2004 - 2013
Big Picture Tourism Consulting, LLC established in Moorestown, NJ.
Contracted international marketing services for the I LOVE NY - IITA partnership (and creation of NYC+)
International trade show representation and statewide tourism product development (New York State)
2013 - 2020
Senior Manager of Operations for bride spokes by KUONI (NYC office)
Contracted marketing services for THE RIDE (Times Square NYC sightseeing attraction)
Sales, marketing and trade show representation for NYC-based DMC - RMP Travel, Inc.
Program Director for Wine, Water & Wonders of New York State (a not-for-profit international marketing company)
2023 - 2024
Subcontracted international marketing services for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
2025
Consultant to Visit Ithaca : Re-establishing a framework for international inbound tourism by setting a foundation and exploring product and business development.
BACKGROUND
A native of New York City (Brooklyn) and Bachelor of Science graduate of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, Guidone began his career in the sales department of the Stouffer Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA prior to accepting a position as tour and travel sales manager for the Holiday Inn — Historic District in Center City Philadelphia. It was here, in 1990, that his tourism experience was launched.
In 1992, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (now PHLCVB) recruited him to act as tourism sales manager to promote the City of Philadelphia to the domestic travel trade. Four years later a new position was created in response to Philadelphia’s increased international air service and Guidone was made director of international sales. His responsibilities included the development of international tourism visitation to the Philadelphia region through attendance at international trade shows such as Pow Wow, International Tourism Bourse (ITB), World Travel Market (WTM), La Cumbre, Pow Wow Europe, ABAV, FITUR, Top Resa as well as participating in international sales missions, tour product launches and press events including inaugural flight promotions with US Airways and KLM/Northwest Airlines. Other responsibilities included overseeing international representation offices in Europe, South America and Japan as well as cooperative sales and marketing projects with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A pioneer in starting Philadelphia’s outreach to LGBTQ visitors meant helping to bring IGLTA’s 1997 Annual Convention to the City of Brotherly Love.
After 10 years with the Philadelphia CVB, he joined the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (now VisitPhilly) as project director. Focused on destination marketing and development for the CruisePhilly brand, Guidone’s role provided the Port of Philadelphia and Camden with a level of support not often found in other port cities. He was also involved with the start-up project, “Once Upon A Nation”, a program of Historic Philadelphia Incorporated, to enliven Philadelphia’s historic district through storytelling and increased group tour programming. He also managed Philadelphia’s AAA hotel packaging program while at GPTMC.
Guidone also held a position as director of sales and marketing for a 180-room oceanfront resort in Rehoboth Beach, DE (the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center) in addition to the role of tourism sales leader for the Delaware Tourism Office, a division of the Delaware Economic Development Office, where he headed up Delaware’s outreach to increase business from the meetings and conventions segment.
Other accomplishments include his serving as president of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) from 1995-1997 as well as serving on the board of directors of HSMAI from 1997-1999. Additionally, Guidone served as Director of Marketing & Membership Development for the Receptive Services Association of America (now IITA.org) and has served two terms on its board of directors as DMO committee director, winning an award from his peers for outstanding service by a DMO in 1997.
SKAL Philadelphia Board of Directors 2024. Previously (2014-2021) and currently a member of the SKAL NY. To fellow Skalleagues everywhere …
Guidone currently resides in Lewes, Delaware and enjoys hiking in nature, ethnic foods, photography, music, and the serene beauty of Delaware’s coastline.