Today we’re featuring Khaila Burke-Green, Communications Manager at Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), who’s been a PPRA member for three years. Khaila is also responsible for organizing our wonderful monthly e-newsletter! Her background includes developing strategic communication plans, content marketing, social media, media relations, direct mail marketing and event planning.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khailaedward
PPRA: Khaila, tell us a bit about your current job and background.
KB: In my current position at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, I’m part of the team responsible for positioning Philadelphia as a first-class convention, meeting and tourist destination to national and international audiences.
Over the last few years, I’ve been involved in communication efforts for many events hosted by Philadelphia, including the Army/Navy Game, the World Meeting of Families and Papal Visit, the Democratic National Convention Site Visit, the NAACP conference and many more. I obtained my B.A. from Howard University in Washington D.C. (Go Bison!) and my M.A. in Communications at Villanova University (Go Wildcats!)
PPRA: What projects are you working on right now?
KB: As a PR professional for the city’s tourism agency, my primary clients are Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Promoting our city’s assets to meeting planners is the bulk of my day-to-day job, and right now I’m working on letting everyone in the hospitality industry know that the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau has a new President & CEO, Julie Coker Graham – the only African American woman to lead a major CVB in the country.
PPRA: What is your favorite part about your job?
KB: Definitely that I get to be a part of so many interesting and high-visibility events that come to Philadelphia. From conventions that take place at the Convention Center, to city events like the Papal visit and the Democratic National Convention, it’s very rewarding to help tell Philadelphia’s story to media from around the country and the world.
PPRA: What was your latest and greatest accomplishment at your job?
KB: I cleaned my desk! At the PHLCVB we’ve been encouraged to limit the use of paper as much as possible, but somehow it keeps accumulating. During the quiet time over the holidays, I got a chance to go through the mounds of magazines and papers and get some good feng-shui going.
PPRA: What one piece of advice would you give to your fellow PR pros?
KB: Work-life balance is seemingly impossible, but don’t stop striving for it. I’m working hard in the new year to not over commit myself, leave the office early and to savor my free time. It’s during that time where my mind gets a chance to decompress and my creativity thrives.
PPRA: What’s your favorite spot in Philly?
KB: The Schuylkill River Trail. Coming from the Caribbean, I enjoy being outdoors (only when warm!) and near the water, so for me the trail is the most picturesque, calming spot in Philadelphia.
PPRA: How do you take your cheesesteak?
KB: Jim’s Steaks…fried onions, mayo and ketchup. Although I’m supposed to be eating less red meat in 2016…we’ll see how that goes 🙂
The Official Blog of PPRA 