Kavin Schieferdecker is the chief sales officer at the San Diego Tourism Authority, where he oversees long-term sales for the San Diego Convention Center, as well as hotel meetings and convention services. Schieferdecker leads a 30-person team responsible for the destination sales and client experience for San Diego’s meetings and conventions economy, which generates $3.5 billion in annual visitor spending and $6 billion in economic impact. Key stakeholders include hotels in San Diego’s Tourism Marketing District and the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.

Kavin’s experience includes a long and distinguished career in sales, with more than 25 years primarily at Marriott International and Hilton. He most recently served as senior vice president of convention sales at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Julie Coker, SDTA’s president and CEO, said Schieferdecker has not only the right skillset but also the right personality and priorities to lead the organization’s combined sales teams. “Kavin is committed to serving the larger community, and he understands the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion to our organization and to our industry,” Coker said. “Kavin thrives in a team environment, can juggle multiple projects and stakeholders, and is always focused on the needs of the customer. Also, he knows how to have fun.”

Prior to his tenure at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Schieferdecker worked for the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, first as director of sales and then as director of sales and marketing, overseeing a team of 53 and a $12 million budget. He also served as the sales and marketing leader at hotels outside Boston and in Vancouver, B.C., and as director of hotel sales at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and Riverwalk hotels. Prior to that, he served as director of national accounts at the then-Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage.

Schieferdecker serves on the board of Sports San Diego and on the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s advisory committee. Previously, he served on the board of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, as well as on Destinations International’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and is a part of its Large Destinations Sales Leaders group. He also has been a volunteer coach for both youth basketball and baseball