Photo Album – Page 2

IPW 2019: An Album—Images from IPW’s Five Days

June 11, 2019 by Tom Berrigan

Day One: Arrivals, Registrations, and Private Events

IPW volunteer Shao Chun directs arriving visitor to buses outside baggage claim area at LAX.

Jo Thomas, UK public relations representative for U.S. Travel Association, registers a journalist in the IPW press room.

Press room volunteers from the tourism industry in Anaheim (left-to-right): Barbara McClellan, Chris Nuccio; and Louise Shumbris.

More volunteers from the Anaheim tourism community: Kim Painter (left) and Junko Ikeda, who were ready to answer questions near the general registration area.

Kelly Hoang, global sales and services coordinator, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.

From Group Sales Box Office (left to right): Anthony Barone, group sales manager; Renato Rufino, director of international group sales; and Brenden Rogers, head of strategy and partnerships.

Gonzalo del Rio, director of groups and incentive travel, American Executive International.

Greeting an IPW registrant is Valerie Hutchinson, membership assistant for US Travel, as well as its longest-serving employee.

At the IPW information desk is another long-time US Travel employee—Shelley Conway, director of meeting & event services.

For Karla Sweeney, area director of sales for Courtyard by Marriott, It’s a nice day in San Diego—even if it’s a background photo at the California Plaza pop-up exhibit outside the Anaheim Convention Center.

He sure looks a lot like Tom Cruise, even if his name is Jerome LeBlanc and he is an impersonator.

Sherrie Anderson is an event coordinator for Visit California.

Rod LaBranche (left), director of travel industry sales, Historic Tours of America; and Jay Judal, director of outside sales, sales & marketing, San Diego Zoo Global.

Left to right: Kevin Costello, president and CEO of Corning & The Finger Lakes; Melissa Rose, group sales manager, Corning Museum of Glass; and Larry Kushner, photographer and correspondent for Tourism World magazine.

At a press event sponsored by New York City & Company and The Empire State Observatory are (left to right): Stephen Braun, marketing manager for tourism, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Lisa Tejeda, director, tourism market development, Latin America and & USA Hispanic Market, New York City & Company; and Nora Vetter, manager, tourism development, New York City & Company.

From New City & Company (left to right): Janette Roush, managing director, marketing; John A. Marshall, director of tourism development, established markets—USA & Canada; and Arun K. Govada, director, tourism marketing development—Asia-Pacific.

Fred Dixon (right), president and CEO, New York City & Company; and Jean-Yves Ghazi, senior vice president of the Empire State Building Observatory.

Day Two: More Arrivals and Registrations, Brand USA’s Marketing Outlook Session, Connect Travel’s Crowded Reception, and Opening Night Party at Disney

A Band of Seven from Brand USA—but one is a Guess Who from NYC & Company (left to right): Bhakiva Jariwala, director, travel trade, Sartha Global Marketing; Sunil Puri, joint managing director, Sartha Global Marketing; Sheema Vohra, managing director, Sartha Global Marketing; Yi Louis Lu, senior manager, global trade development, Brand USA; Jackie Ennis, senior director, global trade development, Brand USA; Makiko Matsuda Healy, managing director, tourism market development, New York City & Company; and James Huang, regional director and Brand USA consultant.

Old friends and colleagues Keri Hanson, director of tourism, international marketing director, Macy’s; and Stephen Braun, marketing manager for tourism, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and formerly of Macy’s.

Tom Norwalk (left), president & CEO of Visit Seattle; and Bill Talbert, president & CEO of the Greater Miami CVB.

Gathered together just before their marketing update sessions are (left to right): Sheema Vohra, managing director, Sartha Global Marketing; Ava Mehta, sales and marketing account director, Hills Balfour, London; and Sam Hancock, strategic UK & European Director, Brand USA (Hills Balfour).

Just prior to the cutting of the ribbon formally opening the California Plaza right near the Anaheim Convention Center are Jay Burress (left) president and CEO of Visit Anaheim; and Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

Scene just after the opening of the extraordinarily popular California Plaza just outside the Anaheim Convention Center.

Mike Gallagher, co-founder and co-chairman of CityPASS.

Cynthia Schmitt, director of international sales and marketing, Citadel Outlets; and Laura Winterhalter, regional marketing manager-West, Tommy Hilfiger.

From California’s Six Flags Magic Mountain are Ginger Hoolahan (left), senior sales executive, tourism development; and Teresa Stamoulis, consultant.

