Community Update

Visit Laguna Beach Announces New Bureau Leader

(Laguna Beach, Calif.) – The Board of Directors of Visit Laguna Beach, the official Visitors Bureau of Laguna Beach, is pleased to announce that Ashley Johnson has been promoted to the lead role overseeing all Bureau operations and marketing efforts. Johnson’s new title of Director of Brand Marketing & Communications allows her to continue to lead strategic destination marketing efforts regionally, nationally and globally, in addition to overseeing day-to-day operations. She will continue to spearhead local partnerships with the City of Laguna Beach keeping Visit Laguna Beach at the forefront and continuing to be the brand steward for the destination. In addition to being selected as one of “30 Emerging Leaders Under 30” by the California Travel Association in 2012, she continues to strive to stay on top of industry trends so Visit Laguna Beach can continue to be ahead of the curve.

“Ashley has played an integral role at Visit Laguna Beach overseeing our marketing efforts and outreach for the past eight years,” said Karyn Philippsen, Chairman of the Board, Visit Laguna Beach. “Her depth of knowledge and expertise in the industry will continue to keep Laguna Beach at the forefront as a must-visit worldwide destination, which benefits the entire community’s business climate and aligns with our overall strategic marketing plan.” 

To extend its reach and better cater to the needs of locals and visitors alike, Visit Laguna Beach has been working closely with the City on the summer pilot parking program, as well as marketing efforts for the 2015 year-round weekend trolley initiative; will open an interactive Visitors Kiosk with a self-service 32” monitor in the Visitors Center just in time for the influx of summer visitors; extend Visitors Center hours during the summer season to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to assist with dinner reservations and last minute hotel bookings; and plans to debut a new website – VisitLagunaBeach.com – in mid-July. 

“This new leadership position truly affords me the opportunity to help broaden Laguna Beach’s brand in conjunction with our domestic and international tourism initiatives in both the leisure and business markets,” Ashley Johnson said. “I am confident with our team’s collaborative talents we can keep Laguna Beach top of mind and at the pinnacle of the hospitality industry. I’m honored to have the Board’s support to lead this organization.”

Johnson has taken over the leadership role effective June 23, replacing Judith Bijlani, who announced her resignation in January 2014.