Alexea joined Visit COS in February 2020 after spending five years at a public relations agency. She oversees internal and external communications, including media and influencer relationships, crisis communications, social media strategy and editorial content. An innovator and breaker of the status quo, Alexea was awarded a Colorado Inno "Inno on Fire" award in 2019 for her work on several Colorado-based PR campaigns. When she’s not coordinating media visits and building out content calendars, you can find her hitting the hiking trails or grabbing a bite at her favorite local restaurants.

For the past 2 years, I’ve been a proud member of the Destination Toronto team! With the last year focusing my efforts in the Global Sales & Services department being a Sales Coordinator. I mainly provide administrative support to the Canadian and International Sales team. Driven by the passion to bring more people and meetings to the wonderful city of Toronto, I would like to focus my future efforts on promoting Toronto and showcasing the amazing aspects of Toronto to as many people as possible.

Annie Cameron is the Senior Marketing Content Manager at Discover Halifax. Annie is responsible for brand storytelling on Discover Halifax’s owned channels, where she shares the stories of the people, places, and initiatives that make Halifax the best place for everyone who lives, works, and visits.

April is a destination marketer who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication. As South Padre Island’s Special Events Manager, she leads the events department and works to bring new events to the destination. April joined the organization in September 2018, working her way up from a part-time employee to her now management position. She spearheaded a number of projects, including the redesign of the website and the launch of an art trail. Colleagues know April as a creative tourism marketer with a positive attitude who can be depended on to come up with new ideas.

Proactive, passionate, and savvy Social Media & Communications Manager with industry recognized achievement including the Destiny Award for Best Social Media Campaign by U.S. Travel Association and nomination for the ESTY Emerging Tourism Star Award. These nominations are results of executing ground-breaking, cross-functional social media programs, initiatives, and strategies that exceeded organizational goals and significantly increased yearly brand awareness.

Celeste Rodriguez is the Digital Communications Specialist at the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (Visit Reno Tahoe), where she is responsible for programs related to internal and external communication initiatives, including email newsletters, media correspondence, and social media and web content. She joined the team as an intern before moving to a full-time position post-graduation. Celeste earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a minor in Journalism, from the University of Nevada, Reno as a first-generation college student. She is an active member of the PRSA Sierra Nevada chapter, shares a passion for traveling, and has visited 14 countries.

Chris started his career in the tourism industry in 2017 as a Marketing Intern for Experience Bryan College Station while studying Recreation, Park & Tourism Science at Texas A&M University, and went on to accept a full-time position with that organization. Since its inception in 2020, Chris has led Destination Bryan’s marketing efforts as Destination Marketing Manager. He had an integral role in the development of Destination Bryan’s brand, spearheaded the launch of their website, leads the organization’s marketing strategy, and is laying the foundation for the brand’s continued success in promoting Bryan, Texas to locals and potential visitors alike.

This marketing maven champions economic development and tourism for Stafford County. Devoted to syntax and strategy, Courtney crosses every “t” to keep Stafford’s messaging on point. Since 2016, she has showcased the Stafford Advantage with passion. Whether she’s spearheading a marketing campaign or debating serial commas, Courtney positions Stafford as “the” place to work, live, play, and prosper. In her down time, she travels and hikes, husband and pooch in tow. Courtney holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Mary Washington. She’ll complete her master’s degree in integrated marketing and communications from Georgetown University in 2022.

Detailed-oriented professional who is currently working at Explore St. Louis. I am the Business Applications Specialist under the IT department. Recently launched one of the most dynamic projects Explore St. Louis has endured in the past decade. This project involved taking two CRM software and integrating them together to make it the first of its kind in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. Before this position, I was a part of the sales team as an administrator then a certain pandemic evolved and generated a new opportunity for me.

Davelyn Tardí Reyes is a passionate communications professional. She is the Communications Manager at Discover Puerto Rico, where she leads several facets of the organization’s communications and public relations strategies. Previously, Davelyn worked as a Communications and Operations Manager for an educational startup in Puerto Rico. Graduated with honors from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications specializing in Journalism, she also has a master’s degree in Public Relations and Integrated Communications. Currently, Davelyn is a Puerto Rico Public Relations Professionals Association (ARPPR) member and is certified with the Public Relations Specialist License of Puerto Rico.

