Hotel-industry official to lead TourismOhio
Matthew MacLaren has been named the director of TourismOhio, succeeding Mary Cusick. MacLaren, a former director of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, will start in January.
In a news release Thursday, the Ohio Development Services Agency, which oversees Ohio’s tourism division, said MacLaren will be tasked with increasing Ohio’s brand recognition and “expanding partnership opportunities.”
“Matt’s got a talent for economic development through hospitality and a proven track record for forming successful partnerships,” said David Goodman, director of the development services agency, in the statement.
Referring to the TourismOhio slogan developed under Cusick, “Find It Here,” Goodman said: “Matt will increase marketing efforts and show visitors the ‘it’ in Ohio.”
Since 2014, MacLaren has been senior vice president of member relations for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, based in Washington, D.C. The association represents more than 25,000 hotels and other lodging properties.
Prior to that, MacLaren worked for nearly a decade at the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, first as director of government affairs and communications, and then as president and CEO.
MacLaren graduated from Ohio State University and holds a law degree from Capital University Law School.
Cusick, a longtime marketing executive for Bob Evans Restaurants and Bob Evans Farms, announced her departure from TourismOhio in July after three and a half years as director.