alberta – NA400
Explore Georgia – NA450
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – NA360
The Leisure Pass Group – TA240
Florida Keys & Key West – NA200
US Travel Association – NA180
Chris and I will be moving around between the various client booths so I can introduce him to everyone, as well as meeting lots of old and new contacts at the various events and seminars. If you’d like to make a formal appointment with us, or any of the team, please do get in touch.
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… AND IT’S TIME TO ‘CONNECT & PROTECT’
One of our most intriguing initiatives at WTM this year is the launch of a new awareness campaign to help preserve natural resources in the Florida Keys & Key West.
The Keys are home to the continental USA’s only living coral barrier reef, part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and protected habitats including the National Key Deer Refuge, home to the tiny Key deer found only in the Florida Keys.
The ‘Connect & Protect’ campaign focuses on ways in which visitors can enjoy the Keys’ unique natural environment in a sustainable, responsible manner – and make a positive, active contribution towards conservation efforts.
If you haven’t visited the Keys, they are truly special and one of my favourite destinations. We’re 100 per cent behind this initiative and looking forward to telling people more at WTM!
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If you’d like to learn more about how KBC could help you market and develop your tourism business or destination, do get in touch with Chris for an exploratory chat.
Chris.woodbridgecox@kbc-pr.com or call +44 (0) 1825 76 36 36.