The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) names new director of VIC

Well-known community leader Graylyn Swilley-Woods, Ph.D., returns to GMCVB

MIAMI (Nov. 8, 2022) — The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has appointed Graylyn Swilley-Woods, Ph.D., as the new director of the GMCVB’s VIC. In her new position, she will be responsible for leading VIC's mission of advancing opportunities and increasing workforce participation for students in Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s visitor industry through scholarships, talent development and job referral programs.

With more than 25 years of experience in community engagement, economic development and higher education, Swilley-Woods returns to the GMCVB to lead the VIC within the Multicultural and Tourism & Development Department (MTDD) following a previous tenure with the organization which spanned more than 10 years.

For the past decade, the GMCVB’s MTDD has showcased Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s multicultural neighborhoods, attractions and events to ensure they receive more travel market share, both locally and nationally.

“Dr. Swilley-Woods is renowned for her expertise and leadership on multiculturalism,” stated David Whitaker, president and CEO of the GMCVB. “Students seeking careers in the hospitality and events industry have a champion who will focus her energies on nurturing and creating opportunity with the goal of creating a strong talent pipeline. Our commitment to the VIC with Graylyn at the helm underscores our ongoing goal to fuel and expand our focus.”

Senior Vice President of the MTDD Connie Kinnard, who spearheads the expanded department’s efforts and oversees the VIC said, “I look forward to welcoming back and working closely with Dr. Swilley-Woods. The department’s new alignment with the VIC and an expanded focus on education and workforce development coupled with Graylyn’s enthusiasm, will only elevate the overall mission of our team and organization.”

Most recently, Swilley-Woods served as executive director of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalitions and president of Swilley Woods & Associates, where she provided leadership in organizational development, strategic planning and project implementation.

As the past associate vice president of the GMCVB’s Multicultural Tourism Department and previous executive director of the VIC of Greater Miami, Swilley-Woods promoted the development and advancement of multicultural tourism and education.

She has received multiple accolades from local, state and national organizations and institutions for her extensive work and training in several disciplines, including Urban Development, Africana Studies, Cultural Compassion, Heritage Tourism, Leadership and Organizational Diversity.

Swilley-Woods received her Ph.D. from Antioch University where her dissertation research focused on heritage community tourism sustainability in urban communities in Miami, Fla. She received a Master of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in Africana Studies, a Master of Arts in Leadership and Social Change at Antioch University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Swilley-Woods is married and is the mother of two sons.

###

About the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB):
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited, independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami & Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit our website at www.MiamiandMiamiBeach.com or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305-539-3000. Meeting planners may call 1-800-933-8448 (US/Canada only), 305-539-3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com. To get further engaged with Greater Miami & Miami Beach, join the conversation by following us on our social media channels at Facebook.com/visitmiami, Twitter.com/miamiandbeaches, Instagram.com/miamiandbeaches and Pinterest.com/miamiandbeaches.

###

For media inquiries, please contact Jordan Hathaway at jhathaway@kivvit.com or 402-415-8023.