OKLAHOMA CITY— Visit Oklahoma City (Visit OKC) announces Shaun Yates as the new Vice President of Convention Sales and Services. This leadership position plays a critical role in bringing large-scale meetings and conventions to Oklahoma City by promoting the destination’s wide range of new and growing convention offerings. Yates joined Visit OKC on December 18 and brings more than 20 years of extensive industry experience.
Honing his skills in various sales roles, Yates spent the last seven years in Austin, Texas, working at a downtown convention hotel until joining Kalahari Resorts and Conventions as director of sales in May 2021.
“After a competitive nationwide search, Visit OKC is excited to welcome Shaun to Oklahoma City,” said Visit OKC President Zac Craig. “His valuable expertise will further enhance our already strong team and allow us to build on our current momentum.”
Yates brings a diverse background in hotel sales, catering and convention services. His career spans top-tier convention and resort properties, including the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Caesars Palace, as well as the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, among others.
“Working in hospitality is not simply a job or a building, but rather a true desire to connect with individuals and create experiences,” Yates said. “At its core, hospitality is relationships, and I look forward to building on existing relationships to benefit OKC, as well as growing new ones with our community partners.”
As a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Yates began his career in hospitality at Caesars Palace as a Colosseum Sales Intern for the Celine Dion show, A New Day.
“I quickly realized I loved the energy and excitement of hospitality, and that passion has only grown as my career developed through learning the ropes of catering and convention services, resort and hotel operations and, ultimately, convention sales,” Yates said. “I look forward to bringing my knowledge to the Oklahoma City market and working with the dynamic team to continue building on the success of this emerging meetings destination.”
For more information on planning a meeting or event in Oklahoma City, please visit visitokc.com/meetings.
