Tourism Coordinator Selected to Enhance City's Tourism Efforts

The City’s Chief Administrative Officer Byron Marshall today announced that Anedra Bourne has been selected as the Business Management Officer – Tourism Coordinator for the City’s Department of Economic and Community Development. Bourne will begin her new position on July 18, 2011.

“Along with the recent hire of new Economic Development Director Lee Downey, Anedra’s talents as tourism coordinator will bolster the Mayor’s strategy for a Richmond centric approach to marketing by creating energy for tourism in our city,” said Marshall. “She will work with a diverse group that includes civic, public, and private stakeholders to lead the implementation of recommendations that will emerge from the Mayor’s Tourism Commission.

Most recently, Bourne served as the director of marketing and public relations for the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, where she was instrumental in the museum's grand opening in 2006 as well as the center's recent designation as the "Gateway to the Civil War." She has continued to develop industry relationships including her work with the Future of Richmond's Past, where she serves as a part-time program manager and will continue doing so while in city employment. Bourne has more than 15 years experience in the travel and tourism industry as she also served as national and international public relations manager for the Virginia Tourism Corporation as well as communications manager and public relations liaison for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

Jack Berry, President and CEO of Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau said, “Throughout her tenure with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and during her time with the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, Anedra has been an enthusiastic and highly effective marketing partner. I look forward to working with her in her new capacity as Richmond's Tourism Coordinator, as we strive to attract visitors to the Region, and ensure they have a great experience while they're here.”

“The City of Richmond scored a coup in hiring Anedra Bourne as the new Tourism Coordinator,” said Alisa L. Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Anedra is a highly respected tourism professional with a talent for vision and consensus building. She will take Richmond’s tourism goals to new heights.”

“Anedra is the perfect person to coordinate the efforts of the city and attractions to enhance the visitor’s experience,” said Jack Berry, Executive Director of Venture Richmond. “Her abilities were evident in April of this year, as she aided in achieving record attendance for the Civil War and Emancipation Day. We look forward to working with her in this new capacity of increasing visitation to the city of Richmond and ensuring visitors experience all of the wonderful assets our city has to offer."

Bourne earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hampton University. Her community service and professional affiliations include the Junior League of Richmond and the Public Relations Society of America, Richmond Chapter, where she also served on the national board for the Travel and Tourism section.