David Downing, CDME is the President of Brand for United Landmark Associates, a Tampa Bay-based full-service advertising, branding and marketing agency specializing in hospitality development and luxury lifestyle brands. Downing’s previous experience includes 10 years in NYC with Random House/Fodor’s and Zagat Survey, followed by 12 years at Visit St. Pete Clearwater, including the last five as President & CEO.
A former member of the board of directors of both the U.S. Travel Association and Visit Florida, among others, Downing was named one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Marketing Minds in 2019 by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.
His advice for marketing during a pandemic is three fold: 1) don’t give your brand coronavirus; 2) stop showing grown adults what 6 feet looks like; and 3) keep the faith.