Gov. Dannel Malloy today tapped Christopher “Kip” Bergstrom to head the state’s Commission on Culture & Tourism, according to a press release. Bergstrom will succeed Karen Senich, who was appointed executive director of the commission in 2008 by former Governor M. Jodi Rell.
Bergstrom is currently the executive director of Stamford’s Urban Redevelopment Commission.
The Commission on Culture & Tourism is being consolidated into the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development.
Reached by telephone Thursday, Bergstrom said his top priority as executive director of the commission will be “to work with the governor to convene the major tourism stakeholders who would be co-investors in this marketing campaign,” referring to efforts, going forward, to market Connecticut’s tourism industry.
The above-mentioned press release reads, in part: “Currently, the Commission on Culture and Tourism has a marketing budget of one dollar. Governor Malloy’s proposal funds that portion of the commission at 15 million dollars.”
In his release, Malloy said Bergstrom will “make an immediate impact at Culture and Tourism and will quickly become a terrific member of Catherine Smith’s new leadership team” at the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Bergstrom, in the release, is quoted as saying, “The Commission on Culture and Tourism is a key component of our economic strategy in the state, but it’s been traditionally underutilized. I’m looking forward to redesigning the way we approach tourism and cultural attractions and working with key stakeholders in those sectors, including Governor Malloy and Catherine Smith.”