Photo Album

2,000+ Meetings at RTO Summit West!

March 29, 2022 by Tom Berrigan

In a sentence: It was Building Back International Travel—One Meeting at a Time, with 2,030 Individual meetings altogether at Connect Travel’s RTO Summit West last week at the Hilton Los Angeles/University City. Here are more than two dozen photo memories of the experience.

RTO Summit East in New York City

March 15, 2022 by Tom Berrigan

Connect Travel’s RTO Summit East in New York City was a “thumbs-up” success for everyone who attended and took part in the sell-out event. New York City & Company made sure delegates were in an upbeat mood with their opening night reception. Enjoy the slide show of photos taken at the Summit.

Connect Marketplace 2020 Album

March 3, 2020 by Tom Berrigan

A Marketplace Album: Following is a brief collection of photos of the people who took part in the Connect Travel Marketplace, Market Leadership Summit and related events that were recently held coterminously at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

DAY ONE: Registration, Workshops and Opening Reception

A different beat. Registrants picked up a positive vibe from Connect’s own DJ, who spun some new age music in the registration lobby.

Among the early registrants: Seth Lawson (left), director of sales, travel & tourism, Threshold; and Dave O’Donnell, director of strategic communications, Greater Boston CVB

Landon C. Howard, president of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, with Laurie Jo Miller Farr, editor of The Travel Vertical, a Connect Travel publication.

Allison Schult, tourism marketing, Visit North Carolina; and Amir Eylon, president & CEO, and partner in Longwoods International.

From Dunhill Travel Deals: Kurt Homfelt (left), president; and Brett Couvillon, senior vice president of sales.

Matteo Lallo, consulente di viaggio: tour guidati, viaggi di nozze, eventi, Altrimenti on the Road; and Cyd M. Pastrana, travel industry sales manager, international sales, Disney Destinations.

Anne Chen, senior sales manager, Explore Gwinnett; and Brandon Barnes, director of international sales & marketing, Atlanta CVB.

Fernando Harb (left), senior director of sales, Connect Travel; and Howard Clark, area director of travel industry sales, Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

From Expedia: Heidi Bodalia, area manager, Expedia Group; and Derek Price, director of business development-North America, Expedia Group Media Solutions.

Luis Flores, vice president of hotel sales and revenue management, Westgate Resorts; Jackie Diaz, travel industry sales manager, Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando.

Tim Doherty, senior account executive, Semcasting; and Mike Skladony, general manager of consumer services—also from Semcasting.

Jake Steinman (left), founder of TravelAbility; and Mo Parikh, CEO of bandwango.

Wit Tuttell, director of Visit North Carolina.

Representing Stafford, Virginia are: Lisa M. Logan (left), tourism manager; and Courtney Swenson, marketing specialist.

Ed Caum, director of the South Padre Island CVB.

Anthony Minick, director of marketing for the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel & Tourism.

Will Seccombe, president of Connect Travel; and Luisa Mendoza, founder and president of Global Tourism Sports & Entertainment.

Dyhalma J. Torres (left), associate regional vice president, President’s Club, Helmsbriscoe; and Patricia Perez-Sahin, destination specialist, Latin Plus DMC Group.

Rebeca Palatka (left), global travel & expense manager; and Veronique Howard, director, strategic accounts and business development, Soteria Transportation Group.

Matt Grayson, president-Americas, Dragon Trail Interactive.

Juan J. Maya (left), assistant director, meetings, travel & logistics services, Service Employees International Union; and Mark F. Stone, director, Business Development Enterprise, Travel Leaders Corporate.

DAY TWO: Opening general session, business appointments, networking lunch and remarks of President Barack Obama (photography prohibited).

Robert Patterson, vice president of marketing technology, MMGY Global.

David Atkins, principal, Digital DNA INFUSION

Roger Dow (left), president and CEO, U.S. Travel Associations; Shari Bailey, vice president, Connect Travel; and DT Minich, president and CEO, Experience Kissimmee.

Alejandro Herrera, director, commercial, Aerovision; and Jennifer Olson, tourism marketing-Fashion Show Las Vegas and the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

Connect Travel President Will Seccombe delivers introductory remarks at opening general session.