Deanna Barclay is a Baltimore native with seven years of experience in the hospitality industry. She’s the senior manager of content at Visit Baltimore, overseeing the publication of the organization’s printed visitor guides and meeting and event planning guides, as well as website content and email marketing strategy. She specializes in writing original copy with a strong voice and tone, as well as editing others’ work to maintain a consistent brand style.

Jonathan Walker was a champion of Rhode Island’s reputation as a premier sporting destination well before assuming his role as sports sales manager for the Rhode Island Sports Commission, a division of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB). By working in tandem with the PWCVB’s sales, services, marketing, and partnership teams, Jonathan’s dedication ensures a successful event for all stakeholders. He serves as a local liaison that’s familiar with the destination’s market conditions, area hotels, venues, suppliers, and key players. Jonathan’s earned a BS in Sports Event and Entertainment Management and a subsequent MBA in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University.

In a destination where there is always something new to discover, Kaitlyn is proud to showcase the highlights of Dallas through digital content creation and management. Before relocating to Texas, she began her career in the tourism industry in the communications department at Discover Monroe-West Monroe in northeast Louisiana. During her nearly five years at the CVB, she gained certification as a Travel Marketing Professional through the Southeast Tourism Society and participated in the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy.

Kaitlyn Parham is a destination marketer with more than six years of experience in the tourism industry. As the Director of Digital Marketing & Design for Cobb Travel & Tourism, Kaitlyn creates and distributes engaging content that compels strangers to become fans and fans to become visitors. Prior to this role, she worked as the Marketing Director of Visit Valdosta and Tourism Marketing Coordinator for the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member of The Atlanta Metro Travel Association, Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and Cobb Young Professionals with a passion for community development.

Katie Ligon has been with the Memphis Tourism team for 3 years as an Executive Assistant to the CEO/President of the organization. Aside from providing various means of support to the president, she also acts as a liaison between the CEO and the City of Memphis, Shelby County and numerous other organizations involving hospitality and tourism. A lifelong Memphian, Katie obtained her bachelor of science in public relations and was a nationally ranked swimmer for the University of Miami. Upon graduation, she worked for Harrah’s Entertainment with digital marketing and is currently pursuing her masters in hospitality management.

My name is Kayla Adams and I am the Sports Sales Manager for the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. As a sports-enthusiast and team player, I work very closely with our immaculate sports facilities, local organizing committees and surrounding hotels in the beautiful city of Greensboro. I gladly serve as an advocate for all sporting events, playoffs, tournaments and gatherings no matter how big or small. I look forward to assisting all sports event organizers, rights holders, meeting attendees and tourists to ensure a great experience here in Tournament Town.

Kellie Myers is an Oklahoma City native. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in strategic communications at the University of Central Oklahoma, she interned at the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau where she found her passion for the hospitality industry. Soon after graduating, Kellie returned to the OKC CVB as a Convention Services Manager. In her three years with the CVB, she has services over 300 groups, managed the housing bureau, and maintained at customer satisfaction rate of over 96%. Kellie received her MBA from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2021.

Krystal Kusmieruk is the Digital Marketing Manager of Visit Greater Palm Springs. Kusmieruk has 8 years in the marketing and hospitality industry. Kusmieruk was awarded the Movers and Shakers 2019 Rising Star Award from Social Shake Up. In her role at Visit GPS, Kusmieruk is responsible for managing the digital marketing strategy including website and social media.

Lindsey Steck started her career in the hospitality and tourism industry with Visit Pensacola in 2017. With over five years of marketing and communications experience, she leads social media strategy and serves as a valuable member of the public relations team. Steck earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of West Florida. She is actively involved in the community as a member of the Florida Public Relations Association and the Escambia County 4-H Foundation Board of Directors. When she is not introducing people to The Way to Beach™ she enjoys hosting dinner parties, traveling, playing with her Aussie doodle Roxy, and boating with her family along the beautiful shores of Pensacola.

Mallory Snyder joined Visit York County in late 2020 to lead business development efforts for the Destination Marketing Organization. In her role, Mallory has created a new corporate partner program to forward destination development priorities that support local employers, attract and retain workforce, draw visitors to the region, and create a place where people want to not only visit, but live, work, and do business. Mallory is also responsible for leading a hospitality workforce development strategy. Most recently, she lived in St. Petersburg, Florida where she worked in economic development. She and her husband enjoy living in Fort Mill with their dachshund, Opie.

