Monica Smith serves as the President & CEO of Southeast Tourism Society (STS) and has our 26 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Prior to joining the staff of STS, Monica served on its Board of Directors while she was the Vice President of Sales and Services for Visit Jacksonville (Florida), the city’s tourism sales and marketing organization, and also at the time when she served for six years as President & CEO of Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau (Macon, Georgia). Other destinations where Monica has served in sales and marketing capacities include the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (Pasadena, California), the Newport Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (Newport Beach, California), and Destination Cleveland (Ohio).
Monica is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and has been actively involved in the university’s CAAAN alumni admissions outreach. She has a passion for developing the next generation of tourism leaders and educating communities on the importance of tourism as an economic and community development strategy.
Currently, Monica serves on the following – Destinations International CDME Board, Heritage Development Partnership Board (Alliance of National Heritage Areas), National Society of Minorities in Hospitality Legacy Fund Advisory Board, U.S. Travel & Tourism Advisory Board, U.S. Travel Association Board, and the Visit Roswell/Roswell, Inc. Board in Roswell, Georgia.
Additionally, Monica is a member in good standing with these professional associations – American Society of Association Executives, Destinations International, Georgia Society of Association Executives, and Meeting Professionals International.