Convention Sales & Services Committee

The Convention Sales & Services Committee actively reviews and develops strategies and best practices that will support the CVB Convention Sales and Services teams as they navigate the ever-evolving needs of the Business Events Strategist and their corresponding organization. Through the committees' efforts, CVBs become better equipped to deliver a value proposition that makes them critical in the meeting and event planning and actualization process. We encourage Destination Organization Sales and Convention Services professionals at varying levels and representing varying markets to participate. Additionally, all Business Members and Partners who have direct integration in or impact on the Business Events Sales and Services cycle are welcome to participate.

2026 Committee Members​

  • Alfred Snow, TMP, CTA, Director of Sales & Services, Destination Ann Arbor
  • Alex Batista, CDME, MBA, Vice President of Sales, Greater Miami Conventions & Visitors Bureau
  • Aline Ibanes, Chief Sales Manager, Destin-Fort Walton Beach
  • Aly Fernandez, Associate Vice President, Destination Services and Trades Show Activities, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Amanda Fox, CDME, CMP, Vice President, Operations & Events, Visit Rochester
  • Andrew Ortale, Executive Vice President, Business Events & Destination Experience, Visit Pittsburgh (Sales Co-Chair)
  • Brandy McCallum-Martin, Director of Convention Services, Experience Grand Rapids
  • Carolina Viazcan, Vice President of Sales, Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • Cassidy Brinkley, Vice President of Visitor Experience, Chattanooga Tourism Co.
  • Christine Blackmon, Chief Experience Officer, Visit Jackson
  • Dana Maugans, CDME, Vice President of Sales, Visit Springfield, MO
  • D. Bradley Kent, Senior Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, Visit Dallas
  • David Buckenberger, CDME, CMP, CTA, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Choose Lansing
  • Debby Goedeke, Destination Services Manager, Discover Albany
  • Diana Thornton, Destination & Services Manager, Destination El Paso
  • Doug Bennett, CASE, Senior Vice President, Convention Development, Louisville Tourism
  • Evan Hammond, Sales and Special Projects Manager, Discover Albany
  • Farnaz Mirza, Sales Manager, Destination Toronto
  • Heather Kouns, CDME, TMP, Vice President of Strategic Sales, North Little Rock Tourism
  • Jason Lusk, Vice President, Sales, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Jen Dwyer, CMP, CASE, Director of Sales, Visit Baltimore
  • Joyce Russell, Vice President of Sales, Visit Indy
  • Kahlia Gainey, Senior Destination Experiences Manager, Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • Kellie Myers, Director of Destination Services, Visit Oklahoma City
  • Kelly Saling, SVP & Chief Sales Officer, Visit Seattle
  • Kirsten Ste. Marie, CMP, CTA, Director of Sales, Experience Prince George's
  • Kylie Leslie, Assistant Director of Destination Services, Visit Phoenix
  • Leslie Johnson, Vice President of Sales, VISIT Milwaukee
  • Lisa Bethea, CTA, CTIS, Director of Destination Services, Visit Frisco
  • Lorena Alanis, CED, Inteligencia de mercados, Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Monterrey
  • Marci Krueger-Sidebottom, VP of Sales & Services, VisitLexington
  • Margie Hurley, Senior Manager of Destination and Visitor Services, Visit Atlantic City
  • Mark Brazeau, CDME, CAHTA, CATP, CHIA, Director of Group Sales and Relationship Management, Destination Toledo
  • Marie Anne Leon, Customer Relations Specialist, Visit Lauderdale
  • Michael Rudowski, Vice President of Research & Insights, Visit Dallas
  • Michelle Flippo, Operations & Business Development Manager, Visit Oxnard
  • Michelle Haider, CMP, Senior Director of Event Experience, Visit Milwaukee
  • Michelle Moon, CMP, CPCE, CTE, Vice President of Partners, Experiences and Events, Visit San Antonio
  • Mykenzie Johnson, CMP, SEPC, Visitor Experience Manager, Visit Franklin
  • Narimel Tarver, National Sales Manager, Visit Greensboro
  • Natalie Young, CMP, Associate Director of Client Services, Houston First Corporation
  • Nathan Hermiston, CDME, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services, Visit KC
  • Nicole Olivares, CMP, Chief Sales Officer, Visit Corpus Christi
  • Olan James, Experiences Manager, Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM, Director of Client Services and Events, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Roberta Tisdul, CMP, Senior Director of Destination Experience, Visit Indy (Services Co-Chair)
  • Samantha Green Ewald, Account Sales Manager, Visit Charlotte / Charlotte Regional Visitor's Authority
  • Sarah Tarnowski, Sales Manager, Peachtree City CVB
  • Shannon Carter, Executive Director, Wayne County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Stephanie Naegele, Vice President of Sales & Services, Visit Orlando
  • Stephanie Turner, Senior Vice President Convention Sales and Strategies, New Orleans & Company
  • Stella Cruz Ortiz, Senior B2B Marketing Manager, New York City Tourism + Conventions
  • Tara Gordon, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Service, Destination Toronto
  • Taylor Stanley, CDME, TMP, CHIA, Vice President of Sales, Visit Lake Charles
  • Trina Flack, MBA, CMP, President & CEO, Catch Des Moines
  • Yolanda Gonzalez, CMP, National Sales Director, Discover Puerto Rico
  • Zondra White Jones, Senior Sales Manager, Visit The Northshore

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Emily Scheiderer, Director of Education, Sales and Services

     

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