Experience Columbia SC (ECSC) announces the hiring of Beth Shaffer and Danna Lilly as sales managers. They will be responsible for selling the region as a premier destination for meetings and conventions, tradeshows and special events.
We are so excited and blessed to have the addition of these two successful and tenured sales professionals to our team,” said ECSC Vice President Jeff Homad. “Danna and Beth will help to grow our partnerships and continue to keep Experience Columbia SC top of mind within the meetings industry.”
Shaffer has an extensive history in hospitality and tourism and brings more than 20 years of experience in the hotel industry having worked in sales manager positions with Embassy Suites and The Desoto Savannah. Most recently she worked as sales director at Resort Lifestyle Communities. She has earned the Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) credential and is a business management graduate of the University of Phoenix.
“I am excited to be joining the Experience Columbia team,” Shaffer said. “I look forward to helping bring tourism to the Midlands. This seems like the perfect next step. The industry will come back stronger than ever and I am excited to be a part of that effort.”
Lilly is an accomplished tourism professional and is a Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration (HRTA) graduate from the University of South Carolina. She has held several leadership roles in the industry including convention sales manager at Kingston Plantation Resorts, director of sales at Visit Myrtle Beach and executive director of Meet in South Carolina. Also, as proprietor of End-N-Mind Destination and Event Management, she provided business development and event management services for the meeting, convention and golf industries.
“This city has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember” Lilly said. “From traveling to and from football games and state fairs as a child, to beloved college days at UofSC followed by years of visiting with SC Association Execs during my time in the hotel business – all roads have led to the heart of SC. I’m thrilled to be back and a part of the Experience Columbia SC Sales Team.”
ECSC President and CEO Bill Ellen said Shaffer and Lilly’s level of experience is a great asset.
“I’m extremely happy to add Beth and Danna to our team,” Ellen said. “The relationships they’ve built and their experience and professionalism strengthens our team to deal with the challenges we face as we go forward.“