30 Under 30 Past Honorees
Investing in the future generation of destination experts, 30 individuals under the age of 30 will be selected annually to gain valuable industry networking opportunities and increased thought leadership throughout the year.
Meet the 2020 Class
Christina Amrhein
Social Advertising and Emerging Media Manager, VISIT FLORIDA
Christina leads the development and execution of the global paid social media strategy for VISIT FLORIDA. Multiple Case Studies have been conducted on her campaigns' successes by Facebook and Pinterest. She came to VISIT FLORIDA from the Challenger Learning Center where she oversaw all marketing communications efforts and worked on high profile advertising campaigns in collaboration with major film companies including IMAX and Warner Brothers Studio. Prior to the CLC, Christina helped establish The Florida State University GEOSET, a global non-profit organization working directly for Sir Harry Kroto, 1996 Nobel Laureate.
Social Advertising and Emerging Media Manager, VISIT FLORIDA
Christina leads the development and execution of the global paid social media strategy for VISIT FLORIDA. Multiple Case Studies have been conducted on her campaigns' successes by Facebook and Pinterest. She came to VISIT FLORIDA from the Challenger Learning Center where she oversaw all marketing communications efforts and worked on high profile advertising campaigns in collaboration with major film companies including IMAX and Warner Brothers Studio. Prior to the CLC, Christina helped establish The Florida State University GEOSET, a global non-profit organization working directly for Sir Harry Kroto, 1996 Nobel Laureate.
Lisa Baird
Director of Marketing, Visit Oakland
Lisa is a Swiss born traveler, camping & adventure enthusiast, competitive board gamer, animal lover, pasta fanatic, and passionate marketer, rooted in Oakland. She develops strategic plans and organizational workflow, oversees planning, management and implementation of the marketing plan, and manages all aspects of Visit Oakland's digital content. Lisa is hungry to expand her knowledge and continue to develop her professional skills in this industry. While she has a deep love for travel, she remains truly inspired by the vibrant culture and sense of place in Oakland.
Director of Marketing, Visit Oakland
Lisa is a Swiss born traveler, camping & adventure enthusiast, competitive board gamer, animal lover, pasta fanatic, and passionate marketer, rooted in Oakland. She develops strategic plans and organizational workflow, oversees planning, management and implementation of the marketing plan, and manages all aspects of Visit Oakland's digital content. Lisa is hungry to expand her knowledge and continue to develop her professional skills in this industry. While she has a deep love for travel, she remains truly inspired by the vibrant culture and sense of place in Oakland.
Rebekah Baughman
Marketing & Events Coordinator, Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rebekah is an energetic and dedicated marketing specialist. With more than five years of experience, she combines her passion for storytelling and curiosity for travel market trends as a way to sell destinations to visitors. Outside of the tourism industry, she's volunteered with multiple nonprofit organizations and currently serves as the 2020 president for the Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce young professionals group. She received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Emphasis in Strategic Communication in 2014 from the University of Kansas.
Marketing & Events Coordinator, Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rebekah is an energetic and dedicated marketing specialist. With more than five years of experience, she combines her passion for storytelling and curiosity for travel market trends as a way to sell destinations to visitors. Outside of the tourism industry, she's volunteered with multiple nonprofit organizations and currently serves as the 2020 president for the Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce young professionals group. She received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Emphasis in Strategic Communication in 2014 from the University of Kansas.
Meg Berno
Marketing Coordinator, Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Meg oversees content development and social media in Dublin, Ohio. Before joining staff, she worked as the Public Relations Coordinator for TourismOhio where she managed the State's publishing contract and blogger program. Meg studied Strategic Communications at Miami University (OH) before graduating in 2015.
Marketing Coordinator, Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Meg oversees content development and social media in Dublin, Ohio. Before joining staff, she worked as the Public Relations Coordinator for TourismOhio where she managed the State's publishing contract and blogger program. Meg studied Strategic Communications at Miami University (OH) before graduating in 2015.
Tyler Edic
Video Production Coordinator, Visit Savannah
Tyler is a New York native, named most likely to succeed in broadcasting in 2013 during his undergraduate studies and earned an MBA in 2017. He enjoys music (especially The Beatles), art, spicy foods, and skateboarding. Tyler joined the travel and tourism industry with Visit Savannah in 2018.
Video Production Coordinator, Visit Savannah
Tyler is a New York native, named most likely to succeed in broadcasting in 2013 during his undergraduate studies and earned an MBA in 2017. He enjoys music (especially The Beatles), art, spicy foods, and skateboarding. Tyler joined the travel and tourism industry with Visit Savannah in 2018.
