James Tsismanakis, CDME, TMP is the Executive Director and CEO of the Discover DeKalb / DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau, Arts DeKalb, Sports DeKalb, DeKalb Hotel Council and Customer Centric Academy in Metro Atlanta. He serves on the Tucker-Northlake CID Study Steering Committee, served on the DeKalb Economic Development Strategic Plan Advisory Council helping to establish the first Economic development plan for DeKalb County and Chair of Tourism and Arts Task Force, serves on the DeKalb Africa Initiative Steering Committee, United Soccer Africa tournament planning committee for 2016, Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association Governmental Affairs Committee, Southeast Tourism Society Board of Directors and Advocacy Pillar Committee member, Georgia Chamber Board, Georgia State University Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration Industry Advisory Board, the Chamblee Chamber founding member and Board of Directors, Chamblee Chamber Economic Development Committee and Chamblee Main Street Development Committee and DeKalb Chamber Board of Directors. Selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and July 2016 as one of the Who’s Who 100 Leaders Who Are Shaping Atlanta’s Hospitality Industry. The DCVB was honored by winning the Georgia Tourism – Al Burruss Award For Creative Expression – We Are DeKalb Magazine in 2013 and for the new Discover DeKalb Magazine at the 2015 Governors Conference on Tourism. He resides in the Northlake area of Atlanta with his wife Bethany and their three children.
Specialties: Tourism, product development, destination management, destination marketing, and foundation management.