The following is a press release provided by Visit Bucks County
The Visit Bucks County Board of Directors announced Paul Bencivengo will lead Visit Bucks County (VBC) as President and Chief Operating Officer beginning on July 1, 2019.
“With two decades of experience working in the region’s travel and hospitality industry and a passion for marketing and economic development, Paul was a unanimous selection to be the organization’s next leader.” said Visit Bucks County Board Chairperson Bill Haas.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Bencivengo began his hospitality career as a bus boy at the former Bay Street Restaurant. Paul worked nearly every facet in the restaurant from dishwasher to line cook and server to managing food and beverage inventory/cost.
Bencivengo received his bachelor’s in marketing at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He returned to North Broad Street to earn his master’s degree, as a graduate assistant, from the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). Paul completed a graduate degree requirement working for the Philadelphia Eagles in the Sales and Services Department assisting on the naming rights presentation for what would become Lincoln Financial Field.
Prior to entering the tourism industry, Paul held various positions, including Content Manager for HoopsTV.com (a subsidiary of AND1) and Assistant Director of Operations as well as Traveling Secretary for the Alexandria Aces Minor League Baseball Team.
In 2001, Bencivengo joined the destination marketing industry as a Digital Marketing Manager for Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). Paul launched the Bureau’s first website and began their e-marketing program. In his role, Paul worked on marketing, advertising and digital projects for the Pennsylvania Convention Center, ESPN X Games, Army/Navy Game, sales support for pitches to small meetings and large conventions, Philadelphia’s first translated international websites, the motorcoach industry’s first web-based itinerary builder and countless other programs and collaborations targeting meeting planners, tour operators, major sports event planners and international visitors.
A Langhorne resident, Bencivengo started as Marketing Director at Visit Bucks County in 2009. In that role, he spearheaded unique advertising campaigns to drive tourism to Bucks County, garnering awards, including Travel + Leisure’s Social Media in Travel & Tourism (SMITTY) Award and Travel Weekly’s Magellan Award for the 2008 spring advertising campaign. Bencivengo oversaw Visit Bucks County’s efforts to be an industry leader in digital marketing for destinations.
“Tourism goes beyond encouraging visitors to explore a region,” said Bencivengo. “We will continue to raise Bucks County’s profile to attract more hospitality-friendly amenities to Bucks County. The work we do doesn’t just bring visitors to our destination, it also helps make Bucks County a better place to live and a more dynamic place to do business. We have a hospitality workforce of 28,000 that service locals as well as the 8 million people that visit Bucks County generating $1 billion in economic impact.”
In 2014, Bencivengo was promoted to Vice President and began focusing on stakeholder outreach, economic impact research and advocacy initiatives by dedicating his time to promoting collaboration and hospitality development throughout the County. Paul also played a key role evolving the organization by transitioning from membership and expanding Visit Bucks County’s marketing and industry relations teams.
Bencivengo has been recognized by several organizations, including the Bucks County Courier Times’ “Forty Under 40,” Temple University’s Alumni Gallery of Success and as a Destination Champion by Destinations International. Paul is also a Leadership Philadelphia fellow and most recently he was recognized by the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce with the SITAWE (Shot In The Arm With Enthusiasm) award.
“Paul Bencivengo’s extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry and passion for all that Bucks County has to offer makes him perfectly suited to lead Visit Bucks County’s travel industry. From our work together on U.S. Travel Association’s Destinations Council, I know Paul to be a driven and engaged leader,” said Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara and chair of the Destinations Council. “I, along with our industry peers, am excited to see what Paul will do in the years ahead as he continues to promote Bucks County as a first-rate travel destination.”
Paul has spoken at several local and industry conferences and has presented to many business associations and chambers of commerce. Bencivengo is second vice chair of U.S. Travel Association’s Destinations Council of Advisors and sits on the United Way of Bucks County Board. He also served on the board of Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce and Temple University’s STHM’s Alumni Board.
Paul and his wife Anne Marie are proud parents to two teenagers and the family dog. They enjoy dining and exploring Bucks County and sharing their experiences with locals and visitors alike.