San Francisco Travel appoints Anna Marie Presutti president & CEO

San Francisco Travel Association has announced the appointment of Anna Marie Presutti as president and CEO, effective immediately.

Presutti had been serving as the association’s interim president and CEO since mid-May. She will oversee one of the country’s oldest and largest membership-based tourism promotion organizations.

“I am passionate about this city and have been a part of San Francisco’s tourism industry for over twenty years,” said Presutti. “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.”

San Francisco Travel markets and sells the destination globally to attract conventions, meetings and leisure travellers.

Tourism is one of the leading industries in San Francisco and is the top generator of outside revenue into the city’s economy. In 2023, tourism accounted for $9.3 billion in total visitor spending and generated nearly $610 million in tax revenues.

“After an extensive search that spanned the country, the executive search committee realized the best candidate was already in the job,” said San Francisco Travel Board Chair John Anderson. “Anna Marie is the ultimate champion of San Francisco and a bold, experienced leader. 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.”

Prior to accepting her new role, Presutti was vice-president and general manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco. She made history there in 2006 when she was appointed the first female vice-president for Tokyo-based Nikko Hotels International.

Presutti made history again this year when she became San Francisco Travel’s first female CEO.

Before joining Hotel Nikko San Francisco in 2004, Presutti served as area director of sales and marketing for Kimpton Hotels in San Francisco. Her experience also includes leadership positions with ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels and Sunstone Hotel Properties.

The San Francisco Business Times named Presutti one of “The Most Influential Women in the Bay Area,” and the American Hotel & Lodging Association named her Outstanding General Manager of the Year.

She was also awarded the Hotel Council of San Francisco’s Peter Goldman Award of Excellence and the Northern California Chapter PCMA’s Legend Award.

Presutti currently serves on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association and the Hotel Council of San Francisco. She also sits on Okura Nikko Management Company’s board of directors and Missouri State University Foundation’s board of trustees.

Presutti began her career at Walt Disney World in Orlando. She grew up in Kansas City and studied communications at Missouri State University.

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