Advocacy Committee

The Advocacy Committee shall recommend partnerships, best practices and resources to communicate the value and impact of destination organizations to their leadership, stakeholders and community. On behalf of the Association, and working with the Association leadership, the committee shall provide robust support for policies that positively affect the industry and speak out on issues of concern. Acknowledging that policies affect destinations both directly and indirectly, the committee shall remain vigilant in identifying appropriate areas where well-organized, passionate advocacy can lead to an optimal result.

2026 Committee Members

  • Amy Schneider, CTA, Director, City of Columbia MO Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Anna Tanski, Vice President - Midwest Region Director, Fired Up! Culture
  • Ashley Greenstein, Public Information Manager, Explore Asheville
  • Aviva Sage North, PDM, Associate Principal, Coraggio Group
  • Bianca Barga, Amadeus
  • Cayleigh Tomlinson, Digital Strategy Consultant, Simpleview Inc, a Granicus Company
  • Chris Stanley, CTA, Director of Communications, Visit Galveston
  • Dalton Lopez, CRMA, Relationship Manager, Travel Industry, Engine
  • Daniel Janes, CEO, Madden Media
  • David John Peacock, Senior Advisor to the Future Tourism Group, Granicus
  • Debra L. Rhino-Gibbs, MBA, Director, Customer Experience, The Charlotte Regional Visitor's Authority
  • Domenic Bravo, CDME, Executive Director, Wyoming Office of Tourism (Co-Chair)
  • Eric Caratao, PDM, Director of Research & Analytics, CRVA
  • Frida Bahja, PhD, Director of Research, Experience Kissimmee
  • Gerardo (Gary) Sanchez, Senior Director of Impact and Public Affairs, Visit Dallas
  • Gregory Clyde Wolfe II, MBA, Director of Education, International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
  • Heather Bagshaw, Tourism Director, Warren County
  • Jackie Contaldo, PDM, Account Director, Miles Partnership
  • Jacob Pewitt Yancey, Head of Analytics, Arrivalist
  • Jamie Mageau, Head of Advisory Services, Rove
  • Jennifer Griswold, MBA, Director of Partner Engagement, Future Partners
  • Jeremy Loveday, MBA, VP, External Relations, Sustainable Development, and First Nations Partnerships, Destination Greater Victoria
  • Jill Delaney, CEO, Discover Albany
  • John Urdi, CDME, President & CEO, Mammoth Lakes Tourism
  • JoLynn Lokey, Visit Tampa Bay
  • Josiah Brown, National Advocacy Liaison, New York State Tourism Industry Association
  • Julie L Gilbert, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Door County
  • Kate Baumgartner, Public and External Affairs Strategist, Travel Oregon
  • Katie Stadius, Senior Director, Client Success, Zartico
  • Kelly Haussler, CDME, Director, Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism (Co-Chair)
  • Kelsey Rush, TMP, President / CEO, Visit Tuscaloosa
  • Kimberly Hill Danesi, CCP, Vice President of Operations, CFO by design
  • Kristen Pironis, CEO, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
  • Laurence Cohen, President, Northeast Media, Phoenix International Publishing / Northeast Media
  • Lynn Tillotson, President & CEO, Visit Portland Maine
  • Maria Pradissitto, International Tourism Sales Manager, The Data Appeal Company
  • Maura Allen Gast, FCDME, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Maurie Dugger, Director, Community Engagement, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Melissa Holt, MA, Vice President, Pinehurst Area CVB
  • Michelle Guevara, CTA, Director, Destination Experiences, VisitGreenvilleSC
  • Patrick Walton, Director of Government & Community Affairs, Visit Denver
  • Paul Shaw, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
  • Peggy Williams-Smith, CEO, Visit Milwaukee
  • Racene Friede, President CEO, Western Montana's Glacier Country
  • Rachel Brown, CDME, Destination Stewardship Director, Destination Wayfinder (Miles Partnership)
  • Rob Gard, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Destination Madison
  • Rosa Noble, Visit Spokane
  • Sandee Jordan, Director of Customer Success, Simpleview
  • Sara Leonard, CEO, Visit Estes Park
  • Sara Toliver, CDME, MBA, President/CEO, Visit Ogden
  • Sarah D. Benoit, Lead Instructor, Learn Tourism
  • Scott McCrea, CDME, President and CEO, Explore Fairbanks
  • Sergio Piedra, Senior Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Shawna Reid, CTA, CTE, Director of Destination Services, Visit Galveston
  • Stanley Rubins, Sr. Legal Counsel & VP, External Affairs, Visit Orlando
  • Stephanie Pressler, Director of Community & Government Affairs, Experience Scottsdale
  • Tammy Koerte, Director of Research, Longwoods International
  • Tina Cannon, Vice President, Partnerships & Exec Dir Visit Austin Foundation, Visit Austin
  • Trevor Tkach, CDME, CEO, Traverse City Tourism
  • Trina Flack, CDME, CMP, President & CEO, Catch Des Moines
  • Willma Jatvey, CDME, Director of Sales and Business Development, River Parishes Tourist Commission
  • Yolanda González, CMP, National Sales Director, Discover Puerto Rico
  • Zac Craig, President, Visit Oklahoma City

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Andreas Weissenborn, Vice President of Research and Advocacy

Share this: