The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau (OKC CVB) announced this week the selection of Mike Burns as the new Vice President of Sales. This position will oversee the CVB’s Sales and Convention Servicing team and will play a critical role in bringing conventions to Oklahoma City and promoting the new Oklahoma City Convention Center, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open Fall 2020.

Burns joined the Bureau on September 9 and brings more than 38 years of extensive industry experience. Previously, Burns served as the Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services at Destination Cleveland from 2012 – 2019. His role included introducing a new convention center and headquarter hotel in the market and helping establish Cleveland as a meetings and convention city. Before his position at Destination Cleveland, Burns served as Executive Vice President of DMI Hotels where he increased development of third-party client business and managed partner relationships, following 22 years at Conferon Inc. (now Experient) in various leadership roles.

“The CVB is excited to welcome Mike to Oklahoma City and to the tourism team. He brings valuable expertise to our already strong team and will be able to build on our current momentum,” said OKC CVB President Mike Carrier.