Christine Felton
Marketing Manager, Digital & Content, Visit Austin
Christine manages the VisitAustin.org website and oversees content for publications like the official Austin Insider Guide, Visit Austin email programs and the Austin Insider Blog. She holds a degree in Communication Studies from the University of Texas and is a second-year member of the Simpleview CMS User Group. She is passionate about travel, grammar, SEO, queso and live music.
Marketing Manager, Digital & Content, Visit Austin
Christine manages the VisitAustin.org website and oversees content for publications like the official Austin Insider Guide, Visit Austin email programs and the Austin Insider Blog. She holds a degree in Communication Studies from the University of Texas and is a second-year member of the Simpleview CMS User Group. She is passionate about travel, grammar, SEO, queso and live music.
Stephanie Fred
Public Relations Manager, Visit Tampa Bay
Stephanie started her public relations career at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where she was their Associate Media Relations Manager for five years, launched major attractions and helped manage crisis communications as part of the park's association with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. In her current role, she manages publicity for Tampa Bay domestically and has self-published two award-winning cookbooks for the destination. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degree in strategic communications from the University of South Florida.
Public Relations Manager, Visit Tampa Bay
Stephanie started her public relations career at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where she was their Associate Media Relations Manager for five years, launched major attractions and helped manage crisis communications as part of the park's association with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. In her current role, she manages publicity for Tampa Bay domestically and has self-published two award-winning cookbooks for the destination. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degree in strategic communications from the University of South Florida.
Taylor Fry
National Sales Manager, Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau
Taylor promotes Pasadena as a leading destination for conventions and meetings to a select clientele of national associations and corporations. He is responsible for identifying, developing and successfully booking these events in the Pasadena Convention Center & Civic Auditorium, as well as driving hotel room-night production to the city's hotels. Taylor previously worked in destination sales for the Anaheim/Orange County CVB, after he started his career with Hilton Hotels. Taylor graduated summa cum laude from the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona.
National Sales Manager, Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau
Taylor promotes Pasadena as a leading destination for conventions and meetings to a select clientele of national associations and corporations. He is responsible for identifying, developing and successfully booking these events in the Pasadena Convention Center & Civic Auditorium, as well as driving hotel room-night production to the city's hotels. Taylor previously worked in destination sales for the Anaheim/Orange County CVB, after he started his career with Hilton Hotels. Taylor graduated summa cum laude from the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona.
Taylor Greenwalt
Creative Services Coordinator, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
After spending more than a decade working with digital media, Taylor has become a vital asset to the GICVB. In the digital world we now live in, it is an essential skillset to be able to bind the medium to the message. Within the tourism industry, we find ourselves constantly trying to reach visitors, speak to residents, and maintain an overall image for our destination. Whether it be media strategy, creating social content, broadcast or print, he prides himself on being at the forefront of destination marketing.
Creative Services Coordinator, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
After spending more than a decade working with digital media, Taylor has become a vital asset to the GICVB. In the digital world we now live in, it is an essential skillset to be able to bind the medium to the message. Within the tourism industry, we find ourselves constantly trying to reach visitors, speak to residents, and maintain an overall image for our destination. Whether it be media strategy, creating social content, broadcast or print, he prides himself on being at the forefront of destination marketing.
Michael Hensley
Group Tour + Niche Markets Manager, Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
Michael was born and raised in Warren, Michigan. He studied at Saginaw Valley State University and graduated in 2017. After graduating, he stayed in the Great Lakes Bay Region to promote the region to tourists. He now serves as the Group Tour and Niche Markets Manager where he passionately works to show people why the region is such a special place to visit. Michael has been described as enthusiastic and dedicated about his work by friends and colleagues. Loyal to his newfound community, Michael makes sure every visitor feels right at home in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Group Tour + Niche Markets Manager, Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
Michael was born and raised in Warren, Michigan. He studied at Saginaw Valley State University and graduated in 2017. After graduating, he stayed in the Great Lakes Bay Region to promote the region to tourists. He now serves as the Group Tour and Niche Markets Manager where he passionately works to show people why the region is such a special place to visit. Michael has been described as enthusiastic and dedicated about his work by friends and colleagues. Loyal to his newfound community, Michael makes sure every visitor feels right at home in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Diana Kelterborn
CRM & Research Analyst, Visit Loudoun
Diana manages all research and data on hotel performance, short-term rentals, visitor surveys, marketing campaigns, visitor profiles, and economic impact. She received a Master of Tourism Administration degree from George Washington University and holds an undergraduate degree in engineering from Cornell University.
