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.

2023 Committee Members

  • Alastair Jack, Sales Director, Sojern
  • Anne Klenke, VP - Destination Development/Community Engagement, Visit Lake Charles
  • Annette Rummel, CEO, Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB
  • Barbara Neilan, Executive Director, Destination Missoula 
  • Bill Geist, Chief Instigator, DMOproz
  • Brenda Hill, Senior Director of Event Services, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau
  • Cara Frank, Chief of Staff, Simpleview
  • Charlene Hoffman, CEO, Visit Boulder, the Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Chris Campbell, Vice President of Strategy & External Affairs, Explore Charleston
  • Chris Lewis, Director of Destination Development, Tourism Kelowna
  • Dave Parulo, President & CEO, Tualatin Valley / Washington County Visitors Association 
  • David Buckenberger, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • David Burgess, President & CEO, Miles Partnership
  • David Peacock, Senior Advisor, Future Tourism Group, Simpleview
  • Domenic Bravo, CEO/President, Visit Cheyenne
  • Gary Sanchez, Director of Public Affairs, VisitDallas (Co-Chair)
  • Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO, Visit Champaign County
  • Jim Ganotis, Director of Information Technology, Destination Cleveland
  • John Lambeth, CEO & President, Civitas
  • Jon Schmieder, Founder + CEO, Huddle Up Group
  • Josiah Brown, National Advocacy Liaison, New York State Tourism Industry Association 
  • Julia Hertel, Executive Director, Destinations Wisconsin
  • Julie Curtin, President, Economic Development, DCI
  • Julie Gilbert, President & CEO, Destination Door County
  • Kaitlin Eskelson, President/CEO, Visit Salt Lake
  • Karen Raymore, Executive Director, Hocking Hills Tourism Association
  • Katie Thomas, Marketing & Content Creation Coordinator, Civitas
  • Kelly Haussler, Director, Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
  • Kurt Krause, President & CEO, VisitNorfolk (Co-Chair)
  • Laura Libby, Senior Vice President, Miles Partnership
  • Mario J. Bass, Chief Sales Officer, Visit San Antonio
  • Matthew Holme, Manager, Corporate Communications and Destination Management, Destination Greater Victoria
  • Maura Gast, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Melaine Rottkamp, President & CEO, Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
  • Melissa Riggle, Executive Director, Visit New Bern 
  • Mike Robertson, Advisor, Fired-Up! Culture
  • Mina Robertson, Account Director, Miles Partnership 
  • Minto Schneider, Destinations Specialist, Government Affairs, Tourism Industry Assoc. of Canada
  • Mya Surrency, Co-Founder, Digital Edge
  • Natalie Jamieson, Insights Group Team Lead, Zartico
  • Nicole Newman, Vice President, SearchWide Global
  • Nicolle Gomez de Sousa, Business Development Consultant, Tourism Kelowna
  • Nina Winston, Founder, Nina B Winston Consulting
  • Patricia Snowden, CEO, Stay Pleasant Hill
  • Patrick Tuttle, Director, Visit Joplin
  • Peggy Williams-Smith, CEO, VISIT Milwaukee
  • Racene Friede, President CEO, Glacier Country Tourism
  • Rachel Pearson, Vice President of Community & Government Affairs, Experience Scottsdale
  • Richard Scharf, President & CEO, Visit Denver
  • Roberta Atzori, Market Intelligence Analyst, Lee County VCB (Fort Myers Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods)
  • Ryan Shehu, Sales Manager, Visit Detroit
  • Samantha Gutting, Senior Vice President / Chief Sales Officer, Explore Branson
  • Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
  • Sergio Piedra, Director, Community Engagement & Advocacy, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Sharon Snell, Director of Community Engagement, Huntsville
  • Shavonne Harding, National Sales Manager, Choose Chicago
  • Sherrif Karamat, President & CEO, PCMA
  • Steph Clovechok, CEO, Discover Saskatoon 
  • Susan Riddle, President & CEO, Visit Mountaineer Country Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Tom Noonan, President & CEO, Visit Austin
  • Tracy Campbell, Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy, Visit SLO CAL
  • Trina Flack, VP of Sales, Catch Des Moines
  • Victoria Simmons, SVP Travel, BVK
  • Whitney Waara, COO, Traverse City Tourism
  • Willma Harvey, Director of Sales & Business Development, River Parishes Tourist Commission
  • Zac Craig, President, Visit Oklahoma City

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Andreas Weissenborn, Vice President of Research and Advocacy

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