NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
FORMER FARM SHOW DIRECTOR TO HEAD CITY OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that former state Farm Show Complex Director Edward Nielsen has been hired to head up the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects for the City of Harrisburg. Nielsen begins his duties on Monday, May 23. Reed said Nielsen will be charged with heading up the city’s efforts to enhance its travel and tourism industry, with particular focus on the city’s planned museums and their development. He will also assist with other city economic development projects. The Mayor said Nielsen has extensive experience in the travel and tourism industries, which prior to his service as State Farm Show Director included the post of President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He was also Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. Nielsen was hired by Governor Ed Rendell two years ago to implement a major restructuring of the Farm Show Complex and its operations. Under his direction the Complex has significantly increased its revenues while streamlining operations and better marketing the extensive complex, the largest such facility of its type under one roof in the world. The Complex is one of the city’s major tourism generators, bringing more than 2 million visitors to the city annually. “Ed Nielsen brings a vast array of skills and experiences to the city position,” said the Mayor. “His understanding and knowledge of the tourism industry will be a particular benefit to our efforts to implement the results of the tourism study now being conducted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.” “He is also well respected for his management and organizational skills, which will be put to good use on such projects as the Harrisburg Museum Network, the Harriscom telecommunications effort, and other city economic development projects and activities.” Nielsen received a Masters Degree in Human Services in 1980 from Lincoln University and he also attended Elizabethtown College. |
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