Community Connection Professional Task Force

The Community Connection Professionals Task Force is comprised of destination organization leaders within the Visitor Services, Group Tour, Special Events, Neighborhood Engagement disciplines. Focus on the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of solutions as they relate to community engagement and destination development. The task force will work with Destinations International to advance relevant content and professional development.  

2025 Task Force Members

  • Adam Jennings, Destination Experiences Manager, VisitGreenvilleSC
  • Alana Cooper, President/CEO, Discover Monroe-West Monroe
  • Alex MacKenzie, Travel Trade Manager, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative
  • Alex Sullivan, Visitor Services and Community Engagement Manager, Visit Howard County
  • Alissa Steele, Senior Marketing Manager, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Alyssa Phares, Executive Director, Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Amy Cowan, Vice President, Chillwall AI
  • Anne Klenke, VP - Destination Development/Community Engagement, Visit Lake Charles
  • April Broyles, Director of People and Culture, Madden Media
  • Arin Arnold-Davis, Director of Destination Stewardship and Community Engagement, Visit Lex
  • Ashley Greenstein, Public Information Manager, Explore Asheville
  • Brooke Jung, Vice President of Destination Development & Community Engagement, Visit Albuquerque
  • Cassie Ivey, Director of Visitor and Community Engagement, Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director, Charlottesville Albemarle CVB
  • Dan Rowe, CEO, Visit Panama City Beach
  • Davis Meyer, VP Government & Industry Relations, Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • Heather Andrews, Associate VP, Community Engagement, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Jasmyne Harris, Director of Digital Marketing, Discover San Angelo
  • Jenn Schaal, Vice President, Operations & Strategy, Visit Saint Paul
  • Jennifer Bowen, VP of Destination Development & Community Engagement, Destination Augusta
  • Jennifer Christie, Director of Marketing, Visit Loudoun (Co-Chair)
  • Jody Kirk, Destination Stewardship Manager, Tofino Destination Management Association
  • Juliana Cardoina Quiroz, Executive Director, Greater MedellÍn Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Kalani Kaanaana, Chief Stewardship Officer, Hawaii Tourism Authority
  • Karen Mitchell, Sr. Project Manager, RTO4 
  • Katie Streater, Senior Coordinator, Global Trade Development, Brand USA
  • Katie Reichard, Operations Director, Visit Frederick
  • Kelly Bass Seibel, VP, Community Engagement, Sonoma County Tourism
  • Laurie Booyse, Tourism Manager, City of Ketchikan
  • Lionel Kernerman, Manager of Destination Development, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
  • Lorena Alanis, Communications, Monterrey CVB
  • Maeve McEneny-Johnson, Director of Community Engagement, Discover Albany
  • Marcus Cox, Executive Director, Welcome to Memphis, Memphis Tourism
  • Maurie Dugger, Director, Community Engagement, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Mickey Schaefer, President, CTA Network
  • Nicole Bradin, Community Engagement Director, Explore Tualatin Valley
  • Oliver Kugler, Community Relations Manager, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater CVB
  • Racene Friede, President CEO, Western Montana's Glacier Country
  • Raul Santillan, Sr. Manager, Membership, Visit Dallas
  • Rich Adam, Head of Client Development, Rove
  • Sally Donovan, Client Relations Lead, Rove
  • Sarah Howard, Executive Director, Visit Pleasant Prairie
  • Raquel Bigman, Visitor Experience Coordinator, Visit Phoenix
  • Seth Lieber, Visitor Services Coordinator, SoIN Tourism
  • Sonya Bradley, Chief DEI and Community Relations Officer, Visit Sacramento
  • Stephen Ekstrom, CEO & Co-founder, Learn Tourism - the nonprofit academy
  • Susan Estler, CEO, Travel Marquette (Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau)
  • Teresa Martinez, Governmental and Community Affairs, Visit KC
  • Terri Reifsteck, Vice President of Destination Branding & Development, Experience Champaign-Urbana
  • Tiffany Ahalt, Director of Sales & Community Engagement, Hagerstown/Washington Co. CVB
  • Tony Snell Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion, Visit Milwaukee (Co-Chair)
  • Whitney Waara, COO, Traverse City Tourism

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Alyssa Poulin, Director of Content Development

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