FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             

CONTACTS:    Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose (941) 338-3500

Southwest Florida’s Lee Island Coast VCB Announces New Deputy Director

            LEE ISLAND COAST, FL – The Lee Island Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) announces the addition of Mark Crabb as deputy director.

            The seasoned tourism professional will assist in strategic planning and directing  the VCB’s various activities and programs, such as marketing and sales initiatives, as well as involvement in the creation, implementation, and supervision of tourism promotions, advertising, and hospitality services for both the domestic and international markets.      

            Most recently, Crabb served as executive director of the Muncie/Delaware County (IN) Convention and Visitors Bureau.  He was responsible for increasing visitation of leisure and business travelers, along with motorcoach, convention, and sports markets.  At the state level, Crabb was president elect of the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureaus and past president of Tour Indiana Motorcoach Council.  Crabb has also served as executive director of the Rising Sun/Ohio County Convention and Tourism Bureau and director of sales with the Anderson/Madison County Visitors and Convention Bureau.  In 1991, he held the position of director of operations for the PGA Championship. 

            Crabb earned his bachelor of arts degree in marketing and advertising from Purdue University.

            He replaces D.T. Minich, C.D.M.E., as deputy director, who was promoted to VCB executive director in November 2000.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Lee Island Coast is located on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida and includes Sanibel/Captiva/Pine islands, Fort Myers Beach, historic Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, and Lehigh Acres.