Juliana Baraldi, trade manager, Visit California; and Phil Hannes, senior director of tourism development, San Diego Tourism Authority.

Representing the Sawgrass Recreation Park: Nicole Tharp (left), director of client services; and Melissa Auld Soverns, chief operating officer.

From East West Marketing Corp. are Daniel Shen (left), chairman and founder; and Kiko Chen. They are joined by Nicholas An, who works with the travel trade for ChinaPro.

Left to right: Ben Maxion, sales manager, Visit Oakland; Betsy Cooper, director of TourOperatorLand.com and partner engagement, Connect Travel; and Mark Everton, president and CEO of Visit Oakland

Jeanette Guire (left), travel trade representative, Roaring Camp Railroads; and Dennis L. Swayne, business development manager, Blue & Gold Fleet.

Fernando Harb (left), senior director of sales, Connect Travel; and Jake Steinman, founder of the eTourism Summit and the NAJ Group.

Will Seccombe (right), president of Connect Travel joins (eft to right): David Lydia, tourism director, Aventura Mall; Denise Arencibia, partner and marketing diva, Spotlight Marketing and Public Relations; and Alejandro Herrera, president of Zimple Rentals

Left to right: Richard W. Peterson, president and CEO, US Cultural & Heritage Marketing Council; Betsy Cooper, director of TourOperatorLand.com and partner engagement, Connect Travel; and Charles Schuler, director of marketing and communications, external affairs, San Francisco International Airport.

Terri Dennison (left), executive director, PA Route 6 Alliance; and Ann M. Pilcher, tourism sales manager, Pocono Mountains CVB.

Left to right: From Orlando-based Go Pegasus are (left to right): Claudia Menezes, vice president/chief marketing officer; Fernando Pereira, president and CEO; and Fernanda Vanetta, business development/CFO.

Roxanna Torrens, senior director of travel industry sales, earlenterprises; and her colleague from the company, Jim Deliman, national sales director.

Mariana Manigold, sales and marketing director, Brazil and Canada, for Juniper.

Tara Hippensteel, director of tour & travel, Hard Rock Café; and Tomás Rey, president Rey Royal (tours).

Disneyland greets visitors from IPW 2019.

From the International Inbound Travel Association are Rebecca M. Barnes (left), public relations and marketing projects manager; and Beth C. Pope (center), and they are joined by tourism consultant Cathleen M. Johnson

From the Great Rivers County Regional Tourism Development office in Illinois are Roger Carmack (left) and John Haas.

Representing the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY., are (left to right): Regina Wagner, guest services and sales; Melissa Rose, group sales manager; and Beth Duane chief marketing and communications officer.

With Disneyland’s Cinderella Castle in the background are: Patty Thornton, director group and leisure sales, Marriott Vacation Club; and Rigoberto “Ricky” Villeda, national resort sales manager for Vistana.

Day Three: A Busy Day with a Brand USA News Conference and the Media Marketplace and More

Preparing for his annual report and news conference at IPW is Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA.

Waiting in the front row for the Brand USA news conference to begin are (left to right): Jay Burress,, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim; Jennifer Andrew, senior director, Americas, Expedia Media Solutions; Mike Gallagher, co-founder and co-chairman of CityPASS; and Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB. Gallagher and Edmiston are members of Brand USA’s board of directors

From the Richard Nixon Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California are: Ally Fitzgerald, digital marketing manager; and Joe Lopez, communications director.

Representing the Orlando Magic NBA team are: Marie Heikkinen Webb, assistant director of marketing; and Haley Meier, director of tourism and group sales.

Deborah Wakefield, vice president of communications and public relations, CityPASS.

Greg Staley, senior vice president, communications, US Travel, with Ernest Wooden Jr., president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board as Staley explains to a VIP delegation from Los Angeles the function of the Media Marketplace at IPW. Los Angeles, which has hosted IPW on six different occasions—the last being 2012—is slated to host IPW again in 2024.

Sienna Spencer-Markles, public relations manager for McCue.

Matthew Maxey, public relations manager, Franklin, Tennessee.

Representing the Las Vegas Monorail are: Laura Esfeller (left), director of marketing; and Ingrid Reisman, senior vice president & chief marketing officer.

Scott Gediman is public affairs officer for Yosemite National Park.

Gina Marr-Hiemstra, vice president Marin (California) CVB.

Robin McClain, senior vice president of communications, Destination DC.

From Visit Philadelphia, we have Arturo Varela, public relations manager; and Deirdre Childress Hopkins, director of public relations.

