Flagler County Chamber hires new tourism chief


Matthew Dunn has been hired as the Flagler County Chamber's tourism vice president. He started work at the chamber Jan. 6. (Courtesy photo.)
Matthew Dunn has been hired as the Flagler County Chamber's tourism vice president. He started work at the chamber Jan. 6. (Courtesy photo.)
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The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce has hired a new tourism vice president to lead the marketing of Flagler County as an ideal year-round sports destination.

Matthew Dunn has served as executive director of the Ocala/Marion County Sports Commission and directed more than 1,000 sporting events for clients like Red Bull, ESPN’s X Games, USA Cycling, USA Synchronized Swimming and the Florida High School Athletic Association.

He began his work at the chamber Jan. 6.

“I’m excited that Matt was selected to direct our county’s tourism efforts,” Flagler County Tourism Development Council Chair and County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin said in a news release. “As a consultant, he was instrumental in helping us develop the strategic plan for sports tourism in Flagler County. I’m confident he has the experience, connections and ability to help us penetrate new niche markets and to further our tourism team’s stellar track record of positioning Flagler County as an appealing tourist destination.”

Dunn has taken the place of former Flagler County Chamber tourism vice president Georgia Turner, who left the chamber Dec. 31 to take a position as communications manager for the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Office in Louisiana, her home state.

One of Turner’s efforts at the chamber involved marketing Flagler County as a sports destination.

As tourism vice president, Dunn will work with sports organizations to promote spending that will stimulate the county’s economy and will develop the county’s media and public relations tactics, marketing and advertising.

Flagler County Chamber President Rebecca DeLorenzo will oversee his work.

“We are delighted to welcome Matt to our team,” DeLorenzo said. “He brings tremendous sports experience and a drive to succeed. Flagler County has a great diversity of attractions and sports venues, and Matt will help us share them with the world.”

Dunn has been the associate executive director of the Gainesville Sports Commission, executive director of the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Ocala/Marion County Sports Commission, an adjunct lecturer at the University of Florida’s College of Health and Human Performance, and president and CEO of The Dunn Agency.

He has a master’s degree in athletic administration from Florida State University.

 

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