About Visit Long Beach

Visit Long Beach markets and promotes the City of Long Beach as a destination for leisure travel, conventions and events.

Founded in 1982 as a nonprofit corporation, the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, the organization employs a myriad of strategies to publicize and market the city, including traditional advertising, content marketing, media relations, and robust convention client services. Visit Long Beach has a membership program for local businesses, providing them with marketing and publicity services including web listings, social media promotions, and exposure to convention clients.

Leadership

President & CEO: Steve Goodling

VP Communications & Marketing: Samantha Mehlinger

VP Client Services & Strategic Relationships: Angel Garcia

Controller: Cindy Robbins

Board of Directors

The Visit Long Beach Board of Directors includes individuals representing hotels, hospitality and leisure businesses, attractions, marketing experts, and community groups. The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Board of Directors includes:

  • BOARD CHAIR: William Rouse, President & CEO, Long Beach Yellow Cab
  • VICE CHAIR: Lisa Arias, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Long Beach
  • CFO: Larry Jackson, Long Beach Memorial
  • SECRETARY: Marcelle Epley, President & CEO, Long Beach Community Foundation
  • Rob Adams, General Manager, Hilton Long Beach
  • Imran Ahmed, General Manager, Marriott Long Beach
  • Terry Antonelli, CEO, L'Opera Ristorante
  • Greg Bombard, President & CEO, Catalina Express
  • Andre Brose, Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
  • Steve Caloca, General Manager, The Queen Mary
  • Bill Collier, Owner, Golden Shore RV Park
  • Laverne Duncan, Black History Long Beach
  • Greg Guthrie, General Manager, Hotel Maya
  • Scott Hamilton, Owner, Doma Properties
  • Mark Hammerbeck, Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown
  • Kishen Heera, Owner, Best Western
  • Julia Huang, Founder & CEO, Intertrend Communications
  • Chen Lau, Owner, Silver Sands Hotel
  • Nicky Loizides Clair, Owner, George's Greek Cafe
  • Jack Liu, General Manager, Staybridge Suites
  • Silvano Merlo, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown
  • Jim Michaelian, President & CEO, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach
  • Ron Nelson, Executive Director, Long Beach Museum of Art
  • Dennis Patel, Travelodge Convention Center
  • Hitu Patel, Owner, Rodeway Inn/Best Westen
  • Dan Salas, Founder & CEO, Harbor Breeze Cruises
  • Gregory Sanders, Pastor, The Rock Christian Fellowship
  • John Thomas, Owner, Art Deco Dimensions
  • John Thompson, General Manager, Westin Long Beach
  • Rahul Vir, General Manager, Marriott Long Beach Downtown
  • (Vacant) Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach
  • (Vacant) Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport

Click here for information about upcoming and past board meetings.

Reporting

CONTACT

For Marketing & Communications:
Samantha Mehlinger, Vice President of Communications & Marketing: SamanthaM[at]visitlb.com
Claire Atkinson, Communications & Marketing Manager: ClaireA[at]visitlb.com

For Client Services:
Angel Garcia, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Client Relations: AngelG[at]visitlb.com

For Membership:
Paula Almaraz, Senior Director of Community Relations & Special Projects: Paula[at]visitlb.com

ADDRESS
301 E. Ocean Blvd, Suite 1900
Long Beach CA 90802
(562) 436-3645
www.visitlongbeach.com

Board & Committee Meetings
Upcoming Member Events