Left to right: Megan Allen, City PASS President and CEO; Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA; Jonathan Thompson, journalist for The Times (UK) and winner of a Discover America Travel Writing Award for his destination piece on Charleston; Mike Morey and Mike Gallagher, City PASS co-founders and co-chairmen; and Roger Dow, president and CEO, U.S. Travel Association.

Left to right: Marla Cichowski, vice president of media relations, TimeZoneOne, on assignment for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Laura Powell, who is pundit-in-chief for the Daily Suitcase; and Julie Sur, who is part of the public relations team for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Overhead view of the California Plaza, a very popular gathering place for IPW 2019 delegates.

Berry Yu, product manager for the vacation business department of Ctrip, becomes friendly with one of the therapy dogs who visited California Plaza.

Day Four: IPW’s Longest Day, Filled with Booth Appointments and, for Journalists, News Conferences

Cathy Reynolds, US Travel’s media relations manager and lead manager, IPW press operations, shows what’s ahead for the journalists who cover IPW.

Yes, Jacob Anderson-Minshall, deputy editor of The Advocate, a Hemet, California-based publication, is well aware of the looks he gets with his black-and-white, Imperial Storm Trooper-themed suit.

George Aguel, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, gives a report on what’s new and what to expect this year and next at the theme park capital of the world.

Waiting to give their reports at the U.S. Travel Association’s news conference are Elliot Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC and Tori Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy at the U.S. Travel Association.

PANROTAS, the dominant travel media company in Brazil, is represented by José Guilherme Alcorta, CEO; and Heloisa Prass, market and events director.

Judith Harris, vice president, member services, US Travel, next month will mark 28 years with the association.

Searching for love outside a news conference is Adam Davy, publisher of vacations and travel.

Showing how easy it is to make contact with a neighboring booth is Bob Gilbert, country manager, head of sales, North America, for Rezdy.

Greg Marshall, market development advisor for Visit Rochester; and Christopher Guidone, program manager for Wine, Water & Wonders of Upstate New York.

Yes, they are related: Mike Gallagher (right), co-founder and co-chairman of CityPASS; and Brian Gallagher, director, program management & business development at CityPASS.

It’s all about shopping—left to right: Rose M. Hapanowich, director of travel and tourism, Destiny USA; Denise Thevenot, executive director, Shop Louisiana; Rosemary McCormick, president Shop America Alliance; and Leslie Lundin, LBG Real Estate Companies.

Armindo Ferreira, managing director EMI Global USA; and Tereza Reis, president, Personal RGE Tours.

Richard Launder (left), president and CEO, Discover America; and Meg Mehta, Destination America’s director, business development.

Showing visitors to the Connect Travel booth how to access the TourOperatorLand.com website is Betsy Cooper, director of TourOperatorLand.com and partner engagement.

Explaining Jeenie, the ubiquitous, real-time translation service at IPW, is the company’s CEO and co-founder, Kristen Brecht Baker; and Hans Fenstermacher, global talent ambassador.

Long-time executive vice president of NTA—and now president-designate—Catherine Prather, along with Juan Pablo Hernández Belío, director general, Global Com Group.

Guillermo Alcorta, president of the Brazilian travel media and events company PANROTAS, with *INBOUND*’s managing editor. The two first met at IPW in 1986 in Phoenix.

Day Five: US Travel President and CEO Roger Dow Visits his Favorite Booth on IPW’s Last Day

Roger Dow (second from right), president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, stops at his favorite IPW booth and joins Connect Travel’s Betsy Cooper (left), director of TourOperatorLand.com and partner engagement; Shari Bailey, vice president of Connect Travel; and Fernando Harb, senior director of sales, Connect Travel.

Holding down one half of the Visit Sacramento booth are: John G. Reyes (right), chief operating officer; and Nick Leonti, director of tourism.

Holding down the other half of the Visit Sacramento booth are: Linda Eldred, tourism manager; and Matthew Guillory, tourism marketing manager.

Larry Cohen (left), president, Northeast Media, Inc.; and Alfredo Gonzalez, founding partner, AG Hospitality Group.

From New York City’s Hotel Beacon: Alexandra Rodriguez, director of sales and marketing; and Thomas J. Travers, general manager.

Carolyn J. Feimster, travel and tourism manager, SHOP*DINE*PLAY*USA,

Jeff Karnes, executive vice president, New World Travel

Ambassadors for New Jersey: Jennifer M. Costa (left), director, Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization; and Judith Ross, vice president, Meadowlands CVB

Suzanne Roman, sales manager for Statue Cruises.

