Press Release regarding the Tourism Division of the Texas Department of Commerce, January 28, 1988. Regarding the creation of an advisory committee for the Texas Department of Commerce Tourism Division. Those named to the committee include: Rita Clements, David Alex, Jim Battersby, George Becker, Dominic J. Bernardi, Jr., Herbert L. Butrum, Isabella C. M. Cunningham, Don Hansen, Camille Keith, Gene Phillips, and Marion Szurek.
Tourism Division, Texas Dept. of Commerce Information for the Press 28 January 1988 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Eleven Texans, including Texas first lady Rita Clements, were named today to an advisory committee for the Texas Department of Commerce Tourism Division. The committee was named by the TDOC board of directors in their January meeting to provide assistance and guidance to the state's travel marketing efforts. "This new committee is comprised of outstanding individuals from all facets of the Texas travel industry, and represents Texas business interests as well," said Edward 0. Vetter, chairman of the TDOC. "The years of experience and expertise represented here can't help but give our department an extremely valuable point of view concerning Texas' travel industry, and how to increase its market share, thereby creating more jobs." Other committee appointees include: David Alex, president of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce; Jim Battersby, president of the Discover Texas Association, San Antonio; George Becker, chief executive officer of Sea World of Texas, San Antonio; Dominic J. Bernardi, Jr., senior vice president at M-Bank, El Paso; Herbert L. Butrum, vice president of Mosbacher Management Company, Houston; Isabella C. M. Cunningham, professor at the University of Texas Department of Advertising, Austin; Don Hansen, executive vice president of the Texas Hotel & Motel Association, San Antonio; Camille Keith, vice president of special marketing for Southwest Airlines, Dallas; Gene Phillips, board of directors of Wax Museum of the Southwest (Grand Prairie) and Plaza Theatre of Wax (San Antonio), San Marcos; and Marion Szurek, director of the San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. "I'm delighted to have this opportunity to help the Texas travel industry," said Rita Clements. "Texas has more to see and do than many countries, and everything this committee will do should help increase public awareness of the state's assets." "I view this as an outgrowth of the recognition the Texas travel industry has recently received," Vetter said. "This committee will be important for not just the guidance they can provide, but for the strong link with the private sector that will follow. Strong cooperation between the state and private entities will be the hallmark of our new effort to make Texas the top tourist destination in the United States." The advisory committee plans to hold its first meeting in Austin soon, and will hold regularly scheduled meetings. For additional information contact: Michael A. Murphy, 512/462-9191.