Background

Peggy‘s post-college job as a travel writer for the State of New York launched her on the path that led to "I Love New York," where she was a principal in the development of this iconic campaign. She joined Development Counsellors International in 1985 to handle the Australian Tourism Commission account, and lead the tourism division.

The years since have seen talented staff and wonderful clients join the division’s roster, expanding DCI’s client reach to Europe (Sweden, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Africa (South Africa), South America (Chile) and the Middle East (Dubai).

Peggy's Passion for Places

Peggy has never met a place she didn’t like, from St. Petersburg (Florida) to South Africa, from Denver to Dubai. A special joy is introducing - or reintroducing - a destination to the North American traveler, as she did for South Africa in 1993 with the end of apartheid. Personal travels are often business-related, too, from Patagonia to Portland (both Maine and Oregon).

She’s visited more than 52 countries and 45 of the 50 states: still, there’s a long list of places, people and experiences to go.

Notable Results

• Peggy brought "The Today Show" to Australia for a weeklong broadcast, resulting in more than $10 million in advertising equivalency and record-breaking calls to the country's toll-free tourism telephone number.

• On behalf of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Peggy arranged for "Good Morning America" to visit the Islands, resulting in more than $13 million in advertising equivalency. She also successfully handled crisis communications for the islands in the wake of Hurricane Hugo.

• Peggy escorted a group of 51 print, broadcast and online reporters to South Africa immediately after President Mandela's inauguration, resulting in more than $1.25 million in advertising equivalency.

• Peggy was honored with the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association’s "Lifetime Achievement" award for public relations executives and is now a member of the selection committee for future award winners.