Draft:Leonard Hoops
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Leonard Hoops | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 (age 58–59) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | MBA |
| Alma mater | Santa Clara University |
| Occupation(s) | CEO and President |
| Years active | 1988- Present |
| Known for | Tourism and destination management |
Leonard Hoops is an American tourism executive, widely known as the current President and CEO of Visit Indy and Tourism Tomorrow Indy.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]Leonard Hoops was born in Trinidad and has a mixed heritage of Indian, English, Scottish, and Irish descent.[4] Hoops earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from San Jose State University in 1987, followed by an MBA in marketing from Santa Clara University in 1992, both with honors.
Career
[edit]Hoops has over 35 years of experience in destination and corporate marketing. He began his career at FMC Corporation as a Public Relations Supervisor, where he worked from 1988 to 1995.
Following his time at FMC, Hoops transitioned to the tourism sector. He served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1995 to 2001 and then moved to the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau as Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer from 2001 to 2006.[5][6][7][8][9] During his tenure in Sacramento, he helped manage international tourism development offices and set all-time records for convention sales.[10][11][12][13]
In 2006, Hoops joined the San Francisco Travel Association as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, where he international tourism efforts in 13 countries.[14][15][16]
In 2011, Hoops became the President and CEO of Visit Indy, where he has led the organization to set all-time records for convention and tourism sales.[17][18] Indianapolis has been recognized as the number 1 convention city in the U.S. by USA Today and as a top visitor destination by major travel outlets.[19][20] Under his leadership, Visit Indy has generated up to $1 billion annually in economic impact and has been recognized for its high return on investment from public funding.[21][22][23][24]
Awards and Recognition
[edit]Hoops has received multiple honors throughout his career, including the Destination Organization Leadership Award from Destinations International, the "Indiana Living Legend" award from the Indiana Historical Society, and recognition as one of the "25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry" by Successful Meetings.[25][26][27][28] He has also been named one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel Sales & Marketing” by HSMAI.[29]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hoops - Profile". visitindy.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Indiana 250: Leonard Hoops". Indianapolis Business Journal. 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Howell Jr., James (2024-07-02). "American Legion to bring 2029 national convention to Indianapolis". WRTV Indianapolis. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Benbow, Dana Hunsinger (2024-03-21). "Indy's Leonard Hoops (real name): 'His leadership style is like a March Madness buzzer beater'". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Stephens, Angela (1997-04-10). "Hoteliers Know the Way". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Lenhart, Maria (1996-08-18). "Silicon Valley Resurgence Attracts Corporate Meetings". www.businesstravelnews.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Lapidus, Mark (2024-10-08). "How to Improve Your MICE Game with Leonard Hoops | Brand USA". www.thebrandusa.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "March 26: Leonard Hoops, President & CEO, Visit Indy – Rotary Club of Indianapolis". indyrotary.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Michele, Marchetti (1996-05-04). "Urban renewal - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Andrew Poole, Gary (1998-10-15). "On Your Left, 2 Guys With Pocket Protectors". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Anderson, Mark (2006-03-26). "Convention center lifts hotel bookings". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Simon, Mark (2001-03-30). "Welcome Mat Is Out For Visitors". SFGATE. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Weekend discounts, deals apply in Silicon Valley's 'capital'". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Attracting tourists almost second nature for The City". San Francisco Examiner. 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Kate, Mulcrone (2011-05-02). "LIFE IN THE FAST LANE - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Weisberg, Lori (2011-02-21). "Convention Center: If we expand, will more people come?". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Traub, Matt (2024-11-15). "Leonard Hoops and Patrick Talty: Reviewing Indianapolis' Successful 2024 and Future Major Events Ahead". SportsTravel. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ C. Lowe, Michael (2011-03-30). "Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Names New CEO". www.meetings-conventions.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Best Convention City (2014) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards". 10best.usatoday.com. 2014-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Edholm, Eric (2024-01-18). "NFL Scouting Combine to remain in Indianapolis in 2025". NFL.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Visit Indy - Management Team". visitindy.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Lisa Plummer Savas, Lisa (2023-08-08). "Construction Begins on Indiana Convention Center Expansion and New Convention Hotel". TradeShowNewsNetwork. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Benbow, Dana Hunsinger (2024-02-13). "How Larry Bird, an Indy car and a flawless hosting resume put NBA All-Star game in Indy". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Habtemariam, Dawit (2024-05-06). "America's Best-Paid Tourism Marketers". Skift. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Leonard Hoops | Destinations International". www.destinationsinternational.org. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Indiana Historical Society (2018-08-06). Leonard Hoops - 2018 Indiana Living Legends. Retrieved 2024-12-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ "The 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry for 2015". www.successfulmeetings.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Indiana Historical Society Announces 2018 Indiana Living Legends". indianahistory.org. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "HSMAI Names 3rd Annual Top 25 Sales & Marketing Minds". www.hotelnewsresource.com. 2006-01-12. Retrieved 2024-12-17.