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.

2024 Committee Members

  • Alison Brooks, VP, Destination Experience & Advocacy, Visit Mesa 
  • Amy Lukasik, Executive Director, Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches
  • Angela Nagy. CEO, GreenStep Solutions Inc. 
  • Anne Klenke, VP - Destination Development/Community Engagement, Visit Lake Charles
  • Ashley Greenstein, Public Information Manager, Explore Asheville
  • Benjamin Vadasz, Partner, Destination Think 
  • Beth Erickson, President & CEO, Visit Loudoun
  • Brett Stawar, President & CEO, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce
  • Chris Campbell, Vice President - Strategy & External Affairs, Explore Charleston
  • Christine Livingston, Vice President, Indiana Dunes Tourism
  • Dave Parulo, President & CEO, Explore Tualatin Valley
  • David Peacock, Senior Advisor, Simpleview Future Tourism Group
  • David Wright, VP, Partner Relations, Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA)
  • Edward A. Carr iii, Director of Advocacy, Discover Long Island 
  • Fallon Oldenburg, Destination Strategist, Madden Media 
  • Gerardo (Gary) Sanchez, Sr. Director of Community Impact, Equity, Public Affairs, Visit Dallas
  • Jack Wert, Business Development Advisor, Paradise Advertising & Marketing Inc. 
  • Jason Holic, Sr. Vice President of Operations & Community Engagement, Experience Kissimmee
  • Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO, Experience Champaign-Urbana
  • Jennifer Griswold, Director of Marketing, Future Partners
  • Jeremy Loveday, Director Public Affairs, Destination Stewardship and Sustainability, Destination Greater Victoria
  • Jessica Sullivan, Director of Strategic Alliances, Experience Columbus
  • Jé-Vonna Sampson, Director of Destination Planning, MMGY NextFactor
  • John Mayner, Director, Shenandoah CVB (dba Visit Shenandoah Texas)
  • John Urdi, Executive Director, Mammoth Lakes Tourism
  • Josiah Brown, National Advocacy Liaison, New York State Tourism Industry Association 
  • Josiah Jones, Chief Operating Officer, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
  • Julia Hertel, Executive Director, Destinations Wisconsin
  • Julie Gilbert, President & CEO, Destination Door County
  • Karen Raymore, Executive Director, Hocking Hills Tourism Association
  • Karl Pietrzak, President & CEO, Destination Gettysburg
  • Katherine Couch, senior sustainability manager, Hamilton County Tourism
  • Kayla Dunn, Director, Destination Planning, MMGY NextFactor
  • Kelly Haussler, Director, Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
  • Kurt Krause, President & CEO, VisitNorfolk
  • Mark Hecquet, President / CEO, Springfield MO CVB
  • Marlo Dorsey, CEO, Visit Hattiesburg
  • Maura Allen Gast, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Mia  Blom, Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs, Visit Baltimore
  • Michael P Hallé, CEO, NEST: Niagara Escarpment for Sustainable Travel
  • Michelle Guevara, Director, Destination Experiences, VisitGreenvilleSC
  • Migdalia Vásquez Muñoz, Executive Director, Guatemala Conventions Bureau
  • Mike Butts, VP Sales/ Executive Director of Visit Charlotte, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority 
  • Minto Schneider, Destination Specialist, Tourism Industry Association of Canafa
  • Nick Pfeiffer, Vice President of Public Affairs, Think Iowa City
  • Polly Flachman, Vice President of Community Engagement, Visit Phoenix
  • Racene Friede, President CEO, Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission
  • Rachel Pearson, VP of Community & Government Affairs, Experience Scottsdale 
  • Richard Gibbs, Director of Corporate Communications & External Affairs, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Robin Bloom, Director of Content, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Rory Archibald, Head of Associations & Sectors, VisitScotland
  • Samantha Gutting, Sr VP / Chief Sales Officer, Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB / Explore Branson
  • Sarah Leonard, CEO, Visit Longmont
  • Scott Caufield, Senior Principal Client Partner, Tripadvisor
  • Scott Dring, President & CEO, Visit Dublin Ohio 
  • Sergio Piedra, Director, Community Engagement & Advocacy, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Shaylyn Robertson, Senior Sustainable Tourism Specialist, GreenStep Solutions
  • Shinichi Nakamura, Chief Researcher, ANA Strategic Research Institute Co.,Ltd
  • Stacie Wingfield, VP of Marketing, Simpleview
  • Stephanie Pace Brown, President, Visit Winston-Salem
  • Susan Amey, President & CEO, Discover Durham
  • Susana Mejía Restrepo, Ejecutiva de Proyectos, Bureau de Medellín 
  • Tammy Koerte, Senior Research Manager, Longwoods International
  • Tina Valdecanas, Principal, Clarity of Place
  • Tracey Prince, Sr. Director, Government Relations, Houston First Corporation 
  • Willma Harvey, Director of Sales & Business Development, River Parishes Tourist Commission
  • Yolanda Gonzalez, National Sales Director, Discover Puerto Rico 
  • Zac Craig, President, Visit Oklahoma City

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Andreas Weissenborn, Vice President of Research and Advocacy

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