 Gary Simon joined the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau in 1996. In 2001 he was named Director of the newly created Multicultural Affairs department. The department’s goal is to work with multicultural and ethnic based associations and organizations to drive convention and meeting business to Sacramento. Also in 2001, Mr. Simon’s department coordinated Sacramento’s first Juneteenth Festival – a celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The festival has become a staple community event, drawing more than 8,000 people annually.
Mr. Simon is very active in the community and has worked on behalf of Sacramento’s youth in many capacities. He has coordinated community outreach programs for the Sacramento Sports Commission, Sacramento Job Corp. LEED and All Ways Knocking, Inc.
Gary is committed to promoting the diversity and cultural heritage of the Sacramento region. His work includes establishing partnerships with organizations to promote culture and civic awareness, including Native American Day, Festival De La Familia, Juneteenth Festival, Chinese New year, OCA, Chinese American Council of Sacramento and the Chinese Mall Celebration.
Mr. Simon serves on many boards and is a member of several local and national organizations: the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Planners, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc; Chair, for Sacramento Juneteenth Committee; Board member of Zeta Beta Lambda Foundation; Chair for Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau Multicultural Advisory Committee; and member of Sacramento’s Hispanic, Black and Asian Chambers of Commerce.
Gary Simon grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He’s a graduate of San Francisco State University, where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. He became a resident of Sacramento in 1995, where he began work in the political arena as the re-election campaign manager for the late city council member Sam Pannell.
Mr. Simon is married to his wife of 13 years, Latonia Walton-Simon and they have a four year old daughter Laylah Renae’. Mr. Simon is an avid sports man and a “rider”. He enjoys taking long rides on his motorcycle and feeling the wind in his hair.
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