NTA’s Morgan Maravich, manager, industry & member engagement.

The San Diego Zoo’s Dr. Zoolittle—at least, that’s the name he gave us.

Bob Hofmann, vice president, Broad Inbound at the Shubert Organization—along with New York City & Company, one of the two sponsors of IPW’s Tuesday luncheon that received rave reviews from delegates.

Derek E. Price, director, media solutions, for the expedia group; and Shari Bailey, vice president of Connect Travel.

Rafael Villanueva, senior director of global development, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, emcees an entertaining news conference designed to build interest in next year’s IPW in Las Vegas.

Barbara G.B. Ferguson is a veteran journalist who regularly covers IPW for the Arab News, an English language daily newspaper in the Arabian Gulf.

The redoubtable Noel Irwin Hentschel, chairman, CEO and co-founder of AmericanTours International (ATI), in front of the banner naming those who were in this year’s US Travel Chairman’s Circle Honorees. ATI is seen at the top of the column behind Irwin Hentschel.

Ann M. Pilcher, tourism sales manager, for the Pocono Mountains CVB.

Shaun Rogers, acquisition and key account management, Americas, for hotelbeds.

Mengru Zhao (left), a producer for Phoenix Satellite Television, prepares to interview Vicke Evans (center), manager, global tourism & partner sales for The Henry Ford; and Jennifer Ollinger, editor and publisher for the Detroit Metro CVB.

Core Communications’ Caroline Corfield-Rose (left) preparing for the next visitor to the Port of Seattle booth with Patricia Denny, international tourism development manager for the Port’s economic development division.

Images from the RTO Summit East 2019

April 30, 2019 by Tom Berrigan

“Our mission and mantra at Connect Travel is to connect the right people at the right time in the right place and in the right format in order to help you expedite the process … so that you be successful.”—Will Seccombe, president, Connect Travel & Connect Marketing as he greeted delegates to the opening of the RTO Summit East last week in New York City. Above is Seccombe, just before he welcomed Summit delegates.

Greg Edevane, director of global development, Chester County (Pa.) CVB, and Stacy Cohen, product development manager, Northeast, Meeting Point International listening to question from the audience during their discussion on how to get independent hotels to embrace the receptive tour operator channel.

Jennifer Costa, director of Go Elizabeth NJ makes a point during a panel discussion on the importance of relationship marketing while another panelist, Mike Prejean, international marketing manager, Louisiana Office of Tourism, listens.

Ann Pilcher (left), tourism sales manager, Pocono Mountains CVB; and Penny Nana-Sinkam, group sales manager at Amish Farm and House.

Sally Berry (left) a tourism industry consultant and featured speaker; and Leah Muller, tourism sales director, Buffalo Niagara CVB

Shari Bailey, director of international, Connect Travel; and Fernando Harb, senior director of sales, Connect Travel.

About to speak to the RTO Summit is Kirsten Breach Baker, founder and CEO of Jeennie, a translation service.

Dan Swain, director of data sales for ARC, just before his presentation to Summit delegates.

Bob Gilbert, president of Captivation Marketing, listening intently to a panel discussion while, at the same time, he waits to make a presentation of his own.

Matt Nagel, director of product, Peek Pro, answers a question from the audience during a panel discussion on channel managers and how they are changing attraction distribution. The panel also included Amanda Johnson (left), channel manager, Fareharbor; and Melanie Wilmesher, also a channel manager from Fareharbor.

Yiling Pan, editor, Jing Travel, spoke with INBOUND following her presentation on trends in Chinese tourism.

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Robin Sammartino, contracting manager, Northeast USA, for World2Meet

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Stacy Cohen, product development manager, Northeast, Meeting Point International.

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Tomás Rey, president Rey Royal

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Esther Roth, general manager, DMC East, ATP (formerly AlliedTPro)

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Anthony Liu, president, American Holidays

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Huey Hu, CEO assistant and marketing specialist, Universal Vision/Jupiter Legend Corp.

Tour Operator Roundtable discussion leader Mahua Seghal, contracting manager, New World Travel

Roxanna Torrens, senior director of travel industry sales, Earl Enterprises; and Jack Lok, founder, L&L Travel

Elaine Kellogg, executive director business development, Gray Line/City Sightseeing New York, welcomes delegates at day two breakfast.

Larry Chen and Holly Zhao—president and general manager, respectively—of Bigdream Tours Enterprise

From New Jersey are: Jennifer M. Costa, director of Go Elizabeth; and Dorian L Perez, sales and marketing manager, Go Elizabeth.

