Kerri Verbeke Kapich

Chief Operating Officer
San Diego Tourism Authority

Kerri Verbeke Kapich is the COO for the San Diego Tourism Authority, one of the nation’s leading destination marketing organizations.  The SDTA represents over 900 hospitality organizations and serves as the San Diego region’s tourism marketing engine.

 Kapich is a frequent guest speaker at industry conferences nationwide as well as a guest lecturer at the San Diego State University School of Hospitality.  In 2001, she was named as one of the “Top 100 Marketers” in the nation by Advertising Age magazine and is the recipient of numerous marketing, advertising and tourism awards including San Diego Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Finalist, San Diego Daily Transcript “Women of Influence” Recognition and San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association Gold Key “Allied Person of the Year” Award.

 In 1997, Kapich joined the San Diego Tourism Authority where she has been responsible for strategic planning, brand management, community engagement and partnership development.  She is the driving force behind the SDTA’s integrated marketing program including major initiatives such as the National Geographic “World’s Smart Cities” San Diego documentary.

 Kapich currently serves on the Visit California Marketing Advisory Board.  She is a member of the Travel Industry of America, Destination Marketing Association International.  Kapich also is a board member of the Friends of Balboa Park and graduate of the LEAD Influence San Diego class of 2017.

 A San Diego native, Kapich was featured as one of the “50 People to Watch” by San Diego Magazine.  She is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara.