New state tourism director chosen

CARSON CITY — A former Ohio state tourism director was selected Monday by Gov. Brian Sandoval as the first director of the new state Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

Claudia Vecchio will begin work Nov. 14 for the agency, which consists of the Commission on Tourism, Division of Museums and History, Nevada Arts Council and Nevada Indian Commission.

“Claudia is an experienced destination marketer with a solid background in social media and branding,” Sandoval said. “Together with her appreciation for history and culture, her background is ideally suited to taking us to the next level in how we engage with Nevadans and tourists alike.”

He added he was particularly concerned with preserving the history and arts and well-being of the native American population.

A graduate of Brigham Young University, Vecchio is president of Destination Integration in Dallas, where she works on marketing programs for small and medium-size communities that integrate tourism and economic development components.

As Ohio tourism director, she developed a marketing program to assist in the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. She also helped open the Toledo Glass Museum and the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3891.