Marykay Lui

National Sales Director | Northern CA

Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Though the destination I represent is in Southern CA, I am a Nor Cal girl at heart.  Born & raised in the Bay Area, I graduated from UCLA and “fell” into the hospitality industry.  The intent was to graduate with a Poli-Sci degree (which I still did) and become a lawyer… but got bit by the ‘event industry’ bug and started planning on-campus events. This path continued as I started planning fundraising & special events for a non-profit, then moved over to Hotels.

Prior to moving back to Nor Cal, I worked & lived in Long Beach for 4 years.  At that time, I recall questioning why my Hotel GM and DOSM would have lunch a few times a month with our competing Hotels.  I would then see my ‘competitor’ colleagues at CVB networking events, became good friends with them, and started having lunches with them just the same.  It dawned on me that all of us who worked in Long Beach shared the sentiment that we all wanted what was best for our City, and working cohesively was an integral part in making that happen. 

When I was given the opportunity to represent Long Beach, I was ecstatic, for it was this sense of community that I wanted to share with all my professional colleagues.  Continuing in my role at the Long Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for almost 10 years now, I hope that I have instilled this sense of LB Pride & partnership within you.