(Oakland, CA) – Visit Oakland Welcomes Carole Manning-Kim as Director of Sales

Visit Oakland is pleased to announce Carole Manning-Kim as the new Director of Sales for the city’s official Destination Management Organization (DMO).

Manning-Kim brings 25+ years of experience in the San Francisco Bay Area hospitality industry to her new role at Visit Oakland. She has successfully led teams at both convention and boutique level hotel. Manning-Kim has extensive experience securing large conference and affiliate group contracts. With deep industry knowledge, commitment to business development and focus on revenue growth - she is well positioned to drive both the leisure and corporate travel markets.

An East Bay resident for more than 20 years, Manning-Kim is thrilled to join the team at Visit Oakland and promote The Town. “I am very excited about working with, and contributing to, the Oakland community as I showcase our diverse hotels, restaurants and venues” stated Manning-Kim. “Oakland has so much to offer and the city provides wonderful experiences for people with varied interests. I couldn’t be more proud to share the beauty of Oakland with visitors from around the world and bring more business to this great city.”

Manning Kim comes to Visit Oakland from Sonesta Hotels and BPR Hotels where she was the Director of Sales & Marketing. Prior to that, she worked for Joie de Vivre Hotels in several capacities – holding positions as Director of Sales & Marketing, Area Director of Sales & Marketing and Corporate Director of National Sales & Marketing for 45 properties. Manning-Kim has been in management roles at Destination Hotels, Metwest Terra Hospitality regional office and San Francisco Travel - where she worked closely with Moscone Center.

“I am thrilled to have Carole lead the sales efforts for Visit Oakland” commented Peter Gamez, President & CEO, Visit Oakland. “She is committed to Oakland and her clients. Her decades of experience in all markets - will grow business tremendously as we recover from the recent shutdown.” Manning-Kim has served on the board for the San Francisco Tourism Advisory Council, the San Francisco Citywide Convention Task Force and the Corporate Council of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Away from work, she enjoys running in local races and rooting for Bay Area sports teams with her husband Richard and son Jordan.

Visit Oakland is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c)(6) organization, with a 21-member board of directors and five full-time staff. Visit Oakland is funded by:

  • Measure C, receiving 1.5% of the current 14% hotel occupancy tax
  • Oakland Tourism Business Improvement District (OTBID), receiving $1.50 per hotel room per night
     

In 2018, Oakland had 3.9 million visitors and $700 million in visitor spending. Tourism is the second largest private employer in Oakland, supporting more than 7,500 jobs.

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