As a 24-year-old Mexican American woman and proud Fort Smith native, I earned my Graphic Design degree from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and discovered my passion for tourism as an intern at what was then Experience Fort Smith. Working alongside dedicated new team members, I'm helping revitalize our mission to redefine Fort Smith beyond the "old west meets new south" narrative. We're a small yet mighty city breaking traditional molds to attract visitors who want to experience the authentic community and genuine spirit that truly defines us. This work feels deeply personal: it's my way of honoring the community that raised me while ensuring our real stories get told with the truth they deserve.

Kathryn Shea Duncan, CDME, MBA, is the Senior Director of Social Media & Communications at Visit Lake Charles, where she lives at the intersection of creativity and strategy. A Destinations International 30 Under 30 honoree, she leads a multifaceted communications approach spanning content development, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and paid social campaigns, ensuring every story resonates and drives impact. When she’s not crafting scroll-stopping content, you’ll find her behind a camera, digging through crates of vinyl records, or road-tripping backroads and bayous. 

Melody Foote is a passionate marketing and communications pro with over 20 years of experience helping destinations connect with travelers in meaningful ways. She’s currently the Director of Marketing at DistiNCtly Fayetteville, where she oversees everything from digital content and PR to email, social, and CRM strategy. A Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), she loves blending creativity with smart strategy to grow tourism and tell authentic local stories.

Melissa DeFreest is a tourism professional promoting destinations through strategic marketing and storytelling. She leads Somerset County, NJ's tourism initiatives with a focus on agritourism, sports, historic preservation, and vibrant downtowns. Passionate about connecting people to place, Melissa works to highlight the diverse experiences that make a destination memorable while driving visitation and local impact. 

Hilary Dailey, Tourism Program Specialist, holds an MTA (Masters in Tourism Administration) with a concentration in Destination Management from The George Washington University. She is a Certified Tourism Ambassador for Maryland and was appointed to her current position in September 2018. Ms. Dailey sits on the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Steering Committee, Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum Advisory Board and is a member of the Maryland Tourism Coalition and Maryland Destination Marketing Organization Association. 

Randi Morritt is the Chief Operating Officer of Visit Aurora, where she oversees daily operations and drives strategic planning to advance the organization’s mission. Since joining Visit Aurora in 2016 as Director of Communications, she has led transformative initiatives in marketing, branding, and revenue growth, including Aurora’s Travel & Tourism Recovery Plan during the pandemic and the launch of the Aurora Borealis Festival. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a U.S. Travel Association Emerging Leader (2021) and a Destinations International 30 Under 30 honoree (2018).

Dan is the CEO of Madden Media, a destination marketing agency focused on increasing visitation, travel, and tourism for communities across the country. Madden uses innovative, technology-driven marketing strategies to provide solutions for partners. We know travel is transformative for individuals and communities and our team is proud to impact the growth of communities by creating personalized, immersive marketing strategies that connect people to places. Dan has led multiple companies and sits on both nonprofit boards and those of early-stage technology companies.