Jennifer Cunningham Email & Phone Number

Reno, Nevada, United States

I currently serve as one of the 9 board trustees of RTAA, appointed to an 8-year term by the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Washoe County, and Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority. Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Provide thought leadership in marketing and tourism and advocate for air service development, assisting executive management with strategic decision-making around sales and marketing.✓ Support ongoing $1B+ capital… Show more I currently serve as one of the 9 board trustees of RTAA, appointed to an 8-year term by the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Washoe County, and Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority. Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Provide thought leadership in marketing and tourism and advocate for air service development, assisting executive management with strategic decision-making around sales and marketing.✓ Support ongoing $1B+ capital improvement program spanning ticketing-hall expansion, terminal mezzanine remodel, new car rental facility, and concourse building.✓ Work closely with airlines on risk mitigation and marketing efforts to boost service and/or flight loads.✓ Provide financial counsel to retire outstanding bonds via leveraging CARES ACT funding. Show less

Reno, Nevada, United States

As RSCVA’s President and CEO, I worked closely with the board to provide strategic vision and organizational turnaround leadership, proactively mitigating negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on RSCVA’s financial solvency while transforming the corporate culture and work environment to elevate employee morale and productivity. As part of my role, I managed a $54M annual budget and operations of 4 public meetings and events facilities (National Bowling Stadium, Reno Events Center… Show more As RSCVA’s President and CEO, I worked closely with the board to provide strategic vision and organizational turnaround leadership, proactively mitigating negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on RSCVA’s financial solvency while transforming the corporate culture and work environment to elevate employee morale and productivity. As part of my role, I managed a $54M annual budget and operations of 4 public meetings and events facilities (National Bowling Stadium, Reno Events Center, Livestock Events Center, Reno-Sparks Convention Center). I also led and aligned 9 executive-level direct reports and 100 indirect reports on marketing/sales strategies and tactics, enabling RSCVA to fulfill its mission of maximizing revenue growth and employment opportunities for local businesses and residents throughout Northern Nevada.Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Partnered with VP Finance to reduce $70M of long-term debt by refinancing bonds related to past expansion and renovation projects, saving 30% in interest costs by shortening debt length. ✓ Restructured department budgets, introduced new forecasting models based on 50% decrease of taxable room revenue, and eliminated variable expenses for RSCVA’s facilities.✓ Cut labor costs by furloughing staff, introducing voluntary retirement incentives, and restructuring remaining workforce. ✓ Hosted diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all employees and fostered high-performing and welcoming workplace. Show less

Partnering with the RSCVA’s President/CEO at the time, I devised growth-driven marketing/communication strategies aligned with business goals. I also provided oversight for RSCVA board matters and interfaced with legal and governmental affairs counsel to navigate organizational challenges in compliance with pertinent regulations.As part of my role, I managed 8 direct and 75 indirect reports as well as RSCVA’s 5 facilities (including Wildcreek Golf Course, sold in 2018), and worked… Show more Partnering with the RSCVA’s President/CEO at the time, I devised growth-driven marketing/communication strategies aligned with business goals. I also provided oversight for RSCVA board matters and interfaced with legal and governmental affairs counsel to navigate organizational challenges in compliance with pertinent regulations.As part of my role, I managed 8 direct and 75 indirect reports as well as RSCVA’s 5 facilities (including Wildcreek Golf Course, sold in 2018), and worked closely with Reno-Tahoe International Airport on air service development. Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Led development/implementation of integrated marketing and communication programs spanning public relations, visitor experience, special-event funding, and advertising to boost public interest and increase booking of room nights for destination. ✓ Drove development of annual visitor profile study, which leveraged live data to determine origination of Washoe County visitors, assess effectiveness of RSCVA’s marketing efforts, provide hotel properties with confidential comparative data to identify new market opportunities, and plan advertising placements based on ZIP code data.✓ Collaborated with Washoe County Commissioners, City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County School Districts to transfer 212-acre Wildcreek Golf Course to Washoe County and sell 87-acres for construction of new high school. Show less