From the host destination for the event, Kissimmee, DT Minich, president and CEO, Experience Kissimmee, welcomes delegates.

Roger Dow, president and CEO, U.S. Travel Association, provides an update on key industry issues.

Rafael Villanueva, senior director of global development, Las Vegas CVA, gives an update of what delegates can expect at this year’s IPW, which is being held in Las Vegas for the fourth time.

Dana Young, CEO of Florida, gives an overview of the condition of the travel and tourism industry in the state.

Delegates listen intently to Carroll Rheem, vice president of research and analytics for Brand USA, as she discusses the outlook for inbound tourism to the United States in the near-term future.

Jessica Morgan, director of tourism development for Louisville Tourism, with Malcolm Smith, US Travel’s senior vice president of business development and general manager of IPW.

At the business appointments—Jessica Banchs, with E-Vacations Travel; and Ignasi Canals, CEO of Barcelona-based Tourist Forum.

Melissa Batulevicius, strategic account sales manager-international, for the Legoland Florida Resort, meets with Ingrid Nieves, who does contracts for Kaluah Tours.

Her signature oversize wide brim hats make Jennifer Costa, executive director of the Elizabeth (N.J.) Destination Marketing Organization, recognizable anywhere, including her appointment here with Maria Isable Sharma, who handles group sales for Gimatur.

David Kurtz (left), vice chair of Discover America Norway, with Connect Travel’s senior director of sales, Fernando Harb.

Patricia Schaumans, product & contracting manager for Exclusive Destinations.

Jennifer Moore, vice president of tourism for the Huntsville/Madison County (Alabama) CVB; and Sharat Sharma, head of FIT operations, Strawberi Holidays.

Nora White (left), director of sales and marketing, I•Drive Business Improvement District; and Akilah Dorsey, regional director, Leisure Pass Group.

Michelle Fisher, director of sales and marketing, Holiday Inn Orlando SW-Celebration area; and Alan M. Ledewitz, area director of sales, Carter Hospitality.

Chris Ellis, CEO, 7M Tours; and from the Brazilian Tour Operator MGM, Yana Barral (center) and Patricia Correa.

Isaac Pacheco, director of sales for New York City’s 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Suzanne Segura Taylor, executive of the Boston-based Freedom Trail Foundation; and Narinderpal (Raja) Marwah, of Marwah Tours & Travels.

An unofficial “New Jersey Caucus” table gathers outside the business appointment session floor, comprised of (left to right): Judy Ross, vice president & director of tourism, Meadowlands CVB; Peggy Kelly, director of tourism marketing, Hudson County, NJ; Kate Kane, director of development and events, for Visit Princeton-Mercer; and Kimberly Klapper, director of sales & marketing, Element Harrison-Newark.

Lucia Alessi, product development manager, NAR World Wide Tours; and François Jean Viel, owner of Viel Marketing International.

Dra. Yudi Tenesaca is general manager of Global Land Tour, which is headquartered in Quito, Ecuador.

DAY THREE: Special viewing of new Brand USA giant screen film, plus a full day of business appointments.

Film producer Shaun MacGillivray (left) with Brand USA’s chief marketing officer, Tom Garzilli, and Amir Eylon (right), president & CEO and partner of Longwoods International, shortly before screening of the big screen film, “Into America’s Wild.”

(Left to right) Andrew Bell, vice president, client engagement Time Zone One; Mary Twomey, vice president, global trade & consumer development, Time Zone One; and Aimee G. Willetts, travel trade sales and strategic partnerships, Field Museum.

Derek Price, director, business development-North America, Expedia Group Media Solutions, makes a presentation on travel trends.

Daniel Schwartz (left), director of global tourism development for the San Francisco Travel Association, is joined by Shari Bailey, vice president of Connect Travel; and Jonathan Couch, senior purchasing manager-Americas & The Caribbean, accommodations & ground services, dnata.

Partial view of some of the action during business appointment session.

Sylvia H. Amlaw (left), assistant general manager, Safety Harbor Resort and Spa on Tampa Bay; and Peio Cuevas, vice president, operations and development at See USA Tours.

