San Diego Tourism Authority’s President and CEO Julie Coker to Leave Role to Lead New York City Tourism + Conventions

Julie Coker San Diego Tourism Authority
  • Coker started at SDTA in June 2020, led the organization to record-breaking economic figures in 2023, including $14.3 billion in visitor spending and established key DEI initiatives for the local tourism industry.
  • SDTA’s Board to form search committee to identify and select a new CEO. 

SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced today its President and CEO Julie Coker will be leaving her role to become the president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. Coker will remain in her role at SDTA until December 6, 2024.

SDTA’s Board of Directors will form a search committee to begin the process of identifying and selecting a new president and CEO. 

Coker joined SDTA in June 2020, steering the organization’s sales and marketing efforts through the global pandemic and into the recovery. Under her leadership, San Diego consistently ranked as a top performing U.S. destination, finishing third in the nation in hotel occupancy (73.5%) in 2023. That year, the city’s groups and convention business fully rebounded, surpassing 2019 levels, and SDTA set organizational records with $14.3 billion in visitor spending. Throughout her tenure, SDTA recorded a member-retention rate of above 90%. 

“Julie has been an outstanding leader and advocate for our organization, city, and tourism industry,” said SDTA’s Board Chair Shawn Dixon. “Her guidance, grace, and passion helped San Diego’s tourism community come together to regain business faster than many in the market, positioning us for success during the pandemic’s recovery efforts. Under her leadership, we laid a strong foundation for growth, rebuilding travel confidence, attracting visitors, and supporting local businesses. Julie has been a true champion of SDTA’s work and a wonderful ambassador of San Diego’s tourism industry. We will miss her energy, humor and dedication, and wish her success at New York City Tourism + Conventions.”

A 30-year travel and tourism industry veteran, Coker has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her commitment has led to major SDTA initiatives, including the launch of the award-winning Tourism Accelerator program and the appointment of the organization’s first director of DEI and community engagement. Tourism Accelerator, spearheaded by Coker in 2021, helps connect businesses run by women, veterans, people of color, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community with the local tourism industry. The program boasts significant success, with 65% of past participants reporting revenue growth and 45% expanding their operations. 

Coker holds several executive board positions, serving on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, U.S. Travel Association, Visit California and San Diego-based organizations. Her leadership has garnered numerous accolades, including the Pioneer Award from the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals and induction into the Smart Women in Meetings All-Time Hall of Fame. 

In 2016, she made history as the first African American female president and CEO to lead a major conventions and visitors bureau in the top 50 U.S. markets when she assumed the role at Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. Coker also spent more than 20 years with Hyatt Hotels, where she held general manager positions for properties in Philadelphia, Chicago and Oakbrook, Illinois.

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ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY
San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately more than 900 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. San Diego Tourism Authority members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.

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