In the last issue of the Inbound Report, we published a series of photos taken Saturday at IPW in New Orleans. This week, we feature photos taken on Sunday. Photos from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be featured in future issues.
Definitely in a New Orleans state of mind at the Sunday morning brunch for journalists are Barbara G. Ferguson (left), Washington correspondent for the Arab News; and her colleague at the publication, Hala Abdulla.
Only one person at a time gets the spotlight. From the balcony of the Orpheum Theatre, we see Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans CVB, greeting journalists at the Sunday morning brunch. With him are Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (left), and Roger Dow, president and CEO of US Travel.
From the My Passion media group in Vancouver, Canada, and all smiles at the Sunday morning brunch for journalists are: Terrilyn Kunopaski (left), editorial director-travel and tourism; and Jennifer Prendergast, associate group publisher.
Journalists found themselves in a dancing frame of mind as legendary Zydeco musician Bruce “Sumpie” Barnes (center) entertained journalists at the Sunday morning brunch with a foot-stomping series of songs.
A regular for three decades at IPW, Alberto Sanchez Lavalle (left) editor of Argentina’s “Viajes Agentes” (Travel Agent) magazine, is joined by his wife, Norma Jure, also a journalist for Airport News Espiza, at the Sunday morning brunch.
Busy with a text exchange while others are taking in the entertainment at the Sunday brunch is Helen Hatzis, “chief exploration officer” for the Toronto-based Weekend Jaunt publication.
Catherin Prather, senior vice president at NTA, is also a member of US Travel’s Communications Committee and is busy at all the association’s PR-related events, including the IPW Sunday brunch for journalists.
Stopping in mid-conversation to give us a warm photo opportunity are Roger Dow, US Travel’s president and CEO; and Angela Chuang, a journalist with the Taipei Times.
In the midst of a friendly exchange are Mike Gallagher (right), founder and co-chairman of CityPass; and Australian journalist Mark Sheehan.
The busload of journalists who took the Plantation Country tour were treated to some spectacularly beautiful scenes, such as this one, which is what visitors see when approaching the mansion at Oak Alley Plantation, about 55 miles north of New Orleans.
Uruguayan television personality Virginia Negro Ubilla gets set to tape a broadcast segment with her cameraman, Diego Porcile López, at the Oak Alley Plantation.
The charming and gracious Linda Dow provides a pleasing accent to the beautiful main entrance of the Oak Alley Plantation, whose arched path stretches out almost to the point that it touches the Mississippi River in the background.
Debra Mayhew (left), a tour guide who lives on-property at Oak Lawn Plantation, with Tim Wassberg, editor-in-chief for Mobile RVing/The Buzz.
It is par-taaay time Sunday night at IPW’s opening function at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. On hand are Marcia Brewster, accounts director, at New Orleans-based Tomahawk Tourism Marketing; and Denise Thevenot, executive director of Louisiana Tax Free Shopping.
Oblivious to the costumed performer on the right, who appears to be making a malevolent move on her, Kelly Troia, founder of Clandestine New Orleans tours, enjoys the company at the Louisiana Superdome function.
Managing to appear calm and civil midst the tumult and the shouting are: Concha Perdomo (left), tour and travel sales manager, The Palms Resort and Spa; and Myra Roman, manager, tour and travel, Charles Group Hotels.
Enjoying the party are: Janelle Granfors (left), regional sales director, Engage Hospitality; and Marilyn Perry, sales, Personality Hotels.
They turned around from watching the dancers on stage long enough to give us a smile: Grant Daley (left), senior business development manager, EMEA, Universal Parks & Resorts; and Veronica Flood, marketing manager, Tour America.
Simeon Araujo (left) is client relationship coordinator & business development, for the Brazilian travel trade publication, PANROTAS; and Marcos Barros is senior director, Latin America, Universal Orlando Resort.
Tour operators on parade? We checked. No IPW badges. They were part of the entertainment, although the distinction was lost at times during the Superdome party on Sunday night.
With the lights and color all about, Jeanette Alicea, revenue/sales manager, The Excelsior Hotel, with her beads and face paint, complements the décor and color themes of the night.
A costumed stilt walker/dancer helps Cash Li, general manager of Guangzhou-based Swallow Holidays, join the dancing action.
On the left is Amy Shahin, director of hotel sales, JW Mariott Minneapolis/Mall of America; her table-mate is Ashlee Thostenson, account manager for Radisson.
Part of IPW’s Memphis continent is looking festive: Caroline Stanfield (left), public relations specialist for the Memphis CVB; and Patrice S. Graves, sales manager, The Peabody Memphis.
Watching the Mardi Gras parade directly in front of them are: Jake Steinman, founder and president of the NAJ Group, which publishes the Inbound Report; and Julie Chase, vice president and chief marketing officer, Austin CVB.
Part of the Hard Rock International IPW delegation shows up for the Mardi Gras Parade at the Superdome: Amanda Roberson (left), sales & marketing manager, Washington, D.C. & Atlanta; and Tara Hippensteel, director, tour and travel, North America.
Very likely the most festively decorated IPW delegate at the Superdome party is Kristen Old, marketing and tourism specialist, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Michigan.
A trio from HHR Hersha Hospitality at the Superdome party (left-to-right): Sameer Mehra, chief revenue officer; Clare Baruti, national director of sales; and Stephanie Esposito, senior vice president, sales.