Working closely with the board, I served as interim President/CEO and point person for development of 5-year strategic plan to optimize organizational performance and profitability. I oversaw RSCVA’s 5 facilities across functional areas, including sales and marketing, operations, finance, information technology, and human resources. I also managed a $49M annual budget, 8 direct and 175 indirect reports.Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓… Show more Working closely with the board, I served as interim President/CEO and point person for development of 5-year strategic plan to optimize organizational performance and profitability. I oversaw RSCVA’s 5 facilities across functional areas, including sales and marketing, operations, finance, information technology, and human resources. I also managed a $49M annual budget, 8 direct and 175 indirect reports.Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Surpassed sales targets (room night goals) and achieved the highest room revenue in the history of the organization; traveled to meet with clients, attended client dinners and shows, and negotiated with the destination’s key clients. ✓ Managed contract negotiations with destination’s largest client, U.S. Bowling Congress, infusing area with $50M every 2-3 years; inked 3-year contract with Safari Club International for large convention with $21M of annual economic impact.✓ Reviewed organizational structure to identify opportunities for operational and cost efficiencies and improved collaboration; implemented accountability metrics and goals and established checks and balances frameworks in all operating areas.✓ Rationalized workforce at National Bowling Stadium and Reno Events Center, realizing $500K+ in annual savings. ✓ Achieved surplus of $700K+ in 2016, rising taxable revenue 17.7%, average daily rate 7.1%, and cash occupied rooms 9.9%. Show less

I oversaw the marketing department and 5 external agencies to implement marketing programs including destination brand campaigns, marketing for tourism and convention segments, and promotion of 5 RSCVA-owned and/or operated facilities. I also managed 7 direct reports.Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Raised $750K in co-op marketing funds to augment RSCVA’s budget for the annual consumer marketing campaign.✓ Implemented award-winning digital… Show more I oversaw the marketing department and 5 external agencies to implement marketing programs including destination brand campaigns, marketing for tourism and convention segments, and promotion of 5 RSCVA-owned and/or operated facilities. I also managed 7 direct reports.Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Raised $750K in co-op marketing funds to augment RSCVA’s budget for the annual consumer marketing campaign.✓ Implemented award-winning digital marketing strategies by partnering with social media influencers and leveraging ROI metrics and analytics tracking tools. Drove focus on digital investments, website management, and digital technology.✓ Rebranded Reno Tahoe based on research, visitor data, and brand-differentiating attributes.✓ Coordinated commissioned research to track visitor demographic and psychographic data, brand rating and association, and media awareness to measure effectiveness of Authority’s marketing/advertising campaigns.✓ Secured support from hotel/casinos, convention bureaus, and Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) to entice JetBlue Airlines to introduce new air service to Reno from JFK. Show less

Reno, Nevada, United States

While at Circus Circus Reno, I managed $13M+ budget for 4 departments and all aspects of sales and marketing, such as convention and group sales, tourism sales, hotel and casino marketing, public relations, special events, website development, and market research. Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Created a new image and brand for Circus Circus Reno and developed new advertising campaigns by working with an external advertising agency initially and… Show more While at Circus Circus Reno, I managed $13M+ budget for 4 departments and all aspects of sales and marketing, such as convention and group sales, tourism sales, hotel and casino marketing, public relations, special events, website development, and market research. Following are some of my key initiatives and accomplishments:✓ Created a new image and brand for Circus Circus Reno and developed new advertising campaigns by working with an external advertising agency initially and later moving the creative process in-house.✓ Grew sales segment of the hotel business 60% and the hotel/casino database 64%.✓ Ideated and executed the promotion campaign for the annual convention and tournament of the U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC).✓ Established a catering department from the ground up to service new convention business, which brought in an additional $5M in revenue per year.✓ Doubled room night production within 2 years and quadrupled them within 4 years.✓ Oversaw all charitable donations for Circus Circus Reno as Chair of the Philanthropic Committee and collaborated with MGM Corporate on company-wide philanthropy, increasing number of contributing employees from 17% to 67%. Show less

Reno, Nevada, United States

✓ Director of Tour & Travel Sales at Peppermill Hotel/Casino. ✓ Director of Tour & Travel Sales at Silver Legacy Resort.✓ Director of Marketing at RSCVA’s National Bowling Stadium. ✓ Director of International Sales at Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA).

Board Governance, Preparing To Be A Corporate Director And Women On Boards: Succeeding As A Director

Master Of Science, International Business - Concentration In Marketing

Bachelor Of Science, Managerial Sciences - Concentration In Finance

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Who's Who Among College Students Study abroad in Euro Economics.