Position: Executive Vice President/Managing Principal
Destination Marketing Organizations & Chambers of Commerce Division
Location: Orlando Regional Office
Telephone: 407.201.8949
Email: dave@horizonhospitality.com
Dave Nolan directs the talent attraction efforts for Horizon’s outreach to two not-for-profit sectors: convention & visitor bureaus, and chambers of commerce.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Dave began his hospitality career with Marriott International — serving in executive sales & marketing positions with Marriott in Tucson, Denver, Marina Del Rey (CA), Anaheim, Saint Louis, Boston, and Chicago Downtown. Dave developed a keen eye for talent, and Marriott used him to recruit and groom new company hires. Marriott also named him Director of Marketing of the Year and Sports Executive of the Year. Dave was one of the first certified sales trainers for Marriott’s successful selling courses.
Because of his Marriott successes, the cities of Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Toledo recruited Dave in consecutive national searches to become president and CEO for their convention & visitor bureaus. Dave also served as regional director for Experient Inc, a Riverside Group Equity Company. Dave managed the east/western regions for Experient’s independent channel.
Dave has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for his leadership in not-for-profit organizations and economic development activities, including: receiving the Key to the City in Cleveland; election as president of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 1997; and serving as an appointee to the White House Conference on Tourism, hosted by President Bill Clinton.
Honored as UW-Stout’s Outstanding Young Alumnus, Dave has sat on numerous communities’ not-for-profit boards and as bank director for Home Bank in Cleveland, Ohio. Dave is a frequent guest on the TV circuit as well as a seminar presenter, and is well- versed in community branding, board governance issues, and strategic planning.
Dave married his college sweetheart, Christine, and they have three children — all attending or graduating from The Ohio State University. Kara Nolan currently works for Hilton Hotels in Orlando. Jared is returning to Columbus, Ohio to pursue his master’s degree in business, and Kelsey will graduate in May of 2012 and remains focused on a restaurant management position.