- Hiking
- Outdoor Recreation
- High-Intensity Interval Training
- Yoga
- Swimming
Polly Flachman
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Dedicated, passionate, skilled professional with diverse employment background including management, leadership, community development, coaching and extensive sales & marketing background.
Knowledgeable leader with proven history of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Successfully directed cross-functional projects that resulted in significant process improvements and operational efficiencies. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills in fostering collaborative environments and delivering impactful results.
Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Community Engagement
Visit Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
12.2012 - Current
- Lead Community Engagement efforts, including the Membership and Visitor Experience department, overseeing all engagement and educational programs for members and key stakeholders
- Direct community sponsorships, destination activations, and educational initiatives that strengthen industry relationships and enhance the visitor experience
- Oversee the TAP into Phoenix program, fostering connection, advocacy, and leadership within the local tourism and hospitality community
- Drive private revenue generation initiatives aligned with organizational priorities and community engagement goals
Director of Member Relations & Visitor Experience
Visit Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
- Lead and manage Visitor Information Center and the Membership Relations and Visitor Center staff
- Responsible for membership sales, retention, member event, annual meeting sponsorships, educational programs and serving the visitors to Phoenix
- Accountable for creating my departments Business Development Plan, budgeting and reaching revenue and retention goals
VP & Director of Business Development
Visit Spokane
Spokane, WA
03.2002 - 11.2012
- Lead and manage Visitor Information Center personnel and Business Development Team
- Responsible for membership sales, retention, events, community relations, advertising and sponsorships with a focus on corporate stakeholders
- Successfully grew membership revenue by 25% over the past nine years
- Personally secured Visit Spokane’s largest revenue generating member
- Increased retention rate by 4% over nine years to the current average of 89%
- Oversee and manage the nationally accredited Certified Tourism Ambassador Program
- Accountable for the creation and perpetuation of Thought Leaders Group
- Key role in developing and implementing the Bring Home the Business Program
- Responsible for partner content as it relates to printed publications and website
- Accountable for building department budget and achieving revenue and retention goals.
Sales Manager
Pip Printing
Spokane, WA
07.1999 - 03.2002
District Manager
American Building Maintenance
Spokane, WA
11.1998 - 07.1999
Sales Consultant & Customer Service Representative
Dale Carnegie Training
Spokane, WA
11.1993 - 10.1998
Education
Certified Destination Management Executive Courses - CDME
Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN07-2016
Communication And Leadership
Landmark Education Corporation
Seattle, WA09-1997
Leadership And Management
Dale Carnegie Training
Spokane, WA02-1995
Liberal Arts
Spokane Community College
01-1989
Skills
- Creation, Planning and Implementation of Events/Programs
- Consultative Sales/Needs Assessment
- Relationship and Team Building
- Membership Centered Solutions
- Training, Mentoring and Coaching
- Sponsorship Recruitment, Commitment and Retention
- Budgeting/Planning/Forecasting
- Advanced CRM Database Management
- Office Organization and Administration
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs
Interests
Timeline
Vice President of Community Engagement
Visit Phoenix
12.2012 - Current
VP & Director of Business Development
Visit Spokane
03.2002 - 11.2012
Sales Manager
Pip Printing
07.1999 - 03.2002
District Manager
American Building Maintenance
11.1998 - 07.1999
Sales Consultant & Customer Service Representative
Dale Carnegie Training
11.1993 - 10.1998
Director of Member Relations & Visitor Experience
Visit Phoenix
Liberal Arts
Spokane Community College
Certified Destination Management Executive Courses - CDME
Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis
Communication And Leadership
Landmark Education Corporation
Leadership And Management
Dale Carnegie Training
Achievements and Awards
PACE Forum Founder & Executive Committee member since 2024, Destination International Membership Committee member 2025 & 2026, Destination International: Advocacy Committee member 2022-2024, Board member of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International 2019, Board member of National Association of Women Business Owners 2017, Executive Women International (EWI): Board of Directors: Membership Chair 1997 and 1998, Program Chair 2008, Vice President 2009, President 2010, Board Advisor 2011, EWI Representative of the Year, EWI New Player of the Year, Landmark Certified Introduction to Forum Leader, School District 81, Junior Achievement/Dale Carnegie, Sacajawea Junior High/Dale Carnegie/Optimist Club (taught 8th graders coursed in Human Relations, Communications and presentation skills
Most likely to be CEO
During our annual staff awards, I was recognized by my colleagues as most likely to be a CEO.