|  Christine Mueller Joins SCVB
Christine Mueller joined SCVB as Director of Sales on February 23. Mueller is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the bureau's Seattle convention sales team. She most recently worked as Managing Director of Strategic Account Management for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. As one of only six global team members hired to launch Starwood's Strategic Sales initiative, she maintained responsibility for international business development structure to support Starwood's biggest accounts.
 Janet Christopher Helps SCVB Build Business
On February 24, industry veteran Janet Christopher stepped into the newly-created position of SCVB Director of Business Development. Christopher will work in conjunction with the bureau's membership department and will be responsible for generating new members. In addition, she will develop a sponsorship program that will allow members to increase their presence in the visitor market. Christopher brings with her 13 years of hospitality experience, most recently as Assistant Executive Director, Convention Services for the Washington State Dental Association. Prior to that, she served as Regional Director of Sales for Weaver Multimedia Group where she oversaw publishing for convention and visitor bureaus in San Francisco, San Jose, Vancouver and Seattle. Christopher is a six-year steering committee member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation's annual gala.
 Ralph Goodman
Beloved friend, colleague and respected tourism industry veteran Ralph Goodman, CMP passed away on March 7 following a valiant fight against brain cancer. Mr. Goodman is remembered among many convention and meetings industry professionals across the U.S. and by countless members of Seattle's hospitality community for his professionalism as well as his warmth, kindness and good humor. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and daughters Allie and Carolyn.
He served as Vice President of Convention Sales at Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) from 1989 through 1999. He began shortly after the opening of the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in downtown Seattle and oversaw Seattle's growth as a premier convention and meeting destination throughout the next decade. He was instrumental in the founding of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
Following his SCVB tenure, Goodman served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Space Needle Corporation from November 1999 until February 2000, followed by a marketing leadership post at the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau. He returned to Seattle in 2003 and served as Director of Sales & Marketing for the Marriott Seattle Airport for more than five years.
Early in his career, Goodman worked for Trans World Airlines (TWA). In San Francisco, he served in sales and marketing roles for the Fairmont San Francisco and Stanford Court Hotel. He also held marketing leadership positions with Westin properties in Kansas City and Washington, D.C.
Remembering Ralph:
Carla Murray, SVP Operations, Starwood Hotels and Resorts:
"Ralph had many gifts that he generously shared. Loyal friend, loving dad, quintessential gentlemen, and generous husband were his personal gifts. His professional gift was to Seattle. He shared the desire to sell, to mentor, to lead, to serve - leaving an incredible legacy for all to follow. His favorite word, "incredible," motivated us, and his life's work inspired us. Ralph introduced me to Seattle when I arrived in 1990 as a new Director of Sales and Marketing for the Sheraton. He not only shared Seattle and the hospitality industry with me, he also shared his "incredible" life, introducing me to his lovely wife Lisa. We continued to share a magical and loyal friendship which has endured the last 19 years."
Tom Norwalk,
President & CEO
Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau:
"Ralph and I really forged our relationship in the early '80s in San Francisco [as directors of marketing for competing hotels]. Ralph was a trusted friend and colleague during those tough years and would actually send me his overflow business. Little did we both know that years later Ralph would be the Vice President of Convention Sales for SCVB, selling Seattle's new convention center – and that I would be back in Seattle at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, working with him and this team to sell our city! I will always remember and cherish Ralph's unselfish love and passion for his family – his "girls." Every conversation we had began and ended with us talking about our children and families."
Roberta Greer
Senior V.P./CAO Tillicum Village, retired
"Ralph was the consummate gentleman — a gentle man — whose integrity, intellect and good humor created a lasting friendship that I will cherish. He cared deeply for his wife, Lisa, and his two daughters and frequently shared his pride in their accomplishments. We will remember his legacy of compassion, consideration and business acumen that will continue to inspire his friends and business associates."
David R. Evans, CHME
Managing Director
David R. Evans & Associates
"Ralph's values were his strengths. Family first, faith, a strong team player, dedicated and loyal associate. He was a ‘Rain Maker.' He did not stand back from tough issues and was willing to make change not for the sake of change but to improve whatever situation he was in. At Westin Hotels and Resorts he was a great team player on a great team of hospitality professionals, always willing to make it happen. And at SCVB, he left a legacy of leadership in the sales process, building long-lasting relationships."
Janet Hunter, SCVB Director of Convention Sales, retired:
"As the long-time head of the bureau's convention sales department, Ralph was unequalled in his wise, steady leadership and ability to bring out the best in people, thereby achieving great results, especially back when the Washington State Convention & Trade Center had just opened and we had the difficult job of enticing group business with no real track record. In describing Ralph as a person, some of the many words that come to mind include decent, smart, witty, fair, calm, generous, authentic, honest and inspiring. It was an honor to work with Ralph and be his friend."
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