Feb. 1, 2012 – Christophe Ley has returned to San Francisco Travel as Director of MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Congress, Exhibitions).
Ley’s new position was recently approved by the SF Travel Board of Directors as a way to ensure San Francisco was receiving a significant share of these unique market segments. He is responsible for securing international meeting business for San Francisco. As part of SF Travel's Tourism division, he coordinates with the Convention Sales and Services teams to ensure the greatest possible results in securing these groups.
“The MICE market holds great potential for San Francisco and Chris’ knowledge of this business segment as well as this destination makes him uniquely qualified for this new position,” said Tom Kiely, SF Travel executive vice president, tourism.
Ley was most recently with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, where he managed the MICE market for a worldwide collection of hotels.
In 2000 to 2007, Ley worked with SF Travel (then called the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau) as Tourism Sales Manager.
A native of Bordeaux, France, Ley moved to San Francisco in 1995 and attended Lincoln University to complete his bachelor’s degree in international business. Ley began working at Go West Tours in 1996 as an Account Manager where he created the “Outbound Program,” providing travel arrangements for visitors to Europe from the United States and Canada.
Prior to moving to the United States, Ley worked in Paris at Coris Assistance, a medical insurance company that provides assistance to international travelers, and E.F. School Holiday, a travel agency that arranges trips for students. While serving his mandatory military duty, Ley was a translator for French President Francois Mitterand.
Ley holds a master’s degree in International Business from Lincoln University. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish and enjoys traveling and cooking.
The San Francisco Travel Association is a private, not-for-profit organization that markets the city as a leisure, convention and business travel destination. With more than 1,500 partner businesses, San Francisco Travel is one of the largest membership-based tourism promotion agencies in the country. Tourism, San Francisco's largest industry, generates in excess of $8.3 billion annually for the local economy. The San Francisco Travel business offices are located at 201 Third St., Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103. San Francisco Travel also operates the Visitor Information Center at Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market Street at the corner of Powell and Market streets. For more information, call 415-974-6900 or visit www.sanfrancisco.travel.
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The San Francisco Travel Association is the official tourism marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, packages, activities and more, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-391-2000. The Visitor Information Center is located at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, lower level, near the Powell Street cable car turnaround.
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