Join us on December 10 for the Council’s monthly webinar and hear from leaders in Kansas City’s hospitality industry (tourism, hotels & restaurants) on how they are dealing with the pandemic, looking ahead to the new year, and aspirations for returning to normal. The panel will feature Jason Fulvi, President, Visit KC; Mary Holland, Owner/Operator, Hereford House Restaurants and Pierpont’s at Union Station; and Philip Strnad, General Manager, Hilton President, The December webinar will also serve as the Council’s Annual Meeting.
Jason Fulvi is the President & CEO of Visit KC, the leading destination marketing organization for the Kansas City region. From the organization’s headquarters in Downtown KC, Fulvi oversees the marketing, sales and service of KC’s convention and tourism industries, which generates nearly 48,000 jobs and $5.6 billion in economic impact annually. Fulvi joined Visit KC in September 2018 from VisitPITTSBURGH, bringing with him more than 32 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Fulvi achieved his Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation in 2007. Among other industry affiliations, he currently serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the Destinations International Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering travel marketers.
Mary Holland is the owner/operator at Hereford House and Pierponts. As a locally-owned and operated company, Hereford House Restaurants has been supporting Greater Kansas City through the ups and downs since 1957 when it opened its doors near the vibrant stockyard area downtown. Hereford House quickly became a legend and now with four locations, much of what made the Hereford House a popular destination is still in place today. Pierpont’s at Union Station, named for the railroad baron, J.P. (John Pierpont) Morgan, was selected as the best architecturally designed restaurant as well as the best places to take out-of-town guests in Kansas City. Pierpoint's 1914 décor combined with 2001 innovations offers you an atmosphere of casual, yet elegant dining.
Philip Strnad has been the General Manager of the Hilton President Hotel for 13 years. Prior to this hotel assignment Philip had served in various roles with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Marriott Hotels, Radisson Hotels and Walt Disney World, Orlando. Philip has a passion for Kansas City tourism and hospitality and a vested interest in the health and vitality of the Kansas City convention market. Philip serves on the JCCC Hospitality Advisory Panel, and is a past President and Chairman of the Kansas City Hotel and Lodging Association.