Aimie Johnson (left), senior manager of leisure sales, with Amanda Peacock, market development manager-tourism division, Georgia Department of Economic Development.

At the Hotelbeds table are: Alice Kilpatrick (left), regional manager, sourcing, South East USA; and Alicia Binney, yield manager, South East.

Karina Aragones, travel partner, Gestur.

Tara Hippensteel, national sales manager of tour and travel, Topgolf.

Tiffany Watkins, business development manager, Machine Guns Vegas.

Gisa Kusserow-Hanson, senior product manager, ATP (formerly AlliedTPro).

Author, marketing maven and skilled speaker Andrew Davis emphasizes a point during his luncheon presentation.

Alfredo Gonzalez, travel trade specialist for Discover Long Island and a well-known figure in travel and tourism circles in Florida.

Reena Sachdev, founder of Mumbai-based Travel Arena.

Ken Tutt, area director of sales and marketing, Victor Hotels.

Gisela Marti (left), vice president, marketing and tourism, Greater Miami CVB; and Sonja Rabba, senior product manager, product management North America.

Richard Peterson, president, U.S. Cultural & Heritage Marketing Council.

Rose Hapanowich, director of travel and tourism at Destiny USA.

Connect Travel’s RTO Summit Florida Snapshot Album

October 29, 2019 by Tom Berrigan

Connect Travel’s RTO Summit Florida last week in Orlando brought together travel suppliers with receptive tour operators in a two-day program that included both educational sessions and information-sharing discussions on Day One, followed by a day-long schedule of one-to-one business appointments. Following is a photo account of the event.

Day One:

Mariana Manigold, Juniper sales director, Brazil & Canada, and Cangooroo sales director USA, Brazil & Canada was first to show up for the event—a half hour before registration began.

(#2) Annie Zou, director of sales, at New York City-based Unlimited Biking

Kristina Martell, sales representatives, Blue Man Group/Universal Orlando Resort

Adrienne Chiron, owner of Travel Trackers, and Joe Docal director of travel industry sales USA (Northeast & Midwest), Canada & Latin America, Greater Miami CVB

Julie Payne, group sales consultant, Hershey; and Joseph Delbuono, regional tour and travel sales and marketing manager, New York/Washington D.C., for Hard Rock Café

Faisal Sublaban, president and CEO, Bonotel Exclusive Travel, delivers opening remarks.

Howard Clark, area director of travel industry sales, Interstate Hotels & Resorts

From Miki Travel Limited: Maria Wahby, contracts manager, ebusiness division; and Mikael Hellstrom, regional sales manager-North America

Dan Swain, data sales director for ARC

Sherry Constance, director of sales at The Court of Two Sisters; and Charlene Hale, leisure manager, Visit Jefferson Parish

Norxis Barboza de Quintero, tourism director, the Florida Mall; Nora Barboe, senior manager, global tourism marketing, Simon Shopping Destinations; and Tricia Henson, director of tourism, Orlando Vineland and International Premium Outlets

Audrey Bialas, director of sales, Visit Heshey & Harrisburg; and Greg Edevane, director of global development, Chester County’s Brandywine Valley

Long-time Florida tour and travel industry figure Alfredo Gonzalez, founding partner, AG Hospitality Group

Maria Hulsewe, president, North America Destinations

Bernardo De Lucia, general manager, Kaluah Tours

These two receptive tour operators gave delegates a state-of-the-industry update on Asian markets: Owen Teng (left), director of operations, New Creative Tours, Inc; and Chris Ellis, CEO, 7M Tours.

Answering a wide range of queries on the condition of the European market were these two receptive tour operators: Tomás Rey, president, Rey Royal; and Maria Wahby, contracts manager, ebusiness division, Miki Travel.

Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, senior product manager, Florida & South, ATP

Lisa Catron, international sales manager, Memphis Tourism; Jesus Garcia, manager, international sales, Atlanta CVB; and Mike Prejean, supervisor, Louisiana Office of Tourism.

