Joan Hanscom of Valley Preferred Cycling Center and Keith Koepke of Crayola Experience join local tourism leaders to position Lehigh Valley as a top travel destination.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., September 5, 2019 – Discover Lehigh Valley®, the destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh and Northampton counties, announces the appointment of Joan Hanscom, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center and Keith Koepke, general manager of the Crayola Experience to its board of directors. Comprised of local tourism executives, business leaders, and property managers, Discover Lehigh Valley's Board of Directors provides strategic counseling while helping drive more visitors to Lehigh Valley.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Joan and Keith — two highly-respected community members — to Discover Lehigh Valley's board of directors,” said Mike Fehnel, vice president and general manager for Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and chairman of the board for Discover Lehigh Valley. Their impressive breadth of experience and passion for Lehigh Valley will bolster the organization’s efforts and advance its mission of attracting visitors and enhancing the quality of life here for our residents.”

Hanscom has executive-level event planning, communications, and sports marketing experience and oversees daily operations, community education, and corporate sponsorship of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Prior to her tenure at Lehigh Valley’s world-known velodrome, Hanscom served as Director of Event Services for USA Cycling.

Koepke oversees operations, sales, and business development for Crayola Experience and brings valuable marketing expertise and powerful knowledge of Lehigh Valley’s tourism industry to the organization. Koepke previously served as Director of Operations for Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

“The perspectives of Joan and Keith will be a strong complement to the voices of those who are already serving the organization. Our board of directors’ insight is invaluable because they assist Discover Lehigh Valley in showcasing our region as a destination for world travelers, and as a community full of vitality and economic opportunities,” says Alex Michaels, president and CEO for Discover Lehigh Valley. “We also want to express our gratitude to out-going chair Kassie Hilgert, president of ArtsQuest™, as well as members Charlene Donchez-Mowers, president of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, and Sally McCorrison, director of travel services for AAA East Central, for their time, dedication, and support of Lehigh Valley tourism.”

Along with welcoming Hanscom and Koepke, current members step into new roles. Mike Fehnel, vice president and general manager for Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom will assume the role of chairman. Darren Betters, director of business development for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority will assume the role of vice chairman. Charles H. D. Reece, general manager of the Renaissance Allentown Hotel will assume the role of secretary. Nathan Eckhart, CFO of C.F. Martin & Co. will continue the role of treasurer.

Members of the Discover Lehigh Valley board of directors serve a minimum of a two-year term and help assess the overall direction and strategy of the organization while providing counsel to the CEO and senior leadership team. Board members are either active business owners, executive level managers, or property owners of a tourism-related business in the counties of Lehigh and Northampton. 

For more information, visit DiscoverLehighValley.com and follow @LehighValleyPa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Discover Lehigh Valley
Established in 1984, Discover Lehigh Valley® makes Lehigh and Northampton counties a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the region.

Discover Lehigh Valley’s official visitor website, DiscoverLehighValley.com, keeps locals and visitors abreast of all things happening in the region. Visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, brochures and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Discover Lehigh Valley’s social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into one of the many visitor centers for additional information.

About Lehigh Valley, Pa.
Set amid gentle hills and charming country sides, Lehigh Valley, Pa. is home to Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, as well as dozens of small towns and picturesque boroughs. 

The region is steeped in pre-Colonial, Early American and industrial history. Lehigh Valley has an impressive range of tourist attractions including nationally-recognized events like Musikfest, wineries and breweries, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, outdoor activities, world-class sporting events, 10 colleges and universities, and is home to America’s favorite brands such as Crayola®, Peeps®, Mike & Ike®, Martin Guitars and Mack Trucks. The region offers a diverse array of memorable things to do and plenty of dining options to fit every budget and taste. 

And, it’s easy to get to and around. Lehigh Valley is located approximately 60 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes west of New York City by car.

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