Public Relations & Communications Committee

The Public Relations and Communications Committee is comprised of public relations communications leaders from across the industry and focuses on advocating for and advancing issues as they relate to the profession in the travel and tourism sector. The committee is responsible for spearheading important public relations and communications initiatives for the industry including continuing to establish best practices for measuring media value and curating content for Destinations International events and industry education.

2025 Committee Members

  • Abby Tingle, Social Media and Website Manager, Discover Monroe-West Monroe
  • Alex Wilson, Communications & PR Manager, Catch Des Moines
  • Alexea Veneracion, Director of Communications, Visit Colorado Springs
  • America Segura, Director of Communications, Visit Corpus Christi
  • Amie Newsome, Social Media & Content Manager, Visit Haywood
  • Angie Pappas, Associate Vice President of External Affairs & Media Relations, Visit California
  • Ann Stuckey, Director of Marketing Operations, Simpleview
  • Ari Hamilton, Corporate Communications Manager, Visit Baltimore
  • Brianna Francis, PR Director, Madden Media
  • Brian Hayden, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Visit Buffalo Niagara
  • Candy Rodriguez, Director of Communications, Visit Lake Charles
  • Celeste Rodriguez, Digital Communications Specialist, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (Reno Tahoe)
  • Claire Koenig, Vice President of Communications & Advocacy, Visit Milwaukee
  • Cristina Duschek, Chief Communications Officer, Paradise Advertising and Marketing
  • Davelyn Tardi Reyes, Public Relations Director, Discover Puerto Rico
  • David Gonzalez, Vice President of Media Relations & Communications, Visit San Antonio (Co-Chair)
  • Denise Spiegel, Vice President of Communications, Visit Orlando
  • Dennise Villalobos, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Visit South Padre Island
  • Emily Lauer, Vice President of PR & Communication, Destination Cleveland
  • Hannah Arthurs, Specialist, Marketing, Tourism Richmond (Canada)
  • Heidi Barfels, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Visit Florida Keys & Key West
  • Jackie McLafferty, Director of Public Relations, Datafy
  • Jada Harkins Andrews, Senior Manager of Public Affairs, Discover Durham
  • Jaime Martorana, Communications Manager, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Jennifer Diaz-Alzuri, Vice President, Marketing Communications, Greater Miami & Miami Beach
  • Jennifer Sigal, Director of Communications, Visit Loudoun
  • Jessica Holt, Director of Public Relations and International Tourism, Visit Raleigh
  • Johanna Fein, Marketing & Communications Director, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC
  • Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communications, Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • Julie Freeman, Executive Vice President, Public Relations, Americas, MMGY Global (Co-Chair)
  • Karyl Leigh Barnes, President, Development Counsellors International
  • Kathryn Rawlinson, Vice President - Marketing & Communications, Travel Butler County
  • Kauilani Robinson, Director, Public Relations, Visit Seattle
  • Kelli West, Tourism Communications Senior Manager, Chickasaw Country
  • Laura Wilson Crist, Vice President of Media Partnerships, Tripscout
  • Lori Pappas, Marketing and Media Relations, Vice President, Discover Flagstaff
  • Luke Alexopoulos, Senior Public Relations Manager, Visit Eau Claire
  • Mark Rudyk, Vice President Marketing & Communications, Visit Carlsbad
  • Matthew Maxey, Senior Director of Public Relations, Visit Franklin | Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Mike Bell, Executive Director, TASC, Visit Topeka/Topeka Area Sports Commission
  • Natalie Morlino, Communications Manager, Visit Lodi
  • Nicole Stacey, Vice President, Destination Development, Visit Pensacola
  • Patricia Nugent, Senior Vice President - Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs, Mower
  • Ryan Callison, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Rhonica Stuart, Executive Operations Assistant, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce
  • Sarah Hughes, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Visit Norfolk
  • Sarah Martin, Vice President of Client Services, Travel Alliance Partnership
  • Savannah Corona, Director of Marketing, Visit Alamosa (Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau)
  • Stephanie McGrath, Chief Strategy Officer, VERB Interactive
  • Stephen Crano, Manager, Corporate Communications, Choose Chicago
  • Taylor Hartman, Director of Marketing and Communications, Visit Ogden
  • Whitney Smith, Director of Marketing + Communications, Tourism Cares
  • Zane Harrington, Director of Communications, Visit Dallas

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications

 

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