Visit SLO CAL welcomes new Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy, Tony Turretto

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Visit SLO CAL, the countywide destination marketing and management organization for San Luis Obispo County, announces Tony Turretto as Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy. Turretto brings more than a decade of public affairs and corporate communications experience to the role, which will advocate for favorable positioning for tourism, the No. 2 economic driver of San Luis Obispo County. Without tourism, each local household would need to pay nearly $2,000 in taxes to maintain a similar level of community support.

“Community engagement, advocacy and destination management remain critical components of Visit SLO CAL’s work on behalf of the broader tourism community,” said President & CEO of Visit SLO CAL Chuck Davison. “Tony’s unique experience provides a pathway for the organization to continue to increase our community value. His thought leadership in amplifying the importance of the industry, assuring tourism is considered in policy decision making and protecting and improving the resident quality of life in SLO CAL are key to our organization achieving our mission.”

Turretto, a local post-9/11 veteran, served as a senior public affairs specialist for the US Navy in a variety of roles that required technical expertise coupled with an acumen for diplomacy, navigating complex issues, and crisis communication. With a deep experience in creating cross-functional teams and building relationships with international partners through a multicultural lens, Turretto brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position with Visit SLO CAL. More recently, while earning a master’s degree from Syracuse University, Turretto served as a communications manager at Cal Poly, where he worked to develop and execute communications strategies and tactics across a complex system, including 27 subdomain websites and ten social media accounts while managing the public affairs and communications internship program.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve,” said Turretto. “I’m excited to enter the arena of tourism advocacy and learn about the many perspectives and intricacies supporting all our local communities within SLO CAL. I’m grateful to accompany Chuck, and his world class team, on this journey.”

Turretto resides in SLO CAL’s Avila Beach with his two sons.

The article Visit SLO CAL welcomes new Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy, Tony Turretto first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.