San Francisco Travel Association Makes History with Anna Marie Presutti’s Appointment
The San Francisco Travel Association, the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco, proudly announced the appointment of Anna Marie Presutti as its new President and CEO. Presutti’s appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first female CEO in the organization’s 115-year history. With an illustrious career in hospitality and tourism, Presutti’s leadership is poised to strengthen San Francisco’s position as a premier global destination for tourism, conventions, and cultural events.
Presutti had been serving as the interim President and CEO since May 2024, following the departure of the previous executive. Her promotion to the permanent role follows a nationwide executive search, in which the organization determined that she was the best candidate to lead San Francisco Travel forward. John Anderson, Chair of San Francisco Travel’s Board of Directors, lauded Presutti’s deep understanding of the city, the organization, and the tourism industry as a whole. As a two-time Board Chair of San Francisco Travel, Presutti’s familiarity with its internal operations, customers, and culture made her the natural choice to steer the organization into the future.
Anna Marie Presutti: A Trailblazing Leader in Tourism and Hospitality
Anna Marie Presutti is a recognized leader within the hospitality and tourism industries, with over two decades of experience working in various executive roles across multiple brands. Her most recent position before assuming leadership at San Francisco Travel was as Vice President and General Manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco. Presutti made history in 2006 when she became the first female vice president for Nikko Hotels International, a Tokyo-based hotel chain.
Presutti’s journey into hospitality leadership began much earlier, however. Before her tenure at Hotel Nikko, she served as the area director of sales and marketing for Kimpton Hotels in San Francisco. She also held leadership roles at ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels, and Sunstone Hotel Properties. Her extensive background in sales, marketing, and general management positions her as an ideal leader to guide San Francisco Travel through its next phase of growth.
Tourism: A Key Economic Driver for San Francisco
Tourism plays an integral role in San Francisco’s economy, making Presutti’s appointment even more critical. As one of the leading industries in the city, tourism not only fuels economic growth but also provides essential support for thousands of local businesses. In 2023 alone, the tourism industry contributed $9.3 billion in total visitor spending to San Francisco’s economy, generating nearly $610 million in tax revenues. This influx of capital from visitors helps support the city’s infrastructure, public services, and cultural offerings, making it a key generator of outside revenue.
“After an extensive search that spanned the country, the Executive Search Committee realized the best candidate was already in the job. Anna Marie is the ultimate champion of San Francisco and a bold, experienced leader,” said San Francisco Travel Board Chair John Anderson. “As a two-time SF Travel Board Chair, Anna Marie is deeply familiar with the organization, its customers and its culture, and her continued leadership will drive the marketing and awareness of this destination.”
As President and CEO of San Francisco Travel, Presutti said, “I am passionate about this city and have been a part of San Francisco’s tourism industry for over twenty years. As we emerge from this challenging time, we have much to look forward to. My priority is to lean into the momentum building and return our convention business to a healthy level. We will invest in marketing San Francisco’s great strengths, including its culinary scene and arts and culture, and collaborate with other organizations, such as the Bay Area Host Committee, to bring more world-class events here.”
Key Focus Areas Under Presutti’s Leadership
Presutti’s vision for San Francisco Travel is ambitious and forward-looking. As she assumes her new role, she has outlined several key focus areas that will drive the organization’s strategy in the coming years:
1. Revitalizing Convention Business
One of Presutti’s top priorities is to revitalize the city’s convention business, which was significantly impacted by the global pandemic. As the world begins to recover, the return of large-scale conventions and business events is crucial to supporting San Francisco’s economy. Under Presutti’s leadership, San Francisco Travel will work closely with partners such as the Bay Area Host Committee to bring back major events and attract new international conventions.
2. Investing in Marketing and Cultural Promotion
San Francisco is known for its vibrant culinary scene, diverse arts and culture, and historic neighbourhoods. Presutti plans to capitalize on these strengths by investing in marketing campaigns that showcase the city’s unique offerings. From Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class museums, San Francisco Travel will continue to emphasize the destination’s distinct cultural appeal to attract a global audience.
3. Collaboration with Local and National Partners
Another key component of Presutti’s strategy is increased collaboration with local, regional, and national partners. By working with entities such as the Bay Area Host Committee, the U.S. Travel Association, and the Hotel Council of San Francisco, Presutti aims to enhance the city’s reputation as a top-tier destination for both leisure and business travel. These partnerships will help expand San Francisco Travel’s reach and amplify the city’s presence on the world stage.
A Legacy of Leadership and Excellence
Anna Marie Presutti’s track record of success has not gone unnoticed. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the hospitality industry. The San Francisco Business Times named her one of the “Most Influential Women in the Bay Area,” while the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) recognized her as Outstanding General Manager of the Year. Additionally, she was awarded the Peter Goldman Award of Excellence by the Hotel Council of San Francisco, and the Legend Award by the Northern California Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
Presutti’s leadership extends beyond her professional accomplishments. She currently serves on several prestigious boards, including the U.S. Travel Association, the Hotel Council of San Francisco, and the Missouri State University Foundation. Her commitment to excellence and service is a driving force behind her success and sets a high standard for her peers in the tourism industry.
Conclusion: A New Era for San Francisco Travel
With Anna Marie Presutti at the helm, the San Francisco Travel Association is poised for an exciting new chapter in its history. Presutti’s appointment as the organization’s first female President and CEO marks a transformative moment, not only for San Francisco Travel but also for the city’s tourism industry as a whole. Her extensive experience, dedication to the community, and bold vision for the future will ensure that San Francisco remains a top global destination for years to come.
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