New Ocean Center
director sees the big picture — and likes what he sees
Ocean
Center Director Don Poor hit the ground running after taking the
reins of the newly expanded convention and visitors facility in
Daytona Beach at the end of August. Having pronounced his preference
for a team approach to building on the success of the county-owned
complex, he has made it a point to meet with individuals and
organizations whose success is affected by the success of Ocean
Center.
“It is
important we work together for our mutual success,” said Poor in
comments offered to a recent meeting of the Hotel and Lodging
Association of Volusia County. “Our newly expanded facility is
surrounded by assets that can enhance the appeal of the Ocean Center
among meeting planners and promoters. Ocean Walk Village, the
proposed Entertainment Zone, the International Speedway Boulevard
corridor, Daytona Live!, all these and more put us in a better
position to compete for events in a very competitive marketplace.”
Competitive indeed.
“The
facilities business is—and always has been—a highly competitive
business,” Poor said. “That competition in today’s economy is even
more pronounced. We are competing at a higher level and getting a
convention or event to change venues requires a high level of
attention to the needs of the planner and his or her constituents.
Sometimes the planner is entirely happy with a particular
destination, facility and support services. That’s when we really
need to get creative to be competitive. Working together with the
Convention and Visitors Bureau is a tremendous help.”
So far Poor seems to be making a good impression.
“We are especially pleased to have Don Poor at the helm of the Ocean
Center,” said Sharon Mock, president and chief executive officer of
the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We work
closely with Don and his staff to provide event planners a cohesive
team experience when selling the destination and the Ocean Center.”
Poor brings a wealth of experience to his new assignment. He has
served as manager of the Valdosta (Georgia) Conference Center and
the Valdosta Tourism Authority. He also has served as president and
CEO of Destination One Inc., an Atlanta-based travel marketing
organization. Poor was the CEO, chief operating officer, general
manager and owner’s representative of the Cobb Galleria Centre in
Atlanta and executive director, CEO/COO of the Georgia International
Convention and Trade Center in Atlanta.
“In addition to his credentials, Don has been a frequent visitor to
the Daytona Beach area,” said Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen.
“This allowed him to evaluate the
community, its opportunities and its challenges rapidly and develop
a strategy for marketing the Ocean Center effectively and presenting
the best of what Volusia County has to offer.”