CRM & Research Analyst, Visit Loudoun
Diana manages all research and data on hotel performance, short-term rentals, visitor surveys, marketing campaigns, visitor profiles, and economic impact. She received a Master of Tourism Administration degree from George Washington University and holds an undergraduate degree in engineering from Cornell University.
Wesley Kirkpatrick
Social Media Specialist, Visit Anaheim
Wesley manages the brand's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, spearheads social media content creation for the organization and identifies, cultivates and manages high-level relationships with industry experts and influencers. Some of his key career accomplishments include increasing Visit Anaheim's cross-channel social media presence by 58.8%, or 113,000 new followers, increasing Visit Anaheim's Instagram audience by 458%, or 97,000 new followers, and managing content partnerships that resulted in hundreds of millions of social media impressions for Visit Anaheim.
Social Media Specialist, Visit Anaheim
Wesley manages the brand's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, spearheads social media content creation for the organization and identifies, cultivates and manages high-level relationships with industry experts and influencers. Some of his key career accomplishments include increasing Visit Anaheim's cross-channel social media presence by 58.8%, or 113,000 new followers, increasing Visit Anaheim's Instagram audience by 458%, or 97,000 new followers, and managing content partnerships that resulted in hundreds of millions of social media impressions for Visit Anaheim.
Kylie Leslie
Destination Experience Designer, Visit Phoenix
Kylie graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Communication and moved to Phoenix to start her career in the hospitality industry at Visit Phoenix. She was recently promoted into a new role as Visit Phoenix's first Destination Experience Designer within Convention Services. In this role, Kylie focuses on working with convention clients to curate tailored attendance-building as well as destination engagement strategies. This includes collaborating with clients to create social media programs and identifying/planning attendee engagement initiatives that connect convention goers to our destination in an experiential way.
Destination Experience Designer, Visit Phoenix
Kylie graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Communication and moved to Phoenix to start her career in the hospitality industry at Visit Phoenix. She was recently promoted into a new role as Visit Phoenix's first Destination Experience Designer within Convention Services. In this role, Kylie focuses on working with convention clients to curate tailored attendance-building as well as destination engagement strategies. This includes collaborating with clients to create social media programs and identifying/planning attendee engagement initiatives that connect convention goers to our destination in an experiential way.
Tiffany Lutka
Digital Marketing Specialist, DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Personal and professional growth are among Tiffany's top values in and outside of the workplace. She is an active participant in webinars and industry conferences that allow her to expand her knowledge and skill set. Tiffany strongly believes that you must love and be passionate about your career in order to succeed.
Digital Marketing Specialist, DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Personal and professional growth are among Tiffany's top values in and outside of the workplace. She is an active participant in webinars and industry conferences that allow her to expand her knowledge and skill set. Tiffany strongly believes that you must love and be passionate about your career in order to succeed.
Courtney Manson
Global Social Media Specialist, Digital & Content, Travel Alberta
Courtney is an ambitious and forward-thinking Digital Marketing Specialist who has a BA in Communications and Media Studies, with a minor in Economics from The University of Calgary, and who has a demonstrated history of working in the public relations, digital marketing and travel industries. Thriving in fast-paced, collaborative environments, she is skilled in social media management, social media advertising, influencer marketing, copywriting, ROI/KPI analysis and reporting, art direction, and brand development. She also enjoys curating high quality multimedia content, fostering healthy global online communities, driving brand awareness, and staying on top of emerging social trends.
Global Social Media Specialist, Digital & Content, Travel Alberta
Courtney is an ambitious and forward-thinking Digital Marketing Specialist who has a BA in Communications and Media Studies, with a minor in Economics from The University of Calgary, and who has a demonstrated history of working in the public relations, digital marketing and travel industries. Thriving in fast-paced, collaborative environments, she is skilled in social media management, social media advertising, influencer marketing, copywriting, ROI/KPI analysis and reporting, art direction, and brand development. She also enjoys curating high quality multimedia content, fostering healthy global online communities, driving brand awareness, and staying on top of emerging social trends.
Ronneisha Mayo
Sales Account Executive, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
A Cincinnati native with a passion for writing, Ronnie developed a fascination for hospitality through her love to travel and serve people. As the oldest of eight, she knew that leading by example was priority. In 2014, she earned her bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Cincinnati as a first-generation student. Currently, Ronnie serves on the boards of non-profit organizations that are committed to empowering the youth and surrounding communities of Cincinnati. Ronnie's primary goal for her destination is to help foster an authentic community that promotes inclusion, education, and economic impact.
