Karen Kühl, a first-generation immigrant to the United States from Nicaragua, brings 35 years of tourism experience to her role as Executive Director of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism. She has advanced from frontline hospitality roles to leadership positions, including restaurant and resort management, launching an agritourism business, and guiding Cayuga County to national recognition.

Under her leadership, the office became the first DMO certified by Travel Unity and spearheaded DEI initiatives, including the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Corridor. Karen is dedicated to heritage tourism, inclusivity, and honoring Cayuga County’s rich history.

Stuart is the Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Myrtle Beach, where he’s focused on redefining destination marketing and challenging the traditional DMO playbook. A native of England with a degree in Rocket Science from the University of Kent, he brings a scientific and innovative approach to creating strategies that resonate with today’s travelers. As the host of Destination Discourse and a member of the Advisory Council for TravelAbility, Stuart is passionate about pushing the industry forward and advocating for greater inclusivity in tourism.

Josiah is a former Chair of the New York State Tourism Industry Association and now serves as the National Advocacy Liaison. He is known in the industry as the “New York Sherpa” and works on both consumer facing campaigns as well as advocacy issues to guide you like a sherpa to new and greater heights.  

As Foundation Manager for Destinations International, Kelsey leverages her expertise in fundraising, event coordination, and relationship building to advance impactful initiatives in travel and tourism. With a degree in Social Entrepreneurship from Texas Lutheran University, she has held key roles at the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Driven by a commitment to social justice, Kelsey is dedicated to empowering communities and fostering sustainable change.

Farah Shirzadi (she/her) is a Strategic Partner Development Manager based in San Francisco on the Search team. The products she supports help users plan and dream of where to go and what to eat. She has worked at Google in various partnerships roles and was at Target beforehand. She has a passion for cross-functional collaboration and building new things. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, swimming, and feeding people after a visit to the farmers market.