Amy Guerra has been hired by Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism as the new marketing director. Guerra brings over 30 years of marketing experience with a specific focus on travel and tourism. Past tourism roles include managing cruise and tour product development and group travel for AAA Travel of Oregon/Idaho, and managing marketing and operations for a tour company in Alaska that featured both historic, theatrical tours and cross-border sightseeing and adventure products. Additionally, she worked at sea for over four years as an assistant cruise director/hostess on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships in the Caribbean, Alaskan, Mexican, European, and Far Eastern markets.
“We are so excited to welcome Amy to our team,” said Sandy Ward, President & CEO. “She brings so much relevant experience to Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism and we cannot wait for her to share her leadership and marketing expertise with our organization and the entire tourism industry in Bellingham and Whatcom County.”
A current resident of Bellingham, Guerra spent several years as the associate executive director for Mount Baker Theatre. Her role at MBT was the primary executive in charge of marketing, and she successfully grew patron visits to the venue and the region. She has also worked locally for WhatcomTalk.com as a writer and in business development and spent a few months as interim editor for Bellingham Alive Magazine.
Guerra holds an MBA with additional certifications in leadership, business writing, and business presentation skills. She spent part of her master's program abroad (University of Melbourne, Australia), where she studied international negotiations and marketing research with students from over 40 countries. She has also worked in broadcasting in Dallas and New Orleans and was a part of a successful software start-up.
Her public writing life includes ad copywriting for print and broadcast media, technical writing in the software industry, local journalism, and various business writing projects. Guerra writes creative nonfiction essays and enjoys publication in literary journals. An avid arts advocate and past performer, she has been teaching classical ballet regionally for 10+ years.
Guerra says she is "absolutely thrilled to join the stellar team at BWCT and work to share the wonders of our region while promoting economic stability and growth. Travel broadens perspectives and reminds us—through new experiences—of our familiar, shared humanity. I am so thankful to be able to make this my focus."
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism is an independent, 501 (c) (6) nonprofit, economic development organization whose purpose is to improve the economy by marketing Bellingham Whatcom County as a premier, year-round visitor, sports, outdoor recreation, arts and cultural, and meetings destination, which supports all travel, tourism, and hospitality businesses and nonprofits in Whatcom County.