Sales Account Executive, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
A Cincinnati native with a passion for writing, Ronnie developed a fascination for hospitality through her love to travel and serve people. As the oldest of eight, she knew that leading by example was priority. In 2014, she earned her bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Cincinnati as a first-generation student. Currently, Ronnie serves on the boards of non-profit organizations that are committed to empowering the youth and surrounding communities of Cincinnati. Ronnie's primary goal for her destination is to help foster an authentic community that promotes inclusion, education, and economic impact.
Jordan McCauley
Destination Development Coordinator, Travel Oregon
Jordan supports destination development work at Travel Oregon. Her passion and involvement in tourism was sparked in college - she attended Southern Oregon University, where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration, Hospitality and Tourism and a Sustainability Leadership Certificate. After college, she spent two years supporting community engagement for the largest chamber of commerce in the state of Oregon. This month, she will celebrate three years at Travel Oregon, supporting community-based tourism planning and statewide destination management initiatives. She is charting a career path focused on economic development in rural communities and environmental stewardship.
Destination Development Coordinator, Travel Oregon
Jordan supports destination development work at Travel Oregon. Her passion and involvement in tourism was sparked in college - she attended Southern Oregon University, where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration, Hospitality and Tourism and a Sustainability Leadership Certificate. After college, she spent two years supporting community engagement for the largest chamber of commerce in the state of Oregon. This month, she will celebrate three years at Travel Oregon, supporting community-based tourism planning and statewide destination management initiatives. She is charting a career path focused on economic development in rural communities and environmental stewardship.
Michelle McKenzie
Director of Marketing, Visit Vancouver USA
Prior to joining her current organization, Michelle worked on leisure and international marketing campaigns at Travel Portland. She enjoys combining her marketing, strategic and small business background with sharing stories about the places she loves. In her current role, she oversees the marketing and communication team's efforts, including the website, social channels, travel magazine, advertising campaigns and public relations efforts.
Director of Marketing, Visit Vancouver USA
Prior to joining her current organization, Michelle worked on leisure and international marketing campaigns at Travel Portland. She enjoys combining her marketing, strategic and small business background with sharing stories about the places she loves. In her current role, she oversees the marketing and communication team's efforts, including the website, social channels, travel magazine, advertising campaigns and public relations efforts.
Jonathan Neis
Sales & Services Manager, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jonathan works with meeting planners, military reunion planners, and group tour operators to bring their meeting or reunion to Providence. After spending numerous years in the world of hospitality and the meetings industry, he knows what planners are looking for when they are planning their events and is more than happy to help make their event a success. Providing great customer service with attention to details, you can be sure the job will get done. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science from Johnson & Wales University.
Sales & Services Manager, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jonathan works with meeting planners, military reunion planners, and group tour operators to bring their meeting or reunion to Providence. After spending numerous years in the world of hospitality and the meetings industry, he knows what planners are looking for when they are planning their events and is more than happy to help make their event a success. Providing great customer service with attention to details, you can be sure the job will get done. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science from Johnson & Wales University.
Hayley Radich
Partner Services Manager, Travel Lane County
Hayley joined the staff as an Adventure Specialist in 2013 and moved into the Partnership role in 2015. Hayley manages member benefits, trainings and events for Travel Lane County's 650 partners. She is currently an online student through Grand Canyon University and will graduate in November 2020 with her bachelor's degree in Marketing & Advertising. As an active member in the community, she is currently participating in the 9-month long Leadership Eugene - Springfield program, has served on multiple event planning committees throughout the community and is involved in the Eugene Young Professional group.
Partner Services Manager, Travel Lane County
Hayley joined the staff as an Adventure Specialist in 2013 and moved into the Partnership role in 2015. Hayley manages member benefits, trainings and events for Travel Lane County's 650 partners. She is currently an online student through Grand Canyon University and will graduate in November 2020 with her bachelor's degree in Marketing & Advertising. As an active member in the community, she is currently participating in the 9-month long Leadership Eugene - Springfield program, has served on multiple event planning committees throughout the community and is involved in the Eugene Young Professional group.
Erica Riddle
Tourism & Visitor Services Coordinator, Destination DC
Erica Riddle is tasked with supporting all the sales managers, the execution of department specific events, and the management of the Familiarization (FAM) Trip program. She has had work experience in two major East Coast cities, Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC and is originally from Harrisburg, PA. Erica's interests include reading with her book club, becoming a wine connoisseur, and exploring new areas of the country, and world, every chance she gets.
