Future of Responsible Tourism Forum with Bloomberg and City of Charleston

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Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) will be hosting The Future of Responsible Tourism advocacy forum on May 20 at The Charleston Museum. The forum will mark the beginning of the Future of Livability and Responsible Tourism project, a City of Charleston, partnership with HCF, Bloomberg Associates, and Explore Charleston.

“This initiative will clarify a long-term vision, combined with short-term solutions, for responsible tourism that focuses on residents, the local economy, and the tourism industry — embodying respect for the unique culture and historic fabric of our city,” says Winslow Hastie, Historic Charleston Foundation President and CEO.

While in town for the forum, representatives from Bloomberg Associates will be gathering data and feedback. Bloomberg will release draft findings to the community in the Fall of 2025 with the goal of folding their recommendations into a new city-led tourism management strategy.

Founded in 2014, Bloomberg Associates, the philanthropic consulting arm of Bloomberg Philanthropies, works at no cost with city leaders around the world to help solve complex urban challenges. George Fertitta, the CEO of Bloomberg Associates, along with his colleague Gordon Innes, will lead this tourism initiative in Charleston.

This FREE program will be held at The Charleston Museum and is open to the public with registration. Registration is required as space is limited. The Forum will be recorded and made available on YouTube as soon as possible. If you would like to be notified when the video is available, or if you would like to be placed on the waiting list for the Forum, please use this link.

This Forum will include the following speakers:

Mayor William Cogswell, a dedicated lifelong resident of Charleston, assumed office on January 8th, 2024, with an unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs of the city's residents. Grounded in the principles of Smart Growth, Safe Communities, and Sound Governance, his leadership ethos is geared towards shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for Charleston. With a rich background in real estate spanning over two decades, Mayor Cogswell has played a pivotal role in revitalizing historic properties, transforming them into thriving urban centers such as the Cigar Factory, GARCo Mill, and the Navy Yard. Drawing upon his extensive experience, he brings a keen understanding of the nuances of development, distinguishing between what constitutes responsible and sustainable progress. His vision is to leverage these lessons to guide Charleston forward into a future marked by responsible growth. Prior to assuming mayoral duties, Cogswell served in the state legislature, representing District 110 for six years. During this period, his impact was felt across the state. Mayor Cogswell has seen his hometown dramatically evolve during his lifetime. Since the beginning of his career, he has dedicated himself to preserving the best of what Charleston has to offer. Through creative solutions that marry old and new, past and present, William has shown Charleston the difference between good and bad development.‍
George Fertitta served from 2006 to 2013 as CEO of NYC & Company, a private non-profit marketing agency that operates as New York City’s advertising, tourism, convention sales, partnerships and licensing organization. Under Fertitta’s leadership, the organization significantly expanded its overseas presence through a network of 18 offices serving 25 countries around the globe. It developed a new web portal, and created numerous corporate sponsorship programs and marketing campaigns to promote visitation to all areas of New York City. As a result, domestic visitation increased 50%, international visitation increased 100%, and market share of overseas travel to the U.S. grew from 28% to 33%, generating an additional $5 billion annually. The tourism sector is now New York’s third-largest industry, welcoming a record-breaking 54.3 million visitors in 2013 and contributing over $60 billion to the city’s economy. Before entering public service, Fertitta was founder and chairman of a major marketing and advertising agency with a range of clients in the U.S. and abroad.‍‍
Dr. Daniel Guttentag is an Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the School of Business at the College of Charleston, where he teaches undergraduate and MBA students. He additionally serves as the Director of the university’s Office of Tourism Analysis, which undertakes research on behalf of the local hospitality and tourism industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a Master’s degree in Tourism Policy and Planning, both from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He previously worked as a Tourism Business Analyst with the Toronto Convention and Visitors Association, and recently served as a Fulbright Scholar in Panama, where he researched and assisted Indigenous tourism enterprises. He regularly publishes research in top academic hospitality and tourism journals, and has been featured in major media, including The New York Times, BBC, USA Today, Wired, Forbes, and Bloomberg.
Winslow Hastie is President & CEO of Historic Charleston Foundation, a nonprofit organization that champions the historic authenticity, cultural character and livability of the Charleston region through advocacy, stewardship, and community engagement. Hastie began his career in San Francisco as a preservation consultant at Carey & Co. Architecture, and as an urban planner and preservation specialist at the City of San Francisco Planning Department. There's no place like home, however, and Hastie returned to Charleston as the chief preservation officer at Historic Charleston Foundation before becoming the president and CEO in 2017. Named Charleston's 50 Most Influential 2025, Winslow has been deeply involved in many of Charleston's most important preservation initiatives, including Dutch Dialogues and the Water Plan. He was recently invited to speak at the 2024 National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Conference in New Orleans on the topic. In addition, Winslow has worked closely with the City on the future redevelopment of Union Pier.
Gordon Innes joined Bloomberg Associates in January 2017. Prior to joining Bloomberg Associates, Gordon was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of London & Partners, the UK capital’s official promotional and economic development company. Under Gordon’s leadership, the company attracted investment and spend which contributed £1.2bn GVA to the London economy, creating more than 38,000 jobs. From 2011 to 2016, the company experienced 50% growth, increased non-grant revenue from 20% to 50% and delivered a return-on-investment to the city of 18:1. It contributed to London becoming the world’s most popular visitor destination, with tourism numbers growing 20% and spend growing 35%. London also rose from 19th to 5th in international congress city rankings. Further, the city retained its position as the No. 1 destination for foreign direct investment and international students. The company was twice voted one of the UK’s 100 best, not-for-profit companies to work for. Gordon has also held senior positions in UK national government — developing the government’s low carbon industrial strategy, leading the creation of the UK Green Investment Bank, and spearheading the Government’s trade and foreign direct investment efforts in the U.S. Before entering public service, Gordon worked as a solicitor in both England and Australia.‍
Kate D. Levin served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs from 2002 to 2013. Managing the largest single arts funder in the U.S. outside of the federal government, she increased the number of non-profit cultural organizations receiving support and grant awards both by more than 30%, as well as creative sector participation in economic development, tourism, human service and education initiatives. During her tenure, capital funding recipients tripled, expanding the agency’s oversight of planning, design, and financing for cultural construction projects — directing over $3 billion for projects in neighborhoods across the city. Technology improvements streamlined application procedures and data collection, and capacity-building programs strengthened non-profit leadership. Levin oversaw the city’s permanent public art commissioning program, and helped develop and promote numerous temporary exhibitions and performances. She worked to create several new cultural districts and organizations, extending New York’s vitality and impact as a world cultural capital. A former Professor of English at the City College of New York, CUNY, Levin also served in the administration of Mayor Ed Koch.