Rafael Villanueva

Senior Director of Global Development

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Rafael Villanueva joined the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority in the spring of 1998 as a domestic tourism sales executive and over the past decade has increased the profile of Las Vegas in the Latin American market exponentially. His current mission is to develop and manage the LVCVA’s global strategy. He also oversees the contracts and budgets of 14 International representation offices that promote Las Vegas in over 40 countries.

Prior to joining the LVCVA, Mr. Villanueva served as Executive Director of Advertising and Public Relations at the Tropicana Resort and Casino. His career also included working for some of the top advertising agencies in Las Vegas. Clients included hotel-casinos, banks, and homebuilders. Additionally, he worked for KLAS-TV (Las Vegas’ CBS affiliate) as sales promotion director.

Born in Mexico, Villanueva has spent all but one year of his life in Las Vegas. Rafael is a graduate from Las Vegas High School and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Most of his free time is spent with family and with several committee organizations in Las Vegas. He is involved in several travel industry organizations, including International Inbound Travel Association, where he currently holds the position of Secretary on their Board of Directors.