P.R. Convention Bureau appoints new SVP of sales
Neil J. Mullanaphy
The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau announced Wednesday the appointment of Neil J. Mullanaphy as its new senior vice president of sales, effective this week. The Rutgers University graduate will be based in Washington, D.C., from where he will oversee the organization’s long-term selling strategies, as well as manage and supervise the Bureau’s sales team.
“Puerto Rico is a world-class destination with a state-of-the-art convention center,” said Mullanaphy. “The destination’s accessibility and sophisticated business offerings combined with its natural beauty, distinct history and dynamic culture make Puerto Rico an attractive option for groups of all kinds.”
With extensive sales and marketing experience spanning more than 26 years, Mullanaphy joins the Bureau after serving as the executive director of sales and marketing for the Hawaii Convention Center/SMG, where he directed the convention sales, services and tourism development division.
In this role, he is credited with securing such high profile groups as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a forum of 21 Pacific Rim countries attended by 21 heads of state and hosted by President Obama with his team consistently booking more than 550,000 convention-related room nights annually under his tenure.
“Neil’s proven sales results, extensive marketing expertise, and strong convention industry knowledge make him the ideal person to take Puerto Rico to the next level within the convention market,” said PRCB Chair Federico J. Sánchez-Ortiz.
Mullanaphy’s prior positions include group and convention sales with GES Exposition Services, Mandalay Bay Resort, Casino and Convention Center in Las Vegas and the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.
In addition to serving on the Board of the New York Society of Association Executives, Mullanaphy is a member of many industry associations such as the American Society of Association Executives, Professional Convention Managers Association and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, among others.
