Marc J. Garcia is president and CEO of Visit Mesa, the destination marketing organization for the City of Mesa, Arizona and the surrounding region with the “City Limitless” brand promise created in early 2013. His experience includes 25 years of community building while working with neighboring communities and DMOs; visitor industry partners and stakeholders; municipal, county and state governments; lobbying support for brand protection and tourism funding; and serving on various industry and local boards.

In 2019, Garcia led Visit Mesa to become the nation’s first Autism Certified City, according to the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), through which over 5,000 people who either live or work in Mesa have received autism awareness training. More recently—and with partnerships with Aira, Hidden Disability Sunflower, Threshold360, Able Eyes, the Mesa Regional Foundation for Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion, among others—Garcia is leading Mesa to become the nation’s most accessible city.

Visit Mesa’s branding and marketing efforts have garnered several industry awards during Garcia’s 10-year tenure:

• 2022 Best Marketing Campaign (Urban category) – Arizona Office of Tourism
• 2021 Best Idea Award – Destination Marketing Association of the West
• 2021 ESTO Destiny Award (Special Projects) – U.S. Travel Association
• 2021 Urban Innovations Award – Arizona Office of Tourism
• 2021 & 2020 Silver Telly, Zuill Bailey Video – Partnership with Mesa Arts Center, timed to re-opening travel in 2021
• 2020 Silver ADDY Award – Video Production, Adventure Explorer Brand, American Advertising Agency

Individual recognitions:

• 2022 Destination Organization Leadership Award – Destinations International
• 2020 & 2021 Valley’s Most Influential Tourism Professional – AZ Foothills Magazine
• 2019 Tourism Manager of the Year – Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association
• 2019 Top 40 Most Influential Phoenicians – AZ Foothills Magazine

Current Board Service:

• S. Travel Association
• Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association • Executive Advisory Board, International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)
• TravelAbility
• Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Garcia earned his B.A. in political studies from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, where he also played varsity soccer and was three years named to the Regional All-America Team. Together, he and his wife Jennifer have three children: Gavin (25), Jackson (21) and Mason (8).