Steve Goodling, World Class Community Leader

As President and CEO of the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau since 2001, Steve Goodling leads a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to making Long Beach a premier destination city and providing superior customer service.  Under his leadership, the City has seen an incredible 55% increase in sales over the past six years.

Adding proof that Long Beach is achieving its goals in customer service is a string of major industry awards culminating in 2007 with the Bureau winning six top national honors—the most awards ever in its 25 year history.  The highest accolade in 2007 was the Bureau’s permanent induction into the Meetings & Conventions “Elite Hall of Fame” for exemplary customer service.

Steve has worked diligently with city and community leaders to bring a number of high profile special events to the city, including the 2004 US Olympic Swim Trials, the most successful trials in the sport’s history.

In 2007 Long Beach hosted the final stage of the AMGEN Tour of California, bringing the world’s top cyclists to town and shattering the race’s previous attendance records. Steve and his team also assisted with the Royal Rendezvous between the Queen Mary and the Queen Mary 2 in 2006 and the AKC World Championship dog show which now makes Long Beach its West Coast home.

Steve was born in York, Pennsylvania, graduating from Penn State University with a degree in marketing.  He brings more than 25 years of marketing experience to Long Beach; first with Marriott and then with Shangri La Hotels, a Hong Kong based company operating luxury resorts throughout Asia.  As Director of Marketing for North America, Steve introduced many Fortune 500 companies to China’s rapidly emerging tourism trade during the 1990’s.

Steve’s belief in the importance of participating in and being a part of the local community is evident in his personal involvement.  In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Long Beach Associates, he also serves as a director on the Board of the Arts Council of Long Beach, International City Theatre, and California Conference for Equality and Justice.  “My experience working in Asia emphasized for me the importance of personal relationships,” said Steve.  “It’s all about being involved, developing relationships and giving back to build a strong community.”

Steve love to explore the world with his wife of 17 years, Lisa.  “I enjoy learning about people and the way they live," said Steve.  “Lisa and I have had wonderful opportunities to meet new people, make new friends and experience their cultures."

For more information on the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, please visit www.visitlongbeach.com.