Bermuda Tourism Authority announces new appointments

Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) today announces five new appointments, all of whom are Bermudian or spouses of a Bermudian.

Bill Hanbury, CEO of Bermuda Tourism Authority, says: “We are extremely excited to welcome these five new team members to the BTA. I believe the skills and experience these individuals bring to the table will help us to fulfill our goal as a dynamic and collaborative organisation to revitalise tourism in Bermuda. We are very pleased to now be starting to fill out the BTA with dedicated, skilled professionals. We look forward to continuing to update Bermuda as the process of building our team continues.”

As the new Director of Research and Business Intelligence, Erin Smith will play an integral role in supporting Bermuda’s tourism product development, marketing and investment strategies through conducting and evaluating research, reporting on key market trends and monitoring lodging performance metrics and visitor statistics. Since 2012, Ms. Smith served as Director of Marketing & Operations for the Bermuda Tourism Board. Prior to that she was the Marketing & Research Manager at the Bermuda Hotel Association/Bermuda Alliance for Tourism for one year. Ms. Smith also spent several years in senior roles at two local marketing agencies – AdVantage and eMedia. Ms. Smith began her career in 2001 in Ohio after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She started out at StrataMark Research and in 2005 she joined market research provider TNS Global as Senior Marketing Project Director before moving to Bermuda in 2007.

Tashae Thompson has joined the BTA as the Culture & Leisure Events Manager. Reporting to the Chief Product and Experience Development Officer, she will be charged with developing and managing leisure and cultural events and experiences for visitors to Bermuda. Ms. Thompson has transitioned into her new role from her position as Manager, Events & Product Development with the Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) where she managed and coordinated all elements of event planning associated with the BDOT’s on-island events and departmental programmes. Having been with the BDOT since 2008 in various capacities, Ms. Thompson has a wide range of experience related to tourism, marketing and event management. Ms. Thompson received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of North Florida before completing a master’s in business administration and a master’s in sports business management from the University of Central Florida.

The BTA is pleased to welcome Adam Barboza as Sports and Event Development Manager. Mr. Barboza has been with BDOT since 2002 first as Market Research Officer until 2005 when he was promoted to Manager, Sports Marketing. In this role, he was charged with the development, implementation and tracking of numerous sports-related tourism events including the signature PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the Newport to Bermuda Race and World Rugby Classic plus various others on the annual sports tourism calendar. Prior to that, Mr. Barboza served as a Bermuda Customs Officer for eight years. Throughout his career, Mr. Barboza has been a fixture within the local and international sports scene. He managed multiple national championship sailing campaigns as well as competed in and oversaw campaigns to qualify in the Olympics for 1992 (Finn Class), 1996 (Laser Class) and 2000 (Soling Class). His involvement in sports extends to the coaching level as a mentor to both young people and adults in various sports. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Region & Small Town Geography and Economics, Mr. Barboza graduated from Mount Allison University in Sackville, NS, Canada.

In the Sales and Marketing department, the BTA has enlisted Lyn Winford. As Creative Services Manager, Ms. Winford will be working with the Marketing Manager to develop all creative materials for sales, trade shows and events, external customers and agencies. Ms. Winford joins the BTA after working with BDOT since 2007 as Graphic Designer and Photoshoot Direction and Stylist. After earning a Bachelor of Applied Science at Oakwood University, Ms. Winford worked at Trimingham Brothers in graphic design and fashion styling. She then went on to study fashion design in Italy and at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and has worked with such high profile brands as Polo, Ralph Lauren and Badgley Mischka – Platinum Label.  

Rasheeda Burgess

has been brought aboard in the Product and Experience Development Department as Assistant Product Development Manager supporting the Sports and Events Development Manager, Cultural and Leisure Events Manager and External Coordination Manager. Ms. Burgess has been a part of the BTA Transition Team since September 2013 as Project Coordinator. Prior to that, Ms. Burgess held various positions in event planning, coordination and development at Diamond Receptions, Kreative Koncepts and Mount Saint Vincent University International Students Society. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration concentrating in Management and Tourism & Hospitality Management. She went on to obtain Master’s degrees in both Business Administration Tourism and International Hotel Management and Project Management as well as certification as an International Events and Wedding Professional.

Statement by Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert

The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party welcomes the appointments of Erin Smith, Tashae Thompson, Adam Barboza, Lyn Winford, and Rasheeda Burgess to the Bermuda Tourism Authority Team.

They each have served Bermuda and the Bermuda Department of Tourism well over the years and we are certain that they will continue to do an excellent job in taking Bermuda's tourism product to new heights.