Meeting Planners

Staff

Diana Thornton

Diana Thornton

Destination & Services Manager

Phone Number: 915-472-0702

What is your role at DEP? What markets do you cover?

I am the Destination & Services Manager for Visit El Paso. My job is to step in once conventions, meetings and tour groups have chosen to make El Paso their next destination. Our team offers assistance with anything from entertainment to transportation and any other assistance the meeting planners need to make their event it’s most successful. We work side by side with them from the beginning until after the completion of the event.

What is your education/business background?

I’ve been with Destination El Paso for over seven years. Prior to that, I worked for an Insurance & Investment firm here in El Paso.

How did you get into this line of work?

Divine intervention. 🙂 For real, though. I was perfectly placed here.

Who is someone that has influenced your career?

My Mom has always been an inspiration and influence on my career, and life in general. There is no one that works harder than she does and that has taught me to always stay the course, follow through and take pride in each thing that I do. I think that helps me every day and has prepared me to succeed in the career that I have. Each day, I strive to have her drive and commitment to giving 110% to everything and then maybe just a little more. I always tell people she moves mountains. I mean, what other influence and inspiration do you need? 🙂

What are you most passionate about in your job?

Making events the most successful with El Paso’s unmatched hospitality and our superb concierge service to each event that comes across our path.

What are three words that describe you?

Dedicated, dependable, quality-oriented.

What is your favorite part about working at DEP?

Seeing people come to El Paso and discovering the city and region for the first time. I love hearing people say that they never knew it was so beautiful, have never seen sunsets as stunning and never met friendlier people than here. That’s when you know you’ve got a new EP ambassador and friend. It’s awesome.

Unique Meeting Places:

One of my favorite places for a meeting, family/friend gathering or event is Keystone Heritage Park. You get the unique feel of the region combined with beautiful botanical gardens, inviting pavilions, and an amphitheater perfect for music by sunset. It’s one of El Paso’s best kept secrets.

Best Restaurants for Groups:

Cattleman’s Steakhouse, no question. It’s got the most amazing steak dinner you’ll ever have combined with one of the most unique settings for a meeting that you’ll ever experience. It’s a must do for everyone that comes to El Paso. You won’t be disappointed, I promise. Be ready for snake pits, coyotes, ostriches and some really famous movie sets, all on the backdrop of the beautiful desert skies with some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

Best Group Friendly Attractions:

I’m big into sports, so watching the Chihuahuas play baseball at Southwest University Park, the Annual Sun Bowl game or Top Golf are my go-to’s for groups of all sizes.

Best margaritas:

By far, Carlos and Mickey’s has the biggest and baddest margaritas around. No one that I’ve ever sent has had any complaints. Cheers!


Contact Diana Thornton

Please fill out the following form to contact Diana Thornton.

Explore El Paso Like A Local

We'll deliver you the best El Paso has to offer straight to your inbox!