Covering the Inbound Tourism Industry Since 1996

Say Cheese Please: NAJ’s RTO Summit Orlando Photo Gallery

October 30, 2018 by Tom Berrigan

INBOUND’s photographer was on hand for two days during last week’s RTO Summit in Orlando, where more than 50 receptive tour operator companies met and did business with U.S. travel suppliers. Most of the important companies in the business were on hand. We were able to get a many of those who were there to pause long enough to give us a smile. Following is a two-day sampler.

Millie Philipp (left), international tourism representative, Explore Minnesota; and Pamela Joy, media & tour account manager, Bloomington CVB, are the first two delegates in the conference room for the first day of the Summit.

Mariana Sarciotto, international sourcing manager, evaneos.

Lisa Arrell (left), director of tourism sales, Kitchen Kettle Village; and Mariana Manigold, sales and marketing director, Brazil and Canada, juniper.

Naz Richardson, associate sales representative, Blue Man Group/Universal Orland Resort.

Jennifer M. Costa (left), director, Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization; and Peggy Kelly, director of tourism marketing, Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development.

Lisa May (left), director of tourism, UpStateCa/Shasta-Cascade Wonderland Association; and Judith Ross, vice president, Meadowlands Liberty CVB.

From MGM Resorts International Leisure Sales: Jules Hinds-Dillon (left), sales manager, travel industry groups; and Bradley Ellington, travel industry group sales manager.

Representing Macy’s are Denise Arencibia (left); and Ali Awan, manager, tourism marketing.

Owen Teng, director of operations, New Creative Tours; and Su Hwa, also from New Creative Tours.

Mariana Sarciotto (left), international sourcing manager, evaneos; and Tomás Rey, president, Rey Royal Tours.

Panelists from the program segment on “Out of the Box Travel Trade Marketing Ideas Designed to Prove Value to Both Tour Operators and Management” (left to right): Jennifer Costa, director, Elizabeth (NJ) Destination Marketing Organization; Audrey Bialas, director of sales, Visit Hershey and Harrisburg; and Gayle Junilla, marketing development manager, Explore Minnesota.

Experts on the Brazilian market just before their presentation on “The Brazilian Market Roller Coaster Ride” (left to right): Jay Santos, Orlando station manager, GOL Airlines; Tereza Reis, president, Persona RGE Tours; and Oswaldo Freitas, regional sales director, Latin America, TPI-Global (a division of JTB).

The “Receptive Operator Super Panel” participants (left to right): Penny McNamara, director of product, Meeting Point North America; Ruben Mordan, area contract manager–South East US, Hotelbeds; and Tresie Benoit, contracts manager USA, World 2 Meet.

Long-time tour and travel industry veteran in Florida, Alfredo Gonzalez, who was representing the Long Island, NY, CVB; and Shari Bailey, director of international, Connect Travel.

Lisa Catron, international sales manager, Memphis, CVB.

Mike Prejean, international marketing and sales, contracts and missions, Louisiana Office of Tourism; and Emily Bell, marketing representative, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

Stefan Merkl, CEO Explore Marketing.

Oswaldo Freitas, regional sales director, Latin America, TPI-Global (a division of JTB).

Maria Wahby, contracts manager, Miki Travel.

Grey Brennan, deputy director, Alabama Tourism Department.

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Claudia Bonaiuto, sales manager for the host hotel, the Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate.

Flavia Oliveira, sales manager, Visit Oakland.

Naima Kahles-Barryane (left), motor coach coordinator, Meeting Point North America; and Julie Payne, group sales consultant, Hershey

Shirley Davis Conner (left)`, director, sales, Graceland; and Lori Huffstuler, tour and travel sales manager, The Guest House at Graceland.

From WebBeds: Angie Folks, contracts manager; and Matt Collins, contracts manager.

Carlos Machado, senior market development manager, OTS GLobe.

Alex Cunha, from My Vacation Homes & Tours, is invited to pick a selection from the bowl of Hershey products from Julie Payne, group sales consultant, Hershey.

Estelle Miller (left), director, tourism development, Hornblower Cruises & Events; and Christina Marcotte, travel trade manager, Niagara Falls Canada.

Renee M. Eichelberger, director of leisure travel sales, Explore St. Louis.

Jill Vance (left), director of sales, Lee County (Fla.) CVB; and Stefanie Zinke, international sales manager, Lee County (Fla.) CVB.

Kelli Norman, director of tourism marketing sales, Virginia Beach CVB.

Jolanda Nazario, vice president of sales, Bonotel Exclusive Travel.

From the Alabama Tourism Department: Graham Roderick, international sales manager; and Grey Brennan, deputy director.

Rakela Williams, director of product and events, American Excursionist.

Celia Nuccio, product manager, North America Destinations.

Representing luncheon sponsor Experience Kissimmee is Edith Rocio Ferguson, sales manager, North America.

Now seen by INBOUND at several tour and travel industry functions during the past year, this unusually wide-brimmed hat has become a signature brand of Jennifer Costa, director, Elizabeth (NJ) Destination Marketing Organization.

Joe Docal, director of travel industry sales, Latin America & the Caribbean, Greater Miami CVB, checks in with the home office during a break between business appointments.

Melissa Rose (left), group tour coordinator for the Corning Museum of Glass, hears from BillyJo Clark, auxiliary product developer for Rovia LLC.

Alessandra Ueno, product development & sales, Pegasus.

Veronica Cavalheiro, coordinator, custom product, Meeting Point North America.

Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, senior product manager, Florida & South, AlliedTPro.

Representing World Play Zipline to the Falls is Charlene Minor.

From Personal RGE Tours are: Tereza C. Reis, president; and Marcelo Pigatto.

Orlando-based receptive tour operator Opturi has two officials at the RTO Summit: Larissa Vieira, sales representative; and Freedom Stephane, business development manager.

Izumi Goodwin (left), office manager for JTB’s Orlando Office, along with Masako Maeda.

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