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NAJ’s RTO Summit in Orlando, Day One—International Digital Day: A Photo Log

November 30, 2016 by Tom Berrigan

. NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for the day-long International Digital Day, gets the program started with a wide-ranging presentation on the state of the inbound tourism industry in the U.S. — NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for the day-long International Digital Day, gets the program started with a wide-ranging presentation on the state of the inbound tourism industry in the U.S.

Lunging right into the audience in order to make a point is Laszlo Horvath, CEO of Active Media, who explained and explored SEO techniques — Lunging right into the audience in order to make a point is Laszlo Horvath, CEO of Active Media, who explained and explored SEO techniques.

Robyn Levin, CEO of R. Levin Marketing, sets up for her presentation on using YouTube and Facebook videos to market to international audiences.

Delegates received a “one-two” combination from Trip Advisor’s Carol Johnson (left), destination marketing manager, Latin America; and Melissa Surane, senior destination marketing manager, who discussed key travel trends from the UK, Germany and France, and “The Power of TripAdvisor for International Online Marketing,” respectively.

Susan Wilson, president of San Francisco-based Susan Wilson Marketing, looks up from her notes just prior to giving her presentation on “What to do When You’re Approached to Buy Advertising at Trade Shows.”

. Kelli Norman, director of tourism marketing and sales, Virginia Beach CVB, finds that stepping outside during a morning coffee break was an ideal place for checking messages.

Catching up during the morning coffee break are San Francisco industry colleagues Estelle Miller (left), director of tourism development, Hornblower Cruises and Events; and Susan Wilson, president of San Francisco-based Susan Wilson Marketing.

Fueling up with coffee and conversation during the morning coffee break are: (left) Scott Johnson, with the digital media group, Arrivalist; and the NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator of International Digital Day.

New to the RTO Summit and its International Digital Day are this twosome from Brazil’s Trend Travel USA (Grupo Trend): Janete Beaghley, receptive operations; and Michelle Perez-Farinha, business development.

Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company, stops to give our photographer a smile during the morning coffee break.

Between sessions, we catch Consuelo Sanchez, sports marketing coordinator and project coordinator for Pasco County, Florida; and her colleague, Lauren St. Martin public communications and tourism specialist for Pasco County.

Taking a chat break between sessions are: Uri Argov (left), founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays; and NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for International Digital Day.

Naz Richardson (left), group sales coordinator, Blue Man Group, Universal Orlando Resort, gets together with Frank Vertolli, co-founder, Net Conversion, just prior to Vertolli’s presentation on “How to Increase your Website and Social Media Traffic from Key International Markets by Understanding the Media Landscape.”

. Taking a brief break between sessions is Ed Caum, tourism manager for the Pasco County, Fla. Office of Tourism Development.

. David Becker, CEO, Attract China, catches a breath of fresh air outside (above) during a break in the conference program before returning to the conference room (below) to show International Digital Day delegates how to hook up to WeChat via the QRC he has displayed during his presentation: “I Chat, You Chat, We All Chat for You Chat.”

Each following the action in his or her own way: Magan Adams (right), sales manager at The Court of Two Sisters in New Orleans; and Mike Prejean, supervisor in the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

Stopping on his way to take part in a panel discussion of receptive tour operators is Jay Santos, vice president, global development for Brazilian operator Grupo Trend. He is based in Orlando.

Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro, is waiting for the start of a panel discussion of receptive tour operators on the subject: “How Will a Donald Trump Presidency Affect International Tourism Arrivals?”

Also waiting for the start of the same panel discussion is Pabs Raghava, CEO of Atlanta-based Tours Limited, a receptive tour operator that specializes in bringing visitors from India to the USA.

Like most delegates to International Digital Day, Jim McMichael, specialty markets manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, works at his laptop during breaks.

Gathering together to give us a smile during a break in the action are (left-to-right): Janete Beaghley, receptive operations. Grupo Trend; Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company; Michelle Perez-Farinha, business development, Grupo Trend; and Ann Pilcher, tourism sales manager at the Pocono Mountains CVB.

Waiting for their turn to make a three-minute presentation before a panel of judges who will make an evaluation of what they say—in a “Shark Tank” format—are (left-to-right): Lauren Paffenback, travel trade sales executive-international, Merlin Entertainments; Jennifer Edwards, senior sales manager, Midway Attractions North America Merlin Entertainments; Claudia Cianfero, travel industry sales manager, Naples Marco Island and Everglades CVB; and Adam Morales, sales manager, leisure and business travel, worldwide sales, Best Western Hotels and Resorts.

The moment of truth arrives for “Shark Tank” participant Rivka Schwadel (right), director of groups and charter sales, City Sightseeing New York, as she listens to the comments of Uri Argov, founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays. Also taking in Argov’s commentary are (left-to-right): Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro; Kirsten Knauer, senior director, global sales, Fogo de Chao; and Melissa Rose, tour reservations and sales coordinator, Corning Museum of Glass — The moment of truth arrives for “Shark Tank” participant Rivka Schwadel (right), director of groups and charter sales, City Sightseeing New York, as she listens to the comments of Uri Argov, founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays. Also taking in Argov’s commentary are (left-to-right): Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro; Kirsten Knauer, senior director, global sales, Fogo de Chao; and Melissa Rose, tour reservations and sales coordinator, Corning Museum of Glass.

. Both Bob Schwartz (left), director of marketing and sales, Boston Duck Tours; and Christian Van Meter, manager, group sales, Americas, for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, have laptops and smartphones at the ready as the take a “work break.”

Stepping outside to enjoy the closing reception for day one of the RTO Summit are: Owen Tang (left) and Rick Xi, of Orland-based New Creative Tours.

Florida colleagues joining one another at the closing reception include (left-to-right): Leda Beever, travel tourism sales and product development manager, Daytona Beach Area CVB, Marielle Perre, manager, global travel accounts & product director, Florida Travel Network Receptive; and Sabine Chilton, international sales manager for The Florida Keys and Key West.

. The host hotel as day one of the RTO Summit, International Digital Day, comes to a close.

Watch for more photos from the RTO Summit in the next issue of the Inbound Report.

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