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Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Names Brian Hickey Executive Director Tallahassee Sports Council

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (TACVB) has named Brian Hickey executive director of the Tallahassee Sports Council. Hickey, a Tallahassee native, previously served as assistant director from March 2005 to November 2006, at which time he took the position as interim director upon the resignation of John Citron, former executive director. As executive director of the Sports Council, Hickey is responsible for overseeing and organizing events, assisting with hospitality, housing, funding, transportation, venues and public relations for sports groups coming to Tallahassee (http://www.visitTallahassee.com).

As assistant director of the Sports Council, Hickey facilitated the Tourist Development Council Special Events Grant Program, identified and pursued sporting events ensuring marketing objectives for the Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau were met along with many other day-to-day responsibilities. He first established himself in the sports world of Tallahassee serving as assistant director of amateur sports for the Florida Sports Foundation, where he planned and implemented operations and logistics for the Florida’s Sunshine State Games, including the 25th Anniversary in Tallahassee, and Florida Senior Games State Championships. "We are excited to have Brian’s Tallahassee sports experience as a permanent part of our leadership team," says Sharon Liggett, president and ceo, Tallahassee Convention and Visitors Bureau. "His previous local expertise is a great asset to attracting important sporting events."

Since its inception, the Sports Council has worked diligently to earn Tallahassee the well-deserved reputation of an ideal site for competition. The Sports Council is a division of the Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and operates under the umbrella of the Leon County Tourist Development Council.

Hickey earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in Leisure Services Administration with an emphasis in event management. He has achieved CSEE (Certified Sports Event Expert) status administered by the National Association of Sport Commissions and served as a Red Cross liaison between the Big Bend Red Cross and the TACVB providing housing for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Hickey and his wife, Shari, also a Tallahassee native, have a nine-month-old son, Joshua.

For more information on the Tallahassee Sports Council, call the Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 628-2866 or click through http://www.visitTallahassee.com.