Tourism & Visitor Services Coordinator, Destination DC
Erica Riddle is tasked with supporting all the sales managers, the execution of department specific events, and the management of the Familiarization (FAM) Trip program. She has had work experience in two major East Coast cities, Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC and is originally from Harrisburg, PA. Erica's interests include reading with her book club, becoming a wine connoisseur, and exploring new areas of the country, and world, every chance she gets.
Amelia Ritter
Digital Marketing and Content Manager, Livingston County Convention & Visitors Bureau
In under two years at the organization, Amelia helped transform the LCCVB's marketing efforts to meet the needs of an increasingly fast-paced and digital landscape. Her proudest accomplishments include working to launch a new website that saw a 213% increase in web traffic in its first year and implementing a content strategy that increased social media followers by more than 60%. Before the LCCVB, Amelia worked with Downtown Development Authorities in southeast Michigan, discovering a love for community connection and storytelling.
Digital Marketing and Content Manager, Livingston County Convention & Visitors Bureau
In under two years at the organization, Amelia helped transform the LCCVB's marketing efforts to meet the needs of an increasingly fast-paced and digital landscape. Her proudest accomplishments include working to launch a new website that saw a 213% increase in web traffic in its first year and implementing a content strategy that increased social media followers by more than 60%. Before the LCCVB, Amelia worked with Downtown Development Authorities in southeast Michigan, discovering a love for community connection and storytelling.
Amanda Scherlin
Marketing Manager, Visit Casper
Amanda is a product of Wyoming and has an enthusiasm for sharing the Cowboy State with the world. After earning degrees in business, marketing and graphic design at the University of Wyoming, she has held positions in college athletics and higher education, but found her passion in telling the stories of people and their places. As Visit Casper's Marketing Manager, she oversees all marketing, advertising and communications efforts for the organization, combining her love for impactful storytelling, thoughtful design and smart strategy.
Marketing Manager, Visit Casper
Amanda is a product of Wyoming and has an enthusiasm for sharing the Cowboy State with the world. After earning degrees in business, marketing and graphic design at the University of Wyoming, she has held positions in college athletics and higher education, but found her passion in telling the stories of people and their places. As Visit Casper's Marketing Manager, she oversees all marketing, advertising and communications efforts for the organization, combining her love for impactful storytelling, thoughtful design and smart strategy.
Erin Setter
Manager, Partner Engagement, Brand USA
Erin is responsible for developing and nurturing relationships with Brand USA partners in the Midwest to maximize partner participation in cooperative marketing programs and secure $4MM in contributions annually. Erin joined Brand USA in October 2015 as a partner service representative and, in two years, managed the execution of contracts to fulfill partner marketing plans with Brand USA. She previously worked as a research assistant on annual support service contracts. In college, she interned for the industry relations manager at Explore Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Manager, Partner Engagement, Brand USA
Erin is responsible for developing and nurturing relationships with Brand USA partners in the Midwest to maximize partner participation in cooperative marketing programs and secure $4MM in contributions annually. Erin joined Brand USA in October 2015 as a partner service representative and, in two years, managed the execution of contracts to fulfill partner marketing plans with Brand USA. She previously worked as a research assistant on annual support service contracts. In college, she interned for the industry relations manager at Explore Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ryan Shehu
Site Supervisor, Visit Ithaca
Ryan Shehu is a Site Supervisor at Visit Ithaca. With only his Associates Degree in hospitality, Ryan has quickly moved up the ladder from part-time visitor experience specialist to full-time employee in just months. Ryan has worked on the Arrival to Departure(A2D) and trained over 140 community and business professionals! He has recently been appointed a board position for a young professionals group, Tompkins Connect, which proves that not only is he a leader in his work but also his community. Ryan has proven in various ways he is driven to become a world class leader in this destination.
Site Supervisor, Visit Ithaca
Ryan Shehu is a Site Supervisor at Visit Ithaca. With only his Associates Degree in hospitality, Ryan has quickly moved up the ladder from part-time visitor experience specialist to full-time employee in just months. Ryan has worked on the Arrival to Departure(A2D) and trained over 140 community and business professionals! He has recently been appointed a board position for a young professionals group, Tompkins Connect, which proves that not only is he a leader in his work but also his community. Ryan has proven in various ways he is driven to become a world class leader in this destination.
