There are always growing pains in any start-up...and Brand USA had a few last week.
As reported here, a band of Republican lawmakers decided that they wanted to "GSA" Brand USA for its launch party in London last year. Except, there is a big difference. While the GSA splurged on its own people, Brand USA entertained guests that could bring millions of dollars of international spending to our shore.
Hey guys? Y'all need to pay closer attention.
Even more interesting was their accusation that Brand USA paid for its Board members to attend the soiree.
Uhh...no, again. Board members paid their way. As we all do.
Next time...you should ask your intrepid staffs to ask before putting you in such an embarrassing position.
While all that nonsense was going on, the word that Brand USA CEO Jim Evans has stepped down broke late last week. My guess is that the correlation between the Republican inquiry and his move is coincidental. It's not uncommon for a start-up CEO to step back when an organization is ready to rock. The timing here was simply unfortunate.
Carolyn Beteta, the ubber-capable CEO of California Tourism, will serve as interim. We'll have more as it emerges.
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