Photo Credit: Mark Alan Howard for Adobe Stock
Visit Raleigh has named executive vice president Loren Gold as its next president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Gold will succeed Dennis Edwards, who announced plans to retire at the end of the year after leading the destination marketing organization for North Carolina's capital since 2016.
Gold joined Visit Raleigh in 2005 as director of sales and has served as executive vice president since 2007. In his current role, he oversees sales and marketing strategy, including brand management, market research, communications, advertising, public relations and destination technology initiatives.
"Loren's knowledge of the industry and our community make him the right person to lead the organization into its next chapter," Melissa Chunn, chair of the Visit Raleigh Board of Directors, said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Meetings industry veteran
Gold brings nearly 40 years of hospitality experience to the role, much of it tied to the meetings and conventions sector. Before joining Visit Raleigh, he held national sales positions with Wyndham International and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Additionally, he founded City Reps Inc., a firm focused on convention and visitors bureau representation. In that role, he generated meetings and tradeshow business for destinations including Cincinnati, Houston, Minneapolis, Memphis and more.
Gold also serves on the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center Commission, the Granicus Destinations Advisory Board and the Wake County Hospitality Alliance.
"A tourism career is not defined by titles, but by the opportunity to create meaningful community impact, build strategic relationships and help destination partners succeed," Gold said in a statement.
Leadership change amid destination growth
The leadership transition comes as Wake County continues to invest heavily in tourism infrastructure, with more than $2 billion in projects under development, according to Visit Raleigh.
As president and CEO, Gold will oversee a staff of 35 and a $12.5 million budget while leading implementation of the bureau's Destination Strategic Plan 2028. The long-term strategy is intended to guide growth across the meetings, conventions, sports and leisure sectors.