Ivan Selwyn, contract manager, Bonotel Exclusive Travel; and Katelynn Copell, visitors center coordinator, McIlhenny Company (makers of TABASCO® brand products)

Kimberly Hartley, Canadian/International sales manager, Myrtle Beach Area CVB; and Carolyn J. Feimster, travel and tourism manager, SHOP*DINE*PLAY*USA

Mahua Seghal, contracting manager, New World Travel; and Roxanna Torrens, senior director of travel industry sales, Earl Enterprises

From Mayi Tours we have David Dong, operations department; and Ray Yan.

Harry Wade, tourism marketing manager, Duty Free Americas; and Christina Marcotte, travel trade manager, Niagara Falls Tourism

Colleen Selner, sales manager, Brandywine Valley & Valley Forge; and Greg Edevane, director of global development, Chester County (Pa.) CVB

Tom Sipply, marketing manager, RMP Travel; and Melissa Rose, group sales manager, Corning Museum of Glass

Angela Wiggins (left), regional manager, tripadvisor Experiences; and Blanca Rosa Espinosa, director of sales and marketing, New York City EXPRESS BUS

Julie Payne (left), group sales consultant, Hershey; and Larry Chen and Holly Zhao—president and general manager, respectively—of Bigdream Tours Enterprise

Long-time colleagues at, Gray Line/City Sightseeing New York—Anna Kozma, sales services manager; and Elaine Kellogg, executive director business development

Eugenie Mitichell, vice president of tourism sales for luncheon sponsor Lafayette Louisiana, talks about her destination while Katelynn Copell, visitors center coordinator, McIlhenny Company (makers of TABASCO® brand products), listens.

Tomás Rey, president Rey Royal, with Charlene Hale, leisure manager, Visit Jefferson Parish

Armindo Ferreira, managing director, EMI Global USA; and Rosemarie Reyes, partner in ROSEWORKS Marketing

Renee Eichelberger, director of leisure travel sales, Explore Saint St. Louis; and Josephine Formato, sales manager, special groups and incentives, AmericanTours International

Danielle Dowlin (left), director of sales, plain and fancy, Miller’s and Amish View; and Robin Sammartino, contracting manager, North and East USA, for World2Meet.

Tracy Harris, sales and marketing manager, Attractions USA

Marie Reese (left), product manager-USA/Canada/Caribbean, Flight Centre Travel Groupp; and Kaylynne Defever, tourism specialist, Detroit Metro CVB

It was an unintentional festival of polka dots on display for the three partners in ROSEWORKS marketing—(left to right): Shoshana Puccia, Veronique Hennebelle and Rosemarie Reyes—who showed up from different parts of the globe.

Gifts contributed by suppliers for a closing reception raffle kept delegates at the event until the very end.

Just prior to the last business meeting of the day, everyone waved goodbye to the 2019 RTO East Summit.

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.

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.

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.

IPW 2018 Photo Album: Part Two

June 5, 2018 by Tom Berrigan

In this issue, the INBOUND camera picks up with IPW events and business from Monday morning through a closing concert on Wednesday night—including the Brand USA Media Marketplace (sponsored by CityPASS) and Monday night’s Mile High Stadium experience, as well as luncheons and business appointments.

Deborah Wakefield, vice president of communications and public relations, CityPASS, did not have a single appointment no-show, and a number of walk-ups kept stopping by, waiting for a chance to see her.

More than 500 journalists connected with several hundred travel suppliers at the Media Marketplace.

Richard Peterson, president of San Francisco-based S&P Consulting, which announced at IPW that it had acquired the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council

Ingrid Reisman, senior vice president & chief marketing officer, Las Vegas Monorail.

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From Port Aransas & Mustang Island, Texas, are: Jeffrey Hentz, president and CEO; and Joan Garland, who heads up the destination’s public relations and special events efforts.

Deborah Bass (left), tourism representative, Cape May County New Jersey Department of Tourism; and Lauren Ferrigno, marketing coordinator, Elizabeth (N.J.) Destination Marketing Organization.

Katie Kirkland (left), communications & tourism manager, Visit Tuolumne County; and Susan Wilson, a veteran PR consultant who has helped organize Visit Tuolumne County’s promotional programs.

Lori Simms, interim director, Missouri Division of Tourism.

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock welcomes some 6,000 delegates to the city.

Several hundred tour and travel professionals forget about their work and behave like groupies—gathering in front of the stage as the B-52s, a popular group whose heydays were in the 1980s, run through some of their hits.