Steph Snelling
Content Marketing Specialist, Destination Greater Victoria
Steph is a destination storyteller who connects distinct marketing channels and tools such as social media, blogging, photography and video to weave narratives inspiring travelers to choose Greater Victoria as their next trip. When she is not scrolling through #ExploreVictoria to find the next photo of the day, she can be found sipping coconut lattes around the city or navigating rivers and trails along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Content Marketing Specialist, Destination Greater Victoria
Steph is a destination storyteller who connects distinct marketing channels and tools such as social media, blogging, photography and video to weave narratives inspiring travelers to choose Greater Victoria as their next trip. When she is not scrolling through #ExploreVictoria to find the next photo of the day, she can be found sipping coconut lattes around the city or navigating rivers and trails along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Taylor Stanley
Senior Sales Manager, Visit Lake Charles
Taylor has been employed at Visit Lake Charles for 3 years. She is responsible for promoting the area as a destination for meetings and conventions. Her recent accomplishments include graduating from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy, completing year one of Southeastern Tourism Society's Marketing College, and being appointed to the Louisiana Society of Association Executives Board of Directors. Taylor recently began a two-year term on Simpleview's User Group, launched the Destination SWLA training program, and was awarded 2019 Rising Star of the Year from the Louisiana Travel Association.
Senior Sales Manager, Visit Lake Charles
Taylor has been employed at Visit Lake Charles for 3 years. She is responsible for promoting the area as a destination for meetings and conventions. Her recent accomplishments include graduating from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy, completing year one of Southeastern Tourism Society's Marketing College, and being appointed to the Louisiana Society of Association Executives Board of Directors. Taylor recently began a two-year term on Simpleview's User Group, launched the Destination SWLA training program, and was awarded 2019 Rising Star of the Year from the Louisiana Travel Association.
Michelle Vilas
Marketing Project Manager, Discover Puerto Rico
Michelle graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in International Business and Marketing. After graduating, she moved to NYC and started working for one of the top CPG companies in the world, L'Oreal. After five years of professional development, Michelle moved back home looking for a new challenge and purpose. In July 2018, the DMO started operations in PR, and she joined the team as the CMO's right hand. Working in tourism is the best of doing what she loves while helping her island.
Marketing Project Manager, Discover Puerto Rico
Michelle graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in International Business and Marketing. After graduating, she moved to NYC and started working for one of the top CPG companies in the world, L'Oreal. After five years of professional development, Michelle moved back home looking for a new challenge and purpose. In July 2018, the DMO started operations in PR, and she joined the team as the CMO's right hand. Working in tourism is the best of doing what she loves while helping her island.
Jessie Walker
PR Manager, Visit Baltimore
Jessie is an energetic, driven, and detail-oriented communications professional. As Visit Baltimore's PR Manager, she leads strategic communications efforts for local, convention, and international media markets. Before joining Visit Baltimore, she worked for Stanley Black & Decker where she led PR and influencer strategies for the BLACK+DECKER and CRAFTSMAN brands. Jessie received her M.A. from the University of Richmond where she studied English and Creative Writing and was a record-breaking NCAA Division I swimmer. Currently, she is pursuing her M.F.A in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore.
PR Manager, Visit Baltimore
Jessie is an energetic, driven, and detail-oriented communications professional. As Visit Baltimore's PR Manager, she leads strategic communications efforts for local, convention, and international media markets. Before joining Visit Baltimore, she worked for Stanley Black & Decker where she led PR and influencer strategies for the BLACK+DECKER and CRAFTSMAN brands. Jessie received her M.A. from the University of Richmond where she studied English and Creative Writing and was a record-breaking NCAA Division I swimmer. Currently, she is pursuing her M.F.A in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore.
Rebecca Wu
Specialist, Marketing and Industry Development, Tourism Richmond
Rebecca is a strategic and innovative marketing professional with over five years of experience in several industries including hospitality, tourism and telecommunications. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree and has participated in academic exchanges to Hong Kong and UK. In her current position at Tourism Richmond, Rebecca is responsible for stakeholder engagement and marketing project management. Rebecca enjoys traveling in her spare time and has explored more than fifteen countries.
Specialist, Marketing and Industry Development, Tourism Richmond
Rebecca is a strategic and innovative marketing professional with over five years of experience in several industries including hospitality, tourism and telecommunications. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree and has participated in academic exchanges to Hong Kong and UK. In her current position at Tourism Richmond, Rebecca is responsible for stakeholder engagement and marketing project management. Rebecca enjoys traveling in her spare time and has explored more than fifteen countries.
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