OBIT/George D. Kirkland, President and Chief Executive of LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau.

News Editors

OBIT...

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2003

LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is deeply saddened to announce the death of its longtime leader and friend, George D. Kirkland. A 30-year veteran of the U.S. travel and tourism industry, Mr. Kirkland passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends after battling cancer. He was 60 years old.

Recognized as one of the nation's most respected travel and tourism leaders, George D. Kirkland led the convention and visitors bureau in Los Angeles since 1990. During that time, he elevated the profile of tourism in LA, making it the second largest industry in the nation's second largest city. Following riots, fires, a devastating earthquake and high-profile court cases, Mr. Kirkland directed a team that fought LA's negative image, working to increase travel and tourism to Los Angeles.

George D. Kirkland leaves behind a legacy of establishing Los Angeles as an international gateway city for travel and tourism, and the nation's second most popular visitor destination. During his tenure, LA INC. opened Midwest and East Coast regional sales offices, giving the LA destination more reach and visibility in the meetings and conventions marketplace. Mr. Kirkland and LA INC. also expanded LA's reach internationally by partnering with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to open regional international marketing offices in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

Prior to his tenure at LA INC., Mr. Kirkland served as president of the convention and visitors bureaus of Greater Miami, San Francisco and Kansas City. He also worked for both the Hawaii and Anaheim Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

While head of LA INC., Mr. Kirkland also served as chairman of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) from 1999-2000, the premier organization for professionals who manage trade and membership associations. Additionally, George served as chair of the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) (1998-1999).

He was inducted into the Travel Industry Association of America's Hall of Leaders, the California Tourism Hall of Fame and the Convention Industry Council's Hall of Leaders.

As a community leader, Kirkland was an active member of civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Knights of Malta and the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He also served on the Board of The Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Board of Visitors of Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and was an honorary board member of The Serra Project, an organization that provides care and housing for people living with AIDS.

Mr. Kirkland is survived by his wife, Frances Kirkland; a son, George Kirkland, Jr.; a daughter, Kathleen Kirkland Craig; and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Los Angeles Travel and Tourism Education Foundation, 333 South Hope Street, 18th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071. A private memorial service to honor Mr. Kirkland is being planned at Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills where Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, will officiate.

Quotes from Industry and Local Leaders:

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of George Kirkland. As the former President and CEO of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, George has been a strong promoter of our city for over 10 years.

Most recently, George was part of the delegation that traveled with me to Asia to encourage visitors from Korea and Japan to come to Los Angeles. I appreciated his enthusiasm for our city and his efforts to boost tourism.

George was also a national leader in the tourism industry, serving as the Chair of the Travel Industry Association of America and serving as Co-Chair of the U.S. Japan Export Policy Initiative, a bi-lateral agreement to promote tourism between the two countries.

My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family, especially his wife Frances, his son George III, his daughter Kathleen, and three grandchildren." -- James K. Hahn, Mayor, City of Los Angeles 

"George Kirkland had a presence and an impact on our industry that was larger than life. He was an inexhaustible source of energy, an astute source of ideas and we were all inspired by his integrity and desire to persevere in the face of tremendous obstacles. His impact on our city and on our industry will be felt for a long time and in many ways, some of which may not even be discernible to us now." -- Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood

"The U.S. travel and tourism industry has lost a highly dedicated advocate, leader and friend. George Kirkland served our industry extraordinarily well in key leadership positions throughout his long career. In particular, his substantial influence in charting the course of international marketing for the industry while National Chair of the Travel Industry Association of America in the late 1990s will be felt for many years to come. He will be greatly missed." -- William S. Norman, President & CEO, Travel Industry Association of America

"George Kirkland's vision and leadership helped shape the face of California's tourism industry as we know it today. His guidance and friendship will be deeply missed." -- Caroline Beteta, Executive Director, California Travel and Tourism Commission

"George Kirkland was a tremendous partner to American Express and our business development efforts within the City of Los Angeles. As a friend, I will miss him and I'm sure the City will also miss his leadership." -- Stan Washington, Vice President/General Manager, Western Region, American Express Establishment Services

"Los Angeles has lost a truly outstanding leader, literally the dean of the American tourism industry. LA was lucky to have a leader that represented us all with imagination, strength and impeccable style." -- Richard Welch, Chairman, Riordan & McKinzie.