Carl Ribaudo
President
Strategic Marketing Group

With more than 20 years of experience in the travel and tourism industries, Carl Ribaudo leads his firm with the hands-on knowledge of a seasoned professional. Focused specifically on marketing analysis and competitive strategy development, he blends a highly skilled background with an acute awareness of current trends to develop effective solutions for his clients. His distinction in the marketing arena has resulted in frequent appearances as a guest speaker for travel symposia, commissions on tourism, and city councils in the western states. Topics he has addressed include a diversity of issues related to the creation of solid branding, strong visibility, and powerful concepts that drive business.

Carl has served clients ranging from ski resorts to casinos, from lodging properties to visitors' bureaus, from advertising agencies to retail stores. In each case, he designs strategies to help deliver the client's marketing message with maximum impact and competitive advantage.

In addition to his work with businesses and government, Carl served as an adjunct faculty member at Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe, where he taught courses in marketing and advertising. He has also taught a seminar on tourism marketing at the University of Nevada, Reno, and has written white papers on subjects that include Marketing Strategies for Mature Destinations, Company Branding, Game Theory and Your Marketing Efforts, Marketing Niches as a Strategic Tool, and Using a Business Model for Your Destination.

Most recently he completed the first ever Rural Tourism Strategic Marketing Plan for the California Travel and Tourism Commission. Other recent interests include the study of destination authenticity and how destinations can maintain their uniqueness in the face of standardization.

An active participant in the community both professionally and personally, Carl is the Chairman of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, he also serves as a member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Pathway 2007 Forum Board charged with shaping the next 20 year environmental plan for Lake Tahoe.

Carl obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University at Northridge. He received his Master's degree in Business Administration from San Francisco State University Graduate School of Business.

He enjoys golf, riding his BMW motorcycle on two lane mountain roads, trap shooting and baseball, especially anything to do with his childhood team the New York Yankees. He is a member of the American Motorcycle Association as well as the Capital City Gun Club of Carson City.