Rodney Levy, director of business development, Tripster

Tomás Rey (left), president, Rey Royal; and Alfredo Gonzalez, founding partner, AG Hospitality Group

Miki Travel’s Maria Wahby, contracts manager, ebusiness division; and Mikael Hellstrom, regional sales manager-North America

Room-size view of the Receptive Tour Operator Roundtable session

Charlene Hale, leisure manager, Visit Jefferson Parish; and John Fernandes, group sales marketing manager, Boston Ballet

Dennis L. Swayne, business development manager, Blue & Gold Fleet

Michael Marzano, president, FM Tours,

Day Two:

Day two at the RTO Summit is always about business—conducted from morning till later afternoon in 10-minute appoints between buyer and supplier, as well as in the course of off-the-floor conversations and on-the-spot socializing—and last week’s edition in Orlando was no different. Following is a photo album of the day.

Left to right: Shari Bailey, vice president of Connect Travel; Sean Bayliss, consultant for Brand USA global trade development; and Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, senior product manager, Florida & South, ATP.

Representing the Cartoon Network’s outside-the-box, themed hotel opening soon in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are: Diana Bernardo (left), general manager; and Jade Moser, sales and marketing manager.

Mike Prejean, supervisor, Louisiana Office of Tourism; and Graham Roderick, international sales manager, Alabama Tourism Development.

Left to right: Alfredo Gonzalez, founding partner, AG Hospitality Group; Fernando Harb, senior director of sales for Connect Travel; and Howard Clark, area director of travel industry sales, Interstate Hotels & Resorts

Dan Swain, data sales director for ARC, and Stefanie Zinke, international sales manager, Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau

Always a popular figure at Connect Travel events, Julie Payne, group sales consultant, Hershey, realizes that the samples she has brought for her meetings with receptive tour operates are in peril, given the look of Jesus Garcia, manager, international sales, Atlanta CVB. On the right is Anne Taber Klenke.

Working the phone in between appointments is Gene Hagberg, global director of sales, RLH Corporation.

Representing North America Destinations are Osmar DaCosta, director of sales; and Maria Hulsewe, president.

From Kaluah Tours are Bernardo De Lucia, president, and Ingrid Nieves.

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

Shannon Grounds, sourcing manager, Hotelbeds.com

Marina Petrova, founder, places.events

Mike Trowbridge, vice president, partnership programs, Resort Inventory Group

Representing Tours Limited, LLC are Radhika Tripurani, director, media, marketing and attraction tours, and her colleague Anupriya Kalkundri.

Hima Vora, vice president, Maxim Tours

Estelle Miller (right), director, tourism development, Hornblower Cruises & Events, meets with Maya Sheth, director, Konnect USA Tours.

Masako Maeda (left), president, Japan American Tours, Inc.; and Izumi Goodwin, office manager, JTB USA.

From Orlando-based Magic Stars Vacations are: Paulo Santiago and Vera Roncaglia.

Rakela Williams, director of product, excursionist

Taking a break before their next appointment are: Sheryl Ellis (left), tourism sales manager, Greater Birmingham CVB; and Leda Beever, travel tourism sales & product development manager, Daytona Beach Are CVB.

Speaking for the day’s luncheon sponsor is Rosemarie Payne, director, leisure travel – USA & Canada, Visit St. Pete Clearwater.

Yauhito “Ty” Inomata, manager, sales department, Southeast Region, IACE Travel

Lisa May, director of tourism, UpStateCA/Shasta-Cascade Wonderland Association; and Marcelo Pigatto, groups & products supervisor, Personal RGE Tours.

Vanessa Groeneveld, director of marketing & sales, Niagara Jet Adventures, preparing papers for her next business appointment.

Sammy Nguyen, product manager for ATI South—Orlando Regional Corporate Office

Stéphanie Le Floch, product manager, FIT Department, Contact USA

Melissa Rose, group sales manager, Corning Museum of Glass, puts things in order while standing and ready for her next business appointment.

Mayete Kubicso, destination designer, MICE & leisure groups, Cosmopolitan Incentives

Managing a smile moments before her final business appointment of the day is Renee M. Eichelberger, director of leisure travel sales, Explore St. Louis.