SPEAKERS

Melanie A. Pursel, M.S. | Director, Worcester County Office of Tourism & Economic Development

Melanie Pursel has served as the Director of the Office of Tourism & Economic Development since April of 2020 where she enthusiastically forges partnerships and strategic initiatives that promote Worcester’s rich history, natural beauty, distinct coastal culture and quality of life for people to visit, play, stay, invest, and return to Maryland’s Coast, she also leverages resources to create programs that increase the quality and quantity of guest experiences and proactively initiates and support partnerships that strengthen workforce development, business investment, and job retention.

With 24 years of industry experience, Melanie also served as the president and chief executive officer for the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce from 2007 to 2020, where her strong marketing, leadership, and communication skills allow her to play key roles in the sales, promotion, and marketing of Worcester County and Ocean City. She established the chamber as the premier business organization in the region, headed strategic planning for the organization, and spearheaded numerous other business, advocacy and tourism initiatives. She worked cooperatively with other local, regional, and state tourism and economic development partners to grow business and tourism on the Eastern Shore.

In her tenure with Worcester County, she helped lead a comprehensive re-branding effort for Maryland’s’ Coast which has been able to illustrate Worcester county’s assets as a premier destination as well as an ideal region to start a business. She places all advertising and marketing for Worcester County as a destination to drive visitation and commerce and works with the recruitment, attraction and retention of new businesses. Previous positions include leadership roles at the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University and the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance.

In 1997 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Business Administration & Marketing from Salisbury University. She then went on to earn a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Baltimore, with a focus on management, statistical analysis, leadership, and organizational and community development.

Pursel resides in West Ocean City and is actively engaged in the community, serving on the Perdue School’s Executive Advisory Council, Maryland Tourism Coalitions Legislative Committee, AGH Foundation Board, Beach to Bay Heritage Area Executive Board, and Ocean City Tourism Commission.