DistiNCtly Fayetteville is proud to announce the addition of two new directors to its staff, adding extensive experience in travel and tourism to the bureau. The Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) will welcome Rachel Obermeier as its director of sales, and Melody Foote as the director of marketing, both starting in February. Both Obermeier and Foote boast more than 20 years of experience in the tourism industry and will be integral in DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s mission to position Cumberland County as an attractive tourism destination. 

“We are excited to welcome Rachel and Melody to the DistiNCtly Fayetteville team, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to help lead our organization,” said Devin Heath, president and CEO of  DistiNCtly Fayetteville in a press release. “To fill both roles, we went through a thorough and extensive hiring process, ensuring we selected the perfect fit for our organization and the Cumberland County community. We look forward to working closely with them to bring more business and leisure travelers to our area.” 

As the director of sales, Obermeier will be responsible for the DMO’s efforts to market and position the Fayetteville area as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, and sporting events. Obermeier  most recently served as sales director for Visit Mississippi, the tourism economic development agency, driving economic growth and increased international travel. Prior to that position, she launched at RKO Marketing, a tourism company based in Bad Soden, Germany. While with RKO Marketing, Obermeier supported sales efforts for Tennessee Tourism, Memphis Tennessee, and the State of Mississippi.  

Bringing extensive communications experience, Foote, director of marketing, will oversee the DMO’s marketing and promotional efforts. Foote began her career with DistiNCtly Fayetteville in 2001, working on behalf of the organization for 20 years as director of communications before transitioning to communications roles with IMI Association Executives and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. In addition to her communications experience, Foote previously served as a board member for the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce and authored the book,“100 Things to Do in Fayetteville Before You Die.”