dpfaff@irvingtexas.com
972-252-7476 or 800-247-8464
IRVING, TEXAS (July 2008) -- The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) has named Eric Arthur as convention services and housing manager and Monty White as marketing manager, further strengthening its core team of management professionals.
"As our market continues to grow, most notably with the upcoming addition of a convention center, so do our sales, services and marketing efforts," states Maura Allen Gast, executive director of the Irving CVB. "The addition of these two skilled individuals to our staff allows us to continuing our high level of service, both externally and internally."
Arthur boasts twelve years of progressive hospitality industry experience, with time spent at Walt Disney World Company and Universal Studios Florida. He served as an outside sales representative for Straight A Tours before joining Gaylord Hotels and Entertainment, where he spent the past seven years in various roles at numerous properties and venues.
Beginning his tenure with Gaylord Hotels and Entertainment as a desk agent at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kississmee, Florida, Arthur quickly rose to the rank of function book manager, where he was responsible for the strategic placement of events and the allocation of required meeting specifications for exhibits and events. He was transferred to fill a similar position at the then not-yet-open Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, and served as a member of the resort and convention center's opening team. He was eventually promoted to tour and travel service manager and was responsible for the coordination and servicing of all tour groups.
Most recently, Arthur served as a sales manager for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, an operation of Gaylord Entertainment. "We needed someone to fill our services and housing needs who knew the industry and could hit the ground running. Eric fit the bill," states Gast. "His experience with opening a hotel and convention center, as well his knowledge in housing operations, will be invaluable as we get closer to our own convention center opening."
White comes to the Irving CVB from Bluegreen Advertising, a division of the publicly traded land and resorts developer, Bluegreen Corporation. During the past five years at Bluegreen, he served a variety of marketing, copywriting and web-development roles, and brings a diverse set of skills to the bureau. Prior to his time at Bluegreen and his leap into the marketing arena, White came from a sales background and was a loan officer for a mortgage broker. He studied marketing at Texas Tech University and communication design at the University of North Texas.
"Monty's prior experience brings a range of new media skills to the Irving CVB, and his experience in both marketing and sales will be an important asset as our organization continues to move forward," said Gast. "We're excited about what he brings to the table." As the newest member of the CVB's marketing and communications team, White will be working directly on several key projects and new initiatives that the bureau will be implementing in the near future to increase Irving's visibility as a premier destination.
Irving, Texas, located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, is home to more than 75 hotels and numerous Fortune 500 companies. In fall 2010, the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas will open, offering nearly 100,000 square-feet of flexible space for high-end meetings, convention and events. For more information, contact the ICVB at 800-2-IRVING (800-247-8464) or visit www.irvingtexas.com.