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.

2025 Committee Members

  • Alastair Jack, Sales Director, Sojern
  • Alyssa Poulin, Director of Content Development, DI
  • Amy Cowan, Co-Founder, Chillwall
  • Amy Schneider, Director, City of Columbia Missouri - CVB | Sports Commission
  • Anand Patel, President/CEO, Visit Fairfield, California
  • Anna Tanski, Senior Advisor, Midwest Regional Director, Fired Up! Culture
  • Ashley Greenstein, Public Information Manager, Explore Asheville
  • Bill Geist, Chief Instigator, DMOproz
  • Brent DeRaad, President & CEO, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Brett Stawar, President, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau
  • Candy Rodriguez, Director of Communications, Visit Lake Charles
  • Cassandra Harrington, President & CEO, This Is Cooperstown
  • Chase Gray, Director, Strategy, Skift
  • Chris Campbell, Vice President - Strategy and External Affairs, Explore Charleston
  • Claire Koenig, Vice President of Communications & Advocacy, Visit Milwaukee
  • Cody A. Gray, President & CEO, Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Tourism
  • Crystal Franke, Destination Marketing Manager, Explore Oro Valley
  • Cynthia Eichler, CEO, Visit Fort Collins
  • Dan Rowe, President & CEO, Visit Panama City Beach
  • Darrion Richard, Legislative & Community Affairs Manager, Explore St. Louis
  • Dave Parulo, President & CEO, Explore Tualatin Valley
  • David Buckenberger, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Choose Lansing
  • David Peacock, Senior Advisor to the Future Tourism Group @ Simpleview, Simpleview Inc
  • Davis Meyer, VP of Government & Industry Relations, Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • Deborah A Meihls, President & CEO, New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau
  • Debra L. Rhino-Gibbs, Director, Customer Experience, The Charlotte Regional Visitor's Authority
  • Devin Heath, President & CEO, DistiNCtly Fayetteville
  • Domenic Bravo, President & CEO, Visit Cheyenne (Co-Chair)
  • Drew Holmgreen, Chief Experience Officer, MPI
  • Dustin Ritchea, Communications and Creative Director, Indiana Dunes Tourism
  • Eric Kerr, Vice President, Insights & Development, Visit Phoenix
  • Erin Miller, Destination Sales Manager, Discover Davis
  • Gerardo (Gary) Sanchez, Sr. Director of Community Impact, Equity, Public Affairs, Visit Dallas
  • Gwendal Castellan, Manager, Sustainable Destination Development, Destination Vancouver
  • Heaven Turner, Business Development Representative, Tourism Economics
  • Helen Wilson, Executive Director, Wind River Visitors Council
  • Jack Wert, Business Development Advisor, Paradise Advertising & Marketing Inc.
  • Jada Harkins Andrews, Senior Manager of Public Affairs, Discover Durham
  • Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, President/CEO, Visit Saint Paul
  • Jamie Mageau, Client Success Lead, Rove
  • Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO, Experience Champaign-Urbana
  • Jenifer Gray-O'Connor, Senior Associate Principal, Coraggio Group
  • Jennifer Griswold, Director of Marketing, Future Partners
  • Jeremy Loveday, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Destination Stewardship and Sustainability, Destination Greater Victoria
  • Jill Delaney, President & CEO, Discover Albany
  • John Lambeth, Founder & CEO, Civitas
  • John Urdi, President & CEO, Mammoth Lakes Tourism
  • Jonathan David Smith, Director of Research, VisitGreenvilleSC
  • Jordoun Eatman, Vice President of Strategy, Engagement & Inclusion, Experience Grand Rapids
  • Josiah Brown, National Advocacy Liaison, New York State Tourism Industry Association
  • JT Long, Vice President, Smart Meetings
  • Julie Calvert, President and CEO, Visit Cincy
  • Julie Gilbert, President & CEO, Destination Door County (Co-Chair)
  • Justin Munoz, Chief of Staff and Head of DEI, Visit San Antonio
  • Karen Raymore, Executive Director, Hocking Hills Tourism Association
  • Kate Hertz, Content Coordinator, Visit Colorado Springs
  • Kelly Haussler, Director, Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
  • Kimberlee Anspach, Executive Director, eXplore Lawrence
  • Kyle Huff, Director, Growth Marketing, Tempest
  • Marni Cook, Managing Consultant, Forvis Mazars
  • Matthew Algarin, Tourism Director, Walton County Tourism/Visit South Walton
  • Maura Gast, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Maurie Dugger, Director, Community Engagement, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Melaine Rottkamp, President & CEO, Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
  • Melissa Cherry, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Miles Partnership
  • Melissa Riggle, Executive Director, Visit New Bern
  • Michael Rudowski, VP Research & Insights, Visit Dallas
  • Michelle Mason, CAE, FASAE, CQIA, President & CEO, ASAE
  • Michelle Senderhauf, Digital Marketing Director, Indiana Dunes Tourism
  • Nick Pfeiffer, Vice President of Public Affairs, Think Iowa City
  • Nina Winston, Founder, Nina B Winston Consulting
  • Patricia Gillett, Media Relations Manager, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Patricia Kieffer, Senior Vice President, Visit Mobile
  • Racene Friede, President CEO, Western Montana's Glacier Country
  • Rebecca Thomas, Public Relations Specialist, Discover Salt River
  • Richard Gibbs, Director of Corporate Communications & External Affairs, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Rob Gard, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Destination Madison
  • Sandee Jordan, Director of Customer Success, Simpleview
  • Sara Toliver, President/CEO, Visit Ogden
  • Sarah Bellamy, Content Marketing Manager, Tempest
  • Sarah Leonard, CEO, Visit Longmont
  • Scott Schult, Destination Strategist, Clicktripz
  • Sergio Piedra, Senior Director, Community Engagement & Advocacy, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Sheila Snow, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Discover Monroe-West Monroe
  • Shinichi Nakamura, Chief Researcher, ANA Strategic Research Institute
  • Skylar Houck, Marketing Manager, Visit Tampa Bay
  • Stacie Wingfield, VP of Marketing, Simpleview
  • Stan Rubins, Sr. Corporate Counsel & VP of External Affairs, Visit Orlando
  • Tammy Koerte, Senior Research Manager, Longwoods International
  • Teresa Martinez, Director of Governmental & Community Affairs, Visit KC
  • Travis Napper, Director of Destination Partnerships, Tourism Economics
  • Vivian Mur, Vice President Tourism & Hospitality, TravelSpike
  • Warren R. Wilkinson, President & CEO, Visit Overland Park
  • Whitney Waara, COO, Traverse City Tourism
  • Willma Harvey, Director of Sales and Business Development, River Parishes Tourist Commission
  • Zac Craig, President, Visit Oklahoma City
  • Zeek Coleman, Vice President, Americas, Tourism Economics

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Andreas Weissenborn, Vice President of Research and Advocacy

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