HODGE PODGE: Shifts, Shakeups and Occasional Shaftings in the Tour and Travel Industry

Michael Goldsmith Launches Las Vegas-Based Marketing and Management Firm

A veteran of more than three decades in the tour and travel industry in the USA, Michael Goldsmith, most recently vice president of marketing, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA), has launched Magellan Marketing. The new venture specializes in destination marketing and management, sports and special event marketing, international business development, strategic counsel, digital marketing, publicity and media relations.
Prior to joining the Las Vegas CVA, Goldsmith gained operations, sales and management experience serving in senior positions at The Riviera Hotel and Casino; The Mirage; and the Aladdin Resort and Casino, as well as other organizations.

For more information about Magellan Marketing, visit MagellanUnlimited.com or call 702.249.2977

Patricia Rojas Unger recently left her position at the U.S. Travel Association. Rojas-Unger, well-known in the industry as a speaker, panelist and presenter, was vice president of public affairs at US Travel, and was with the association for 11 years. She has taken on the post of vice president of government affairs at the Outdoor Industry Association. It is difficult for me, at the moment, to determine who replaced her, as so many titles at U.S. travel look the same.

Alexandre Mesquita has joined the sales and business development team at GAP travel, which is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. Previously, Mesquita has served in sales management positions at several Brazilian tour operators, including Hostway Travel and MMT Gapnet.

Richard Yeager has been named director of USA Sales for CHR Travel LLP. A veteran of more than 20 years in the tour and travel industry in New York City, Yeager has served as director of sales at CTN Tours, and in sales management positions for several hotel properties in the New York area.

Jill Pongonis has been appointed media public relations manager at the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance. She joins the attraction with nearly 30 years of experience in the tour and travel industry, including tenures with Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

Rachel Coffey has joined The Travel Corporation (TTC) as director of sales and business development for its four guided holiday brands—Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver and Luxury Gold—in the UK and Irish market. She will lead a sales and marketing team of ten. Coffey comes to TTC from G Adventures, where she served for nearly a year-and-a-half as director of sales, UK and Ireland. Prior to that, Coffey spent 14 years at Virgin Atlantic.

*In an early edition of INBOUND, we reported that Tresie Benoit has left her position with World2Meet, where she was senior contracts manager, USA, for more than two-and-a-half years. This report was incorrect. We apologize to Ms. Benoit for having posted this information.