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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (January 23, 2023) –The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) today announced the hiring of Jessica Lumsden Black as vice president of marketing and communications. As a member of the senior leadership team, Black will oversee the GBCVB’s marketing and branding efforts and develop communications strategies that expand the city’s reputation as a premier destination. She replaces Dilcy Hilley, who retired from the GBCVB in December.
“I’m delighted that Jessica will be joining our team at the GBCVB to lead our marketing and communication efforts to continue positioning Birmingham and Jefferson County as a premier destination for leisure visits, sports events, and meetings and conventions,” said GBCVB President & CEO John Oros. “After a national search, we found the best-qualified candidate in our own backyard. Jessica’s breadth of experience has prepared her for this unique opportunity to lead our national destination marketing and public relations efforts.”
With 20 years of experience in marketing and communications across multiple sectors, Black brings practical destination marketing experience to the GBCVB, having previously served as a public relations specialist for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). In her role at the ACVB, she focused on generating local, national and international media coverage for Atlanta during an era that included the opening of the Georgia Aquarium and a citywide branding campaign.
“I’m thrilled to be joining this talented team and to work alongside our partners across the greater Birmingham area in supporting this important – and impactful – work,” said Black. “The economic development generated through travel to our area is significant, as is the opportunity to share Birmingham’s story with the millions of visitors to our city each year.”
Black comes to the GBCVB from Samford University, where she served as the assistant vice president of university marketing and public relations. Her resume also includes three years as a senior director at Markstein, a Birmingham-based integrated communications agency, where she managed the strategic communications and marketing efforts for clients, with a focus on the hospitality and sports industries. She has deep experience in the development of integrated marketing strategies, with a focus on brand management, media relations, digital strategy and campaign execution.
Prior to relocating to Birmingham in 2017, Black spent eight years as director of integrated marketing at Peach Bowl, Inc., in Atlanta, where she managed media, marketing and brand strategy for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament and The Dodd Trophy.
Black serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and is a member of the 2022-2023 Birmingham Executive Class of the Momentum Executive Leadership Program. A native of Richmond, Va., she graduated from James Madison University.
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is the official tourism and marketing organization for Birmingham and Jefferson County. Established in 1969, the non-profit agency generates positive economic impact by positioning Birmingham as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events, and domestic and international leisure travel. Named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “22 Best Places to Go in 2022,” Birmingham welcomes more than 3.6 million visitors each year, generating $2.2 billion in economic impact. Learn more at www.inbirmingham.com
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