Jo Banner, communications manager, New Orleans Plantation Country (River Parishes Tourist Commission) and Joseph Dunn, who handles sales, marketing and public relations for Laura: A Creole Plantation.

Rafael Abreu, director of sales and marketing, Statue Cruises.

Courtney McCurry, manager, public relations, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

Meagan Hruby, tourism marketing manager, Destination El Paso.

From the Louisiana Office of Tourism: Barry Landrey (left) director of communications; and Charlie Whinham, public information officer.

With Mile High Stadium’s interior outfitted like a Chuck E. Cheese entertainment center for adults, Toshiya Kikuchi, editor of the Globetrotter Travel Guidebook, is very tentative during his ride on top a mechanical bull.

Bhakiva Jariwala, director, travel trade, for Sartha Global Marketing, which represents Brand USA in India, manages to stay aboard the mechanical bull for the duration of her ride

From Rocky Mountain International: Lori Yunker, global marketing manager; and Kim Paulson, public relations and communications manager.

Adam Johnson, vice president of marketing, Visit St. Paul, listens to Anita Bunch explain some of the more interesting aspects of Mile High Stadium.

Brant Collins, group travel manager, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism; and LeAnne Weill, deputy assistant secretary, Louisiana Office of Tourism.

Bettina Schølie, a Danish journalist who specializes in golf tourism.

Alina Szypula, an operations support manager for eTravel in Poland, is a blur of activity as she uses bike power to mix her drink.

Charlene Dreyer and her husband Evan, deputy chief of staff, Office of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

Brian Gallagher (left), director of program management and business development, CityPASS; and Mike Gallagher (Yes, they are related), co-founder and co-chairman of City PASS.

From team Macy’s: left to right: Abigail James, group vice president, marketing strategy; Stephen Braun, manager, tourism marketing; and Keri Hansen, director of tourism & development.

David Filipiak, director of sales, National Geographic Encounter; and Roxy Cade Ward, tourism and group sales manager, National Geographic Encounter.

Florida colleagues on the IPW floor: D.T. Minich (left), president and CEO of Experience Kissimmee; and David Downing, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.

David Becker, CEO, Attract China, at the TourOperatorLand.com booth.

Left to right: Thomas Berton, president, Manhattan Sail; Jennifer Purtill, Avalon Marketing Group, representing Destinations of New York State; and Carolyn J. Feimster, travel and tourism manager, Shop•Dine•Play•USA.

Richard Humphrey, CEO and chief operating officer, The Ride, standing outside the five-booth-long customized motorcoach, whose inside served as the setting for business appointments.

Jennifer Tsou from Taiwan-based Grandeur Tours & Travel Inc.

Christopher Guidone, owner of Big Picture Tourism, representing the Wine Water & Wonders of Upstate New York.

Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of the American Bus Association.

D.T. Minich, president and CEO of Experience Kissimmee, tells delegates at Wednesday luncheon that his destination is the “vacation rental home capital” of the USA.

Passers-by just had to stop and take a look at, or pose with, these likenesses of England’s Prince Harry and Princess Meghan, who were married on the same day that IPW began.

Left to right: Kirsten Brecht Baker, co-founder and CEO of Jeenie by GPS Inc.; Hanz Fenstemacher, global talent ambassador, Jeenie; and Carlo Barbarafieri, general manager, We Traveler.

From Italy, representing Italy’s Fiera Milano are: Nello Martini, exhibition manager; and Federica Constantini, sales.

Left to right: Geraldine Bordelon, director of destination sales at Visit Baton Rouge; and Laurie Walsh, manager, St. Francisville Main Street, St. Francisville, Louisiana, are waiting for their colleague, Tracy Francis, national sales manager, tourism, Visit Baton Rouge, to join them.

Closing night concert—Red Rocks Amphitheatre waiting to fill up. (Photo: Stefan Merkl)

The amphitheatre is filled to the brim. (Photo: Stefan Merkl)

Delegates warm to music of OneRepublic. (Photo: Stefan Merkl

Ryan Tedder, lead vocalist for OneRepublic, thanks delegates for being such a great audience, says good night. (Photo: Yi Louis Lu)

IPW 2018 Photo Album: Part One

May 29, 2018 by Tom Berrigan

The first half of this year’s photo album highlights a special event for the NAJ Group, which publishes the INBOUND Report: an appreciation luncheon held for its TourOperatorland clients and receptive tour operators. Then, we work our way through the weekend and end with the opening night festivities at Denver’s Performing Arts Center. And, of course, there are other moments …