Greg Deshields
Executive Director Tourism in Cherry Hill, NJ
Greg DeShields is a nationally recognized tourism executive, certified hospitality educator, and nonprofit leader with more than three decades of experience shaping inclusive workforce strategies, strengthening destination development, and cultivating high-impact partnerships across the tourism, hospitality, education, and nonprofit sectors. Throughout his career, he has championed initiatives that connect economic growth with meaningful community outcomes, positioning tourism as a catalyst for opportunity, access, and regional vitality.
He currently serves as President of Skål Philadelphia, where he provides strategic direction to one of the region’s leading global tourism organizations. In this role, Greg advances collaboration among industry leaders, destinations, and emerging professionals while promoting thought leadership and sustainable growth within the travel and hospitality ecosystem. He is widely regarded for designing and leading transformative programs and events that elevate dialogue, shift perspectives, and embed equity and inclusion into organizational culture.
As Founder and Principal of Greg DeShields Consulting LLC (GDC), Greg delivers a holistic, systems-driven approach to tourism and hospitality consulting. His work integrates hospitality operations, destination marketing, higher education, and workforce development to help organizations build robust talent pipelines, deepen industry engagement, and implement long-term strategies that foster both competitiveness and inclusion within the tourism economy.
GDC maintains active partnerships with prominent industry associations and organizations, including Skål International, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, Meeting Professionals International, the Professional Convention Management Association, ASTA, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Greg also collaborates with AHLEI, AAHOA, TOPC, PRSA, SHRM, and chambers of commerce at the local, regional, and national levels, leveraging these networks to bridge education, industry leadership, and community advancement.
In addition to his consulting and leadership work, Greg hosts the podcast Something to Say with Greg DeShields. The show creates space for authentic dialogue around leadership, passion, and purpose, featuring diverse voices and experiences that inspire listeners to cultivate empathy, curiosity, and personal growth while confidently embracing their own voice.
Greg earned both his Associate of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He is also an alumnus of several distinguished leadership programs, including the Urban League of Philadelphia Leadership Forum, Leadership Philadelphia, and the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange.
Gregory L. DeShields, CHE, CDE’s Post:
Skål International Philadelphia Re-Elects Greg DeShields as President
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gregdeshields_activity-7229906967450861568-DtSu/
Greg DeShields Global Director of Club and Events
Creating Global Connections: MPG’s New Club and Events Division with Gregory L. DeShields
Something To Say with Greg DeShields
Here is a recently released article [https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265-september-october-2025/26?], a podcast program “Alive Prompt” program [https://www.youtube.com/live/gJLbD_zQPOk] a group shot attending Skal Washington DC 70th Anniversary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yzpHU0mVes
Supplier Diversity Business Rationale
https://youtu.be/cG9SjLQ2syc
Supplier Diversity Direct and Indirect Economic Benefits