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.

2026 Committee Members

  • Aaron Roddy, Content Manager, Discover Albany
  • Alex Kenzakoski, Senior Public Relations Manager, VisitPITTSBURGH
  • Alexea Veneracion, Director of Communicatinos, Visit Colorado Springs
  • Amie Diehl, TMP, FEP, Social Media & Content Manager, Visit Haywood
  • Angie Pappas, Associate Vice President of External Affairs & Media Relations, Visit California
  • Brianna Francis, Director of Public Relations, Madden Media
  • Candy Rodriguez, Director of Communications, Visit Lake Charles
  • Caroline Campbell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Visit Denver
  • Cayleigh Tomlinson, Digital Strategist, Simpleview, a Granicus Company
  • Celeste Rodriguez, Digital Communications Specialist, Visit Reno Tahoe (Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority)
  • Chris Stanley, Director of Communications, Visit Galveston
  • Christina Barrera, Economic Development & Tourism Manage, City of Lewisville
  • Claire Koenig, Vice President of Communications & Advocacy, Visit Milwaukee
  • Corey Fram, Director of Tourism, 1000 Islands International Tourism Council
  • Cris Duschek, Chief Communications Officer, Paradise Advertising & Marketing
  • Dalton Lopez, Relationship Manager, Travel Industry, Engine
  • Daniel Gibson, CEO, Visit McMinnville
  • Danielle Ackerman, Director of Marketing & Communications, Visit Columbus GA
  • Danielle Davis, Vice President of Communications, Destination DC
  • Danyelle Perry, Digital Marketing Manager, Visit Overland Park
  • Davelyn Tardi, Public Relations Director, Discover Puerto Rico
  • David Gonzalez, Vice President of Media Relations and Communications, Visit San Antonio (Co-Chair)
  • Deborah Stone, President and Owner, Pineapple Public Relations
  • Denise Spiegel, Vice President of Communications, Visit Orlando
  • Dennise Villalobos, Social Media & International Affairs Specialist, Visit South Padre Island
  • Derek Klaus, Senior Vice President, Public Relations and Communications, MMGY Global
  • Emily Lauer, Vice President of PR and Communications, Destination Cleveland
  • Erin Marvin, Director of Communications, Miles Partnership
  • Faith Thompson, PR & Communications Manager, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce
  • Faye Pantazopoulos, Creative Director, South County Tourism Council
  • Genesis Leggett, Director of Marketing, Visit Tallahassee
  • Hannah Winaught, Marketing Manager, Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
  • Heidi Barfels, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Visit Florida Keys & Key West
  • Helen Ames, Partner, Travel/Lifestyle Practice, Finn Partners
  • Jackie McLafferty, Director of Public Relations, Datafy
  • Jacquelyn Blackwell, Senior Manager, Travel & Tourism Partnerships, Atlas Obscura
  • Jaime Martorana, Communications Manager, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Jennifer Diaz-Alzuri, Vice President of Marketing Communications, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Jessica Holt, Director of Public Relations and International Tourism, Visit Raleigh
  • Joe Evans, Contracts and Procurement Manager, Visit San Antonio
  • Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communications, Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • Julie Freeman, Executive Vice President, Public Relations, Americas, MMGY Global
  • Karen Mitchell, Senior Project Manager, and Destination Manager for Wellington County, Regional Tourism Organization 4 Inc.
  • Karyl Leigh Barnes, President, Tourism Practice, Development Counsellors International
  • Kelli West, Sr. Manager, Tourism Communications, The Chicksaw Nation (Co-Chair)
  • Kelly Harb, Vice President of Marketing & Communication, Visit Sarasota County
  • Laurie Booyse, Tourism Manager, City of Ketchikan Alaska
  • Leah Webster, Client Success Manager, Tiki
  • Lindsey Steck, Marketing and Communications Manager, Visit Pensacola
  • Lori Pappas, Vice President, Marketing and Media Relations, Discover Flagstaff
  • Luke Alexopoulos, Senior Public Relations Manager, Visit Eau Claire
  • Marissa Davidson, Community Relations Manager, Discover Klamath VCB
  • Matthew Maxey, Senior Director of Public Relations, Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau | Visit Franklin
  • Maureen Morgenthien, CDME, Director of Marketing, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
  • Melody Foote, CDME, Director of Marketing, Distinctly Fayetteville
  • Michael Fiez, Marketing Manager, Simpleview, a Granicus company
  • Michele Anapol, Manager, Communications, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Molly Castano, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
  • Natalie Morlino, Communications & Community Engagement Manager, Visit Lodi
  • Olan James, Experiences Manager, Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Rachel Laber, Director of Market Communications and Public Relations, Visit Rochester
  • Renata Tilkian, VP Client Services, Sparkloft Media
  • Rob Gard, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Destination Madison
  • Sheridan Powell, Communications Manager, Visit Colorado Springs
  • Stephen Crano, Manager, Corporate Communications, Choose Chicago
  • Tamaria Williams, Communications Manager, Visit Baton Rouge
  • Taylor Hartman, Director of Marketing and Communications, Visit Ogden
  • Tina Valdecanas, Principal, Clarity of Place
  • Trish Nugent, Senior Vice President - Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs, Mower
  • Valeria Ayala, Media Relations Coordinator, Discover Puerto Rico
  • Vanessa Puopolo, Vice President, Visit Fresno County
  • Whitney Smith, Director of Marketing and Communications, Tourism Cares
  • Zane Harrington, Director of Communications, Visit Dallas

Destinations International Staff Liaisons

  • Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications
  • Joanna Hammond, Marketing and Communications Manager

 

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