New York City Tourism + Conventions named Julie Coker as its president and CEO. She replaces Fred Dixon, who became CEO of Brand USA in July.
Coker is currently CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. She begins in her role in New York Dec. 9.
Julie Coker. Photo Credit: Courtesy of New York City Tourism + Conventions
Coker, who has more than 30 years’ experience in tourism and hospitality, started in San Deigo in June 2020, overseeing tourism as the city achieved the nation’s third highest hotel occupancy (73.5%) in 2023 and surpassed 2019 levels in groups and convention business. Prior to that she had been with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau for nine years, rising to CEO in 2016.
A 21-year Hyatt Hotels veteran, she began her career in 1989 as a corporate management trainee at Hyatt Regency Columbus and held a variety of positions, including assistant front office manager, front office manager, hotel assistant manager, assistant executive housekeeper and general manager of the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing.
From January 2018 to 2020, Coker served as co-chair for the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business Coalition and secretary-treasurer for International Association of Exhibitions and Events Executive Committee. From 2016 to 2019, she co-chaired the Shared Spaces Initiative to combat homelessness with Philadelphia’s mayor, and in 2016 she served as the chair of mayor Jim Kenney’s transition team for the Democratic National Convention.
She serves on several boards, including the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which provided advice to the Secretary of Commerce on travel priorities, and the executive boards of the U.S. Travel Association and Visit California.
“With Julie Coker at the helm, I know our city will soar to new heights and break tourism records once again,” said New York City mayor Eric Adams. “Julie understands that when our tourist economy thrives, our whole city thrives, generating billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.”
Hyatt Hotels CEO Mark Hoplamazian also weighed in on the apportionment, calling Coker “an exceptional choice” for the position.
“As someone who used to work with Julie and has known her for many years, I can say that NYC Tourism + Conventions is fortunate to have her advocating for the tourism economy and its many stakeholders,” he said. “Her values and people skills will carry New York to higher heights of visitation and engagement.”
