Dec. 8, 2015—Tacoma, Washington —Travel Tacoma + Pierce County, the area’s official destination marketing organization, today announced that Matt Wakefield has been named its new communications manager.

A veteran of several forward-thinking brands, Mr. Wakefield will manage Travel Tacoma’s corporate communications, media relations program and social media efforts. He will work with Travel Tacoma’s partners to promote Tacoma and Pierce County as a destination for visitors and conventions.

“We were looking for a communications manager who had both the know-how for the job, as well as the potential to be a recognized ambassador for Tacoma and Pierce County,” said Travel Tacoma President + CEO Bennish Brown. “In Matt, we have someone who is not only a fit for the position, but also for the organization and the region itself.”

Mr. Wakefield joins Travel Tacoma with a decade of corporate communications experience across the tourism and technology sectors. Prior to starting with Travel Tacoma, Mr. Wakefield was a PR specialist at technology-based real estate brokerage Redfin, responsible for the company’s media relations and social media programs. His experience also includes positions with international PR agency Waggener Edstrom, working on accounts such as T-Mobile and Microsoft, as well as with Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mr. Wakefield graduated Cum Laude from Washington State University’s Murrow School of Communication with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations. He enjoys spending time traveling abroad and recently returned from three years living and working in China.