The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the hiring of Michael Laatsch as chief operating officer. Laatsch comes to the CVB from Western & Southern Financial Group, where he was vice president of public relations and corporate communications.

In this newly created position, Laatsch will oversee day-to-day operations of the CVB.

“Michael is a great addition to our already strong team,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “His leadership experience and his passion for Cincinnati set him up for great success at the bureau.”

At Western & Southern Financial Group, Laatsch oversaw a shared-service unit that provided public relations, advertising, event marketing and other services.

Laatsch has been deeply involved in tourism in Cincinnati USA. Before assuming the COO role, Laatsch was a member of the CVB’s Board of Directors since 2011. He also has recently served as Board Chair for the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network and Source Cincinnati.


Laatsch_Michael_5X7



"I'm really excited to join the CVB at a time when this

region is poised for so much new opportunity. I see

my role as continuing to develop and enhance our

operational capabilities to support our growth in the

future."

Michael Laatsch, COO
Cincinnati USA CVB





Prior to his work at Western & Southern Financial Group, Laatsch served as Regional Vice President of Marketing and Planning at Mercy Health Partners. He also was Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Choice Care.

"I am really excited to join the CVB at a time when this region is poised for so much new opportunity," said Laatsch. "I see my role as continuing to develop and enhance our operational capabilities to support our growth in the future."

Laatsch is a past board officer for the Cincinnati chapter of the American Marketing Association. He has twice been recognized by the United Way, most recently with the 100 Heroes Award in 2015. Laatsch also has served as a guest instructor at the University of Cincinnati and the Center for Quality Leadership. He was listed in the Cincinnati Business Courier’s “Who’s Who in Advertising, PR and Design” in 2006.

Laatsch’s appointment comes at a time when the CVB is advocating for a major expansion of the Duke Energy Convention Center.

“With Michael overseeing the day-to-day operations, I will focus on the major initiatives we are pursuing to make Cincinnati USA an even greater destination,” said Lincoln.

Laatsch is a native of Akron, Ohio. He and his wife live in Anderson Township and have two adult children.


About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is an aggressive sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $4.4 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing 74,000 people in a variety of fields and bringing 24.1 million visitors to the region annually. Visit www.cincyusa.com for more.