Nick Kleva is the Sports Tourism Manager at Visit South Bend Mishawaka. A South Bend native, Kleva studied Sports Marketing and Management at Indiana University and was the captain of the club hockey team. After graduation, Nick spent two years at the University of Notre Dame before joining the hospitality and tourism industry, almost five years ago. Kleva is focused on growing the sports landscape to provide the next generation opportunities to compete in his hometown. You can still find Kleva around the hockey rink, at a golf course, or enjoying time at the lake.

A destination marketer born, raised, and educated while surrounded by the culture of New Orleans, Olivia Celata is passionate about preserving and promoting the attributes that make her city unique. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University, Olivia’s eagerness to show visitors how “to let the good times roll” secured her an internship at New Orleans & Company. Over the past 6+ years with her dedication to going above and beyond, Olivia has grown in Tourism Sales as the Administrative and Services Coordinator, Services Manager, Advertising Manager, and Marketing & Travel Trade Promotions Manager.

Olivia Novak is the Marketing Manager at Discover Lancaster. She is responsible for managing DiscoverLancaster.com - which receives 4 million visits per year, content creation, sponsorship strategy, coordinating and conceptualizing commercial shoots, and more. Olivia produces exceptional content through teamwork and is driven by enthusiasm for helping others. Passion fuels her work ethic and is integral in building authentic relationships within the industry. She is spearheading a Staycation campaign in the first quarter of 2022 that has thus far resulted in a 75.3% increase in social media engagement, 45.1% increase in website traffic, and 34.8% increase in occupancy year-over-year.

I have been in the travel and tourism industry for nine years and recently moved into a Creative Design Specialist role which makes me excited for the future. Since I am originally from France, I have brought a unique multicultural perspective to VisitNorfolk. Recently, I joined the ThRive Hampton Roads Events Committee to continue my professional development and be more engaged in the local community which has given me the opportunity to plan events for young professionals in the Hampton Roads region. At home, you can find me cooking French cuisine, designing travel albums and planning my next trip.

Highly Driven and motivated with 6 years of CVB hotel experience. Looking to take my knowledge of destination sales to grow my personal brand and that of a reputable organization. I have an appetite to learn from those seasoned in the industry and to teach those who are new!

I have over five years of experience as a tourism professional. I am focused more on Research and Data Analysis in the tourism sector which I believe will be key to my success in the industry. I am passionate about the tourism industry and the potential it has to change the social wellbeing of my country. As I continue to develop my skillset and build competitiveness in the work environment, I am looking forward to championing the development of the tourism industry as a major tool for economic development.

Skylar Clark is the Director of Partner Marketing for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. Since joining Brand USA in 2016, Skylar has been a part of the partner marketing team, starting as a partner services representative for Brand USA’s southeast partners, and then as the senior coordinator and a manager for the partner marketing & planning team. In her current role, Skylar oversees partner strategic needs by developing and managing customized marketing campaigns.

Taylor Savage is a National Sales Manager at Experience Columbus responsible for strategizing and generating convention business opportunities on behalf of Columbus within various diverse markets and territories. With over six years of hospitality and tourism industry experience, she began her career in hotel operations, followed by hotel sales. Her passion for Columbus led her to Experience Columbus and during her time at the organization, she has only become more excited to embrace the change and innovation necessary for economic prosperity in her community.

Tyler Cole is an Economic Development Officer – Sports & Events with Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism. He is tasked with implementing the region’s Sport Strategic Plan by bidding for sporting and cultural events, in partnership with facility operators, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and community sports organizations. He also plays an active role on FMWBEDT’s social media team. He lives in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Treaty 8 Territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, and the unceded territory of the Métis people, with his girlfriend Hilary and their two dogs, Jackson and Peggy.

Marketing is an industry that allows one's passion for creativity to be the driving force in luring people to a product, destination, opportunity, or event. Throughout my professional career serving in the tourism industry, I’ve conceptualized and implemented strategic marketing plans, managed international and local “Familiarization Tours”, developed content for our social media platforms, and pioneered new creative ways to increase Springfield, Illinois hotel lodging numbers. These experiences have not only boosted awareness for our travel destination, but has allowed me to further develop and grow in my industry.