Kerri Verbeke Kapich is the Chief Operating Officer for the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA), one of the nation’s leading destination marketing organizations.  The SDTA represents over 900 hospitality organizations and serves as the San Diego region’s tourism marketing engine.

Kapich is a frequent guest speaker at industry conferences nationwide as well as a guest lecturer at the San Diego State University School of Hospitality and for LEAD San Diego.  In 2001, she was named as one of the “Top 100 Marketers” in the nation by Advertising Age magazine and is the recipient of numerous marketing, advertising and tourism awards including San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association Gold Key “Allied Person of the Year” Award, San Diego Daily Transcript “Women of Influence” Recognition, San Diego Magazine “Woman of the Year” Honoree, San Diego Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Finalist and Multi-Cultural Conventions Services Network “Women In Tourism & Hospitality” Honors.

In 1997, Kapich joined the San Diego Tourism Authority.  In her role as COO, she is responsible for strategic planning, brand stewardship, community engagement and revenue development.  She is the driving force behind the SDTA major initiatives such as the National Geographic “World’s Smart Cities” San Diego documentary.

Currently, Kapich chairs the LEAD San Diego Board and serves on the Downtown San Diego Partnership Advisory Board, Forever Balboa Park Board of Directors, CalTravel Executive Board Committee, Visit California Marketing Advisory Board, U.S. Destinations Council, U.S. Travel Association Communications Committee, and CalPoly SLO Experience Industry Management Advisory Board.  Past board positions include the California Restaurant Association San Diego Chapter, Junior League of San Diego, and the Advertising Club of San Diego.  She is a graduate of the LEAD Influence San Diego class of 2017.

A San Diego native, Kapich was featured as one of the “50 People to Watch” by San Diego Magazine.  She is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara.