Events
PDMA 2008 Direct Marketer of the Year

Meryl Levitz
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

At this year’s Benny event, PDMA honored Meryl Levitz, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), as its 2008 Direct Marketer of the Year.  Ms. Levitz was presented with her award by the 2006 PDMA Direct Marketer of the Year, Warren Hunter, chairman and CEO of DMW Worldwide LLC.

In presenting the award, Mr. Hunter praised Ms. Levitz’s leadership of the GPTMC that is responsible for expanding Philadelphia’s regional tourism, worth $10.44 billion in economic impact and accounting for more than 128,000 regional jobs annually.

The GPTMC implements integrated marketing strategies to build image and visitation using a multichannel approach that includes television, print, radio, outdoor, the Internet, and public relations.  These efforts have resulted in impressive results, including the fact that the number of overnight leisure visitor to Greater Philadelphia has increased for six consecutive years.  The individual travel segment in Center City has grown and visits to www.gophila.com are up 26 percent.

Since 1974, the PDMA has awarded the Direct Marketer of the Year Award to those with direct marketing industry prominence regionally or nationally; a recognizable contribution to the industry; business building in the marketplace; and a reputation for integrity. Since the first year, there have been 35 direct marketing leaders honored.

Previous "Direct Marketers of the Year" award-winners