Julie Gilbert named to TTRA board

Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. Director of Marketing and Communications Julie Gilbert has been elected to serve on the international travel and tourism board of Travel & Tourism Research Association.

The TTRA membership recently elected Gilbert to serve on its national board of directors for a three-year term. The association is a nonprofit whose purpose is to enhance the quality, value, effectiveness and use of research in travel marketing, planning and development. Members in TTRA represent a variety of segments from the greater international travel and tourism community.

Gilbert joined the NTCC in May 2014 and leads the organization's marketing and communications efforts to increase visibility of Niagara County and its assets as a leisure and convention destination - including the development and implementation of advertising, public relations, market research and collateral materials, e-marketing and social media.

"It is an honor to be elected to such a highly respected organization," Gilbert said. "I look forward to increasing the visibility of Niagara County as a destination that continues to grow with new tourism-related development."

Gilbert joined NTCC from National Park Reservations, where she served as director of sales and marketing for the largest provider of reservation and information services for National Parks and gateway communities. Previously, Gilbert worked for Travika, American Society of Travel Agents and West Virginia Division of Tourism & Parks. In addition, Gilbert established a full-service travel, tourism and hospitality agency providing strategic marketing, sales and management services to a wide range of travel-related companies.

Gilbert is a Certified Tour Professional through The National Tour Association and also received her Hotel Sales & Marketing Association digital marketing accreditation. She earned a bachelor's degree in business and management studies from The University of Maryland University College.

For more information on the NTCC, visit niagara-usa.com.